PADAWA: The last of the Bidayuh “ring ladies” were among the first to arrive to cast their ballots at the Mambong state constituency, located about 30km from Kuching.

       Tawud Luhad, 75, was spotted first at the polling centre in the Kampung Semban community hall, while her two friends Peluk Aneh, 70, and Singai Nekan, 69, arrived shortly after.

       “It is our responsibility to vote. Since I was young and eligible to vote, I have never missed the opportunity,” said Tawud.

       All three of them were clad in the colourful and eye-catching traditional Semban Bidayuh clothing.

       The women were originally from Kampung Semban in Ulu Padawan but moved to the Bengoh Resettlement Scheme in 2010 after their village was resettled to make way for the Bengoh Dam.

       The trio continue the “paad padi” (bringing padi home from the fields) tradition of wearing the coiled copper rings, known as “rayung” and “rasung”. They wear these on their forearms and calves, and have been doing so since they were 10 years old.

       The rings not only symbolise status and beauty, but also serve as recognition since only those who wear rings will be allowed to attend certain festive ceremonies and do the eagle dance.