Internalizing Dayak cultural values to foster youth entrepreneurial interest in local economic development

This study explores the influence of Dayak cultural values on the entrepreneurial interest in local economic development among youth in Pulau Jaya Village, Tempunak District. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through a survey of 90 respondents and in-depth interviews with key informants. The findings reveal that cultural values such as hard work, independence, communal cooperation (panganrau), and customary beliefs rooted in the Kaharingan tradition significantly shape young people's entrepreneurial motivation and orientation, although not all values demonstrated statistically significant effects. Symbolic values, including the cultural meaning of tuak pemali and the use of indigenous language, reinforce collective identity and social responsibility in entrepreneurial practices. Theoretically, this research underscores the importance of integrating local cultural values into community-based entrepreneurship models. Practically, the findings recommend that local economic empowerment programs adopt culturally grounded approaches, such as entrepreneurship training that emphasizes communal solidarity, self-reliance, and sustainability. These results highlight culture as a form of social capital and symbolic resource that can strengthen local competitive advantage. However, this study is limited to a single community and time frame; thus, future research is encouraged to expand the geographical scope and examine the dynamics of cultural value transformation in response to modernization. Keywords: Dayak culture, youth entrepreneurship, tuak pemali, indigenous language, local economy