GOING TRADITIONAL: ((From left) Emmanuel’s parent – Nellie and Andrew presenting the ‘Tawak’ (gong) as a gift to Malimah (third right), the mother of the bride (centre). Pahang is at second right.
MIRI: The Kayans particularly, the younger generation, should not be ashamed of maintaining their cultural heritage in this information technological era, in order to enrich the diverse national cultural heritage.
Orang Ulu paramount chief Temenggong Pahang Ding, said holding of traditional wedding is one of the ways the Kayans could nurture their heritage.
“Our youths especially those in urban centres, it is my sincere wish to see Kayan traditional wedding be strongly encouraged to ensure that our cultures will not become extinct,’ said Pahang at a wedding dinner of a Kayan – Emmanuel Kajan Mering of Miri and Ainie Ling, of Ranau, Sabah on Saturday.
The traditional Kayan wedding ceremony held during a dinner at a leading hotel here was performed by Penghulu Mering Ibau.
Among those present were the political secretary to the Chief Minister, Richard Will, Pemanca Elizabeth Deng, family members, relatives and friends from as far as Indonesia, Sabah and Kuala Lumpur apart from Sarawak in particular Baram.
Emmanuel, 31 is the deputy director of Income Tax (IT Department) in Cyberjaya, Kuala Lumpur (KL) while Ainie is an assistant administrator of a pharmacy in KL.
He is the eldest of two sons of Nellie Unyang, EPF Bintulu Branch manager and Andrew Mering – former manager of Amanah Saham Nasional ASN, Johor and also co-founder members of Borneo Evangelical Malaysia (BEM) Senadin.