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Borneo Post
4 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
A quest to reclaim lost heritage
Photo shows the ornate ceremonial hat, which had once crowned the head of Chief Tama Bulan Wang, a prominent Kenyah leader from Ulo Baram. STANDING before a glass case in the British Museum's hallowed halls, Dr Kaleena Bulan Michael feels the weight of more than a century of separation from her heritage. The ornate ceremonial hat displayed before her had once crowned the head of Tama Bulan Wang, a prominent Kenyah leader from Ulo Baram in Sarawak. Now, it sits thousands of miles from the Borneo rainforests where it belonged, a silent testament to Britain's colonial past. Dr Kaleena, a consultant ophthalmologist and vitreo-retinal surgeon based in Glasgow, Scotland, is married to an American and represents a new generation of indigenous descendants grappling with questions of identity and belonging in an increasingly globalised world. 'We would love to share our story with you, and hope to encourage others to find out more about their own dignified family history,' says Dr Kaleena. Family pilgrimage The journey to London began when Dr Kaleena read a publication about Tama Bulan Wang, authored by Dr Val Mashman from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas). The academic paper included photographs of her ancestor's war cap, captioned 'courtesy of the British Museum'. 'This triggered my curiosity, so I contacted the museum to enquire if they were in possession of our ancestor's war cap,' Dr Kaleena recalls. 'To my surprise, they replied 'yes' – they indeed have it and a private viewing may be arranged as it is not currently in exhibition.' What followed was months of coordination across continents. Dr Kaleena, who has been living in the UK for years, encouraged her relatives to make the journey from Malaysia, promising to handle travel and accommodation arrangements once they reached Britain. The final entourage included her parents Michael Nyagu Sabang and Supang Daring; Dr Kaleena's sister Esther and Ilan, Esther's 15-year-old son; and her brother Ivan with his wife Hazel and their children Noah and Jonah, aged seven and two, respectively. Dr Kaleena (centre) and father Michael take a closer look at the hat, as other family members look on. A moment frozen in time For the first time in 125 years, this hat was reunited briefly with the descendants of its original owner, Tama Bulan Wang, a great Kenyah chief in the late 1800s. He was an eminent figure most known for his leadership in the peace-making process in Baram. This, in turn, stopped the head-hunting practices between the native tribes at that time, and fostered lasting peace over future generations in the region. 'The moment we entered and saw the hat laid on the table, it felt as if time had stopped and turned back to introduce us to our ancestor whom we have never met, but for whom all of us have made great efforts to come and celebrate,' says Dr Kaleena. 'It was as if everyone, including the children, understood the respect that the presence of this hat commanded. 'It belonged to a great man from whom we descended from, but have never had the privilege to meet.' Dr Kaleena's father, representing the fifth-generation descendent of Chief Tama Bulan Wang, was the most emotional. As the most senior family member present, he interpreted the hat's special features and recounted their lineage through Chief Tama Bulan Wang's daughter. This encounter represented a treasured long walk down memory lane for the family from the interior of Baram. Dr Kaleena's father Michael holds the ancestral hat with pride. Colonial diplomacy The hat's journey from Borneo to Britain occurred during the late 19th century, when Charles Hose served as the British Resident administering the Baram District. Chief Tama Bulan Wang, whose longhouse was at Alo Pata – a tributary of the Baram River – had likely presented the ceremonial headpiece to Hose around 1899, just after a peace-making ceremony in Marudi, then known as 'Claudetown', and shortly before Hose moved to his new post. That ceremony also marked the birth of what would become the Baram Regatta, a cultural celebration that continues today. Yet, the hat's presence in London represents something far more troubling: the systematic transfer of indigenous artefacts to European institutions during the colonial era, where they became objects of academic study rather than living elements of cultural practice. For Dr Kaleena, who attended SRB Good Shepherd School from 1992 to 1995 and had lived in Marudi for several years, the connection was deeply personal. She walked the same streets where her ancestor had once engaged in the diplomacy that would eventually see his ceremonial hat cross oceans. Dr Kaleena (left) and her sister admire the well-preserved hat. A global journey of identity Dr Kaleena's story illustrates the complex geography of modern indigenous identity. Born in Limbang to teacher parents, she moved frequently throughout her childhood – from Lutong and Luak to areas around Miri, then to Marudi. After secondary education at SM Sains Miri, she pursued A-Levels at Taylor's College in Kuala Lumpur before embarking on her medical studies at the University of Dundee. 'I have always been a highly focused and academic individual, very boring person to be honest,' she laughs. 'In my mind, I had a goal; I was always interested in the rest of the world and it was my dream to travel to see places and meet people from other parts of the world.' Her academic excellence opened doors to specialist training in ophthalmology in Scotland, where she also completed her PhD at the University of Glasgow in 2022, along with her Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists' examinations and Certification for Completion of Training (CCT). Now married and practising medicine in Scotland, Dr Kaleena embodies the global nature of contemporary migration while maintaining deep connections to ancestral lands. Her two-year-old daughter Ava represents the next generation: 'Half Orang Ulu, half American, but born and bred in Scotland, she couldn't be further away from her roots.' Repatriation debate The British Museum houses more than eight million objects, many acquired during the height of European colonialism. In recent years, the institution has faced mounting pressure to return artefacts to their countries of origin, particularly those with sacred or cultural significance to the indigenous communities. Dr Kaleena's family represents a different approach – not necessarily seeking the physical return of objects, but rather reconnection with their ancestral heritage. Their pilgrimage to London was about understanding their place in history and ensuring that the stories attached to these objects would not disappear with time. Scholars estimate that thousands of artefacts from Sarawak's various ethnic groups – the Iban, the Bidayuh, the Orang Ulu, and other communities – are housed in museums and private collections across Europe and North America, many as well-preserved as those recovered in Sarawak's Tinjar region. It is believed that Chief Tama Bulan Wang could have presented the ceremonial headpiece to Charles Hose, then-British Resident for the Baram District, around 1899, just after a peace-making ceremony in Marudi. Catalyst for cultural preservation Dr Kaleena's encounter with her ancestor's ceremonial hat has reinforced her belief in the importance of cultural documentation. 'Something as simple as a family tree can be challenging for us to trace back as paper documentation many decades ago was scarce,' she observes. 'We relied a lot on oral history to carry it on. As a result, many historical accounts die when the person passes on.' Her experience serves as inspiration for other Orang Ulu and Dayak communities in Sarawak to trace their own family lineages and seek out historical artefacts that may hold the key to understanding their ancestral stories. 'Personally for me, the journey has been eye-opening. 'I never thought my roots were of any interest. 'However reading about our ancestors and the old traditions in the vintage books from the 1920s, as well as seeing how well some of the artefacts that originated from Tinjar have been preserved in the British Museum as well as in other museums – they all tell me that we have so much to be proud of.' As she prepares to leave London and return to her practice in Glasgow, Dr Kaleena carries with her not just photographs and memories, but also a renewed sense of purpose. The ceremonial hat may remain in the British Museum, but its spirit – and the stories that it represents – continues to live through the descendants who have made the journey to honour their ancestor's legacy. 'I hope this can strengthen the present Orang Ulu and Dayak generations' ability to foresee the change in our culture, and what it means to future generations. 'It is also our duty to our community to ensure progress, while wearing our traditions with pride.' 'For Ava, the photographs from this visit may one day hold special significance. 'I am glad that my daughter was also part of this journey, even though she is only two years old. 'I hope the pictures of her involvement in this event would hold some significance to her when she gets older and hopefully, she would be wearing her Orang Ulu identity with pride.' The descendants of the Kenyah warrior chief Tama Bulan Wang seen during the private viewing of the hat at the British Museum in London. In an era of increasing global migration and cultural complexity, such connections to ancestral heritage take on new significance. They serve as a reminder that identity is not just about where we live, but also about the stories that we carry and the histories that we choose to honour. The conversations between the past and the present, between Borneo and Britain, between the museums and the communities, continue on, and in that ongoing dialogue, families like Dr Kaleena's are ensuring that their ancestors' voices are not lost to time.
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Crawling through life: Rose's struggle for citizenship and dignity
The author with Rose during a visit to hand over to her some clothing donated by Miri City Caring Society. LIFE has not been easy for Rose Sulau Tugau. The 65-year-old resident of Kampung Pasir in Lutong, Miri is unable to walk due to severe back pains. The only way she can move around the house is by crawling. It is said that complications from the metal screws inserted in her spine in three surgeries previously, have left her unable to walk. As if that is not enough, the RM200 monthly aid from the Welfare Department has stopped since March this year. At first, she was told to be patient, but after several more visits in subsequent months, an officer finally broke the heart-breaking news – the assistance had been terminated. 'This is because you are a red IC (identification card)-holder with permanent-resident status – you're no longer eligible for aid now,' she was told. Frustration Rose, a Kenyah from rural Baram, can only shake her head in disbelief. She is frustrated that despite the many trips to the National Registration Department (NRD), she has not managed to change her red MyPR to the blue IC. 'I was originally from Long Selatong in Ulu Baram, studied at St Pius Primary School in Long San, and later followed my older – and only – brother to Belaga, while my two younger sisters stayed behind. 'Others in the class were all issued with red IC, but managed to change it to blue (Malaysian citizenship IC); unfortunately, I did not,' she told thesundaypost . In her sunset years, Rose wants to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 'My only brother had passed away; one sister is also an OKU (individual with disability) like me; my youngest sister is still in the village. They all had the blue IC.' Ulu Selatong in the interior of Baram, about a six-hour journey by road and boat from Miri, but it may take longer depending on the road conditions, or circumstances such as collapsed bridges or landslides. Rose said her old blue IC changed to red MyPR when she renewed it at the NRD in Kuala Lumpur, accompanied by her adopted son who lived and worked there in 2012. Starting June 1, 2006, the MyPR was issued and came in red colour, with the words 'Permanent Resident' shown on the card. In 2017, members of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) helped Rose check her status, bringing her to see NRD officers at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Miri on March 17 that year. Back then, Councillor Aries Leong, Councillor Lee Thin Hin and Councillor Joanna Ping had said that her case would be referred to the Home Ministry as the record indicated that her status as only a Permanent Resident Card (MyPR) holder, and not a citizen. The NRD's records also indicated that Rose did not have her parents' documents when she first applied for the identity card on June 7, 1973; thus, she was told to submit a fresh citizenship application to comply with the requirements. There has been no news for her since. Appeal for help Rose's husband Ajang Janae died in 2016, at age 59, because of brain cancer. Prior to that, she was hospitalised for three months after having undergone a back surgery in October 2013, which left her wheelchair-bound. That was when her husband had lovingly cared for her, until a relapse of cancer left him paralysed in 2015. Throughout that time of sickness, Rose had become the sole caregiver of her bedridden husband at their squatter house. 'My wish now is that the government can help me change my red IC to a blue IC, and to provide me with monthly assistance. 'I am already 65 this year, living alone and with painful knees. 'I have to survive on meagre income, coming from selling some yams that I grow in my little garden. 'Due to my disability, I have to enlist the help of my neighbours to help me buy groceries and some essential items.' Rose tends to her garden. Nevertheless, Rose does not let hardship get in her way of doing her chores like cooking and cleaning, as well as tending to her garden. The Methodist Church donates rice to her every month. Moreover, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting has allocated funds for repair works on her dilapidated house, including building a concrete pathway for easier wheelchair access. In her sunset years, Rose looks forward to seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Talking about her adopted son – the one who accompanied her to the NRD in Kuala Lumpur – she said he is now a driver, providing for his four school-going children. 'He has his own burden to bear,' she said. 'He had burnt a hole in his pocket, flying his entire family home to see me in 2023 before returning for work in Pahang. 'I had to decline his offer to come live with him in Kuantan – it's just not suitable for my condition. 'I prefer to face my challenges here in Sarawak. 'My only hope is that my financial burden would be lessened,' she added. crawling miri OKU Rose Sulau Tugau
Borneo Post
25-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Local communities urged to help map Sarawak's historical sites
Ting (second left) strikes the gong to officiate the event as Penguang (left) and others look on. MIRI (June 25): The Sarawak government is calling on divisional tourism committees to work closely with local communities to identify and map out historical sites to be preserved and promoted as tourist attractions. State Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting, said the ministry will support these efforts through the divisional tourism committees by providing funding and tourism product development. 'In Miri and its hinterlands, there is a wealth of history, and I believe the same goes for other divisions in Sarawak. Every town in Sarawak has its stories ― of rivers, markets, communities, and dreams,' he said when officiating the launch of Miri Heritage Trail here today. Ting said the local communities possess valuable knowledge of historical sites in their areas, and the ministry, together with the divisional authorities, can assist in preserving and promoting these legacies. The Miri Heritage Trail pamphlet retraces the footsteps of the city's past and aims to guide its future development with pride and purpose, representing a collective community effort to preserve local heritage. Ting said the trail is more than just a map of historical sites ― it is a journey through time, from the earliest known mention of 'Maraboo' (Miri in 1791) to its transformation into Malaysia's first oil town. 'Miri's social history was shaped during the Brooke era and strengthened by communities such as the Jatti Miriek, Kedayan, Kenyah, Kayan, and others. Though the city's history was scarred by wartime struggles, it was never broken,' he added. Among the featured sites on the trail are Japanese Landing Craft War Memorial at Brighton Beach, lighthouse at Pusara Metali, The Grand Old Lady, Salome Dam, World War II Air Raid Shelter (Canada Hill), Bunkers Batu 1 (Kuala Baram road), Dato Permaisuri's Tomb (Tanjung Batu), WWII POW and Execution Camp (Lopeng), WWII Memorial Park, and Piasau Bailey Bridge. The ministry, in collaboration with local ethnic associations, history groups, and local authorities, developed the Miri Heritage Trail as part of efforts to preserve the city's legacy. The Miri History Group, made up of local history enthusiasts, played a key role in igniting interest in documenting these historical places, with a significant social media following backing the initiative. Meanwhile, Ting said the ministry will continue working with partners to ensure the trail is developed into a marketable tourism product, contributing to Sarawak's broader heritage tourism offerings. Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Dennis Ngau expressed optimism that many historical places across Sarawak ― including those in Baram basin ― could be developed into tourism products with the concerted efforts of all stakeholders. Also present at the event were Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datu Sherinna Hussaini; State Deputy Minister of Public Health, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil; Miri District Officer Siti Rohanie Yusof; Miri Deputy Secretary Petrick Linggie Taboh; and community leaders. historical sites Miri Heritage Trail Sebastian Ting tourism
Borneo Post
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Three Orang Ulu honoured with Dayak Icon Awards at state Gawai Dayak gala
Wan Junaidi presents the award to Mathew. — Photo by Galileo Petingi KUCHING (June 24): Three distinguished individuals from the Orang Ulu community were honoured as recipients of the Dayak Icon Awards 2025. They were celebrated and presented with the state's highest accolades during the state Gawai Dayak Gala Dinner on Sunday night at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). The celebration, which carried the theme 'Peji Kenep Panau Pegep' (Segulai Sejalai — Together in Unity), was graced by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other distinguished guests. The trio represented distinct categories — Jonathan Nyepa, a celebrated national sprinter of Kenyah descent, was recognised under the Sports category; Francisca Luhong James, who is of Kenyah-Kayan-Iban heritage, received the award for the Talent category; and renowned sape maestro Mathew Ngau Jau, of the Kenyah Ngorek sub-group, was honoured in the Arts and Culture category. Jonathan was selected for his exceptional achievements as both a Sarawakian and national athlete, having won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at various levels. His sporting resume includes participating in the 2018 Commonwealth Games; 2018 and 2023 Asian Games; SEA Games (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2023); National Championships (2015, 2017, 2010, 2022 and 2023) as well as Sukma in 2014 and 2016. Meanwhile, Francisca brought pride to both Sarawak and Malaysia on the international stage through beauty pageants, achieving remarkable milestones in the competitions she joined. Her accolades include Miss Universe Malaysia 2020, Top 5 finalist of Miss World Malaysia 2018, and 4th Runner-up in Miss World Malaysia 2016. Mathew Ngau was recognised for his extensive contributions to the arts, particularly in popularising the sape – a traditional Orang Ulu string instrument – which led him to perform across various countries. He was appointed Rainforest World Music Festival Ambassador in 2011, named Malaysia's Master Artisan (Adi Guru) in 2022, and honoured as a National Heritage Personality in 2015 by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Dayak Icon Awards Gawai Dayak lead Orang Ulu
Borneo Post
21-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
The man who handles medicine
Photo from his album shows Gurong clocking out for the last time in 2020, after more than 40 years in service. SINCE the 1950s, the health delivery system in the Baram region of Sarawak has been making inroads. That said, it is also home to many Orang Ulu who became good 'dressers' – a colonial-era term referring to the profession of those assisting the physicians at a clinic or a hospital, often providing basic care and performing routine tasks. The position's name originated from their main task of helping the doctors 'dress up' surgical wounds on patients. Today, they are known as medical assistants (MAs). There was the late Ngimat Ayu, a Kelabit who joined the medical service in the early mid-20th century, encouraged by Major Tom Harrison who later became a curator of the Sarawak Museums. The late Merang Apui was a respected Kayan dresser who was most skilled in surgery. He was the mentor of another outstanding Orang Ulu dresser, Gurong Wan, a Kayan of Long Tebangan. This is his story. Photo shows Gurong attending to a villager during a visit to a longhouse in Ulu Baram. Educational background Gurong hailed from Long Tebangan, a settlement at the Akah River in Baram. Born in 1960, he was delivered by Asong Lenjau, the first trained midwife from the Kenyah community. At seven years old, he entered Ubong Emang Primary School in Long Lama and later, attended the Good Shepherd Primary School in Marudi for two years before completing his primary education at Long Liam Primary School in 1972. It was around this time when his father, after having resigned from the government as a boat driver, moved the family back to his home village. From 1973 to 1977, Gurong studied at Marudi Secondary School before joining the government service as a medical worker. He later pursued higher education in 2012 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Practice Development from the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, UK. 'Days as a dresser' Gurong was trained as a dresser during a transitional period, inheriting the legacy of colonial-era healthcare. From the 1940s to the 1980s, Sarawak's rural communities were served by the 'dressers'. Though not medical doctors, these dedicated individuals provided vital healthcare services. In the Kayan language, they were known as 'Lake Gem Taban' – literally, 'the man who handles medicine'. Like many indigenous people of Sarawak, Gurong is multi-lingual – apart from his mother tongue, he is also fluent in English, Malay, Iban, Kenyah, and Penan. This has helped him tremendously in his work. In 1980, Gurong graduated as a dresser after completing a two-year programme at the Paramedics School at the old Miri Hospital. 'I had the opportunity to serve in three different eras: the Travelling Dispensary (TD), the Village Health Team, and 1Malaysia Mobile Clinic,' Gurong recalled. His first posting was at the Long Lama dispensary, managing TD No 14. His unit, which covered 13 longhouses, consisted of a junior MA, a nurse, an attendant, and a driver. Their longboat doubled as a clinic and an accommodation during their week-long outreach missions. 'The villagers would gather by the riverbank, often sitting on the hot gravel under the sun with their children, waiting for treatment. 'At night, we would sleep on the riverbank, and often, we did a bit of fishing with the villagers who were camping there. 'We cooked meals by the river and during the rainy season, we did our cooking on the longboat.' The river mobile clinic used by Gurong and his team in rural Baram. In 1982, the rural healthcare service model shifted. Clinics began operating at the longhouses, bringing healthcare directly to the rural communities. 'This was the time when we could stay at the 'ruai' (common area) of the longhouses. 'We still cooked our own meals; there's the river where we bathed in and did the fishing with the villagers. 'Very often, there were so many patients that we had to work late into the night. 'This went on, from one village to the next.' In 1983, Gurong was transferred to Long Jeeh, where a new clinic had just been set up. It was there where he met Merang, who was the clinic attendant then, and a fellow dresser Jalong Lawing, and formed a close bond with both of them. The Long Jeeh Clinic, which was set up in 1983. Travelling between Marudi and Long Jeeh was an arduous journey – two days by boat, with an overnight stay on the gravel banks of the Baram River. 'I was pioneering the new health delivery system, helping to launch the Long Jeeh health team, and expanding the service to the surrounding settlements.' One particularly remote location was Ba' Purau, a Penan village along the Datah River. 'That journey involved a six, seven hour trekking through leech-infested jungle. 'We carried everything: medicines, supplies, personal belongings. 'It was a great relief when the Flying Doctor Service took over a few years later.' His experience was not without danger. 'On several occasions, our boat capsized in the rapids of Upper Baram. 'We were lucky to have survived,' he recalled. Gurong and his mentor, Merang, having lunch on the riverbank, during one of their assignments in rural Baram. Public health leadership After more than eight years in Long Jeeh, Gurong was transferred to Village Health Team No 2 in Marudi in 1992. He underwent in-service training and was later promoted to assistant MA, eventually becoming the district's officer in charge of tuberculosis and leprosy control. He was tasked with case detection and contact-tracing across the Baram District. 'The 1990s signalled the delivery of better equipment to Marudi Hospital and the rural clinics.' However, Gurong said the dressers' work continued to be challenging due to the size of the Baram District. 'Long distances had to be covered, and remote villagers had to be visited, but we continued to serve with heart and soul,' he said. Flying Doctor Service Introduced in 1973, the Flying Doctor Service brought critical medical access to remote regions utilising the rented Bell helicopters based in Kuching and Miri. This service provided monthly visits and the team would usually comprise a doctor, a MA, and two nurses. Before retiring in 2020, Gurong rose to the post of senior assistant medical officer and served as supervisor of rural clinics in Baram. After retirement, though, he was re-engaged as a community liaison officer under the Highland Development Authority, where he stayed on until 2023. The Flying Doctor Service team at a Penan settlement in rural Baram. Anecdotes Gurong said in his over 40 years in service, he had undergone some of the most unforgettable experiences that anyone could have ever lived through. 'There were two incidents in the 1990s, when the midwife was on leave. 'I conducted two deliveries on my own; one baby was premature, but things went well after the urgent transfer to Miri Hospital. 'Once, a baby boy was choking on a half-inch metal belt buckle. I did all I could before was airlifted to Miri Hospital. 'That baby is now a young man, working in the oil and gas sector. 'In the 1980s, many young Orang Ulu girls came to me to 'repair' their elongated earlobes. I can tell you that there were hundreds of these minor procedures!' Recognition and legacy Gurong's contributions to the field of rural healthcare earned recognition including Sarawak Civil Service Exemplary Officer Award in 2011, Excellent Service Award and 'Pingat Pangkuan Negara' (PPN) in 2015. Today, Gurong enjoys retirement life with his wife. He is devoted to his church and remains active with many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Sarawak Kayan Association where he is a vice-president, and the village security and development committee of Long Tebangan where he is the secretary. He frequently meets up with his friends in Marudi. Those who remember and remain in contact with him, especially the former patients, still call him 'CHIP' (colloquial pronunciation of 'chief'). 'Life is sweet when you're at peace with God, and with your fellow men,' Gurong reflected. 'We are settled, surrounded by a healthy environment, and filled with gratitude,' he added. Gurong Wan medical assistant rural sarawak Ulu Baram
