Semban Rare Bidayuh Ring Lady Dies At 83

KUCHING (Sarawak, Malaysia) Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Ranyu Daiee, a Bidayuh lady who withstood social changes by continuing with the tradition of wearing rings around her forearms and calves, died Friday at the age of 83. Dubbed the ring lady, Ranyu, who preserved the tradition together with three other ladies from Kampung Semban, here died at 5.30 am at her house at the Bengoh Resettlement Scheme (BRS), about 45 km from here. "My mother had complained of body and throat pain since two weeks ago and I took her to a clinic last Monday for treatment," said one of her sons, Palom Ngarong, 41. She will be buried buried on Sunday at the BRS Anglican Church Cemetery. Ranyu is survived by six children, 22 grand children and nine great grandchildren. Among those who paid their last respects to her here Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Willie Mongin, who is also Puncak Borneo Member of Parliament. Ranyu and three other ring ladies, namely Peluk Abeh, Tawud Luhan and Singai Nekan, are believed to be the last Bidayuh women to wear the coiled copper rings, known as "ruyang" and "rasung" at their forearms and calves, since they were 10 years old. They are members of the Kampung Semban cultural troupe which is often invited to perform at state and national events. In 2016, the group was invited to perform at the Lo Spirito Del Pianeta, an international festival of indigenous people and tribal groups, in Milan, Italy. The Milan festival, which gathered cultural troupes and performers from all over the world, was meant to give a first hand account of the daily life of the indigenous people through their culture. According to Kampung Semban headman, Sagen Adem, wearing the rings is not only to symbolise status and beauty, but as a recognition, where only those who wear the rings are allowed to attend certain festive ceremonies and do the rejang, or the eagle dance. -- BERNAMA