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“Nyobeng” The Unique Culture Of Bidayuh

Dayak is a name of tribes which occupied Kalimantan, Indonesia. “Dayak” word in local language means people who live in upper course. It divided into about 405 sub-tribes, like Bidayuh, Belian, Kayant, etc. Dayak live in a longhouse, a house which can take more than one family. They live by fishing, huntering, making some handicraft, etc. But some of them go to cities to work as like urban people.

Bidayuh is one of seven biggest dayak sub-tribes in Kalimantan. They live in a small longhouses as well as closely spaced accommodation in some villages. They make a central community building known as “baruk”. This is used by male population for discussion, storytelling, entertaining, etc. The majority of them are Catholic, and a few of them are Protestant. But they still make a ritual activity called nyobeng every year.

Nyobeng is a ritual bathing or cleaning the human skull by the result of “mengayau” ancestors. It occur and lasted for 3 days (15-17 June). It has been done for generation is a traditional ceremony that is for blessing, prosperity, peace, tranquility, etc. It is intended only for men, while for indigenous women are called “nambok” culture. This ceremony can show us that Dayak Bidayuh have to respect or appreciate their ancestor even though the skull is a skull of an enemy.

Source:
http://visiteastkalimantan.blogspot.com/2007/03/dayak-tribe-in-east-kalimantan.html
http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suku_Dayak_Bidayuh
http://purjianto.skyrock.com/3004073517-TRADITIONAL-CEREMONY-The-Dayak-Bidayuh-NYOBENG.html