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By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, July 1: Visitors to Rumah Guyu, Nanga Ukom Ulu Engkari, Lubok Antu were intrigued by an old, small, partially woven split bamboo holder filled with remnants of old food crumbs hanging by the doors or entrance of the longhouse.
According to the longhouse deputy chief Jabu Luyau, for the Iban there who practised the old beliefs, the ‘teresang’ was used to place the offerings for the ‘petara Iban’ or the Iban gods.
He said the holder contains food placed on a leaf, plastic sheet, or plate as an offering or in a ‘miring’ ceremony to seek the ‘petara’ to give good health, peace, and protection from evil spirits.
“It contains some small portions of glutinous rice, puffed rice, traditional rice flour pancakes, traditional biscuits, palm-rolled tobacco, betel leaves and nuts, and ‘tuak’ (rice wine) in a small glass or, nowadays, in a small plastic drinking water bottle).
“In this longhouse, the folks still practise the old ways of giving such an offer to the ‘petara’, and it is the way we preserve the culture and tradition of our ancestors,” he said.
Jabu said many at the longhouse still believe in the old Iban beliefs and customs, especially when it comes to festivals, welcoming visitors to the longhouse, and thanksgiving ceremonies.
“Sometimes, if there is a bad dream or sickness in a family, the folks here do such offerings. People feel better afterwards, and this is the life and beliefs in a tribal setting like this,” he said.
Jabu also said it was interesting to see visitors curious about the ‘teresang’ and taking pictures of it.
“I noticed their curiosity, and some thought it was an old lampshade until we explained what it was. We want to share about our culture, as elements like the ‘teresang’ are absent in many modern longhouses as people have converted to Christianity.
“This is our tradition, and we should share our culture, and I am glad it has become a visitor’s attraction too,” he said.
Rumah Guyu is a riverine longhouse comprised of 37 doors with 161 residents.
The longhouse is along the Engkari River in Lubok Antu and is a 15-minute boat ride from the Nanga Sapaya longhouse, accessible by the timber road or an hour’s boat ride from the Batang Ai hydro dam main jetty. — DayakDaily
