Dayak Wehea

Dayak tribe's oldest living in the district of Muara Wahau, East Kutai, East Kalimantan this, still maintain the tradition of their ancestors denqan so strong.

Plai lot is a series of rituals that took place since hundreds of years. Warning as a symbol of gratitude to the Goddess Rice is held to maintain the noble values of Dayak culture Wehea pressure from modernization.

Dayak's oldest

There is a big celebration for the Dayak Wehea in the district of Muara Wahau East Kutai, East Kalimantan. Visible from umbul-umbul pattern typical of the Dayak, which is inserted in the left and right of way. According to Le Djitak, Head of Wehea, who is Wehea Dayak tribe first arrived in Kalimantan. Their ancestors migrated from China, arrived in Sarawak to Kalimantan.

Initially, the Dayak people inhabit coastal areas and living as fishermen. When immigrants from Java, Sulawesi to the Dutch colonists began Kalimantan. Dayak people on the start and into the forest. Since it's changed their life patterns closer to forests and rivers. Limitations and physical endurance that high, making the Dayak tribe, known has the courage and skill in battle, hunting to farming.

'Head Hunter' So Farmer

As Le Djitak listen to stories, presented in front of the eyes lemang. This traditional sweet made from sticky rice mixed with coconut quintessence. Cooking way is by burned in the bamboo. This confectionery also always presented in order to welcome the event Lom Plai.

Le Djitak also continue story, that until the end of the year'80-an, a ritual known as Erau head. This ritual requires people seeking Wehea form of the enemy tumbal losers in the race! Usually a small team will be looking for enemies or people from the Dayak tribes to "be hunted" as tumbal.

Le Djitak In addition, there are other influential elders here. He Daq Hat, an elderly-friendly and to live a normal speaking month in the forest. At the time of the event Lom Plai, he came to bless the event. And in fact, Hat Daq admitted that he first had also participated in the team heads the search. Even the victim took the meat taste! However, at this time, the head hunting is not allowed anymore.

The ability of other people Wehea is farming. Lom and ceremonies Plai or Erau Rice, is one of the culture of the tribe Wehea done every year after the rice harvest ends in a month. Starting with Ngesea Egung (at gong) and ended with Embos Epaq Plai (sings prayers to banish all evil and pray that better life, together with the sun down).

Full Color ceremony

Shortly before the event Lom Plai held, all the pages and street front of the house bright bonfire that used to burn the lemang. Women cook lemang and sharing of fish or meat, while the men prepare clothes and masks Hudoq. At Ngesea Egung or gong, which was beaten by citizens dynasty is beeping, it means that the signature Lom Plai starts.


At the edge of the river, the boat met dozens of residents dressed in a traditional full, chopsticks and carry weapons. They will make the event Seksiang. In the upstream, all the boats aside and take the stem reed spear to be faked. Seksiang scenes are faked war era that it was done on the water or rivers with Spear Weheang / Teberau (in the language of Kutai), which ends blunt. Participants maneuver, the boat ride to the river upstream toward a mutual action "shooting" to the downstream villages.

Battle in the middle of the river is very exciting. Many boat capsize because awaknya tertombak. Spectators at the edge of the river yelling enthusiastically to spark their friends. At the time of ammunition out, a move the boat to the river and any other events the ritual will begin. Women perform the ritual to expel evil spirits with a parade around the village. Men can not be outside or down from the stage they homes. Barisan, it can not be truncated by animals, especially men!

After the villagers declared "clean" from evil spirits and after the finish line of women around the village, Daq Hat is also didaulat for by a virgin girl as Mengsaq Pang Tung Eleang (an old custom is by a girl). And then resumed eating events with a diverse menu. Start from the lemang, fish, cork, catfish, pork, and various vegetables, which are presented at each house.

Peak is Hudoq dance is a dance genie. This dance can be trusted to help people who come from the bottom of the water, from land and from coming. Wear clothes with a reed and the shape of the face masks of animals, they form a circle around a large dance and dance Wehea. Dance is increasingly accompanied by rousing traditional gamelan percussion wave Wehea. The sacred atmosphere of the event, which has existed since hundreds of years this will make us can feel how sacred and higher indigenous Dayak tribe Wehea this.

source: Majalah Tamasya