Nyobeng Day - Welcoming ceremony

As per an edict by the komang to pingubak gawia, gawai chief, Nyobeng would be held on 15 June annually.

For pinomi, visitors, the day started with a heavy breakfast. For us from Sarawak, at about 9 am, we went to the other end of the village, an exit from where Dr Patau and his 68 strong entourage entered the village, the previous day.

Dr Patau and some of his men were already at the rendezvous, when our Kuching entourage arrived. When enquired, he answered that most of his followers were too drunk, tired or overslept, to make it to the welcoming ceremony.

Most of our DBNA members from Kuching, being yet to be initiated, were very anxious of what to expect. I just briefly told them where to wait and what to do, otherwise they would not be able to enjoy themselves, should they have known the ending.

After having waited for over an hour, some members became restless, worried that we might be waiting for nobody or at the wrong place. Despite my assurances, Charlie, especially, was quite disturbed. A volunteer from Gumbang returned to the village to check. He returned half an hour later, telling us that the all-red BiSebujit were already ready to move in any minute.

Not long later, we heard the usual weired and hair-raising, war cry, getting louder and louder. There were gun shots from their home-made shot guns. Indeed Pak Amin and his fellow BiSebujit, our hosts, were on their way to welcome us.

( I penned this post on 20June2010. Apologies for taking another four days to continue)

We were then at the welcoming point, where a welcoming banner was hung across the road. We moved back to the other hill.

When our hosts neared the welcoming point, Dr Patau Rubis, our leader, gave a signal that we moved, so that we would meet at the welcoming point.

Our group, which consisted of BiGumbang, began to emulate the war cries.

Our hosts were behind schedule. The way they welcomed us this time was different from how they did it in 2008.

While in 2008, they welcomed us in an 'ambush' scenario, this time they walked and shouted right towards us.

We met right under the welcoming arch of palm leaves. Pak Amin, the Kipala Adat, murmured the prayers. He sprinkled the yellow rice behind his back and infront.

Meanwhile our group waited, anxiously and curiously. Many amongst us turned photographers and videographers.

Pak Amin then signaled to Dr Patau that the sacrifice was about to begin. Dr Patau turned to his two assistants to be ready. I was ready too, standing third from Dr Patau'r right.

We all raised our bukuo (long knives). Pak Amin threw a puppy into the air. His assistants slashed her. I did my part, piercing the puppy, which by then was already on the ground, wriggling and twitching, though sliced. "Kakoh simongi nyek toru", I remembered my dad told me when I was a child.

Pak Amin threw a black chick ( it was a black chicken in 2008) into the air. Dr Patau's assistant on my left sliced it. The chick was killed too, without mercy. Unlike the puppy which struggled for her life, the chick did not. So I merely witnessed this time.

We all put back our bukuo into the sheaths. Several girls stepped infront, each holding an egg. Selectively they threw the eggs on us. I saw that Dr Patau, his two assistants and myself were amongst the targets.

Refreshment followed. Tuak, kauh doot, kauh ikian and pogang were served, standing. Initially I thought of declining the tuak, which was served in the same small glass, which had gone through countless lips and mouths. Being polite, I simply pressed it against my lips, without drinking the tuak.

Later we all merrily moved together to the Baruk, located in the middle of the village.