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Ngayap (English: "wing") is a traditional courting practice that was historically observed within the Iban community of Borneo. This custom involves male members of the group engaging in nocturnal courtship to pursue relationships with the female virgins of the community.[1][2][3]
The purpose of Ngayap was to facilitate meetings between single men and women, providing them with the opportunity to express their feelings to potential partners. While this practice was accepted in the past, it is currently discouraged and should only be conducted in accordance with Iban customs and the way of life to prevent slanderous allegations against Iban culture.
According to tradition, men are permitted to meet with women for no more than three consecutive nights. If the visits persist, the woman's parents have the right to interview the man and assess the seriousness of his intentions in courting her. A sincere candidate is expected to inform the woman's parents of his intention to marry her, while non-serious candidates will have their visits immediately halted. If a male candidate continues nocturnal visits without reaching a decision, the woman's parental figures have the right to detain him, arrange a marriage, and then bring the matter to the attention of the Tuai Rumah (Sarawak longhouse chief) and the concerned longhouse residents.
In contemporary Iban life, the tradition and practice of Ngayap have faded away. Presently, interactions between single men and women occur during gatherings such as festivals, schools, institutions of higher learning, and workplaces. Ngayap is now just a small aspect of Iban cultural heritage. To prevent its misuse by newer generations, this practice is generally confined to the Iban community. Legal action, as stipulated in Section 132 of the Adat Iban of 1993, can be taken only in cases of violations or interference by others in this practice.[4]
See also
edit- The Sleeping Dictionary (2003 movie) - based on this custom.
References
edit- ^ Jensen, Erik (2013-07-30). Where Hornbills Fly: A Journey with the Headhunters of Borneo. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-1-78076-774-1.
- ^ "Iban Studies: Their Contributions to Social Theory and the Ethnography of Other Borneo Societies". www.gnappell.org. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
- ^ uwa1971 (2013-04-09). "Adat ngayap and nguai". Ibanology. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Sandin, Benedict; Sather, Clifford (1980). Iban Adat and Augury. Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia for School of Comparative Social Sciences. p. 69.