Casting spells: Laya (center) pauses amid casting spells.

The Dayak people of Simpang Hulu, Ketapang regency hold the nungkat gumi ritual once every seven years, hoping to exorcise evil spirits and rid the community of evil.

Preparations revolve around the number seven: Water was taken from seven rivers, seven pigs and seven chickens were readied for sacrifice, a special seven-story balai (traditional hall) was readied, seven tomikng traditional baskets were made and so on.

'€œOnly experienced and senior shamans in their 60s can be selected to be executors of the ritual. Laya, 103, is senior and will lead the nungkat gumi ritual, according to organizer Kornelius Kolik.

The only exception is Lias, 55, the only woman shaman to join the event,'€ he adds. '€œThere must be female shaman for every nungkat gumi ritual. This is an absolute requirement.'€

On the first day, took seven spoonfuls of water from seven rivers as another shaman, Conotn, 70, took seven types of root water from the forest.

The water was then mixed with leaves, fruits and other offerings and left to sit for an hour before Lias cast a spell on the water, seven baskets of offerings and seven rolls of cloth.

Sacred: The shaman pray over the offerings.

'€œThe water was given to representatives of the villages so that they could spread it in their villages. Obviously, it is intended that every village will pull back from evil and develop the inner strength of Duwata or God,'€ said 78-year-old shaman Mateus Turus.

In the afternoon, other shamans continuously cast spells to invite and communicate with the spirits of their ancestors and God to hallow and accept the offerings.

Later, the shaman set off for the river. Lias carried jugs containing the sacred water, while Ongkon and Mateus Turus carried traditional spears to ward off evil spirits.

At the river, they cast a spell while plucking chicken feathers, sprinkling the now-sacred water on the river and those assembled. The spears were embedded in the river. The host of the event bathed in the river with water from jugs, on behalf of the residents of the participating villages.

Laya, a shaman, described the ritual in more detail.

'€œAll shamans communicate with spirits of the Ulu Aek king'€”believed to be the first Dayak king and the ancestors present at the ritual. We ask permission and assistance for the purpose of this ritual in order to get their blessing.'€

The seven shaman read spells for three days and nights. Each spell runs for about one karatn, or about a thousand pages. They know the spells by heart.

On the second day, a customary meal was prepared and ngalu, a traditional welcome drink was offered to participants.

Procession: The shaman and invited guests begin the ritual.

Later, six shaman went to the seventh floor of the balai to continue the ritual, lighting incense.

Laya evoked the spirits of the land '€”locally known as ngorak tonah while three other shamans conducted baibu (spell readings) nearby.

Seven pigs and fourteen chickens were butchered outside. Some bathed underneath the balai to purify themselves of the profane.

The last day of the ritual started with a ngkata '€” reading 27 karatn spells over four hours.

Finally, the shamans told those assembled not to damage crops, butcher animals, hoe the ground or build houses for three days.

'€œThe nungkat gumi ritual is an effort to drive out evil spirits,'€ Laya said. '€œHumans are reminded by the universe on how Duwata has created this world not to do contrary things to Duwata'€™s teachings.'€

Offerings: The shaman sit before baskets of offerings.

'€” Photos by Thomas Tion