In the middle of the Kalimantan wilderness, a small village called Saginah village is home to a community of Dayak tribes who hold fast to their indigenous traditions. One of the most revered and sacred events by the Dayak people here is "climb up the mountain" a celebration that aims to maintain the safety and well-being of the entire community. In an interview with Mr. Martinus Ude, a leader or Imam of Pamango Panyugu Mountaineering in Saginah village, we gain an insight into the importance and meaning behind this tradition.
Mount Talaga Panyunggu Tangkadi: Deep Symbolism
The peak of Mount Talaga Panyunggu Tangkadi is a sacred place for the Dayak community in Saginah Village. This mountain is considered a spiritual being who guards their safety by abstaining called "Balala". Through traditional mountain climbing ceremonies, Dayak people believe that they will get protection from nature and their ancestors, as well as strengthen social ties among fellow citizens.Â
Hereditary Generation
According to the inheritance of the leader of this traditional ceremony must be passed down from generation to generation from the family concerned, for example from parents, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and so on. Hereditary generation is the practice of inheriting the role or position of traditional ceremony leader from one generation to the next in a family. In this context, the role of ceremonial leader is passed down from a particular family member to another family member in sequence, for example from parent to child, then from child to grandchild, from grandchild to great-grandchild, and so on.
Preparation with Deep Meaning
Before climbing Mount Talaga Panyunggu Tangkadi, the Dayak community in Saginah village made preparations full of meaning. Such as traditional clothes, bandanas (Simpolo Adat ) special bottles to store fresh water (safety water), yellow rice ( Banyu rice) , eggs, tengkawang fruit (Angkabang), currency (metal), sunguh rice, glutinous rice (sticky rice), and one chicken from each house as a symbol of gratitude and offerings to their ancestors. All of these materials are then taken to Penyuggu, where the traditional ceremony takes place after climbing the mountain.
 Preserving Dayak Cultural Heritage and Identity
The indigenous tradition of mountain climbing is a strong reflection of the cultural identity and local wisdom of the Dayak people. Through this celebration, the younger generation is actively involved in preserving this cultural heritage from generation to generation. The importance of this event for the Dayak community reminds them of the importance of preserving and honoring the values of their ancestors.
Sacred Ceremony: Stamp Of Approval Of Father Balala
