Munying, a Dayak traditional healer<\/p>\n
Munying is not much different from everybody else in his
\nvillage. Living in a four meter-by-five meter wooden house in
\nTanjung village, Jalai Hulu district, he makes a living as a
\nfarmer.<\/p>\n
But he is also known as a healer, or baliatn. Since childhood
\nhe has never been much interested in religion. \"I can't
\ncomprehend religion,\" he says.<\/p>\n
\"Once I had an illness that was hard to cure and I almost went
\nmad,\" he recalls.<\/p>\n
He suffered for a long time, but Hangiq, a baliatn from Air
\nDua, healed him. Since then, he has studied the arts of the
\nhealer so he too can help others.<\/p>\n
As a baliatn, Munying leads a different life than people of
\nother Dayak subtribes. He must, for example, be able to fast for
\nseven days. There is also a period in which he can eat only
\ncertain foods. And he must be able to stir-fry seven grains until
\neach forms something like a cracker.<\/p>\n
A baliatn can eat only three grains, and must dump the rest on
\nthe ground. In a barayah rite (Dayak Jalai-Ketapang), refraining
\nfrom eating certain foods and fasting are compulsory. Without
\nthis process, one cannot be a legitimate baliatn.<\/p>\n
Payment for the services of a baliatn are large earthen jugs,
\nplates, bowls and so forth, suitable to the disease cured. If
\nsomeone is cured of an illness, then he must give the baliatn six
\nplates, a machete and a chicken, plus some rice. Sometimes, the
\nhealer will not take this gift. So, a healer is in essence a
\nvolunteer worker, and cannot be blamed if his healing powers fail
\nhim.<\/p>\n
Munying says he does not regret becoming a healer, because it
\nwas his destiny. To be a healer, a person must suffer.
\nUnderstandably, only a few people are able to qualify.<\/p>\n
Healers from Dayak Ketungau Sesat also have their own
\nsuperstitions. They must not walk through a cemetery. They may
\nnot divulge their supernatural partner. And after healing
\nsomeone, they can't go home alone.<\/p>\n
Then the healers -- also called manang -- must not eat certain
\nfoods. They also are not allowed to refuse a request to heal
\nsomeone.<\/p>\n
\"Even if there are hurricanes or rainstorms, I must go to a
\npatient's house even though I have to walk,\" Munying said.<\/p>\n
To be a healer is to assume a heavy social responsibility
\nindeed. There is little economic gain. Almost all Dayak tribes
\nallow a healer to receive their fees only in the form of goods. A
\nhealer cannot set his fees. The sick person gives something to
\nhis healer voluntarily. If he can afford to give a healer only
\nsome plates, the healer must accept this gift.<\/p>\n
It is a social profession, as such a Dayak healer lives a
\nmodest life. As being a healer entails heavy consequences, not
\nmany Dayak youngsters are interested in this profession.<\/p>\n
--Erma S. Ranik<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/munying-a-dayak-traditional-healer-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }