KUALA LUMPUR: Coming from a village located 1,000m above sea level, Singai anak Nikan was reasonably captivated by the sight of the soaring KL Tower.
The 62-year-old Bidayuh from Kampung Semban – a remote settlement on top of a hill in Padawan, Sarawak – said: “I wanted to visit KL Tower because I think its height is amazing.”
Singai is one of seven “Golden Ring Ladies” in her village who still keep to the dying tradition of wearing long copper bangles on their hands and legs as a symbol of beauty and respect.
It is said that those who wear the luyang (hand bangles) and lasung (leg bangles) should wear them for life.
Singai, a padi farmer, said the hustle and bustle of the city did not put her off.
“I don’t find it very noisy. I also like shopping and seeing the interesting clothes here,” said the grandmother of 30, who also tried roti canai for the first time.
Singai is on a four-day visit to Kuala Lumpur with two other “Golden Ring Ladies”.
They have been invited to speak to Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim at Angkasapuri at 10am today.
Singai, who has been wearing the bangles since she was six, said they did not hurt as she was “used to it”.
Andrew Teyok Gudang, 51, who escorted the women, said those who wear the bangles could become a dayung lanyak, a respected elder in the community.
“Only the dayung lanyak can lead the beris or prayers for a good harvest and other matters including good health,” he said.
Andrew lamented that young women were reluctant to continue the tradition of wearing the bangles.
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