Welcome

The Oral History

Introduction

The Oral History section of the Tun Jugah Foundation is entrusted with the task of carrying out research projects and activities on oral history/literature of the Iban community in Sarawak. The need to collect and preserve various forms of Iban oral literature has become more urgent in recent years. With rapid encroachment and stiff competition from electronic and print media for various forms of cultural products attractive to the younger generations, oral literature which is intangible in nature is in imminent danger of being slowly forgotten and lost.

^{An Iban man is seen performing a Ngerandang ceremony during a traditional festival.}

Furthermore, the number of experts in Iban oral literature and oral history are getting fewer nowadays. In fact, interest among the younger generations to acquire knowledge on Iban oral literature is on a declining trend now. The Foundation also feels that with the declining interest shown in oral literature, the younger generation are getting less insight into Iban thoughts and customs because, embedded in those traditional chants, songs and stories are coded messages to the Iban beliefs, values and ways of life.

^{A group of Iban women chanting their chant while carrying head trophies (igi ranyai) during a major traditional festival.}

Oral history/literature is especially at risk because of its intangible nature. Yet, taken as a whole, oral history/literature tends to express the core symbols and values of a culture and act as an important source of identity. The settings in which many oral forms were performed in the past are now disappearing and in many cases the younger generation is no longer able to understand the worldview, values and language reflected in traditional literary and ritual forms.

^{A group of Iban men harmoniously beating their gendang during a Traditional Music workshop held in Julau, Sarikei Division in June, 1997}

In view of the above circumstances, the Oral History Section of the Tun Jugah Foundation feels the urgent need to record, document and conserve as full a record as possible of Iban oral literature and oral history. In fact, it is the continuing purpose of the Foundation to promote cultural heritage preservation, research and documentation aimed at maintaining and enriching Iban culture.

Objectives

^{A ritual ceremony of winnowing the seeds of "head trophies" - berayarka igi' ranyai, during a major festival}

^{An offering (piring) which has been prepared to seek blessing from gods and to appease evil spirits during traditional festival}

Among the objectives of the Oral History Section of the Foundation are:

• To record, document and conserve as full a record as possible of the major forms of Iban oral tradition. These activities include the collection, recording, translation and interpretation of all forms of Iban folklore for study by contemporary scholars and future generations. These forms include oral poetic epics; songs; ritual chants; prayers and invocation; shamans’ curing chants; folk and comic tales; ceremonial oratory; genealogies; cultural and historical narratives and life histories.
• To preserve and promote traditional Iban oral culture, in particular a documented record of those aspects of the Iban cultural heritage that appear to be eroding or in imminent danger of being lost.
• To publish recorded materials, in Iban and other languages, for the benefit of our younger generations.

Research Methodology

^{Participants posed for photograph with staff of the Foundation (seated in front) during the Pantun workshop held in Kapit in May 1997}

The Foundation’s staff (researchers and their assistants) are going out to the field regularly to record various forms of relevant oral literature and oral histories from experts who are normally old persons living in interior parts of Sarawak. Potential bards, shamans and other experts are continuously identified and arrangements are made to conduct recordings from them, either at their homes in the interior or at the Foundation’s office in Kuching.

Recorded tapes are conserved as part of a sound archive, comprised of original and more permanent master tapes. Textual materials are also transcribed on computer disc and permanently documented by performer location and cultural setting. Where living, fully extant traditions are involved, video recordings are carried out to preserve visuals as well as sound recordings of live performances and recitals.

In order to document its sound recordings and transcription collections, the Oral History Section of the Foundation has in the past, and will continue to organize and record gatherings/workshops for the purpose of discussion and amplification. Interview with performers and experts are also recorded as supporting documentation to recorded tapes. The resulting materials are archived and conserved as part of the Foundation’s permanent collections.

The Foundation, through its Oral History Section, is also collecting and acquiring research materials on Iban oral literature from its commissioned researchers.

Status Report of Research Projects

Oral Literature

^{Mindon ak. Koh chanting her Sabak Lumbung during a Ngelumbung Ceremony of the late Madam Limau ak. Barieng}

Up to February 2008, the Oral History Section of the Tun Jugah Foundation has recorded 725 hours of various categories and forms of oral literature.

^{Tuai Rumah Ambau ak Gerasi}

Timang is perhaps the most elaborate and complex form of Iban oral literature. It is performed during major festivals or ritual ceremonies. The nature of the chants depends on the type of timang and each serve specific purposes and has its own ritual significance. There are a few categories of timang such as the following:

^{Lemambang Tr. Lau ak. Nyanggau}

1. Timang (invocatory chants)

• Timang Gawai
• Timang Tuah
• Timang Benih
• Timang Seligi
• Timang Sera
• Timang Bulu
• Timang Sukat
• Timang Panggau
• Timang Engkuni’
• Timang Tuchung Taun
• Timang Jalung
• Timang Kenyalang

^{Iban elders in their tradtional costumes during a traditional festival.}

Besides timang, there are other forms of Iban oral literatures, as listed below.

2. Ramban (rhymic songs)
3. Sabak (dirges)
4. Pengap (Ritual/invocatory chants)
5. Pantun (traditional songs)
6. Sampi/Biau (invocatory prayers/religious supplications)
7. Berua’ (Shamanic rituals)
8. Sugi Main and Sugi Sakit (legendary songs for entertainment and healing)
9. Renung Adat (ritual songs) and Renung Semain (songs of romance)
10. Pelandai (poetic riddle songs)
11. Pelian (healing chants)
12. Ensera (folktales/legends)
13. Cherita Pandak (short stories)
14. Naku (ritual songs for head trophies)

^{Anchang anak Deng sings her traditional song (bepantun) during the Pantun Workshop held in Kapit in May 1997}

^{Lemambang Tr. Lau sings his traditional song during the Pantun Workshop held in Kapit in May 1997.}

Life Histories of Iban elders

The Tun Jugah Foundation has also carried out some recording on the life histories of Iban elders who were knowledgeable on various aspects of Iban oral literature. They are as follows:

• Tedung anak Barieng
• Jilan anak Nyegang
• Temenggung Sandum anak Nyuak
• Lister Baling anak Luang
• Tuai Rumah Kuleh anak Embuas
• Datuk Temenggung Jinggut anak Atan
• Lemambang Tuai Rumah Sengalang anak Mangah
• Pemanca Manau anak Bage’
• Pemanca Sanggup anak Insol
• Madam Siah anak Tun Jugah
• Datuk Edward Berandah
• Datuk Simon Dimbab Maja
• Datuk Tra Zhender
• Dato Sri Peter Tinggom anak Kemarau
• Ex-Temenggung Matthre Dana
• Rufus Nanang
• Major (Rtd) Edmund Abit
• Ex-Penghulu Mamat ak Baring
• Tuai Rumah Ambau ak Gerasi

Publication Project

The Foundation, through its Oral History Section, is also publishing some of its recorded materials both in Iban and English for the benefit of our younger generations and other interested parties, such as researchers and academicians. Publications in Iban are not sold for profit as they are meant for distribution to schools, libraries and other organizations. Up to date, the Foundation has published a number of books on Iban oral literature. Their titles are as follows:

• Leka Timang, compiled by Robert Menua Saleh, 1997
• Pantun Iban (1st volume), compiled by Robert Menua Saleh, 1997
• Pantun Iban (2nd volume), compiled by Robert Menua Saleh, 1998
• Sabak, compiled by Robert Menua Saleh, 2000
• Sampi & Biau, compiled by Robert Menua Saleh and Janang Ensiring, 2001
• Renung Adat, compiled by Robert Menua Saleh, Janang Ensiring and Walter Wong, 2001
• Renung Semain, complied by Janang Ensiring and Robert Menua Saleh, 2001
• Leka Pelian, compiled by Robert Menua Saleh, Jantan Umbat, Janang Ensiring and Clifford Sather 2002
• Jaku Dalam, compiled by Janang Ensiring and Robert Menua Saleh, 2006
• Adat Gawai, compiled by Robert Menua and Walter Wong, 2008

A few publications of Iban oral literature , Entelah (riddles), and Ensera (legends) are expected to be published in 2008.

Publications in English are as follows:

• The Tun Jugah of Sarawak: Colonialism and Iban Response,by Vinson Sutlive, 1992
• Handy Reference Dictionary of Iban and English, by Vinson Sutlive, 1994
• The Encyclopaedia of Iban Studies, Volumes 1-4, 2001
• Seeds of Play, Words of Power, by Clifford Sather, 2001
• Ties That Bind: Iban Ikat Weaving, by Datin Amar Margaret Linggi 2001

Iban Dictionary Project

The Foundation, through its Oral History Section is also involved in the compilation of the Iban-Iban Dictionary Project or DICTIONARI IBAN. Being the first of its kind, the dictionary is intended to carry every Iban word with its meaning(s) fully explained in Iban language. The dictionary is being compiled by a panel of Iban writers who are professionals, teachers, and culturists. The intended users of the dictionary are the Iban community in general and the Iban students in particular. Other races who want to learn about the Iban language and foreign scholars who will research on Iban culture, customs and creeds will find this dictionary a useful tool for reference. The first draft of this dictionary is due to be completed by June 2008.

Other Research Activities

(a) Workshop, Lectures & Talks

^{Dr. Robert Menua presented a certificate to a participant during the Sampi & Biau workshop held in Saratok in February 1997}

The Oral History Section, together with the other Sections of the Foundation, has organized some workshops, lectures and talks over the years. Among them are as follows:

• Workshop on Adat Gawai held in Kapit from 15th to 16th December, 1990
• Workshop on Adat Gawai held in Lubuk Antu on 27th May 1991
• Shamans Workshop (Aum Bala Manang) held at Hotel Meligai, Kapit from 11th to 12th August, 1995
• Tan Sri’s Gerunsin Lembat Lecture Series 1 held at DCF Dance Hall in Kuching on 19th July, 1996
• Pengerami Bepantun held at Hotel Meligai, Kapit from 9th to 10th May, 1997
• Traditional Musics Festival (Pengerami Betabuh) held in Julau on 19th June, 1997
• Sampi and Biau Workshop held in Saratok from 15th to 16th February, 1997
• Tan Sri’s Gerunsin Lembat Lecture Series 2 (talk by YB Datuk Amar Leo Moggie) organized in conjunction with the Iban Cultural Seminar in Bintulu from 23rd to 24th October 1998
• Sabak Workshop held at Hotel Meligai, Kapit on 24th July 1999
• Tan Sri Gerunsin Lembat Lecture Series 3 (talk by Ybhg. Dato Seri Edmund Langgu) held at DCF Dance Hall, Level 6 Tun Jugah Building on 22nd May 2001
• Talk on Ibanic Languages of West Kalimantan, Indonesia by Prof. Dr. James Collins held at DCF Dance Hall, Level 6 Tun Jugah Building on 1st July 2002
• Seminar on Iban Customs and Traditions held DCF Dance Hall, Level 6, Tun Jugah Building from 15-16 May, 2008

(b) Research on Rural-Urban Migration

^{A group of research assistants posed for photograph with Dr. Robert Menua (3rd front from left) in front of Fort Sylvia Kapit.}

^{Professor Dr. Dimbab and Dr. Robert Menua (1st and 2nd from the left, respectively) visiting a Settlement area in Kapit.}

The Oral History Section of the Foundation is currently carrying out a survey on rural-urban migration among longhouse dwellers from the upper Baleh river as well as other areas in the Kapit Division of Sarawak who have moved down to areas near or within the Kapit town. More than 1,300 Iban families/households from more than 40 settlement areas were involved in this survey. This survey project which was started in July 2007 is expected to be completed towards the end of 2008.

(c) Projects by Research Fellows

^{Professor Dr. Clifford Sather (right) is carrying out his research on Sugi Sakit at the Foundation office in Kuching, Sarawak.}

Besides research projects carried out by local researchers, the Foundation also has a few foreign researchers (research fellows) currently carrying out research works on selected fields. Professor Vinson Sutlive and Joanne Sutlive are in the final stage of completing their publication project on Sabak while Professor Clifford Sather is still in the process of carrying out research on Besugi Sakit.

Borneo Sape

Warrior Dance

About Iban History.

The Ibans are a branch of the Dayak peoples of Borneo. They were formerly known during the colonial period by the British as Sea Dayaks. Ibans were renowned for practising headhunting and tribal/territorial expansion. A long time ago, being a very strong and successful warring tribe, the Ibans were a very feared tribe in Borneo. They speak the Iban language. Today, the days of headhunting and piracy are long gone and in has come the modern era of globalization and technology for the Ibans. The Iban population is concentrated in Sarawak, Brunei, in the West Kalimantan region of Indonesia. They live in longhouses called rumah panjai or rumah panjang . Most of the Iban longhouses are equipped with modern facilities such as electricity and water supply and other facilities such as (tar sealed) roads, telephone lines and the internet. Younger Ibans are mostly found in urban areas and visit their hometowns during the holidays.

The Ibans today are becoming increasingly urbanised while (surprisingly) retaining most of their traditional heritage and culture.The origin of the name Iban is a mystery, although many theories exist. During the British colonial era, the Ibans were called Sea Dayaks. Some believe that the word Iban was an ancient original Iban word for people or man.The Ibans were the original inhabitants of Borneo Island. Like the other Dayak tribes, they were originally farmers, hunters, and gatherers. Not much is known about Iban people before the arrival of the Western expeditions to Asia. Nothing was ever recorded by any voyagers about them.

The Ibans were unfortunately branded for being pioneers of headhunting. Headhunting among the Ibans is believed to have started when the lands occupied by the Ibans became over-populated. In those days, before the arrival of western civilization, intruding on lands belonging to other tribes resulted in death. Confrontation was the only way of survival. Significant festivals include the rice harvesting festival Gawai Dayak, the main festival for the Ibans.The Ibans perform a unique dance called the ngajat. It serves many purposes depending on the occasion. During Gawais, it is used to entertain the people who in the olden days enjoy graceful ngajats as a form of entertainment. Iban men and women have different styles of ngajat. The ngajat involves a lot of precise body-turning movements.