When a boy likes a girl, in traditional Iban culture, the boy will ngayap the girl. Ngayap is a form of courting the girl and it is done during the night. The purpose of ngayap is to give the chance to the boy and girl to know each other better and to express their feelings which are usually not decent when to do during the day in the eyes of public.
What happen during ngayap is that the boy will creep to the side of curtain of the girl's room and awakes her. Then, the girl will come out and meet the boy. Both of them might stay until close to dawn if the girl like the boy too. There will be conversations and whether there is any sexual relationship, it will depend on the girl.
In Adat Iban, the boy is not allowed to ngayap continously, if it happens, the parents of the girl can bring the matter to the Tuai Rumah (leader of the longhouse) and the boy will be fined. And ngayap also only allowed to Ibans, if any other ethnics ngayap, the person is subjected to be fined under Adat Iban. Like wise, the Ibans should not introduce ngayap to other ethics as they will be fined also.
However, in this modern era, ngayap has lost its importance. Nowadays, flirting or courting happens during wedding functions, parties, gawai festival, social instituitions etc. But ngayap tradition is still well-known among Ibans and many Iban songs include the story of ngayap in the lyrics.
What happen during ngayap is that the boy will creep to the side of curtain of the girl's room and awakes her. Then, the girl will come out and meet the boy. Both of them might stay until close to dawn if the girl like the boy too. There will be conversations and whether there is any sexual relationship, it will depend on the girl.
In Adat Iban, the boy is not allowed to ngayap continously, if it happens, the parents of the girl can bring the matter to the Tuai Rumah (leader of the longhouse) and the boy will be fined. And ngayap also only allowed to Ibans, if any other ethnics ngayap, the person is subjected to be fined under Adat Iban. Like wise, the Ibans should not introduce ngayap to other ethics as they will be fined also.
However, in this modern era, ngayap has lost its importance. Nowadays, flirting or courting happens during wedding functions, parties, gawai festival, social instituitions etc. But ngayap tradition is still well-known among Ibans and many Iban songs include the story of ngayap in the lyrics.
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haha..u should be mentally prepared and brave enough to "ngayap" in this era..
ReplyDeleteI experienced ngayap in the early 70, being platoon commander months in the deep jungle, I was toasted with tuak by the beautiful young girl age 16, with blessings from her parents, you have to show your manhood climb over the door above and go directly to the girl in the mosquito net and ready for action. Thanks for the opportunity and experience in a lifetime. It's fantastic anyway. Hopefully no such face like me. Some appearance like Chinese, dark skin and some like Japanese and eurasian
ReplyDeleteI experienced ngayap in the early 70, being platoon commander months in the deep jungle, I was toasted with tuak by the beautiful young girl age 16, with blessings from her parents, you have to show your manhood climb over the door above and go directly to the girl in the mosquito net and ready for action. Thanks for the opportunity and experience in a lifetime. It's fantastic anyway. Hopefully no such face like me. Some appearance like Chinese, dark skin and some like Japanese and eurasian
ReplyDelete