THE CULTURE AND CUSTOM OF THE ORANG ULU ETHNIC: THE KEDAYAN TRIBE: THE OFFERING

INTRODUCTION

This custom is held once a year between the months of May to July as a thanksgiving to God for an invigorating harvest. The custom is ought to be held although some of this tribe do not cultivate paddy anymore.

BEFORE THE OFFERING

The leaders, village head and the village committee meet, normally on Sunday, to fix the date of the celebration. The date chosen must not coincide with the date of the same celebration of other villages. A week before the event the treasurer and the village head collect donation from each house, the amount of which is the prerogative of the household. This donation is for buying equipment, drinks and ingredients.

The ceremony begins with the slaughtering of two or three caribous and a number of chickens. Together the ladies get ready with the cooking preparations while villagers make other preparations for the event. Ladies who are expert cooks are paid to prepare the dishes of which are depending on the villagers tastes. Normally, the cuisines are of traditional flare, with five to six of wrapped rice in a plate served for guests.

As a side entertainment the ladies play the drums and sell quotraints to the men who buy the quotraints while dancing.

DURING THE CEREMONY

The villagers get ready and congregate at a hovel specially built for this occasion. The first event is the offering headed by a medicine-man. A number of wooden sticks are planted into the ground and the medicine-man recite mantras requesting for the smooth running of the ceremony. There are five compulsory traditional foods served that are wrapped rice, three traditional cakes and a cake filling. As most of the Kedayans are muslims the Islamic rites of reciting special prayers for the dead are also held.

Previously, the foods are served in big trays in batches and guests sit down on traditional mats to enjoy the cuisine. Nowadays, the self service system is popular with table and chairs provided.

AFTER THE OFFERING

The village head that represents the villagers thanks everybody. As a thank you gesture guests are presented with gifts of foods. The origin of this kind of gesture began when the distance between the venue and the guests houses is quite far and would take some time to reach their destinations. Therefore, the foods that were presented could satisfy their hunger along the way home. Nowadays, this gesture acts to seal the event.

After the ceremony is over the villagers collectively tidy up and clean the hovel as well as ensure that it is in proper condition as previously.