Celebrating Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage: Insights from ‘Pesta Do Ledoh’ and Kayan traditions

As Sarawak celebrates 61 years of independence, the Kayan community’s “Pesta Do Ledoh” festival in Belaga highlights the rich cultural heritage of the region. Despite modern challenges, the event underscores the importance of preserving and passing down Kayan traditions, ensuring their continued relevance for future generations.

A Vibrant Revival

As Sarawak commemorates 61 years of independence, it’s crucial to delve into the rich tapestry of its ethnic groups and cultural practices. One notable celebration that highlights this cultural vibrancy is the Kayan community’s “Pesta Do Ledoh” in Belaga, a town nestled about three hours from Bintulu.

Traditionally held in April after the paddy harvest, “Pesta Do Ledoh” has historically been a pivotal event for the Kayan people. However, its observance has waned with the community’s gradual adoption of Christianity.

Despite this, recent celebrations held on July 5 and 6 at the Uma Kahei Longhouse in Belaga saw a resurgence of traditional games, activities, and performances.

A noteworthy aspect of this revival is the active involvement of the younger generation. Throughout the festivities, it was evident that they played a significant role in organising and participating in various cultural activities. This participation is crucial as it ensures the continuity of the customs and traditions that define the Kayan heritage.

Performers from Uma Kahei Longhouse showcase the Kayan community’s practice of paddy hill cultivation.

Performers from Uma Kahei Longhouse showcase the Kayan community’s practice of paddy hill cultivation.

During the event, both Belaga assemblyman Datuk Liwan Lagang and Hulu Rejang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong emphasised the importance of passing down traditional knowledge.

Datuk Liwan Lagang encouraged the youth to learn “parap” (traditional chanting) and to master the “sape” (a traditional musical instrument), while Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong stressed the need for collaborative efforts between the older and younger generations to preserve cultural practices like the “ngajat” (traditional dance).

During Ugak’s closing ceremony speech on July 6, he acknowledged the evolving musical landscape but underscored the importance of adapting cultural expressions to contemporary times while maintaining their essence.

Overall, “Pesta Do Ledoh” serves not only as a celebration of the harvest but also as a vital platform for intergenerational dialogue and cultural preservation within the Kayan community.

It embodies the spirit of continuity and adaptation, ensuring that Sarawak’s diverse cultural mosaic thrives well into the future.

Traditional games of the past

Reflecting on traditional games of the past invokes nostalgia for cherished cultural practices that were once integral to the Kayan heritage. However, these games are now fading as newer forms of entertainment take precedence.

Yet, their essence — fostering community spirit and physical skill — remains timeless. Traditional games like “Payu Laip”, “Payu Kayo”, “Ngatik Gahat”, “Cucuk Manik”, “Mejat Pak Gahat”, “Main Asen”, and “Pejat Kayo” were revived during the “Pesta Do Ledoh” celebration in Belaga, attracting enthusiastic participation from villages across the area.

“Mejat Pak Gahat”, where individuals race while pulling teammates on areca palm leaves, and “Main Asen”, a strategic team game, were particularly popular, drawing loud cheers from supporters.

Performers from Uma Kahei Longhouse showcase the Kayan community’s practice of paddy hill cultivation.

Kajen Teng by Uma Kahei dancers.

Kajen Teng by Uma Aging Long Da’ah.

According to Tijan Hendrick Hank, chief of Uma Kahei Longhouse, these traditional games serve to revive the joyful communal spirit of olden days, reminding younger generations of their cultural heritage.

“Many younger Kayans are unfamiliar with these games, which is why we reintroduce them. By playing together as a community, these games not only entertain but also strengthen our cultural bonds,” she explained to Sarawak Tribune.

She emphasised the importance of preserving these games as they embody community unity and are a testament to Kayan traditions.

“Let’s cherish these games as part of our heritage, ensuring they endure for future generations,” she added.

Continuing the Ngajat Legacy

The Ngajat, a traditional dance of the Kayan community, stands as a hallmark of pride and appreciation during the “Pesta Do Ledoh” celebration. It embodies both grace and strength, showcasing distinctive styles between men and women.

When men perform the Ngajat, their movements exude an aura of warriors on a hunt — deliberate, slow, and poised. Each gesture symbolises bravery and focused determination, captivating observers with its powerful yet graceful demeanour.

Conversely, the women’s Ngajat mesmerises with its beauty, vibrant colours, and elegant motions. Their performances are a visual spectacle, immediately drawing the gaze of onlookers with their captivating portrayal of femininity and cultural heritage.

At the festival, the Ngajat competition known as “Kajen Teng” highlighted the community’s dedication to preserving and celebrating this cherished dance form.

The host emerged victorious, while Uma Aging Long Da’ah, another longhouse in Belaga, earned the runner-up position, showcasing the widespread participation and enthusiasm for Ngajat.

Traditional game ‘Payu Kayo’ is known as wood wrestling.

‘Payu Laip’, also known as arm wrestling.

Tijan, speaking to Sarawak Tribune, expressed her admiration for the Ngajat and its enduring popularity both locally and internationally.

“I love the Ngajat. It’s beautiful and captivating. When you see it performed, you can’t help but be amazed,” she said.

“There’s an innate charm and elegance to the way people dance and move — it’s truly wonderful,” she shared.

She emphasised the importance of continuing the Ngajat tradition for future generations, viewing it not only as a cultural treasure but also as a means to foster appreciation and understanding of Kayan heritage.

“The Ngajat is something we should cherish and pass down. It holds a special place in our hearts and should be shared with all to enjoy and appreciate,” Tijan added.

In essence, the Ngajat is more than just a dance — it is a symbol of cultural identity, community pride, and a bridge connecting past traditions with future aspirations.

Its beauty and significance continue to resonate, ensuring that its legacy endures for generations to come.

Kayan practice of old — paddy hill cultivation

During the “Pesta Do Ledoh” festival, an intriguing drama unfolded, showcasing the traditional paddy hill cultivation practices of the Kayan community in Belaga.

Beatrice Kedoh, 68, the JKKK advisor to the longhouse chief, shared insights with Sarawak Tribune about this ancient agricultural method.

“The Kayan people have historically practiced paddy hill cultivation due to the absence of flat, swampy lands in our hilly terrain,” Beatrice explained.

She noted that while this method is less common today, a few longhouses, like those in Kakus, still persevere, with a handful of individuals maintaining the tradition along the road from Bintulu to Bakun.

The drama presented during the festival depicted each stage of this traditional farming process. It began with “matap baei”, the selection of a suitable farming site, which is a pivotal first step in Kayan agricultural traditions.

This was followed by “melirik luma”, where men and women cooperatively cleared the land, cutting down small trees and thick bushes using machetes.

“This traditional work, known as ‘neveng luma’, involves men using machetes, axes, and traditional tools to fell large trees.”

The drama vividly portrayed subsequent steps like “nutong luma”, the burning of the cleared land while women prepared meals, and “nugan”, the meticulous planting of rice seeds using sharp wooden sticks to create planting holes.

“‘Adat navo’, or weeding, is another crucial task where women gather to ensure the rice crops thrive without competition from weeds,” she continued.

As months pass and the rice begins to ripen, the community eagerly awaits “Na ubek”, the rice harvest, conducted with gratitude for the forthcoming yield.

The grand finale of the drama celebrated “ngeluno”, the joyful rice harvest, a communal event filled with dance, song, and feasting. Despite its cultural significance, Beatrice acknowledged the declining practice of paddy hill cultivation due to economic challenges.

“Many find it costly and time-consuming. From July until the following April, it’s a long process with uncertain financial returns.

In contrast, areas like Kakus combine hilly and lowland terrain, making rice cultivation more economically feasible,” she said.

Reflecting on the festival’s drama and the dwindling practice of traditional paddy hill cultivation, Beatrice emphasised the cultural richness and community spirit embodied in these ancient agricultural rituals, urging their preservation amidst modern challenges.