BELAGA: The Kayans of Uma Kahei in Belaga celebrated their culture for the first time in a festival called ‘Pesta Do Ledoh,’ held from July 5 to July 6.
The atmosphere was vibrant as Kayan men and women adorned themselves in colourful traditional costumes.
In the Uma Kahei longhouse, the women were seen preparing betel leaves (‘sireh’) and betel nuts (‘pinang’) for the attending guests to enjoy during the two-day festival.
Additionally, upon entering the longhouse, guests would notice a distinct area where shamanic priests (‘dayung’) moved around, dancing and chanting near the ritualistic offering altar (‘juk’).
Datin Sri Hau Ngo from the Uma Kahei longhouse shared that the celebration was typically held in April after the farmers finished harvesting paddy. However, this practice has diminished as the majority of the Kayan community has converted to Christianity.
According to Hau, traditionally in the Uma Kahei longhouse, the celebration is known as ‘juk bekaran’ or commonly referred to as ‘juk ise,’ which is a way to express gratitude to the gods for a bountiful harvest.
She further explained that the ‘juk’ consisted of banana leaves and ta’ah (traditional skirt) placed on it.
“The men and women are required to circle the ‘juk’ eight times. Originally, it was 16 times, based on the ‘Maren’ (the highest stratum in the Kayan social stratification), but due to changing times, it is now eight,” she informed Sarawak Tribune at the Uma Kahei longhouse on Friday, July 5.
Hau then described the appearance of the ‘juk’ as resembling a man wearing a ‘lavong’ (men’s headgear) on top of it, along with the ‘sunong’ (traditional men’s warrior costume).
Various cultural traditions were showcased during the festival, including the ‘ngajat’ (traditional dance) and ‘parap’ (traditional chant).
Other enjoyable activities included beading and arm wrestling (‘payo laip’).
Several longhouses from the Belaga district including Uma Nyaving, Long Mejawah; Uma Apan, Long Mejawah; Uma Aging, Long Da’ah; Uma Aging Baling Avun; Long Amo; Kampung Datah Layang; Uma Tevok, Long Buyun; Uma Balui Lebuie, Naha Jalei; and Uma Baha Jalei, Long Kebuho participated in the celebration.
