The Kaul Festival of Dalat

The annual Kaul Festival of Dalat (specifically Kpg. Medong) is held on January 1st every year (villages within the area celebrate around closer dates), as opposed to the Kaul of Mukah, which is celebrated on the 3rd week of April. This festival is a large and pagan festival celebrated by the Melanaus of Sarawak. The Kaul in Dalat does not have the “Tibau”, the large swing that men jump on as part of the festivities.

(Picture taken from: Learn Melanau)

The festival’s ritual ceremony starts when the Serarang, made from sago, bamboo and meduk leaves, are placed on the boats or tongkang.Offerings are placed in a container containing, chicken eggs, yellow glutinous rice, tobacco leaves and betel leaves. The Serarang is part of the Melanau Liko belief system in the Sea Deity, Ipouh. The festival is to appease Ipouh and provide offerings.

The ceremony is led by the Bapa Kaul (Kaul Father), who undergoes the ritual cleansing or purification before beginning the ceremony.

During the 3 days of the festival, no animal are allowed to be slaughtered within the borders of the village, already marked with red flags. Sago palms (staples of the Melanau) are also not to be felled. Gunshots and fireworks aren’t allowed because peace and quiet must avail in the surrounding area where the ritual is being held.While the Serarang is carried around the village, no one should paddle their festival boats against the approved direction.

The tongkang, which carries the Serarang leads 60-100 small boats, that travels behind or beside it only. They act as guards of the main tongkang.

[source:dayakgold @ The Indegenious People of Borneo]

Read More

Why Independence are the best for Borneo-Sabah & Sarawak.

That question could not be more clear, straightforward and fair, a point I am pleased to see has been acknowledged by many commentators and indeed by few international parties, whatever their views on independence itself. There are, inevitably, some voices among the anti-independence camp who have cried foul at the question – but really, what are they afraid of? It seems "they" know they are losing the argument and are now scared stiff of losing the agreement which are well known it is null and void.

But while I welcome the international interest, it is the people of Borneo who need to have their say – so I urge as many people as possible to contribute to the petition we have launched. That is especially important in a discussion about how the substantial body of opinion in Borneo which favors greatly increased powers for independence . It is crucial the options open to people are not constrained by Unitary Nation string-pulling.

The people of Borneo will be in charge. Our future, our resources, our opportunities will be in our hands. Independence will give us, the people of Borneo - Sabah & Sarawak, the opportunity to make decisions in our best interests.

And that means we will be able to make Sabah & Sarawak the country we all know it can be – a wealthier and fairer nation. A country that speaks with its own voice, stands taller in the world and takes responsibility for its own future.

Kindly draw your signature to SSKM petition in support to our cause. This is our rights, pride and dignity. [Please note this is not a petition which affiliated to any party in politics] @ :http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sabah-sarawak-rights.html

Read More