Location : Dusun Medeng, Desa Sungkung II, Kecamatan Siding, Kabupaten Bengkayang, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia.
After the exchanges of greeting between guests and hosts and the offering of rice wine done with, it was time for the 2 tribes separated by time and distance to march in unity to the skull house or baruk.
Each tribe took turn to play their traditional gong music up in the baruk while the rest dance at the tanju or bamboo deck.
Well wishers from as far as Gun Tembawang, Gun Jemak and Badat joined in the dance and celebration. Visitors from the nearer Batu Ampar, Akit, Senebeh, Senoleng, Sekajang, Sinutul and Pool were there too. A rare sight. Not many Gawais were celebrated this grand in Sungkung. The last one was perhaps in 2014 in Senebeh when Gumbang contigent visited. A great opportunity for us as well to make new friends from the other villages.
The most remarkable thing was the opportunity to be able to see so many of the copper ring ladies gather under the same roof. There were more who did not present themselves at the baruk.
However, the younger ladies made their presence felt in support of their culture. We would be pleased and surprised if we spotted any younger ladies adorning the copper rings but heck no.
I wish these copper ring ladies long and healthy lives but should they go one day, will this culture be buried too? Any chance that the younger ladies be brave and proud enough to carry on their legacy?
Next…..Selamat berpisah…dan jumpa lagi…plus bits and pieces album.
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