Kumang pageant winner defends contest, says it showcases Iban culture

Clarissa (centre) in winning the Durin Cultural Festival Kumang contest.

SIBU: A Kumang beauty pageant winner has dismissed talk that the contest is demeaning to women.

Clarissa Rinya Setian, who won the 2024 Durin Cultural Carnival Kumang contest, disagreed with academic Prof Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan, who said that Kumang events degraded and demeaned Dayak and Iban women.

According to her, in the past, the primary objective of the Kumang contest was to display the Iban Ngepan (traditional costume). However, over time, the pageant has become a more structured event that evaluates participants on their appearance, poise, intelligence, and self-confidence.

"Kumang contestants are now assessed on their intelligence and confidence during a Q&A session. Moreover, they have to perform Iban traditional arts such as bejawang, berpantun, berganu (reciting traditional Iban poems) and ngajat.

"The aim of the Kumang contest is also to preserve Iban traditions so that they are not lost in modern times. In addition, this contest encourages participants to interact with the public and learn cooperation. Therefore, there is no basis for the argument that the Kumang pageant degrades a woman's dignity," Clarissa contended.

Kapit MP Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi also maintained that Kumang beauty pageants do not demean Dayak and Iban women.

"This contest is not focused on the physical beauty of the participants. It's about showcasing our 'ngepan' (Iban woman’s traditional costume), 'sugu tinggi' (headgears), crafts, and more," stated the Works Minister at a pre-Gawai celebration in Kapit.