76 Bidayuh villages participate in ‘Ngiradan/Ngirumang’ celebration
TEBEDU: Some 800 people from 76 Bidayuh villages in Tebedu district gathered at the Tebedu Community Hall on Saturday night for the ‘ Ngiradan/ Ngirumang’ celebration.
They wore their traditional costumes, shared dishes with each other and also performed traditional music and dances to celebrate this old yet meaningful Bidayuh tradition to mark the beginning of the padi harvesting season.
Tebedu assemblyman Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, who officiated at the event, said he always supported such celebration because he believed the younger generation must know the significance of this tradition to the Bidayuh cultural identity.
The ‘ Ngiradan/ Ngirumang’ celebration is now an annual event in Tebedu for the seventh consecutive year since 2013.
Manyin, who is also Education, Science and Technological Research Minister, shared with the audience his younger days when he used to participate in ‘ ngirumang’ at his village Kampung Pichin.
“The ‘ngiradan’ or ‘ngirumang’ is a unique aspect of the Bidayuh culture. It is our tradition which we must preserve and promote to our younger generation,” he said.
Also present were Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben, political secretary to the chief minister Dr Simon Sinang Bada, Serian Resident Johnathan Lugoh, Tebedu district officer Raymond Achen and community leaders from Serian Division.
On another matter, Manyin said areas under Tebedu constituency had seen much development compared to the 1990s although the opposition had been trying to claim otherwise.
Although the villages now enjoy better basic infrastructure and utilities, he hoped the people there will not be carried away but continue to strive to improve their socio- economy.
This includes getting their children to do well in their studies to ensure better future or to pursue skills training certification for better job prospects, he added.