Lens Magazine

LENS

TRAVEL MAGA ZINE THAT CONSIST EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING

LUNDAYEH : THE TALE OF UPRIVER PEOPLE

PENAN : THE TRUE NOMADIC

DAYAK TRIBE Peek inside the life of

CONTENTS Features 03 Peek inside the life of : Dayak Life

sarawak bumi kenyalang 07 Discover the untouched nature : Sarawak Bumi Kenyalang

10 PENAN : The True Nomadic

12 KELABIT : A brief profile : The Kelabit of The Kelabit Highlands

sabah : Negeri di bawah bayu 14 Close with Mothernature :

Sabah Negeri Di Bawah Bayu

16 Philipines Market

18 Lundayeh People : The tale of upriver people

20 Kaamatan Festival

2

LENS

TRAVEL MAGA ZINE THAT CONSIST EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING

FrOm THE EdiTOr For the past 13 years we have been focusing on promoting malaysia. we do this though various publications and websites directed at resident expats, people thinking of relocating here (working expats and malaysia my Second Home applicants) as well as tourists and business travellers. we regularly interact with resident expats and malaysians who want to ensure visitors experience the country’s many attractions.

This magazine is all about tourism destinations. Our object is to provide tourists with enough information about each of the destinations to decide what they would like to visit and enjoy. However while the magazine covers tourism and property in malaysia this website is strictly on travel. it is will eventually contain hundreds of articles and comments by expats and local experts on what the country has to offer.

LUNDAYEH : THE TALE OF UPRIVER PEOPLE

PENAN : THE TRUE NOMADIC

DAYAK TRIBE Peek inside the life of

we encourage people to contact us with their suggestions of places to visit as well as feedback on the comments contained on our website at http://lensmagazine.com.my. by combining various peoples opinions we hope to provide an accurate picture of what awaits the person wishing to discover the many facets of malaysia.

This is where you come in! we’d like you to look around and leave us suggestions of where to visit as well as your feedback on the places you’ve been. was a hotel you stayed at outstanding… or were there cockroaches in the breakfast buffet? did the pool make you smile or the filth make you scream? we want to hear all your opinions. we will read them

Editor In Chief Presilla bunfat, eiceditor@lens.com

Associate Editor S. Noor ain b.z, aseditor@lens.com

Contributing Writer rafizah r, cwriter@lens.com

all and put the best on the magazine so fellow travellers know where to visit and, perhaps even more importantly, where to avoid!

Contributing Writer adam m, conwrite@lens.com

So, get involved – sign up to subscribe and log on to the website whenever the mood takes you. lens magazines is a venture of The Expat group, which has established itself as the leading media company in malaysia for reaching resident expats, overseas visitors, business travellers and investors. The private sector and the malaysian government frequently seek lENS’s support and input to market the country and the government’s products and services. Our bespoke multi-media marketing packages are tailored to suit each company’s needs and achieve its objectives of reaching a diversified international audience through the following channels: • Publications

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3

A young lady wearing traditional clothes or Dayaks “Maloh�

dayak people T Peek inside the life of

he Dayak or Dyak are the native people of Borneo.It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups, located principally in the interior of

In the past, the Dayak were feared for their ancient tradition of headhunting practices.

Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory and culture, although

common distinguishing traits are readily identifiable. Dayak languages are categorised as part of the Austronesian languages in Asia. The Dayak were animist in belief; however

many converted to Christianity, and some to Islam more recently. Estimates for the Dayak population range from 2 to 4 million.

HISTORY The main ethnic groups of Dayaks are the Bakumpai and Dayak Bukit of South Kalimantan, The Ngajus, Baritos, Benuaqs of East Kalimantan, the Kayan and Kenyah groups and

4

Dayak is one of the biggest ethnic in Sarawak .”

their subtribes in Central Borneo and

headhunting legislation by the colonial

particular house, look at the backyard. If

the Ibans, Embaloh (Maloh), Kayan,

powers was passed, the practice was

there are tapioca leaves planted, it means

Kenyah, Penan, Kelabit, Lun Bawang and

banned and appeared to have disap-

there are!

Taman[disambiguation needed] popula-

peared. Headhunting began to surface

tions in the Kapuas and Sarawak regions.

again in the mid-1940s, when the Allied

It’s been a staple for a long time, hearken-

Other populations include the Ahe, Jagoi,

Powers encouraged the practice against

ing back to the days when meat was a

Selakau, Bidayuh, and Kutai.

the Japanese. It also slightly surged in the

luxury and vegetables aplenty. But even

The Dayak people of Borneo possess an

late 90s, when the Dayak started to attack

now, when meat has become the norm,

indigenous account of their history, partly

Madurese emigrants in an explosion of

the humble dawu’ bandung can never be

in writing and partly in common cultural

ethnic violence.

replaced.

FOODS

Among the more popular dishes are stir

customary practices.

CULTURE

fried, or stewed with dahang pangan (rice Daun ubi, tapioca leaves or better known

fermented pork), manok pansoh, or made

In the past, the Dayak were feared for

in Dayak as dawu’ bandung, is a plant that

into a soup with canned stew pork.

their ancient tradition of headhunt-

grow in the wild, but has been cultivated

ing practices. After mass conversions

as widely eaten by the Dayaks. They say

to Christianity and Islam, and anti-

if you want to know if a Dayaks lives in a

5

6

The Dayak woman using the accessories handmade.

Discover the untouch nature of

s a r aw a k

Bumi kenyalang

by : siti noor ain b.z

S

Sarawak is one of two

The Dayak people of Borneo possess

Malaysian states on the

an indigenous account of their history,

island of Borneo. Known as

partly in writing and partly in common

Bumi Kenyalang (“Land of the Hornbills”),

cultural customary practices.[citation

Sarawak is situated on the northwest of

needed]In addition, colonial accounts

the island, bordering the Malaysian state

and reports of Dayak activity in Borneo

of Sabah to the northeast, Indonesia to

detail carefully cultivated economic and

the south, and surrounding Brunei. It is

political relationships with other com-

the largest Malaysian state.

munities as well as an ample body of

The administrative capital is Kuching,

research and study considering historical

which has a population of 658,562.

Dayak migrations.[citation needed] In

Major cities and towns include Miri (pop.

particular, the Iban or the Sea Dayak

269,380), Sibu (pop. 209,616) and Bintulu

exploits in the South China Seas are

(pop. 189,695). As of the last census (2010),

documented, owing to their ferocity and

the state population was 2,420,009.

aggressive culture of war against sea

Hornbill or likely to be called “Burung kenyalang” is the symbol of the sarawak state.”

dwelling groups and emerging Western HISTORY

trade interests in the 19th and 20th centuries.[citation needed]

The main ethnic groups of Dayaks

During World War II, the Japanese occu-

are the Bakumpai and Dayak

pied Borneo and treated all of the indig-

Bukit of South Kalimantan, The Ngaju

enous peoples poorly - massacres of the

s, Baritos, Benuaqs of East Kalimantan,

Malay and Dayak peoples were common,

the Kayan andKenyah groups and

especially among the Dayaks of the Kapit

their subtribes in Central Borneo

Division. Following this treatment, the

and the Ibans, Embaloh (Maloh),

Dayaks formed a special force to assist

Kayan, Kenyah, Penan, Kelabit, Lun

the Allied forces. Eleven United States air-

Bawang andTaman[disambiguation

men and a few dozen Australian special

needed] populations in

operatives trained a thousand Dayaks

the Kapuas and Sarawak regions. Other

from the Kapit Division to battle the

populations include the Ahe, Jagoi, Sela

Japanese with guerrilla warfare. This army

kau, Bidayuh, and Kutai.

of tribesmen killed or captured some

7

the “rumah panjang” or commonly known as long-house in sarawak 1,500 Japanese soldiers and were able to

and (in the case of the Tausug group)

Kayan, Kenyah, Penan, Kelabit, Lun

provide the Allies with intelligence vital in

ruling, the northern tip of Borneo for cen-

Bawang andTaman[disambiguation

securing Japanese-held oil fields.

turies, have their origins from the south-

needed] populations in

Coastal populations in Borneo are largely

ern Philippines. These groups are not

the Kapuas and Sarawak regions. Other

Muslim in belief, however these groups

Dayak, but instead are grouped under the

populations include the Ahe, Jagoi, Selak

(Tidung, Bulungan, Paser, Melanau,

separate umbrella term of Moro.

au, Bidayuh, and Kutai.

ETHNIC

CELEBRATION

by the Javanese Majapahit Kingdoms and

The main ethnic groups of Dayaks are

Celebrated mid year on June 1 and 2,

Islamic Malay Sultanates.

the Bakumpai and Dayak Bukit of South

though unofficially the festivities begin

Other groups in coastal areas

Kalimantan, The Ngajus, Baritos, Benua

during the last week of May and continue

of Sabah, Sarawak and north-

qs of East Kalimantan, the Kayan andKe-

through mid-June. Usually, the people of

ern Kalimantan; namely the Illanun, Taus

nyah groups and their subtribes in Central

many longhouses harvest their rice fields

ug, Sama and Bajau, although inhabiting

Borneo and the Ibans, Embaloh (Maloh),

well before the big day and have their

Kadayan, Bakumpai, Bisayah) are generally considered to be Islamized Dayaks, native to Borneo, and heavily influenced

8

own small scale Gawai feast at the end of

At rural dwellings, especially in roadside

their harvests.

villages and remote villages, guests are expected to taste tuak and eat at each

Celebrated by the Dayak, which generally

household. Thus in a 30 door longhouse

refers to the Iban, Bidayuh and the Orang

with a family living behind each door, it

Ulu communities in Sarawak. The elders

means partaking in festivities over and

perform traditional rites, everyone dress-

over again. Music and dancing usually fol-

es in their traditional costumes and there

low to liven up the mood.

is food and drink. Tuak, rice wine, and an array of traditional food are generously

Obviously, Gawai Dayak is the best and

served along the ruai, veranda, and bilik,

the most interesting time to visit Sarawak

room, in every longhouse. Widespread

as you can see and sample the lifestyle

celebrations are held not only in the main

and its festivities. All visitors are warmly

cities and towns but also in the interior

received and accepted as new friends

settlements.

even if they happen to be strangers. It is a

Gawai is the time for prayers of thanksgiving to the spirits and gods of old after a bountiful harvest, to celebrate the end of the paddy season.�

happy time for all concerned.

9

Penan

the true nomadic by : siti noor ain b.z

T

he Penan are a nomadic aboriginal people living in

those of Sarawak’s other indigenous groups.

Sarawak and Brunei, although there is only one small community in Brunei; among those in Brunei half have

Some, typically the younger generations, now cultivate rice and

been converted to Islam, even if only superficially.

garden vegetables but many rely on their diets of sago (starch

Penan are one of the last such peoples remaining as hunters and

from the sago palm), jungle fruits and their prey which usually

gatherers.[2] The Penan are noted for their practice of ‘molong’

include wild boar, barking deer, mouse deer but also snakes (espe-

which means never tak-

cially the Reticulated

ing more than neces-

Python or kemanen),

sary. Most Penan were

monkeys,

nomadic hunter-gather-

frogs, monitor liz-

ers until the post-World

ards,

War II missionaries set-

even insects such as

tled many of the Penan,

locusts. Since they

mainly in the Ulu-Baram

practice

district but also in the

they pose little strain

Limbang district. They

on the forest: they

eat plants, which are

rely on it and it sup-

also used as medicines,

plies them with all

and animals and use the

they need. They are

hides, skin, fur, and other

outstanding hunters

parts for clothing and

and catch their prey

shelter.

birds,

snails

and

‘molong’,

using a ‘kelepud’ or blowpipe, made from the Belian Tree (superb timber) and carved

LIFESTYLE

out with unbelievable accuracy using a bone drill - the wood is not split, as it is elsewhere, so the bore has to be precise almost to the

Penan communities were predominantly nomadic up until the

millimetre, even over a distance of 3 metres. The darts are made

1950s. The period from 1950–present has seen consistent pro-

from the sago palm and tipped with poisonous latex of a tree

grammes by the state government and foreign Christian mis-

(called the Tajem tree) found in the forest which can kill a human

sionaries to settle Penan into longhouse-based villages similar to

in a matter of minutes. Everything that is caught is shared as the

10

The Penan are the only true nomadic people in Sarawak and amongst the last of the world’s hunter-gatherers ”

Penan have a highly tolerant, generous and egalitarian society, so much so that it is said that the nomadic Penan have no word for ‘thank you’ because help is assumed and therefore doesn’t require a ‘thank you’. However, ‘jian kenin’ [meaning ‘feel good’] is typically used in settled communities, as a kind of equivalent to ‘thank you’.

Very few Penan live in Brunei any more, and their way of life is changing due to pressures that encourage them to live in permanent settlements and adopt yeararound farming

ARTS AND CRAFT

Blacksmithing is a skill that was learnt and copied from the other neighbouring tribes

The Penan are skilled in traditional handi-

but today, the Penan communities located

craft making and blacksmithing, their

not far from the Kayan and Kenyah settle-

handiwork is highly sought after by other

ments seems to be the sole providers of

ethnic groups in their area and fetch high

tools and traditional iron implements to

prices in the town areas. These traditional

these communities. An example of this

skills have proved invaluable to the Penan

interdependency can be seen through the

because these skills assist them in adapt-

making of ceremonial swords or parang

ing to the modern world. Whereas in the

for the Kayan community.

past the Penan were strictly a hunter gatherer society, the passage of time and the impact of deforestation and modernisation has forced the Penan to adapt and adopt a more materialistic outlook to life.

11

kelabit A Brief Profile: The Kelabit of the Kelabit Highlands

by : siti noor ain b.z

Kelabit tribe one of the smallest ethnic groups in the state of Sarawak.

12

T

he Kelabit at approximately 5000 people, are one of the smallest ethnic groups in the state of Sarawak. Historically, they are a highland community that inhabit the Kelabit Highlands, a highland plateau with an altitude approximately 1000 meters above sea level and situated above the furthest reaches of the navigable rivers of Baram and Limbang Districts of Northeastern Sarawak. Currently there are about 1800 people living in the highlands while most of them now live outside the highlands. They moved out mostly to get further education and to get jobs that suit their qualifications in towns and cities like Miri, Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Kuala Lumpur and other places overseas.

Many are involved in a range of pofessional occupations. The Kelabit in the highands, like many other indigenous communities in Sarawak live in longhouses, although recently many families built single houses scattered around in the vil-

lages. Today, there are 16 villages in the area, which include Pa’Umur, Pa’ Ukat, Pa’ Lungan, (located along the Depbur basin), Long Dano, Pa Dalih, Ramudu (located along Kelapang basin), and Pa Ramapuh Benah, Pa Ramapuh Dita, Pa Derung, Ulung Palang Dita, Ulun Palang Benah, Padang Pasir, Kampung Baru, Arur Layun, Bario Asal and Arur Dalan, in the Merariu river basin.

There are 4 other Kelabit settlements located further down the tributaries of the Baram River: Long Peluan, Long Seridan, Long Lellang and Long Napir.

Cultural Heritage Even though the Kelabit have gone through a rapid social and economic change within the very short span of 50 years, they have managed to main-

tain certain aspects of their culture which are still unique, particularly their music and dance. A traditional musical instrument is the sape’, a plucked lute instrument.It is carved from tree trunk in an elongated rectangular shape with a homogenous neck extending from one end of the body. Formerly, its three or four strings were made from finely split rattan, but today they are made of wire strings.

single dances. The hornbill dance is performed in imitation of the hornbill bird. Hornbill birds are beautiful, shy and very gracious. Many natives in Sarawak adore them, so try to imitate their movements.

The Kelabit, like many other indigenous people in the Borneo Island, do not have a written language. So most of their oral stories, which include legends, myths and other folklore, were passed down orally.

The Kelabit also play the pagang (tube zither), which is made from a length of bamboo tube closed at both ends by its natural bamboo nodes. The strings are finely cut strips from the surface of the bamboo tube itself, which are still attached to the tube at either end.

The Kelabit use the sape and pagang music to dance their lovely hornbill and warrior dances, long dances and

13

sabah Close with mothernature

negeri di bawah bayu

“Gunung kinabalu” are The highest mountain in asia.

S

abah is one of the 13 member states of Malaysia, and is its easternmost state. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest.

It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south. The capital of Sabah is Kota Kinabalu, formerly known as Jesselton. Sabah is often referred to as “The Land Below The Wind”, a phrase used by seafarers in the past to describe lands south of the typhoon belt.

ETYMOLOGY

The origin of the name Sabah is uncertain, and there are

many theories that have arisen. One theory is that during the time it was part of the Bruneian Sultanate, it was referred to as Saba because of the presence of pisang saba, a type of banana, found on the coasts of the region. Due to the location of Sabah in relation to Brunei, it has been suggested that Sabah was a Bruneian Malay word meaning upstream[7] or the northern side of the river.[8] Another theory suggests that it came from the Malay word sabak which means a place where palm sugar is extracted.

Sabah is also an Arabic word which means sunrise. The presence of multiple theories makes it difficult to pinpoint the true origin of the name.It has been said that Sabah was once referred to as Seludang in a 1365 Javanese text known as Nagarakretagama written by Mpu Prapanca.

GEOGRAPHY The western part of Sabah is generally mountainous, containing the three highest mountains in Malaysia. The most prominent range is the Crocker Range which houses several mountains of varying height from about 1,000 metres to 4,000 metres. At the height of 4,095 metres, Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malay Archipelago (excluding New Guinea) and the 10th highest mountain in political Southeast Asia. The jungles of Sabah are classified as tropical rainforests and host a diverse array of plant and animal species. Kinabalu National Park was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000 because of its richness in plant diversity combined with its unique geological, topographical, and climatic

14

conditions.[11]

Lying nearby Mount Kinabalu is Mount

national parks, wildlife reserves, virgin jun-

Tambuyukon. With a height of 2,579

gle reserves, or protection forest reserve.

metres, it is the third highest peak in the

Over three quarters of the human popu-

country. Adjacent to the Crocker Range

lation inhabit the coastal plains. Major

is the Trus Madi Range which houses

towns and urban centres have sprouted

the second highest peak in the country,

along the coasts of Sabah. The interior

Mount Trus Madi, with a height of 2,642

region remains sparsely populated with

metres. There are lower ranges of hills

only villages, and the occasional small

extending towards the western coasts,

towns or townships.

southern plains, and the interior or central part of Sabah. These mountains and hills are traversed by an extensive network of

Beyond the coasts of Sabah lie a

river valleys and are in most cases covered

number of islands and coral reefs, includ-

with dense rainforest.

ing the largest island in Malaysia, Pulau Banggi. Other large islands include, Pulau Jambongan, Pulau Balambangan, Pulau

The central and eastern portion

Timbun Mata, Pulau Bumbun, and Pulau

of Sabah are generally lower mountain

Sebatik. Other popular islands mainly for

ranges and plains with occasional hills.

tourism are, Pulau Sipadan, Pulau Selingan,

Kinabatangan River begins from the west-

Pulau Gaya, Pulau Tiga, and Pulau Layang-

ern ranges and snakes its way through the

Layang.

central region towards the east coast out into the Sulu Sea. It is the second longest

TOURISM

river in Malaysia after Rajang River at a length of 560 kilometres. The forests sur-

Sabah currently has six national parks.

rounding the river valley also contains an

One of these, the Kinabalu National Park,

array of wildlife habitats, and is the largest

was designated as a World Heritage Site

forest-covered floodplain in Malaysia.

in 2000. It is the first[51] of two sites in

Nepenthes Gracilis, or the Slender PitcherPlant, is a common lowland pitcher plant that lives in Sabah.

Malaysia to obtain this status, the other

Other important wildlife regions

being the Gunung Mulu National Park in

in Sabah include Maliau Basin, Danum

Sarawak. Tourism sector is supported by

Valley, Tabin, Imbak Canyon and Sepilok.

Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Environment

These places are either designated as

and Sabah Tourism Board.

Sabah second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest.�

“Rafflesia Arnoldii�, the biggest flower in the world can be found in Sabah.

15

16

philipines

market by : presilla bunfat Philipines Market also known as handicraft market.

Filipino Market is a popular tourist destination in the city of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Formally known as Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Centre, it’s a bargain place for traditional arts and crafts, as well as souvenirs like T-shirts, key-chains etc.

Start with the cheap trinkets, which make excellent gifts for friends and family. These include keychains, beaded bracelets and necklaces and bookmarks. You will be spoilt for choice with miles and miles of beautiful sarongs and pareos, an ideal reminder of your tropical holiday in Sabah!

Be sure to check out the glistening and gorgeous pearl jewellery and handicrafts.

You can purchase loose pearls or stunning brooches, necklaces and earrings, available at almost every stall you visit in this vast market. The most important tip

Philipines Market is one of the attraction in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. All the product of sabahan’s most famous item can be brought here.�

when visiting the market is to bargain, bargain, bargain! Pick up some local lingo to improve your bargaining skills and you might even walk away a steal.

How to get there ?

The Handicraft Market is located along the same stretch as the Waterfront in Kota Kinabalu City. It is a 5 to 10 minute walk from the city centre.

17

l u n d ay eh the tale of upriver peoples

Lundayeh ethnic or also known as Lun

the people.[5] The name Murut might have

Bawang ( which resides Long Pasia,

been derived from the word “Murud”, a

Sarawak) group in Sabah concentrates in

mountain located near an old Lun Bawang

Sipitang district, numbered about 10,000

settlement, hence might have just meant

(rough estimate).They were one of the

‘mountain men’ or ‘hill people’ but was

groups considered by the Brunai as Orang

instead used by the colonist to identify

Darat* (ethnic that lives on the Upper land

this ethnic.

or hinter land) In addition to that, ethnologist found that They were originally from North Western

the classification under the name Murut

part of Kalimantan, Indonesia. Since

is confusing as the term is used differ-

Sipitang district shares common border

ently in Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, that is

with Kalimantan (not far from Long Pasia),

whilst in Brunei and Sarawak it is used to

thus quite natural for this group of people

describe the Lun Bawang people, in Sabah

crossed the border in unorganized fash-

it is used to identify an ethnic group that is

ion.They were rightly recognized as hill

linguistically and culturally different from

people rather than sea. Farming and agri-

the Lun Bawangs.[6][7]

culture are quite natural profession for them as fishing to coastal people.

CULTURE AND ECONOMICAL ACTIVITIES

ETYMOLOGY

Almost all of the traditional economical activities of the Lun Bawang and

The word Lun Bawang means people

Lundayeh are related to rice plantation,

of the country, whilst Lun Dayeh means

and they cultivate both rice on hill called

upriver people or people of the interior

lati’ tana’ luun and rice from paddy field

and Lun Lod means people living down-

called lati’ ba.[21][22] The production of

river or near the sea. Other names are

rice is related to ones’ prestige/financial

derived from geographical reference to

status, as excess of rice harvest are tradi-

their rice cultivation, for example Lun Baa’

tionally consumed in huge irau feast, sig-

(swamps) who lives near swampy areas

nifying wealth and fortune. Cooked rice is

and grow wet rice, and Lun Tana’ Luun (on

wrapped inside banana leaves called Luba’

the land) who cultivates dry rice.

Laya, and rice is also brewed into rice wine

While insisting that they never called

or burak for practical reasons. Partly due

themselves Murut, the Lun Bawangs were

to this, drinking burak had been an impor-

formerly identified as Murut by the British

tant (and also notorious, as is deemed by

colonists and by outsiders (other ethnic

the Christian missionaries and the Brooke

group).[4] In Lun Bawang language, the

government) custom of the Lun Bawangs

word Murut either means ‘to massage’ or

and Lundayehs, but now the rice wine

‘to give dowry’, and these meanings have

production has significantly dwindled due

little or no relation at all to the identity of

to effort done by the Christian missionar-

18

LUNDAYEH MEANS THE “UPRIVER PEOPLE” ies and Brooke government to encourage prohibition of alcohol amongst the community in the early 20th century.

Meat and fish are brined or pickled using salt and is stored in hollow bamboo stalk for a duration of a month and the pickled food is called telu’ . Meat and fish are also preserved by smoking. Salt is obtained by evaporating brine from salt spring (lubang mein).

Cattles and buffaloes are bred for their meat, and can serve as a symbol of financial status. These animals are commonly used as dowry that are presented to the bride’s family from the groom’s side.

In the old days, the men wear jackets made of tree barks called kuyu talun. Cloth wrapped around the forehead is called sigar and loin cloth is called abpar. A long machete (pelepet) is tied to the waist, especially when it needs to be carried to tribal wars. As for the women, they wear pata on their head, beret on their waist, bane around the neck and gileng or pakel is worn as ornaments on their hands and wrists.

The Lun Bawang and Lundayeh belong to a group termed as Nulang Arc group (Metcalf 1975). These ethnic (along with other ethnics such as the Berawans, the Melanaus and the Kajangs) traditionally practiced an ancient tradition of second-

Lundayeh’s peoples can be found near rural area such as Sipitang.”

19

Lundayeh girl wearing the complete traditional costumes. �

ary treatment of the dead. In Lun Bawang, this is called mitang butung. Metcalf theorised that this practice is a characteristic of the most ancient cultural tradition in Borneo, before the arrival of other invading ethnics that influenced the diversification of culture and language in Borneo.[23]

LUNDAYEH TRIBE AND lUN BAWANG TRIBE IS THE SAME ONE.

20

kaamatan

festival

KAAMATAN FESTIVAL IS THE MOST CELEBRATED

FESTIVAL IN SABAH WHICH TAKES TWO DAYS TO FINISH.

K

Kaamatan festival is an annual event in the cultural life

ETYMOLOGY

of the Kadazandusuns of Sabah since time immemorial. In its deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a mani-

The word Kaamatan is derived from the root word tomot, a

festation of Creator and Creation relationship, as well

Kadazandusun term for harvest. In the context of this article,

as Inter-Creations relationship. It embodies the principal acts of

Kaamatan refers to the paddy-harvesting period, which involves

invocation of divinities, appeasing, purification and restoration,

a series of traditional rituals culminating finally to the Kaamatan

re-union of benevolent spirits, and thanksgiving to the Source

(harvest) festival. Tadau kaamatan is a celebration for the people

of All. It is part of a complex wholesome Momolian religious sys-

who celebrate tadau kaamatan.

tem centered on the paddy rites of passage and the life cycle of Bambarayon - the in-dwelling spirit of paddy.

RITUALS

Appeasing is done in respect of Bambarayon, Deities, Divinities and Spirits, who may have been hurt by human wrongful, acts.

The festival is observed in several rituals stages:

Purification is performed in respect of human and spiritual needs for forgiveness followed by resolutions to make themselves wor-

The Kumogos Ceremony

thy of the gifts of life from God. Restoration in necessary to ensure

Before a harvest begins, a Bobohizan/Bobolian (ritual specialist)

the health and well being of SUNIL, mankind and other spiritual

will select and tie-up 7 stalks of the best rice from a plot of rice

beings. Re-union is realised in respect of human needs to be inte-

field. These stakes of rice will only be harvested after the particular

grated in body, mind and spirit within the concept of the seven-in-

plot of field has been completely harvested. The 7 stalks of rice will

one divinity in humanity, as well as re-union of Bambarayon with

then be scattered all over the rice field. This gesture is to inform

human Sunduan. Finally Thanksgiving is observed as befitting for

the other spirits who may be present among the rice field not to

all creations to express their gratitude and appreciation for the

make any disturbance when the harvesting work is to commenced

gifts of life (through Huminodun) and all life supportive system on

and each of them will be given something after the harvest.

earth that their Creator lovingly and generously gave them.

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The word Kaamatan is derived from the root word tomot, a Kadazandusun term for harvest. .�

22

T

and Tadau means “the Sun”, therefore Unduk Ngadau translates to he Kumotob Ceremony from the area which has

communicate with Sundu(Kinorohingan) or God asking for bless-

not yet been harvested to the Bobohizan/Bobolian

ing of sunlight.

will select 7 stalks of the best rice. The selected stalks are then tied up together and placed in a

FOODS

tadang (a type of basket for keeping rice). The rest of the rice in the field are then harvested and the rice are turned into seed

For those who would rather have Kaamatan as a feast day, numer-

for future planting season. Other than stated rituals, there’s four

ous varieties of unique traditional food and beverages await them.

other ritual ; The Posisip Ceremony, The Poihib Ceremony, The

There is the Linongot, Ombuyat, Borot, Soko Kinapa, Hinava, Tivak

Magavau Ceremony, The Humabot Ceremony.

Kinapa, Kulupis, Tuhau and Sambal Mangga; the various local deserts and delectable rice and coconut wines -- tapai, bahar, lihing

Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan is a beauty pageant held during the

and montokou for drinks, all completely free for as long as they

Kaamatan cultural event in Sabah, Malaysia. The title comes from

last. The only forbidden thing is to glut, to waste, and to lose self-

the ethnic word Runduk Tadau which means ‘the girl crowned by

discipline in drunkenness.

the sunlight’.[1] Unduk Ngadau is one of the most recognizable cultural events in Sabah and the beauty pageant is unique to the state. In Rungus Language, Runduk means “to communicate”,

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ENJOY • EXPLORING ALL RIGHT RESERVED. Lot 3.35 & 3.36, Level 3, Wisma Cosway, 88, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, 50200, Kuala Lumpur, WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.