‘Adet Maren-Paren practice remains relevant today’
MIRI: The process of appointing Kayan and Kenyah community leaders including their ‘ ketua kampung’ (village headmen) must go through their respective native customary institutions.
For the Kayans, this process should be the prerogative of the ‘Adet Maren’ while for the Kenyahs, the governing authority on such matters is the ‘ Adet Paren’.
According to Society of Kayan- Kenyah Elders Sarawak chairperson Temenggung Elizabeth Deng, this centuriesold practice is meant to ensure the preservation and recognition of generational customs and heritage these two sub-communities of the Orang Ulu ethnic group.
“This custom is still relevant today, despite the world having gone through many changes over the past decades and also, our communities having embraced Christianity.
“According to both ‘adet maren’ and ‘adet paren’, only the descendants of the long line of community leaders and ‘ ketua kampung’ are eligible for the job. In this regard, we do not want any individual, association and even politics to interfere with or jeopardise these institutions.
“We want to make it clear that the Kayan and Kenyah communities still hold on to our ‘adat’ ( customs) strongly,” she told The Borneo Post when met at the Adet Kayan-Kenyah 1994 Miri Division (Series 2/2017) Seminar at Dynasty Hotel here recently.
According to her, the ‘adat’ of appointing community leaders and village headmen was already enshrined and empowered under the Adet Kayan Kenyah 1994 Ordinance but over the years, there had been several quarters from within these communities who proposed for amendments to and even the abolition of this Ordinance – claiming that ‘it is outdated’.
On this, Elizabeth stressed: “It is because of ‘Adet Maren’ and ‘Adet Paren’ that the Kayans and the Kenyah remain united till today. We do not want any quarrel between the people that could break the communities apart.
“We’re not afraid of those parties who want this ‘adat’ to be abolished. If we, the Kayans and the Kenyahs, do not respect and protect this custom, then who will?”
Elizabeth also offered to unravel the confusion that might arise with regard to the appointment of community leaders and that of
This custom is still relevant today, despite the world having gone through many changes over the past decades and also, our communities having embraced Christianity. Temenggung Elizabeth Deng, Society of KayanKenyah Elders Sarawak chairperson
councillors.
“It is quite straightforward for the Kayans and the Kenyahs – the appointment of community leaders comprising the ‘ketua kampung’, ‘ temenggung’, ‘ pemanca’ and ‘ penghulu’ follow the ‘adat’; you cannot compare this to the appointment of councillors, which is under the purview of political parties.
“In this regard, any RO ( Resident’s Office) or DO (district office) responsible for selecting and appointing community leaders and village chiefs should refer to the Society (of KayanKenyah Elders Sarawak) first.
“The society covers the KayanKenyah community in Belaga, Baram, Telang Usan and Tubau. Should the DO or RO intend to appoint anyone, they should refer first to the society. We’re not disputing the authority of the RO or DO; rather, we are more aware of who can lead our community, especially those in Baram,” said Elizabeth, who is a Kayan.
She also pointed out that the Kayans and the Kenyahs had never practised the polling system in appointing community leaders.
“It was never done by the previous generations. This ‘adat’ is not meant to oppress anyone; rather, it upholds our legacy and as such, it needs to be protected and preserved for future generations.
“Having said this, the ‘marens’ and the ‘parens’ themselves hold the sacred obligation of leading by example – they must never rely solely on their inherited status,” she emphasised.
Meanwhile, the seminar was attended by many key figures of the Kayan and Kenyah communities such as political secretary to chief minister Charles Balan Seling, Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak operations division head Anthonius L Sindang, Orang Ulu Ethnic Research Section head Ding Seling, Society of Kayan- Kenyah Elders Sarawak ( Kayan) vice- chairman Pemanca Gilbert Ding, Penghulu Anthony Kuleh, Pastor Edward Avit Ding, Penghulu Herbert Lawai Epoi, Penghulu Jalong Tanyit, Penghulu Joseph Belulok and Ketua Kaum Michael Kebing Avit.
On a relevant matter, Gilbert believed that the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak should clarify the concept of ‘Adet Maren / Adet Paren’ in the current version of the Adet Kayan- Kenyah 1994 Book.
“The ‘Adet Kayan’, for instance, does not explain fully and clearly the roles of the ‘ maren’ on top of the social strata and in administration of power in the longhouses; thus, I hope the ‘ Majlis’ (council) could explain this further,” he said.
In his remarks, Ding Seling said the ‘Adet Maren / Adet Paren’ concept had proven to be the ‘ reinforcement’ in maintaining the peace and harmony within the communities for a long time.
“We have conducted our own research on this – whenever the customs are abused or not obeyed, many undesirable things would happen, including fights between the longhouse folk, which would not only adversely affect the individuals but also the entire community.
“Hence, the Kayans and the Kenyahs need to stick with the ‘adat’,” he said.
Concurring with Ding Seling, Anthonius reiterated the full recognition of the Adet Kayan Kenyah 1994 Ordinance, stressing further that this must never be repealed ‘ for the sake of the Kayans and the Kenyahs’.