KOTA PADAWAN: The late 82-year-old Nyukan Yan, also known as Muk Torres, one of Sarawak’s iconic “Ring Ladies” from Kampung Semban, was laid to rest at the Bengoh Resettlement Scheme (BRS) cemetery on Thursday.
The burial ceremony was a solemn yet profound event. She was buried at 9.45 am, surrounded by her friends and family, honouring her life and legacy.
For many in attendance, her passing signifies more than the loss of an individual; it marks the gradual fading of a living link to the Bidayuh community’s rich traditions.
Her life served as a reminder of the importance of preserving these traditions for future generations.
A beloved member of the Bidayuh community, most specifically of the culture of the Bi’embhan, a sub-ethnic group of the Bidayuh from Ulu Bengoh, near here, Nyukan Yan’ burial marked the end of an era and the loss of a cultural icon who symbolised the unique traditions of the indigenous peoples of Sarawak.
The term “Ring Lady” refers to the distinctive brass rings worn by the Bidayuh women, a tradition that Nyukan Yan upheld with pride.
The rings, often encircling their forearms and calves, are symbols of beauty, strength, and identity within the Bidayuh culture. For decades, she embodied this tradition, earning admiration both locally and globally for her dedication to Sarawak’s cultural heritage.
Nyukan Yan’ legacy remains a powerful reminder of the need to honour and protect indigenous heritage.
Her life’s work has inspired ongoing efforts to document and celebrate the traditions of Sarawak’s indigenous peoples, ensuring that their stories and practices endure.
Nyukan Yan passed away last Tuesday at around 5 am at her son’s residence in Kampung Semban.
Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin expressed his condolences, describing her death as a profound loss for the Puncak Borneo community.
“She was among the last of the ‘Ring Ladies’ from our area. Her passing is a great loss to our community in Puncak Borneo.
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences to her family,” he said.
