The Relationship Between the Dyaks and the Chinese in Westborneo

The chinese miners and the dyaks were often at odds with each other. An interesting dynamic that existed was in the betrothal of dyak women as wives for the chinese men. These marriages created a kind of sub culture that kept moticum of peace and tranquillity between these two groups. They became full fledged partners with their chinese husbands, providing for them and giving voice to matters that affected them. Their offspring were referred to as ban tang fan, which, if you break down the characters, means half chinese and half aboriginal.