Antar Ajung Planting Ceremony From Sambas, West Borneo

Antar Ajung

Antar Ajung literally means "to bring a boat" and is a ceremony held at the start of the rice planting season to pray for a good future harvest.

Antar Ajung Boats

For this ceremony villagers build beautifully decorated small boats that are filled with offerings, such as coconut oil and yellow rice, that the are released into the sea.

Antar Ajung Ceremony

The model boats are up to 40 cm wide and 4 m long and are faithful copies of traditional sailing boats. The night before the release of the boats a ritual is conducted by the traditional village leader. The ceremonies also include traditional games, dances and music performances. Antar ajung ceremonies take place from june - August in coastal village of the districts of Tangaran and Paloh. The biggest ceremony is held at the village of Arung Parak about 20 kilometers south of Paloh.

Antar Ajung

Antar Ajung

Source: Inspiring Borneo, 2.bp.blogspot.com, c3.staticflickr.com, s46.photobucket.com/