Location : Dusun Sungkung Senebeh, Desa Sungkung I, Kecamatan Siding, Kabupaten Bengkayang, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia.
They have all waited for a year for this to happen. 2 tribes with the same ancestry broken by time, mountains and an international boundary. Every Sarawakian Bidayuh knows Sungkung is their ancestral home and their ‘Mecca’. For most members of our entourage this was their very first time to set foot on this mysterious land of their roots. We rejoiced with them this homecoming. After 8 and half hours they finally met at the last hill leading into the village of Senebeh on the foothill of Mount Sinjang.
The 2 Ketua Adat greeted each other amidst the war cries from both parties, exchanging warm greetings.
After the dispersing of yellow rice, the Pak Dusun of Senebeh invited all to proceed to the Baruk another 30 minutes away. The gongs blasted away in the baruk as we approached.
Scenery on the way to village
The traditional practice of stepping on the egg placed in an upturned gong was performed first by Anyan and followed by the rest. This is more socially acceptable compared to the one practised by Sebujit where eggs are thrown at the visitors’ chests.
Dancing in a circle at the tanju followed but was cut short when the Pak Dusun invited all for a little joget a short distance away, knowing Sarawakians love joget! Such variation!
All this was quick and short as our host knew that our legs must be breaking apart after the 9 hour hike. We dispersed to the houses allocated for us to stay and the first thing was to hit the showers and toilet! Nothing much happened in the evening except for the dancing at the tanju and socialising with the copper ring ladies. Early bedtime for us. See you tomorrow.
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