KUCHING (Dec 19): Nyukan Yan, a cherished member of the Kampung Semban Ring Ladies, was laid to rest today at the Bengoh Resettlement Scheme (BRS) cemetery. The 82-year-old, affectionately known as Muk Torres, passed away peacefully on Tuesday at 5am due to old age at her daughter’s home in the village.
The funeral saw family, friends, and villagers gathering at 9.45am to pay their final respects to the iconic figure. Nyukan is survived by seven children, 13 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy deeply rooted in Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage.
Her eldest daughter, Pamem Tami, shared fond memories of gardening with her mother. “During breaks, she would recall the old days—the challenges we faced and how taro was often our only meal,” Pamem said, reflecting on her mother’s resilience and warmth.
Nyukan’s passing marks a poignant moment for the Kampung Semban Ring Ladies, a unique group of Bidayuh women from Ulu Bengoh, Sarawak, known for wearing Ruyank’ng and Rasunk’ng—copper coil rings on their forearms and calves. These rings represent the culture and traditions of the Bi’embhan sub-ethnic group.
While her legacy has not been passed down, it remains immortalized in Sarawakian history and art. The late Nyukan joins her contemporary, Nyadi Dollah, who passed away in 2022. Now, only three Ring Ladies—Peluk Abel, Tawud Luhan, and Singai Nekan—carry this tradition forward.
The legacy of the Ring Ladies is celebrated through murals like ‘Dayung Hmuai Semban’ (The Beautiful Ladies of Semban), painted by artist Leonard Siaw in Kota Padawan. The mural commemorates the Ring Ladies and draws inspiration from the documentary The Last Ring Ladies, which premiered internationally in 2019.
Nyukan’s passing serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving Sarawak’s cultural heritage and the stories of its remarkable people.
