Rayong and members of his entourage being led by a welcoming troupe of young members towards Temenggung Simpe Hall in Desa Seriang at Badau, Kalimantan Barat.
Rayong preparing to cut the rope decorated with coloured ribbons to mark his visit to Desa Seriang, Badau in Kalimantan Barat.
BADAU, Kalimantan Barat: Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa brought along 30 longhouse chieftains and councillors on a study tour to Desa Seriang near here recently.
Rayong made history for being the first elected representative from Sarawak to visit the village.
Others in the group included Penghulu Betok Tubi, Penghulu Gerang, Penghulu Inchang, Tuai Rumah Ringgit, Tuai Rumah Kinda, Tuai Rumah Thomas Jepit, Tuai Rumah Well and Tuai Rumah Machau as well as Cr Bangkong Mawing, Cr Abeng and several Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) members.
The hosts, led by Hulu Kapuas elected representative Bapak Robertus SH, appeared delighted when meeting young Iban singer Eisner Nala whom they had requested Rayong to bring along.
Desa Seriang is an Iban (or Dayak Kantu) village located about 9 km from here (Badau) and can be described as a border town as it is near Lubok Antu town in Sarawak.
“From Lubok Antu, members of my entourage had to pass through the Customs and Immigration checkpoint at the border near Lubok Antu and Badau. Our visit was not only to study and observe the culture and traditions of the Indonesian Dayaks here but also to foster close relationship,” said Rayong who has ancestors here.
“Some residents at both sides of the border are in fact relatives and may not have seen or met each other. It is high time for us to meet or catch up with one another if you already met,” he said.
Amazed by the level of preparedness of the villagers to welcome visitors, Rayong took time to participate in the welcoming dance and procession as well as ‘Biau Manuk’ and ‘Gayang Babi’ rituals upon their arrival at the village’s newly launched Temenggung Simpe hall.
“I now understand that you have rich Dayak traditions which I’m proud of. After all, we are of the same people with similar culture and traditions. We’re just separated by political boundary, but either here or in Sarawak we are together in one spirit,” Rayong told the audience then.
Rayong said his visit had nothing to do with politics but was to look for and visit relatives.
“It is also a coincidence that today (July 17) the Temenggung Simpe Hall is being declared open by Hulu Kapuas elected representative Bapak Robertus SH. Hence I am proud to be here,” said Rayong.
Apart from Robertus, other VIPs or community leaders present were Bapak Agus Mulyana SH, Bapak Fransiskus, Bapak Herkulanus and Bapak Thomas Langit.