Lom Plai, a sacred tradition that brings the Dayak Wehea culture to life

JAKARTA - Cultural preservation is an important effort to maintain the identity of an area so that it does not disappear with time.

Traditions, rituals, and local values are not only the legacy of the past, but also the foundation of the identity of a community that continues to live and grow.

In the midst of the rapid flow of modernization, maintaining culture means taking care of history while strengthening the pride of the younger generation towards their ancestors.

The East Kutai Regency Government together with the indigenous people continues to strive to preserve the Dayak Wehea culture through the Lom Plai Festival which lasts for 38 days, starting from March 23 to April 29. The peak of the celebration was held on April 22-29, 2026 in Nehas Liah Bing Village, Muara Wahau District.

Deputy Regent of East Kutai Mahyunadi expressed his appreciation to the Dayak Wehea community who consistently maintain their ancestral traditions.

"We express our high appreciation for the Dayak Wehea community who continue to preserve the cultural heritage of their ancestors. The Lom Plai tradition is an identity of the region that has high local wisdom values and should be preserved," he said as quoted by ANTARA.

He also assessed the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and the East Kalimantan Provincial Tourism Service as a form of support for the development of cultural-based tourism potential in East Kutai.

The tradition of Lom Plai itself has an important role in the life of the Dayak Wehea community and is considered to have strong appeal as a cultural tourism destination. This celebration is not just an adat ceremony, but also a means to introduce cultural wealth to the wider community.

At the peak of the event, the indigenous people welcomed the guests with the Nelkeak ritual, a sacred procession that is full of cultural and spiritual meanings.

"In the midst of the modernization that often erodes traditional values, rituals such as Nelkeak serve as a reminder that cultural identity can still be maintained with full honor."

This ritual shows that the Dayak Wehea culture is still alive and is maintained from generation to generation. Tradition is not something obsolete, but a valuable heritage that continues to be cared for by the next generation.

For local people, Nelkeak is not only a form of welcoming guests, but also a symbol of respect and acceptance with dignity. In the procession there is a prayer to the ancestors so that all negative influences from outside can be neutralized.

This belief is rooted in the worldview of indigenous people who see the relationship between humans, nature, and ancestors as a harmonious unity. The Nelkeak ritual is also interpreted as a spiritual effort to maintain the balance of the environment and social life.

In addition, this procession is a symbol of protection for guests to be given health, long life, and bring goodness to the people of Nehas Liah Bing Village.