Ear length, the Dayak traditions of Special Interest

Discuss the art of tattoos, many tribes in the archipelago, which has a tradition as the Dayak tribe, the Mentawai, and Papua. However, the tradition of ear length, only the Dayak tribe in Kalimantan, which has a tradition of this unique and special. That is not all the Dayak tribe, but only a few specific sub tribe of Dayak.

Despite becoming one of the characteristics or the identity of a very prominent as a native Kalimantan, but this tradition now seemed increasingly abandoned. Even if that survive, only a small group of old generation Dayak aged above 60 years old.

In addition to the amount is very small, they are originally ear length deliberately cut the tip of the ear leaves them. Reasons that are often raised, is considered behind the era of fear or worry that their children feel ashamed.

According to anthropologist Mering Ngo, who also came from the Dayak tribe, if the tattoos traditional Dayak now developed into a modern art tattooing, ear long tradition of the sinking and had abandoned. No young people who now continue this tradition, even in rural Kalimantan, even, with a variety of reasons.

"Just my ears that made long-term. Seventh my child, no one made the long ears," said Pejung (82), residents Kayan Dayak tribe that long ears are made up to about 15 centimeters.

"I pity if my children later became embarrassed and materials catcall. Actually, ear length should start made since the baby," added Pejung.

According Mering Ngo, besides there is no successor to preserve the tradition of ear length, is also not all groups or sub tribe of Dayak in Kalimantan, have a long tradition of this ear. In West Kalimantan, for example, the tradition of ear length, among others, known only among the Dayak Iban, Kayan, Park, and Dayak Punan. This tradition is only valid in the most remote areas, such as in the Kapuas Hulu regency.

DEVELOPMENT ear length is not only done on women, but also on men. Making ear length is usually carried out since the baby. The objective, according to Mering Ngo, associated with the classification of social strata someone in the community.
In the Dayak Kayan, for example, the ear length of the show comes from the aristocratic circles.

While the ear length in the women showed him a while to distinguish titlist with a female slave be lost because of war or are not able to pay the debt.

With the other villages in the Mahakam River upstream. Also, long used as identification to show age. Once the baby is born, given the tip of the ear beads are quite heavy. Each year, the number of beads attached in one ear increases.

"Therefore, if you want to know someone's age, can be seen from the number of beads that stick in your ear. If the number 60, then he certainly 60 years since the installation beads can not be done carelessly, but once a year," said Jacobus Bayau Lung , II, Chairman of the consignment, the Dayak of Kalimantan.

The goal of making the ear length is not to show the status kebangsawanan, but had to practice patience. "Just imagine, how the severity of beads, which depends on the ear. But, as is used every day, patience and sense of suffering they become trained," said Lung Bayau.

Meanwhile, among the Dayak Kayan, so that leaves the ears a long, usually given ballast helix form circle-shaped metal ring-shaped top, or small size. With the ballast of this lobe will continue to lengthen a few centimeters.

Meanwhile, the Dayak Iban, is not given ballast so, but only left a hole visible as large as we make zero fuze with the tip of thumb with the tip of index finger.

In Hamlet River Utik has, Apan Village, Upper Subdistrict Embaloh, Kapuas Hulu regency, for example, found a Dayak Iban called Tuba.

Parents aged around 68 years prolong the ears around an 60-year time to wander in Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam. In addition there himself prolong ear also make tattoos in the neck, arm and thigh.

Teachers of Customary Law Univeritas Tanjungpura Dr John Cyprianus Thambun Anyang states, ear long tradition of the Dayak Iban almost the same as the Dayak Park, which does not provide ballast.

"On the Discovery Park, a long tradition of the ear is not associated with certain social strata. This tradition, especially for women only as keperempuanannya identity," said the specialist this customary law.

But, said Thambun, this tradition have abandoned the Dayak Park. "My mother just had to Muzaffarabad so come the time that ask ears cut ends of the leaves because they are afraid their children will be ashamed," he said.

According to Thambun, prolong the ear is only one tradition of decorating the body. The tradition of the Dayak tribe other is to make the tattoos and gold teeth install. However, the tradition of decorating the body of the third, the only tattoos that still survive despite the loss of meaning spiritualnya. Meanwhile, make the ear length and install a gold tooth is left.

"The tradition of installing a gold tooth for Discovery Park to show that already wander far, because the gold teeth that are good only in Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam," he said.

When to start this long tradition of left ear?

According Mering, this is not exactly known, but is estimated to be equal with the tradition of tattooing began when the influx of missionaries to remote areas in the Dayak villages in the days of Dutch colonial past.

This tradition is fireworks out of the confrontation between Indonesia and Malaysia in Kalimantan border areas. When the growing stigma in the community, they are leaved ear length and living in the house long, which inhabited some families, community groups, which is not modern. Not resistant to such views, some residents eventually cut the ear length.

This kind of stigma continues until now. Dayak younger generation does not want to create more fear because the ear is considered a long lag period and not modern.

Only a small part of the Dayak people who still adhere to a tradition of long-leaved ear, and it is very minimal amount.

Sharpening Teeth competition, elegance Mentawai Tribe

Stories about the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, is not only a matter of natural beauty and the waves challenging peselancar. Not only a matter of primate endemic forests and the environment Biosphere world, a world lungs. Many things, if we pull out, is quite interesting to watch.

Keterkenalan Mentawai in foreign almost equal Bali. In fact, more people know the Mentawai of Indonesia and Bali. In fact, in some cases, have also disclosed such as the State Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik, the Mentawai better than Bali.

Mentawai Islands actually have 322 large and small islands, but has recorded 25 inhabited islands. Four large islands is the island of Siberut Island, Sipora, Pagai Island, North Island and South Pagai. Administratively, the islands wide 6011.35 square km is divided into four districts, namely Subdistrict Pagai North, South Sipora Sub-district, sub district Siberut, North and South Siberut Subdistrict.

If perchance you to visit rural areas in the district of South Siberut, the Mentawai Islands regency, about 120 miles west city of Padang, you will see the direct pattern of life, culture, traditional art, and others from the Mentawai tribe full of uniqueness.

Only in South Siberut, North Siberut, and we can find the original Mentawai tribes. Whereas in other places generally migrants who came from various regions, both from the Province of West Sumatra and North Sumatra Province, particularly in Nias.

Mentawai Islands, which have coastlines along the 758 kilometers, although the region has become the autonomy since five years ago, still lagging in various development sectors. Geographical location is less profitable, especially transportation facilities and infrastructure is minimal.

Do not think for a car can rise in South Siberut, to visit the villages there. Transportation that can be relied on motor boats are hired for, or pass through the river and the sea. Then continue the journey on foot with several hours passing through footpaths.

However, some villages where people living Mentawai tribes can be achieved only by walking around 4-5 kilometers, or motorcycle-taxi ride motorcycles, such as the Village Maileppet, Puro, and the Village Muntei.

Culture

Even in terms of geographical position as a group, the Mentawai traditional culture is very different. Ady Rosa, according to researchers from the State University of Beirut, there are dozens of kinds of tribes in the Mentawai different one another difference, but there is also the same.

"Traditional Culture in the Mentawai Islands, both in terms of technology, social, religious and, in some places, even to this day still appeared to exist Neolithic (stone young era)," he said.

He said that the conservatism of the strange existence in the Mentawai culture is to attract the attention of the people who came there in the 18th century. Their great surprise when people realize that the Mentawai reveal more similarity with a population of the islands Hawaii, Tahiti, Polynesian Islands and the other located in the far east.

One of the culture among the native tribes of the Mentawai is sharpening teeth, so to be spiked.

I was talking with the original Mentawai, note the front teeth (top and bottom). Dental that they will become visible.

Why spiked? According to a number of the Mentawai people, sharpen teeth done since the grown-up. "Many teenagers and men, young women branded with the clever balignya-sharpening teeth on the front teeth and under the so-shaped cuneiform. This is done in order to look elegant impression, "said Sabeleake fail.

Some residents said the tribe Mentawai other similar matters. "Peruncingan teeth no relation to the behavior of religious or abstinence, which also," said Syamsurizal Salelelubaja.

Process sharpen teeth do not require assistance from a doctor Giri, but by people of the Mentawai among adult men or fathers of teenagers concerned. The process is long about 30 minutes, using a machete or hatchet eye as a chisel and a hammer as objects.

Diruncingkan shaped teeth that triangle. The sides that have shaped teeth triangle is diperhalus with a knife. Can not be true average, but after being used to bite will appear flat and "pretentious".

Starts abandoned

Due to the influence of progress, the young generation Mentawai now no longer do the habits that made their previous generations. They do not want more teeth because diruncingkan worry diejek and odd votes.

"We are aware that according to our culture, the Mentawai tribes, sharpen teeth as a landmark maturity or legally responsible. But, see progress now, the life of our community as far behind. And no longer continue cooking habits sharpen the teeth, "said Jonas Salemorat, one of the leaders in the Mentawai village Muntei.

If there are citizens Mentawai spiked teeth, the straw remnants of the culture of the past, which may be a time-out and will be extinct. However, Jonas said, the Mentawai culture is not only sharpen teeth, but still a lot of the other.

SAD and the Mentawai Tribe: We're Not Shame Genuine Interest

In the tribe Child (SAD) or native tribe called the Dumaguete with the People Indigenous Rimba and the Mentawai Islands, the Mentawai tribe, said that their attitude is always proud of the identity inherent in them for this. Included with the values and traditional culture kearifat they have for this.

This is revealed in the meeting between SAD, which was represented by Temenggung Tarib, Temenggung Marituha, Metik Pengusai and representatives of youth people Rimba, Ijam with the leaders and adapt the Mentawai people in the region Bekkeiluk and Kampung Selapa, the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, on 29 November - 4 December 2004. The meeting of two tribes, facilitated by the Community Conservation Indonesia (KKI) Warsi, Jambi and Yayasan Citra Mandiri, Padang.

"We indeed with. We have similarities, there are still among us who wear kabik (such loincloth). We also have the value of the wisdom customary same, namely to respect nature and not merusaknya, "said the head of the Adat Bekkeiluk, Teu Saibit, to the people of Rimba and the other guests, translated by community leaders Mentawai, Selester Saguruwjuw.

The meeting also revealed that currently the young people begin Rimba crisis of confidence into Rimba people, especially if linked to a loincloth. Moreover, the changes now hold close to the modern world of jungle where they live. The same is recognized by Saibit and Selester. However, according to them is something that is not fair because they will be able to change the changes.

"Most important is to maintain the values of our cultural wisdom. Especially the value of wisdom in maintaining the balance of nature where we live, "said the Selester confident that the leaders are Rimba.

In the traditional Mentawai people and Rimba, for example, are known to the tradition of hunting, which only use simple tools, so that only hunted for similar purposes only. Must replace the trees at the Cutting generation so that there is a tree.

"In our place there is such sanctions fines for anyone who cut the trees around our residence in the jungle. Unfortunately, there are among us who have not respect the customs and culture of both the jungle. They even took pebalok so only because diiming-imingi things such as money, "said the Temenggung Tarib.

To respond to it, the figures suggest that the Mentawai indigenous leaders Rimba people start to reinforce themselves with one another. Stay united to protect natural for this to be the focus of life and their lives. Because of this, the association indicated that the Mentawai tribe. However Selester also add that local governments should also support efforts for the protection of natural life as their native tribes. Because of this they can not be separated with the natural surroundings.

"But that happens, the local government is even now like to give permission to companies to mengobrak destroy forest land and that is our guard with a good," he said.

In addition to sharing experiences, Rimba people can also see how those original Mentawai this process from the sago tree learning process even patchouli. Even see how a Sikerey Mentawai people treat the sick.

Nyangnyang Island, Mentawai; spark waves and surf

Image small islands in the southern island of Siberut, the largest island in the Mentawai Islands, among surfer known as the coastal regions that have waves with the challenge.

In the local language, called koat waves. Small islands, it is far from the noise and hurly-burly of the city archives. Region is surrounded by white sand beaches, forest green, and the fresh air.

Nyangnyang In addition, a number of other islands that are known Karangmajat Island, Island Masilok, Botik Island, and Island Mainuk. Dahsyatnya waves in the Mentawai Islands began surfer known among the world in 1990.

This condition can even make the Mentawai similar with the surf. Up-to approximately as like as Playground because many vehicle surf in the islands. Travel from Muara Siberut to the arena in the surf Nyangnyang by using motorboats.

It takes about two hours to reach the island Nyangnyang a distance about 21 miles from Muara Siberut. Once the road cost about Rp 450,000.

Many residents of Muara Siberut, which have a motorboat rentals for the lead and pick up tourists who want to surf. Boats can be rented at the rate of Rp 400,000 to Rp 500,000 for one trip.

Travel to the island by boat Nyangnyag, through River Estuary Siberut Imagetenang that the sky is bright and fresh sea air.

Along the way, you can meet with the native people who travel with the Mentawai boat.
Mentawai Islands in almost all travel by boat or ship because the road has not been adequate.
On the right side and left the river lie the dense mangrove forest with various members of the ecosystem that live in it.

At the estuary of the river, the birds appear to gull the search for fish. After some time hover in the air, the white birds dive sharply to the water and bring the fish in the paruhnya.

In addition to the scenery group of islands in the distance and wilderness are the natural way to surf the arena also held through villages in the Mentawai tribes Katurai.

In the row between the coconut trees, houses appear traditional Mentawai called Uma.
Around the estuary are also many residents who dispose of the Mentawai anchor their boats to search for fish. They picked or fishing nets.

Approximately one hour later appeared Nyangnyang Island. In the distance, the foam-white foam appears towards the coast.

Beach Sprint seems to be the property of the peselancar. The atmosphere of the island of peace and quiet that such a search for the surfing from all over the world to release the fatigue and routines.

When shoots waves still float in the air, the peselancar is swimming on a surfboard.
Once the waves at more than two meters down to the surface of the sea water, with the mercurial peselancar it on board and done fast, while occasionally style.
In the surf around the arena there is a simple hut-hut, which can be rented around Rp 50,000 per person per night.

Hut is owned by the original inhabitants of the Mentawai Taileleu comes from the village across the island Nyangnyang.
Citizen Taileleu has a coconut tree on the island Nyangnyang, and any time they come to take the coconut in there.
Since Nyangnyang Island surfer by many who come from various corners of the world, some residents began to make a hut and rent it.
Local residents can also cook the food that prompted the surfer needed.
Food and supplies such as rice, instant noodles, potatoes, drinking water, vegetables, or canned food can be purchased at Muara Siberut.
If the waves are not good, the wind less support, the peselancar can walk encircle the island.

The dense forest that may not be explored, but running along the edge of white sandy beach on the island a pleasant experience.

They can also do a recreational dive (scuba diving), snorkelling, or simply looking for fish in the clear waters.

Typically, the month of June to August is the best time to surf. Spoiled challenging the waves, beautiful scenery, the atmosphere quiet and peaceful, far from the frenzied roar of vehicles and machinery, make time seems to stop.

For while, on the island Nyangnyang, day and hour no longer the issue.

Natural beauty and Tato in the Mentawai Islands

Travel to see the nature-based tourism wave (surf / surf) in the Mentawai really very enjoyable. Deburan ombaknya a mainstay for the peselancar. Flicker-contortion above debiran waves, or enter a long tunnel. At least 40 potential sites to surf in the Mentawai, which each have 2 - 3 kinds of waves.

The young Mentawai is already starting to see bright prospects in tourism silancar future of their land of birth. They have been prepared, practice to develop skills and begin to understand the phenomenon of services that need to be developed. Some of them now speak fluent English.

Mentawai Islands is a potential tourist attraction for local government. Besides the natural beauty and enchantment, there is a potential that the Mentawai characteristics, namely, the presence of the Mentawai tribes, although the preservation of the cultural increasingly worrying many parties. Menato whole body (both male and female) and sharpen teeth is the culture of this tribe.

Tattoos, for the traditional Mentawai people, has many meanings, signs, and symbols. Degrees someone can be seen from the tattoos on his body. Tattoo can also indicate someone's racial, how many family, and his performance has been achieved. Tattoo metamorphose Mentawai static and the proportion is a strange and wealth, including one, in addition to the Dayak tribe, the ethnic culture's oldest nation. From scratch-scratch in the body is reflected in the form of the male, strong, brave, and closely related to the element of trust for the safety and harmony in families and communities. Marriage can occur when both bride and market adequately throughout the body.

Unfortunately, tattoo culture is not able to survive against the tides change insistence period. Tattoos are found only in the indigenous population aged above 40 years old. Young people are not interested menato body. As a symbol of the Mentawai children, they menato only a small part of the body.

However, some traditional practices that are inherent in the Mentawai people. Married young, for example, still continues. Only the habit of smoking tobacco dilinting use nipah leaves or banana leaves and dry cigarette brands Kaiser and Soery Mas begin on a limited population of older generations. Children read more like a modern cigarette pack.

Simplicity also start in the clothing products. Rarely found, especially among the young. Thief from bark and leaves woven skirt and breast-chest of women who have started to open by tergusur pants, shirt, and twist the fabric. As a regional tourism, with the money The cause them to become public consumption. If you want to pay you, usually tourists, could ask held punen - traditional sacred rituals, which usually only be done in a certain period of time.

Mentawai Islands are indeed being continued by the government. Not only through the provision of assistance Inpres villages, but also through the development of the forest as a national park or forest tourism (ecotourism). Southerners, the beauty of the Mentawai will be more complete. The atmosphere of sea and coastal islands in the Mentawai is very beautiful, and ready to leave an impression and memory.

Islands of the Indian Ocean region is included in the administration was. To reach there, it is difficult. Although the road is narrow, down-up, and also tarnish the light and slippery, but there is still a transport that can be used, namely, boat or speedboat owned by the residents of the rent.