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Day One

Upon being informed that someone has fallen ill and requested the bomoh (healer) for assistance, the bomoh begins the ritual alone in his home that evening. During this solitary ritual, the bomoh interacts with spiritual entities to seek their assistance and negotiate for permission to perform the Bebayuh ceremony on the patient.

Day Two

On the second day, the healing ceremony begins, involving both the patient and the bomoh. The treatment may be conducted either at the bomoh's home or at the patient's residence, depending on the preferences and suitability for both parties. That evening, the bomoh informs the patient’s family about the materials and requests made by the spiritual entities to proceed with the healing. All requested items and materials must be prepared to continue the treatment the following night. At this stage, the Seladai Dance will be performed.

Day Three

On the third day, the materials for the Bebayuh ceremony are handed over to the bomoh. The required items include mayang pinang (betel nut fronds), pucuk mentel (young leaves), isem pisai (woven dried palas leaves resembling betel nut fronds), jasmine flowers, incense, the gendang genayang drum, candles, and glass shards placed on a white cloth. Incense is burned to commence the ritual with the chanting of mantras in the bomoh’s spirit language, invoking his guardian spirit. Simultaneously, the bomoh beats the gendang genayang, used to detect the illness afflicting the patient. A candle is then lit inside the drum and placed over the bomoh’s face. Other musicians play traditional instruments like the tadak, gendang tabuan, kulintangan, beduk, tetawak gong, and canang during the ceremony.

Once the illness detection ceremony is completed successfully, the bomoh swallows the candle while the mayang pinang is wrapped around the patient’s body. In this state, the Ipok spirit is believed to enter the patient’s body, initiating the healing process. The patient then steps on glass shards scattered on a white cloth. Next, the Seladai dance is performed by seven unmarried men and seven unmarried women. During this performance, the bomoh circles the dancers with the isem pesai (woven palas leaves) in hand.

Day Four to Day Six

The activities and rituals on the fourth to the sixth nights are the same as those on the second night. During this period, the patient must adhere to specific taboos, including refraining from consuming stingray and shark, as well as avoiding beans and eggs.

Day Seven

The seventh night marks the final night, known as the pemutus ubat (medicine-severing) ceremony. To ensure the effectiveness of the bomoh's treatment, the patient must provide specific offerings, including small gold pieces, a small spear made from bone as food for the spirit, and a live chicken. With this, the Bebayuh ceremony, a traditional healing ritual for treating mystical ailments within the traditional Melanau community, comes to an end.

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