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Bengkayang, West Kalimantan, to hold Nyobeng Sebujit ceremony
Residents of Bengkayang regency, West Kalimantan, are set to hold a unique tradition called Nyobeng Sebujit, which will run on June 15-17
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Residents of Bengkayang regency, West Kalimantan, have a unique tradition that involves the cleansing of human skulls. (Shutterstock/File)
R
esidents of Bengkayang regency, West Kalimantan, are set to hold a unique tradition called Nyobeng Sebujit, which will run on June 15-17.
Nyobeng is a ritual in which human skulls are cleansed in the Hlu Buey hamlet in Sebujit village. “Nyobeng” comes from the word Nibakng, meaning to show an expression of gratitude to God after the harvest season.
Read also: An insight into the Rongga tribe's ancient Mbasa Wini ritual
“Ngayau was a war tradition of taking the enemy’s head and bringing it home as proof of victory. However, the practice of headhunting has come to an end now,” said Bengkayang Tourism Department head Made Putra Negara.
The ritual starts with a welcoming ceremony during which the skulls are placed on bamboo stilts located beside Balug traditional houses. “Fighters” need to climb up the stilts while upside-down to show their strength.
Afterward, the skulls are placed inside a wooden box that will be kept in the Balug’s attic. The peak of Nyobeng is the bathing of skulls. (asw)
