Welcome Rakan Sarawak May 2004 (Supplement)

Celebrate it in Tagal ’s Way …

Men and women of Tagal Merapok marching with some traditional musical instruments

Thousands of people from all walks of life, including the European tourists thronged the district of Lawas to join the unique celebration of “Lun Bawang’s Irau Aco”, or the Lun Bawang Festive Day. Officially held for three days in early June, the annual festive for this year focussed on a minor ethnic group categorized under the Lun Bawang, called “Tagal”, the highlight of the festival was the tribe’s traditional springboard called “papan”.

In the olden days, “papan”, which is actually a springboard made of fine selected wood, was the place where the tribe members gathered and conducted ritualistic activities or other special ceremony, like weddings. What is so unique about the springboard is, in every gathering about 30 to 40 people would dance and jump up and down on it. Such scenario was indeed seen during the recent festival, where the Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg, who officiated the festival and Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Alfred Jabu, who later did the closing, joined in the crowd jumping on the “papan”.

According to the president of Lun Bawang Association, William Ghani Bina, the association had particularly highlighted the “papan” for this year to further promote Tagal’s unique cultural heritage.

“There’s no other ethnic race in the world that has the same ways of celebrating their cultural festivity. In Sarawak, we have the Tagals and its unique traditions”, Gani said.

The Tagal tribe, which is currently led by Penghulu Tiga Buyun, has about 700 members mainly residing in Lawas. Although Tagal’s culture is not as well known as other major ethnic in Malaysia, Gani said the tribe has its own uniqueness and a lot more for us to learn about. “Our association is very concerned about the preservation of our cultural heritage as it reflects our true identity”, he stressed, adding that such festival would help to expose the younger generation of the local’s cultural heritage.

The Lun Bawangs in their traditional
costumes marching proudly while carrying
some bamboo musical instruments

Apart from promoting the “papan”, Tagal’s old folks had also recited some traditional poems and songs that were heard in the old days in their longhouse. Traditional handicrafts, mostly made of bamboo were displayed and sold to visitors. In the year 2002, the Lun Bawang Festival made its way into the Malaysian Book of Records for the largest participation in bamboo band performance by the Lun Bawangs. In the same year too, the Lun Bawang Association had launched its website.

Last year, the festival highlighted the Lun Bawang 8-door longhouse. One was reserved for display of traditional handicrafts, while the other seven were used by seven appointed ‘penghulus’ to compete among each other for the best traditional decorations and antique displays.