TEBEDU: Datuk Snowdan Lawan has proposed that the Ngiruman-Ngiradang celebration be included in the calendar of events (COE) of the Serian Division Resident’s Office.
The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Deputy Ninister believes that the ceremony has the potential to attract many people.
During the event, members of the Bidayuh community from Entikong and Sekayam, Indonesia, were also present.
Snowdan stated that the traditions and customs practiced by these communities are similar to those of Bidayuh of Tebedu, and their presence can foster camaraderie and cooperation between the two countries.
“With the close relationship between the folks of Tebedu, Entikong, and Sekayam, the traditions and customs they practice are not very different.
“The presence of our Indonesian brothers and sisters here tonight fosters a sense of community spirit and cooperation between the two countries, both in terms of tourism and artistic performances,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the Ngiradan-Ngirumang Tebedu District Level Programme at the Tebedu Community Hall here last night (April 14).
The Ngiradan-Ngirumbang ceremony is a pre-harvest ritual of the Bidayuh community in Tebedu that has been passed down through generations.
The ceremony is held every February or March and is believed to be necessary to call upon the spirit of rice for a good harvest.
However, with fewer people farming in the villages, the effort to preserve this tradition has become increasingly difficult.
As such, Snowdan hoped that events like this could help preserve the Ngiradan-Ngirumbang ceremony and prevent it from disappearing completely.
During the event, a Mipis ceremony was performed by Bujang Luck. The Mipis ceremony is only performed by specific individuals who have inherited the tradition from their ancestors.
Snowdan emphasised the importance of recording and documenting these ancient rituals, stating that “it is necessary to record and document these ceremonies so that we have a record of our traditions and can pass them on to future generations.”
To this end, the Tebedu District Office has made efforts to record the ceremony. The first video was made during the 2019 event.
The Ngiradan-Ngirumbang ceremony provided a unique opportunity for visitors to witness an ancient Bidayuh tradition and highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage in a rapidly changing world.
Also present was Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada.
