By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, May 13: ‘Nguai’, ‘Tungku Abuh’, and the possession of ‘tajau’ (porcelain jar or vases) and ‘antu pala’ (human skulls) are among the Dayak practices to be preserved by the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak (MAIS).
Minister in Premier of Sarawak’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai said that MAIS had conducted 19 series of workshops and fieldwork for data collection, with the Iban Research Section progressing to its second stage and the Bidayuh Research Section reviewing the Adat Bidayuh 1994.
According to Sikie, ‘Nguai’ and ‘Tungku Abuh’ are two dying ‘adat’ (practice) barely observed by their respective ethnic groups, the Ibans and Bidayuhs.
The Iban ‘adat’ for ‘Nguai’ dictates that a marrying couple must determine their permanent residence, with one spouse marrying into the family of the other, and historically, the Iban longhouse was considered a ‘menoa’ (sovereign state).
This ‘adat’ serves as a form of immigration law governing citizenship or permanent residence for the Iban people, remaining crucial, particularly when spouses originate from different longhouses.
Sikie believes that while ‘Nguai’ may seem inconsequential to most city dwellers, its abandonment significantly impacts longhouse residents, as it serves as a fundamental practice in determining the rights and privileges of longhouse members, especially concerning land.
Meanwhile, in the Bidayuh communities, the ‘adat’ of ‘Tungku Abuh’ entrenched in section 208 of Adat Bidayuh 1994 states that children must live together and care for their parents until their (parents’) passing.
Those (children) who fulfil this duty are entitled to a token of appreciation, which can be either movable or immovable property for their filial piety deed as well as the continuation of the ‘Puun Rawang’ (continuity of ancestral household) tradition.
However, the abandonment of the ‘adat’ of ‘Tungku Abuh’ has led to many children being hesitant to take on the responsibility of caring for their elderly parents.
“Consequently, some elderly parents are being left alone in the ‘kampung’ (village) or being sent to old folks’ homes or nursing homes.
“However, in some cases, the person who took care of the parents until death was not given any property according to this ‘adat’. This has led to disputes among siblings during the distribution of their parents’ estates,” said Sikie during his ministerial winding-up speech on the sixth day of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
Sikie, who is also Kakus assemblyman, emphasised the challenges arising from conflicts between ‘adat’ and the adoption of certain Christian denominations, citing instances of extreme actions like destroying heirlooms such as the ‘tajau’ or burying ‘antu pala’ due to religious prohibitions against keeping objects believed to carry negative connotations.
“These ancient relics (‘tajau’ and ‘antu pala’) are still very significant for certain cultural and traditional purposes,” Sikie said. — DayakDaily
