Educational Resource

Bidayuh Traditional Pregnancy Customs

Heritage Identification

Heritage Name

Traditional Pregnancy Customs of the Bidayuh Community

 

Type of Heritage: Intangible Cultural Heritage

(Beliefs, rituals, taboos, oral tradition)

This heritage does not involve physical objects.  Instead, it exists through knowledge, practices, and cultural values that guide pregnancy behaviour within the Bidayuh community.

Purpose of the Customs

The pregnancy customs serve several important functions within the community:

  • To protect the health of the mother and unborn child
    - Ensures physical and emotional well-being
    - Encourages cautious behaviour during pregnancy
  • To prevent misfortune and spiritual disturbance
    - Belief that pregnancy attracts spiritual attention
    - Customs act as spiritual protection
  • To ensure a safe pregnancy and childbirth
    - Promotes harmony between humans, nature, and spirits
    - Reduces fear and anxiety through ritual assurance

Key Practices

Birayang Ite Ceremony
A traditional ritual performed by an experienced traditional midwife.  It involves protective chants, blessings, and symbolic actions to safeguard the pregnancy from harm.


Traditional Materials Used:
• Turmeric - believed to cleanse and protect
• Coconut oil - used for massage and ritual application
• Ritual chants - spoken prayers to seek spiritual protection
• Symbolic actions - movements or gestures representing balance and safety

These practices reflect the Bidayuh belief in maintaining harmony between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Examples of Pregnancy Taboos

During pregnancy, women are advised to follow specific taboos, such as:

  • Avoid eating deer meat
    - Believed to affect the baby's behaviour or health
  • Avoid going out during twilight (Umot Sanja)
    - Twilight is believed to be a time when spirits are active
  • Avoid blocking holes, drains, or drying water sources
    - Symbolizes obstruction that may affect childbirth
  • Avoid contact with individuals who have skin diseases
    - Believed to prevent physical or spiritual contamination

Who Practiced These Customs

These practices were traditionally observed by:
•  Elder women - custodians of cultural knowledge
•  Traditional midwives - responsible for rituals and care
• Bidayuh families in rural communities - especially longhouse settings

Threats to the Heritage

This cultural practice is at risk due to:

  • Modern medical knowledge replacing traditional beliefs
  • Decline in the number of traditional midwives
  • Lack of interest and awareness among younger generations
  • Urbanisation and lifestyle changes


Without  any documentation and education, these customs may disappear.