Learn Melanau

The Facts about Sarawak

2011-11-06T15:20:00.000+01:00

Dear Readers,

Sometimes we stumble upon interesting documents. Today I found a very historic document that is important to all sarawakians.
Please read and understand it first and share this with everyone. This is a very important part of our history.

Document and Photo Source: Brooke Heritage Trust

Happy Sarawak Day!

2011-09-20T12:29:00.000+02:00

On the 24 th September 2011 Sarawak will celebrate her 170th birthday. Let us celebrate this day to remind us how lucky we are born as Sarawakian and living harmoniuosly with rythmic cultures and heritage :)

Kindly educate any Sarawakians you know to also remember and commemorate this date in spirit if not in fact. Just as before Creation, the Spirit was first, so perhaps in future, before the reality comes, the date must start to be commemorated in spirit first.

Grammar 8: The prefix "Ter-" in melanau (Imbuhan "Ter-" dalam bahasa melanau)

2011-09-13T00:32:00.000+02:00

The malay prefix "ter-" correspond to melanau prefix "pe-" and "trah" and auxiliary word "kajih" . Verb with prefix "pe-" have two categories:
1. Stative
Refer to a state of affairs and there is no action involve:

Example:
Paman- TerApung- Floating, drifting
Pekeang- TerBuka- standing open
Peba- TerBuka- standing open
Petum- TerTutup- closed

2. Accidental
Refer to accidental. The verb forms a term of a variety of uncontrolled actions, unintended, unexpected, involuntary or sudden.

Example:
Pebekak- TerTinggal- forgotten, left
Peta'ah- TerDengar- overhear
Pesabit- TerSangkut- 'hanging, to be caught up'
Peden- TerLihat- see
Pedudug- TerLanggar- Collide

Trah:
The Verb "trah" indicate an abilitative. These verb indicate the doer's inability.

Example:
Trah keman- Tidak TerMakan- not able to eat anymore
Trah yap- Tidak TerHitung- uncountable
Trah subet- Tidak TerBuat- undoable
Trah belei- Tidak TerBeli- not able to buy anymore
Trah tuteng- Tidak TerMinum- not able to drink anymore

Kajih:
This additional word after an adjective is used to explain the greatest degree of quality or quantity. This corresponds to superlative "paling" in malay:

Example:
Kajih Nyat- Paling Besar, Terbesar- the biggest
Kajih diyak- Paling baik, terbaik- the best
Kajih idak- Paling banyak, terbanyak- the most
Kajih jaet- Paling jahat, terjahat- the worst
Kajih Alou- Paling panjang, terpanjang- the longest

Special Case:
Pengajih- Paling akhir, terakhir- the last
Tedengah- Terkenal- famous

Grammar 7: PART1: Melanau word order ( susun atur ayat melanau)

2011-09-10T17:10:00.000+02:00

Word order (susun alak telabau) in melanau sentences is both more variable and more flexible than in English or malay.

A sentence is built from:
Subject, Verb, Object, Adjunct(adverb,adjectives,preposition etc..)

In many cases, melanau word order is identical to English or malay. This is true for simple subject + verb + other elements sentences:

"Akou den kaau." ("I see you.") or "Siyen keja gak lebuk." ("He works at home."). This "normal" word order places the subject first, the verb second, and any other elements third.

What makes melanau is very different for malay, is that the melanau word order and verb form depends on the focus of the sentence which if translated word by word will make no sense in malay or english.

Focus is what the main topic of our sentence.The most important topic will be put first in the word order. This feature is what makes melanau similar to some languages of the philippines.
There is three types of focus in melanau:

1. Subject focus: Subject + Verb+ Object

Example: Akou juah bup tou gak nou
Def: I give you the book
Focus: The doer ( Akou)

2. Object focus: Object + verb+ subject

Example: Bup nejuah kou gak nou
Def: (The book is given to you)
Focus: The given book

And lastly, this form is not found in malay.

3. Verb focus: Verb Subject Object

Example: Nejuah kou gak nou bup yen.
Def: I am giving you the book.
Focus: The act of giving the book.

This is just a simple word order. In next post we will be dealing in detail the construction of each Focus.

Happy Eid Mubarak!

2011-08-28T05:33:00.000+02:00

When my arms can't reach people close to my heart.
I always hug them with my prayers.
May allahs peace be with you.
A very happy eid mubarak to you

Learn Melanau wish a very happy and peaceful Eid Mubarak to
all Muslims Brothers And Sisters around the World.
May this year’s Eid give you,
All the happiness and,
Joy of this world and,
Hope that the blessing,
Of the AL-Mighty be with you all the time, Ameen.

Ramadan Kareem

2011-07-30T15:40:00.001+02:00

Dear Readers,

May the light that we celebrate at Ramadan
show us the way and lead us together on the
path of peace and social harmony

Melanau's 15 parallel Universes: Lapis-lapis alam Melanau

2011-07-20T23:37:00.000+02:00

Melanau Cosmology

Melanau Cosmology defines fifteen parallel universes or worlds (not to be confused with planets) called lapih (layer) – seven higher worlds (upper worlds) and seven lower ones (underworlds). The earth is in the middle of these layers and called Likou dagen dua ( World in the middle).

A dead soul (Bedua) will only be able to travel to the first under world called Likou Pengamou ( a.k.a Likou a matai- Land of the dead). The soul must first be granted an entrance permission from the guardian of Likou Pengamou called Balou Adet then it will officially accepted as the citizen of Likou Pengamou. ( more on Balou adet here: Melanau Land of the dead)

7 Upper worlds

Explanation:
Upper World 7: Name unknown, inhabited by Jinn
Upper World 6: Name unknown, inhabited by Jinn
Upper World 5: Name unknwon, inhabited by Jinn
Upper World 4: Likou Dewa-dewa, similar to this world, inhabitants are immortal
Upper World 3: Likou Naradin, similar to this world, the dead go to Upper World 4.
Upper World 2: Likou Kiangan, similar to this world, inhabitants can fly, the dead go to Upper World 3.
Upper World 1: Likou Baliwan, similar to this world, the dead go to Upper World 2.

7 Under worlds

Explanation
This world: Likou dagen dua, the dead go to Likou Pengamou ( Likou a matai)
Under World 1: Likou Pengamou, similar to this world, the dead go to Under World 2.
Under World 2: Likou Kulum, similar to this world, the dead go to Under World 3.
Under World 3: Likou Belangan, similar to this world, the inhabitants are immortal.
Under World 4: Likou Yang, similar to this world.
Under World 5: Likou Jin, strongly fortified and controlled by the immortal jinn and control oil wells.
Under World 6: Likou Rajah Jin, rulers of all Jinn, the inhabitants are hairy.
Under World 7: Likou Baliw, a world of winds. nobody can go here.

Source: Sarawak Museum Journal Vol LII No. 73., H.Stephen Morris.

The Original Malaysia Agreement ( Full text)

2011-07-14T20:51:00.007+02:00

Dear Readers,

Sometimes we stumble upon interesting documents. Today I found a very historic document that is crucial to the formation of Malaysia i.e. The Malaysia Agreement. In this agreement include the 20 point agreement of Sabah and the 18 points agreement of Sarawak.
Please read and understand it first and share this with everyone. This is a very important part of our history as important as the Bill of Right to the United States of America.

Source: United Nation Treaty Series (UNTS) vol. 750, no. 10760.

Author: Governments of the UK, Federation of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore.

You can download the pdf here: Malaysia Agreement.pdf File size:147.79 MB

Or here: Malaysia_Agreement.pdf

Grammar 6: Melanau adjectives ( Kata sifat bahasa melanau)

2011-07-12T20:21:00.003+02:00

An adjective is a word that modifies a noun (kata benda) by describing it in some way: shape, color, size, nationality.

Melanau adjectives are very different from english and malay adjectives. English adjectives are always in front of the noun eg: big book, cute girl and Malay adjectives are always after the noun eg: buku besar, gadis cantik. In melanau however adjectives can be either in front of the noun or after the noun. The meaning is the same only differs in emphasis. This is the beauty of melanau language that utilize less word to convey many different context and concept :)

The following rules apply to most of the adjectives:

1. Any adjective after the noun have the same meaning as in english or malay.
Example:
bup nyat= buku besar = big book
a-mahou jinih= gadis cantik = beautiful lady
a-lai jed = lelaki gagah = strong man

2. Any adjective before the noun have the same meaning as in english or malay with more emphasis.
Example:
Gauk aneak yen = what a naughty boy =budak yang sangat nakal
Jinih a mahou yen = what a beautiful lady = gadis yang sangat cantik
Jed a-alai yen= what a strong man= lelaki yang sangat gagah

3. To change some adjective into a noun the prefix ( imbuhan) "ke-" is used:
Example:
Adjective: nyat ( big, besar)
Noun: Kenyat ( Hugeness, Kebesaran)

Adjective: jinih ( beautiful, cantik)
Noun: Kejinih ( beauty, kecantikan)

Adjective: temih ( sweet, manis)
Noun: Ketemih ( sweetness, kemanisan)

Adjective: masin( salty, masin)
Noun: Kemasin (saltyness, kemasinan)

Note: the adjective "Jed" does not have noun form. So "Kejed" is not posibble.

4. Special case:
Certain words can have a different meaning depending on the position of their adjective.

The noun "Ji" ( english: look, condition malay: rupa, keadaan)
adjective: "diak" ( good)

Adjective before the noun: diak ji = good look or good condition ( rupa baik, keadaan baik)
Example: siyen diak ji = he's good looking

Adjective after the noun: ji diak = look like good ( seperti baik, seperti bagus)
Example: siyen ji diak un = he looks (like) okay.

The adverb "agei" (again)
Because the introduction of this adverb to an adjective, when some melanau who speaks malay in "melanau grammatical sense ", they may be misunderstood by other malays.
Example:
adjective: "idak" ( many,more, banyak)

In malay "lagi banyak" means "more than" & "banyak lagi" is "still more" which in melanau however the other way round.
agei idak= still more = banyak lagi.
idak agei = more than = lagi banyak

Akou bacak idak agei bup keman nou. ( idak + agei )
saya membaca lagi banyak buku dari awak: i read more than you

Akou bei agei idak bup bak nebacak. ( agei + idak)
saya ada banyak lagi buku yang hendak dibaca: i still have more books to read.

Grammar 5: Simple melanau preposition

2011-07-11T23:27:00.001+02:00

A preposition links nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence. A preposition usually indicates the temporal, spatial or logical relationship of its object to the rest of the sentence as in the example in the table in this post.

Preposition	Example in melanau mukah
jahak ( with, dengan, dan)	Warna seik jahak ingkodok- red and purple
bak (for, untuk)	Itou bak nou- this is for you
buyak ( because, kerana,sebab)	buyak kaau - because of you
keman (from, dari,daripada)	keman kayou- from wood
gak ( at, di, pada )	akou migak gak pat badek- i woke up at 4 am
jebah ( beside, sebelah)	jebah siyen- beside him
segak ( close to, dekat)	kudok segak kou- sit close to me
bateng ( while, during, sedang)	bateng keman- during a meal
dagen ( in, dalam)	dagen kutek- in the box
ji ( like, seperti)	ji kuyad- like a monkey
tapak ( until, sehingga)	tapak lau itou- until today

Certain prepositions have special sentence structure:

Point of time/ duration + ngak ( Since, sejak)
example:
Akou tapak gitou mabei ngak
I've arrived here since yesterday

Paut or Ketayi ( Since, Sejak)
example:
Paut / Ketayi a tina matai enda muung a lalu siyen-
Since the death of her mother, she isolates herself.

Si-ieang..., mudei.... ( first..., then...), ( dahulu..., kemudian)
example:
keman si-eang, mudei kaau pulek.
eat first, then you can go back.

Unique Beauty: The melanau's forehead flattening custom (Melipih Beleang)

2011-06-22T00:00:00.005+02:00

Moon-face( round face) is most admired beauty feature by the melanaus-Photo by Pawan Ako

Beauty is a characteristic of a person, animal, place, object, or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure, meaning, or satisfaction. The melanau of sarawak wanted their children to grow up "moon- faced" i.e. having a round face. Hence the melanaus of mukah, oya and bintulu traditionally had the curious custom of flattening foreheads of their infants also known as "melipih beleang". This is considered to be a desired beauty feature.

The flattening process took place within the first month after birth. An apparatus known as "Tadal" or "Ja" is utilized for this purpose. A "Tadal"(Dalat) or "Jak"(Mukah) or "Apih"(Medong) consists of a stout flat wooden bar about 24 cm long and 9 cm wide. On the middle part of the bar is fastened with a soft pad which applied to the infants' forehead. A strap made of soft cloth in a T-Shape and is attached with a pair of strings which pass through holes at both end of the bar. The strings are brought together on the front of the bar and pass through the centre of a copper coin or a wooden disc at the middle of the bar.

Picture: "Tadal"(Dalat), "Jak" (Mukah), "Apih" (Medong)- Forehead flattening apparatus

The apparatus is applied while the child is asleep and is at once relaxes if the child waken up or cries. The degree of pressure is gradually applied by twisting the coin round and round. The application normally last for 15 minutes on each occasion but in successive days. Depending on the pressure, 10 to 20 application seems to suffice to bring about the desired effect of a moon-like face which is most admired
Source- Edmund Kurui, Tuton Kaboy, Sarawak Museum Journal n Vol XL No. 61.

The great Rajahs of Sarawak and the melanaus

2011-06-10T23:07:00.003+02:00

The Melanaus in general:
The Melanau are a relaxed and humorous people. Rajah James Brooke, like generations of men before and after him, thought the Melanau girls particularly pretty.

He said that they had 'agreeable countenances, with the dark, rolling, open eye of the italians, and nearly as fair as most of that race. Eda Green in her book in 1909 wrote "...the Milanaus, whose girls are as fair as any Europeans and the belles of Borneo."

During wars and troubled times:
Many melanau died in the battles that ensued when the iban first migrated northwards, and the survival of their communities owes much to the first Rajah, James Brooke, who protected them in the 19th century. He had a soft spot for the Melanau, thinking them the most attractive of the sarawak ethnics people and employing many as boat-builders, laborers and domestic servants.

Human Sacrifice:
Another interesting facet of Melanau tradition is their burial rites. Formerly a very hierarchical society, whenever a member of royalty died, his or her personal slave would be sacrificed, to accompany the deceased into the "other world". A totem pole (jerunei) would be erected next to the burial site, and the slave would be thrown into the pit before the totem pole was pulled up. It was believed this would make the pole stable. This practice came to an end in 1864, when it was banned by the Second White Rajah of Sarawak, Charles Brooke.

About the diversity of Melanau population:
The second rajah of sarawak HRH Charles Brooke wrote of melanau in 1866:

This is the most numerous and widely ranged tribe, far different from the rest, with ramifications extending over a space of hundreds of miles, and occupying localities in the interior and centre of the island extending to the heads of the Kotei, Banger Massim and Kayan rivers in the interior, and beyond brunei in a northward direction... The broad divisions are severally called after the countries in which they reside, each possessing different customs and dialects, but the whole coast between Rajang and Brunei is no doubt inhabited by these people.

Learn Melanau & Melanau Picture Dictionary is now going mobile!

2011-06-08T23:58:00.000+02:00

Learn Melanau is happy to say that our website is now compatible with mobile phone's browsers like iPhone4 , iPod touch, Android, Palm Pre, Samsung touch and BlackBerry Storm/Torch mobile devices. Now you can learn melanau anywhere at anytime XD

You just need to type the address of this blog on our mobile browser and "yen ji siyen":p

Website Learn Melanau type: www.bit.ly/learnmelanau

Website Melanau Dictionary type: www.bit.ly/kamusmelanau

Blues Tubeng Balau with lyrics- Lagu Blues Melanau

2011-06-01T22:19:00.001+02:00

Learn More about The Process of Making Melanau Sago Pearl

Photo by: Souhusin- Album: Mukah Subet Sagok

This song was written and produced by Len Bubat (DAO Production).
Lirik Blues Tubeng Balau

Apak emak telou tubeng balau
bak jaja pinyeang duit jelau jelau
kenaan jereki
bak neyekul telou debau

walau idak susah
dabei taou pesabau
Idak a dabei taou tubeng balau
bei kawak enda bei pernah jelakau

kak telou liluk gak jasa
a tubeng balau
pedeh biyaih
keman awel tapak malem

jelau-jelau

idak angai telou ajau
skul debau-debau
idak telou ajau
pangkat ayeng debau sapau

kak sekali
telabau debau
tipou telou sabei
pebak sapau daun balau

mengeing gak balau kenacau
paksa jaja duit bak guna ajau
naseng mesti tageb
tan usah balau

baruk semua taou
telou sou a mejed tugau

Apak emak telou tubeng balau
bak jaja pinyeang duit jelau jelau
kenaan jereki
bak neyekul telou debau

walau idak susah
dabei taou pesabau
Idak a dabei taou tubeng balau
bei kawak enda bei pernah jelakau

kak telou liluk gak jasa
a tubeng balau
pedeh biyaih
keman awel tapak malem

jelau-jelau

idak angai telou ajau
skul debau-debau
idak telou ajau
pangkat ayeng debau sapau

kak sekali
telabau debau
tipou telou sabei
pebak sapau daun balau

Kotobian Tadau Tagazo do Kaamatan and Happy gawai- Gayu guru gerai nyamai to all my sabahan and sarawakian friends :)

2011-05-29T05:49:00.000+02:00

Kotobian Tadau Tagazo do Kaamatan and Happy gawai- Gayu guru gerai nyamai to all my sabahan and sarawakian friends :)

The Kaamatan festival is an annual event in the cultural life of the Kadazandusuns of Sabah since time immemorial. In its deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a manifestation of Creator and Creation relationship, as well as Inter-Creations relationship. It embodies the principal acts of invocation of divinities, appeasing, purification and restoration, re-union of benevolent spirits, and thanksgiving to the Source of All.

Gawai Day or Gawai Dayak is a festival celebrated in Sarawak on 1st. June every year. It is both a religious and social occasion.This celebration of unity, aspiration and hope for the Dayaks mark the end of the rice harvest and ushers in another year of bountiful goodness. During this festival, almost everyone dresses in traditional costumes while the elders perform traditional rites. First celebrated on 1st June 1965, it is the feast for the eyes with its colourful rituals, traditional music, cock fighting, feasting and games. It is simply a time for merrymaking.

Lesson 10: Collection of Melanau Songs ( Koleksi Lagu-lagu Melanau)

2011-05-29T05:14:00.001+02:00

One of the first steps to learning a language is figuring out where one word ends and the next one begins. Since fluent speakers don't generally pause between words, it can be a daunting task. The intonation or "music" of a language is typically the easiest way for a beginner in melanau to start understanding and mastering melanau efficiently. In this post we have a collection of melanau songs for you to enjoy and learn.

Caynie De: Nda Guna tan agei- it is hopeless

Caynie-Die on FaceBook
Caynie De on Twitter

Lyrics by: Caynie De Vocals by: Caynie De Music produced by: RDZ Recorded & Mixed by: RDZ

Caynie De: Yen ji kaau- There you are

Caynie-Die on FaceBook
Caynie De on Twitter

Lyrics by: Caynie De Vocals by: Caynie De Music produced by: RDZ Recorded & Mixed by: RDZ

Sazia: Bunga Layuk Dagen Sengsara- Flower withered in agony

album; Cinta Tuwah 2002  lirik ; Len Bubat  lagu ;Len Bubat

Sazia: Bier kou tuwad - Let me go

album; Cinta Tuwah 2002  lirik ; Len Bubat  lagu ;Len Bubat

Sazia: Enda bei Seratan

album:Cinta Tuwah 2002 lirik ; Len Bubat  lagu ;Len Bubat

Sazia & Nizza: Joget adek koh

Nizza: Janji tuwah kenunci- Our locked promise

Atonia Dedo: Debei agei kaau- No more you

Introducing world's first melanau inter dialect picture dictionary

2011-05-26T22:12:00.002+02:00

Dear Readers,

Learn melanau would like to introduce you to the world's first melanau inter dialect PICTURE dictionary a.k.a Kamus Melanau bergambar untuk pelbagai dialect. This will be our official dictionary and the original blog (Learn-melanau) will only feature melanau cultures and lessons. You can visit the website by clicking the banner below:

Melanau-dictionary.blogspot.com

Support us by pressing the "Like"button of our FaceBook fanpage:

Lesson 9: Colours in melanau mukah (warna dalam bahasa melanau mukah)

2011-05-24T01:51:00.003+02:00

Colour has been investigated and used for more than 2000 years. Throughout history, different civilizations have experimented and learned more about colour. We are still learning today about how colour affects us and its importance in our lives.

Now is the time to remember pencil colours and maybe get them out again.

Red- Seak

Yellow- Kunieang

Blue- Biruk

Green- Gadueang

Hitam- Bilem

Orange- Kunieng oren

White- Apuk

Pink- Kalaih

Purple- Ingkodok

Brown- Pirang

A Moment of silence for the victims of Al Takwa landslide

2011-05-22T15:50:00.001+02:00

On 21 May 2011 a tragedy hit malaysia. At 2:30pm a landslide occurred and buried the Al-Takwa orphanage.
Let's Take a moment of silence and pray for the victims and the people involved working around the clock to rescue the survivors

25 people were burried.

9 were saved

16 died

Died:

1) Azrel
2) Nael (8)
3) Shahrul (9)
4) Boboy (10)
5) Farid (34)
6) Eqim *
7) Zaim *
8) Angah *
9) Rahimi *
10) Zaid Ashwal (18)
11) Riz (9)
12) Lokman (11)
13) Fahad (9)
14) Aiman (10)
15) Hazim (9)
16) Hasril (11)

Saved:

1) Khairul (9)
2) Hairis *
3) Harris *
4) Akmal *
5) Aizat *
6) Alaudin *
7) Irwan (33)
8) Din (30)
9) Syafiz (22)

*) Age unknown.

Video: Melanau Wedding at Kampung Medong in Dalat-Adat Perkahwinan Melanau

2011-05-10T08:16:00.007+02:00

Most ancient societies needed a secure environment for the perpetuation of the species,a system of rules to handle the granting of property rights, and the protection of bloodlines. The institution of marriage handled these needs.

Video: Melanau Wedding custom in Kpg. Medong- Adat Perkahwinan Melanau di Kpg. Medong

Amongst the Melanaus, there is a system of rank and every person belongs to a certain rank or 'adet basa'. A marriage within the same rank is called Sama Gara. In addition Sida adet is a marriage across rank boundary.The preferred marriage is with a second cousin of any kind, provided it was not across a rank boundary.

The Melanaus have an interesting Bethrothal and Dowry gifts based on these ranks. To know about melanau system of rank ( Adet Bangsa) please read here. Here is a summary of the system of rank in descending order:

1. Pangiran (15 Pikoul)- High Aristocrats
2. A-Nyat or Perabangan (12 Pikoul)- Middle Aristocrats
3. A-Metahei (9 Pikoul)- Low Aristocrats
4. A-Bumi Ateng (7 Pikoul)- True Freemen
5. A-Bumi Giga (5 Pikoul or 7 Betirih)- Tied Freemen
6. Dipen ( 2 ½ Pikoul)- Slaves

The marriage customs of the Pangiran and the Perabangan follow the customary law of the sarawakian malay or the brueneian malay. Moreover the wedding ceremony will be held on both the bride's and bridegroom's house on a Gatak- a wedding stage.

Gatak- A melanau wedding stage, Malay-Pelamin

Memilek layan adet:
The Bridegroom is given the choice to have a social caste belongings to either of her father or her mother.

The Gifts:
There are 4 types of gifts that must be given by the Bride ie Bethrotal gifts, Dowry (Maih kawin), Gift during the wedding day and Gift for the wedding night (Adet petudui) :

Bethrothal gift

It is called Tanda Tuneang.

The Dowry (Maih Kawin)
It must be given a day before the wedding. The dowry consists of:

1. Penyekap- Given to the virgin and unmarried future Bride.
2. Berian- The basic dowry in accordance with the customary law.
3. Adet Menuga- Transportation expense for the bridegroom to the Bride's house.
4. Adet Mebin- Gift for the bridegroom before entering the bride's house
5. Pakan- A Gift for the Bride's parents or custodians. The value is decided by the bride herself.

Gifts during the wedding ceremony at the bride's house.

1. A brocade textile gift for the bride.

2. Adet Pahek- Gift for the bride before entering the bridegroom's house. Adet Pahek consists of :

a) Pahek Mukad
b) Pahek Atap
c) Pahek Id
d) Pahek Keman

Adet petudui- Gift for the wedding night.

Bethrothal dan Dowry for each rank ( Basa)

Click the links below to read more on details with pictures :)

Bethrothal and Dowry gifts for A-Metahei (9 Pikoul)- Low Aristocrats

Bethrothal and Dowry gifts for A-Bumi Ateng (7 Pikoul)- True Freemen

Bethrothal and Dowry gifts for A-Bumi Giga (5 Pikoul or 7 Betirih)- Tied Freemen

Bethrothal and Dowry gifts for A-Metahei (9 Pikoul)- Low Aristocrats

2011-05-10T08:15:00.002+02:00

Amongst the Melanaus, there is a system of rank and every person belongs to a certain rank or 'adet basa'. A marriage within the same rank is called Sama Gara. In addition Sida adet is a marriage across rank boundary.
The preferred marriage is with a second cousin of any kind, provided it was not across a rank boundary.

Tanda Tuneang ( Bethrothal gift):
All Photos are by Eduine Kusai

Tanda Tuneang adet 9 Pikoul

Jegateng padai dagen Jahai anyam senebeang- 5 1/3 pounds ( 2.419 kg) of rice in a basket with "senebeang" motive.

Tuduong tutup beburuong- A conical cover with "beburong" motive for the rice

Jalak benyoh tubok jagem dagen semetan- A fist size sprouted coconut on a brass plate.

Tuduong tutup beburuong- A conical cover with "beburong" motive for the sprouted coconut.

Jesai iseang dagen kapuran- A ring weights 1/10 Oz of Gold ( about 3g of gold) inside a small brass container.

Jebeak Pedeng- A damascene sword

Jepikoul tembagak- 1 Picul of Brassware (61,69 kg)

The Dowry (Maih Kawin):

It must be given a day before the wedding. The dowry consists of:

Penyekap- Given to the virgin and unmarried future Bride:

Berian adet 9 Pikoul

1 pedeng pamur- a damascene sword

9 amaih maih- 9/10 Oz of gold ( 27g of gold) in form of a bracelet.

1 tumok- A container made of wood.

1 Peresak rakep betabur- A gold embroidered handkerchief

Berian- The basic dowry in accordance with the customary law.

9 Pikoul- 9 Picul of Brassware ( equivalent to 9*RM25 = RM225)

Adet Menuga- Transportation expense for the bridegroom to the Bride's house.

1 Pikoul of Brassware ( equivalent to RM25)

Adet Mebin- Gift for the bridegroom before entering the bride's house

1 Picul of Brassware (equivalent of RM25) and an earthward jars called kanan seni ( equivalent of RM15).

Pakan- Monetary Gift for the Bride's parents or custodians. The value is decided by the bride herself.

Gifts during the wedding ceremony at the bride's house.

A piece of brocade textile for the bridegroom called Sebuhuong Pranakan Siantan Betabor.

Adet Pahek- Gift for the bride before entering the bridegroom's house. Adet Pahek consists of :

a) Pahek Mukad:
1 amaih maih- 1/10 Oz of Gold ( equivalent to RM10)
1 Batoung- A silver bracelet
9 alak manik kahet- 9 piece of "Kahet" beads (equivalent to RM2.50)

b) Pahek Atap
5 alak manik pasin- 5 piece of "Pasin" beads

c) Pahek Id
5 alak manik tebalan- 5 piece of "Tebalan" beads

d) Pahek Keman
5 alak manik Pingeah Yuong- 5 piece of "Pingeah Yuong"

Adet petudui- Gift for the wedding night.

1 amaih maih- 1/10 Oz of Gold ( equivalent to RM10)
7 alak manik kahet- 7 piece of "Kahet" beads
5 alak manik Tilak- 5 piece of "Tilak" beads
a pair of silver bracelet
4 Besei - a spear (equivalent to 4*RM15= RM60)
12 Belen- 12 areca nuts in betel wrapper
1 Kain Lugik- a brocade textile called Lugik
3 alak tulei- 3 piece of dammar gum
Bagou tulei- a brassware for the dammar gum
a spear to cut the dammar gum
1 Terusoung- a conical water bucket made of sago palm frond-Ukap balau).

Bethrothal and Dowry gifts for A-Bumi Giga (5 Pikoul or 7 Betirih)- Tied Freemen

2011-05-10T08:14:00.005+02:00

Amongst the Melanaus, there is a system of rank and every person belongs to a certain rank or 'adet basa'. A marriage within the same rank is called Sama Gara. In addition Sida adet is a marriage across rank boundary.
The preferred marriage is with a second cousin of any kind, provided it was not across a rank boundary.

All Photos are by Eduine Kusai

Tanda Tuneang ( Bethrothal gift):

Tanda Tuneang adet 7 Betirih ( 5 Pikoul)

Jegateng padai lubeang segamut- 5 1/3 pounds ( 2.419 kg) of rice in a brassware

Jalak benyoh tubok jagem dagen bukur- A fist size sprouted coconut on a deep brass plate

Tuduong tutup biasa- A normal conical cover for the sprouted coconut.

Jesai iseang dagen kapuran- A ring weights 1/10 Oz of Gold ( about 3g of gold) inside a small brass container.

The Dowry (Maih Kawin)
It must be given a day before the wedding. The dowry consists of:

Penyekap- Given to the virgin and unmarried future Bride:

Penyekab adet 7 Betirih

1 kaheh- another type of keris

5 amaih maih- 5/10 Oz of gold ( 15g of gold) in form of a bracelet.

1 Sipir- a brass plate

1 Peresak rakep biasa- A handkerchief

Berian- The basic dowry in accordance with the customary law.

5 Pikoul- 5 Picul of Brassware ( equivalent to 5*RM25 = RM125)

Adet Menuga- Transportation expense for the bridegroom to the Bride's house.

1 Pikoul of Brassware ( equivalent to RM25)

Adet Mebin- Gift for the bridegroom before entering the bride's house

1 Pikoul of Brassware (equivalent of RM25) and an earthward jars called kanan seni ( equivalent of RM15).

Pakan- Monetary Gift for the Bride's parents or custodians. The value is decided by the bride herself.

Gifts during the wedding ceremony at the bride's house.

A piece of brocade textile for the bridegroom called Sebuhuong Tanjing Sarek.

Adet Pahek- Gift for the bride before entering the bridegroom's house. Adet Pahek consists of :

a) Pahek Mukad:
1 amaih maih- 1/10 Oz of Gold ( equivalent to RM10)
5 alak manik Tilak nebed jahak bibek kuali- 7 piece of "Tilak" beads tied with bibek kuali.
1 Picul Brassware from the adet menage.

b) Pahek Atap
-N/A

c) Pahek Id
-N/A

d) Pahek Keman
-N/A

Adet petudui- Gift for the wedding night.

3 alak tulei- 3 piece of dammar gum
Bagou tulei- a brassware for the dammar gum
Kilak- a basket
a spear to cut the dammar gum
1 Terusoung- a conical water bucket made of sago palm frond-Ukap balau).

Bethrothal and Dowry gifts for A-Bumi Ateng (7 Pikoul)- True Freemen

2011-05-10T08:14:00.004+02:00

Amongst the Melanaus, there is a system of rank and every person belongs to a certain rank or 'adet basa'. A marriage within the same rank is called Sama Gara. In addition Sida adet is a marriage across rank boundary.
The preferred marriage is with a second cousin of any kind, provided it was not across a rank boundary.

Tanda Tuneang ( Bethrothal gift):
All Photos are by Eduine Kusai

Tanda Tuneang adet 7 Pikoul

Jegateng padai dagen Jahai- 5 1/3 pounds ( 2.419 kg) of rice in a basket.

Tuduong tutup biasa- A normal conical cover for the rice

Jalak benyoh tubok jagem dagen bukur- A fist size sprouted coconut on a deep brass plate.

Tuduong tutup biasa- A normal conical cover for the sprouted coconut.

Jesai iseang dagen kapuran- A ring weights 1/10 Oz of Gold ( about 3g of gold) inside a small brass container.

The Dowry (Maih Kawin) :
It must be given a day before the wedding. The dowry consists of:

Penyekap- Given to the virgin and unmarried future Bride:

Penyekap Adet 7 Pikoul

1 kerih sulouk- a "sulouk" keris

7 amaih maih- 7/10 Oz of gold ( 21g of gold) in form of a bracelet.

1 kerih sulouk- a "sulouk" keris

1 tumok- A container made of wood.

1 Peresak rakep peranakan suaten- A gold embroidered handkerchief

Berian- The basic dowry in accordance with the customary law.

7 Pikoul- 7 Picul of Brassware ( equivalent to 7*RM25 = RM175)

Adet Menuga- Transportation expense for the bridegroom to the Bride's house.

1 Pikoul of Brassware ( equivalent to RM25)

Adet Mebin- Gift for the bridegroom before entering the bride's house

1 Pikoul of Brassware (equivalent of RM25) and an earthward jars called kanan seni ( equivalent of RM15).

Pakan- Monetary Gift for the Bride's parents or custodians. The value is decided by the bride herself.

Gifts during the wedding ceremony at the bride's house.

A piece of brocade textile for the bridegroom called Sebuhuong Pranakan Bercurak.

Adet Pahek- Gift for the bride before entering the bridegroom's house. Adet Pahek consists of :

a) Pahek Mukad:
1 amaih maih- 1/10 Oz of Gold ( equivalent to RM10)
7 alak manik kahet- 7 piece of "Kahet" beads
1 Picul Brassware
A black cloth

b) Pahek Atap
-N/A

c) Pahek Id
-N/A

d) Pahek Keman
-N/A

Adet petudui- Gift for the wedding night.

1 amaih maih- 1/10 Oz of Gold ( equivalent to RM10)
5 alak manik Tilak- 5 piece of "Tilak" beads
a pair of silver bracelet
bibek kuali
4 Besei - a spear (equivalent to 4*RM15= RM60)
3 alak tulei- 3 piece of dammar gum
Bagou tulei- a brassware for the dammar gum
a spear to cut the dammar gum
Kila- a basket ( equivalent to RM5)
1 Terusoung- a conical water bucket made of sago palm frond-Ukap balau).

Selamet lau Inak - Happy Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-08T18:39:00.002+02:00

Learn Melanau would like to wish a very Happy Mother's day. Remember our mother's sacrifice for us.

Ask for forgiveness if we have wronged her.

Pray for her heath and Happiness :)

Selamet lau Inak gak Fan Learn Melanau. Kak lah telou peseluk inou wak sibet tina telou keman lahabei tapak lau itou.

Lamin sai jangai jawai
Lamin adi a jemelai
Kaklah telou gauk angai
Neh pipah Inak bak wai

- Learn Melanau

Pisak Lukan ( Timang Bubu)- Melanau Funeral Game

2011-05-07T07:40:00.005+02:00

A melanau funeral is an occasion for festivity and less for mourning, since the melanau believe that the soul must depart this world without any regrets and worries. Thus it is the duty of the livings to entertain the deceased soul. Different joyous games and musics are played. One of them is Pisak Lukan.

Photo: Pisak Lukan

About the Game
Pisak Lukan is a melanau funeral game song. The game aims to entertain the soul of the newly deceased, who still hesitates to leave the house. The soul will be invited to play by allowing it to possess a dressed Fishtrap resulting in the Fishtrap "dances" own its own.

The Melanau believe that this game will convince the soul that there is nothing to worry in the living world. Therefore the soul will depart willingly to the land of the dead ( Likou Dayah or Likou A-Matai). If the soul still refuse to leave the world of the living it will stuck between the this plane of existence and the next. It will become lonely and after a long time eventually become Amou ( Ghost) and will haunt the living.

Photo: Bubou-Fishtrap

The Preparation:
The Fishtrap will be a replica of a human being. A coconut shell ( Tabek Benyuh) is used as the head. The Fishtrap ( Bubou) will be dressed with clothes of the deceased. A Klekatek ( English: Areca Nut Cutter, Malay: Kacip Pinang) is hanged inside the Fishtrap. This will give the Bubou a heart ie Nyawa ( Life force). To attract the soul, smoke from burning kemenyan ( Pooja Smoke) is used.

Photo: Kemenyan- Pooja Smoke

Precaution:
As a precaution a Broomstick ( Sapou) and Daun Tebawan ( English: leaves of Premma Cordiflora, Malay: Daun Bebuas, Daun Sinkil) are ready during the game. Sometimes during the course of the game the Fistrap Men will dance wildly and refuse to stop. To stop it immediately, its head will be hit with a broomstick until the Klekatek ( the "heart") separate from the Fishtrap.

Photo: Klekatek- Areca Nut Cutter

There is also instances the audience who are faint of heart being possessed by the other spirits or the dead soul. Daun Tebawan is then used to exorcised it.

Photo: Daun Tebawan-Premma Cordiflora

The Game:

Each player will hold the bottom of the fishtrap, which is suspended above pooja smoke ( Kemenyan). They start by singing :

Bubou mengasou

Manila mati

Maisuri naik bulan

Naik ke bilit

Ke rumah Datuk Kuna

Sabi nait pina

When the Fistrap Men starts to dance erratically, which indicates that it is being possessed, they will then repeatedly sing:

Iya Lukan

Iya Badan Tetak bemban

Nyibong Sari

Iya Lukan pandai nari

The Game ends until no one able to continue or the fishtrap being stopped.

Notes:
Pisak Lukan is not unique only to the melanau but other tribes do play this game.

The Kedayan called it Tarian Alai Bubu and is played during a grand festivity such as the birthday of sultan of brunei.

The song goes:

Tak banbam ia lukan
Tak banbam dibasari
Main dengan dipermula
Silukan pandai menari

Tak banbam ia lukan
Tak banbam dibasari
Main dengan dipermula
Silukan pandai menari

Another version of the song as contributed by our reader:

Ya Bamban Ya Lukah
Tak Bamban dibasari
Main jaan dipamudahkan
Si Dang Bamban pandai menari

Ya Basir Huya Basir
Tarumpah kayu sani...

The Sambas of West Kalimantan called it Timang bubu and they play this game during a wedding.
The song goes:

Balon-balon gelombang balon
Balon menempuh batang rasau
Bangun-bangun saudara bangun
Bangun tidur jangan meransau

The Minang of West Sumatra version of the game is called Lukah Gilo

Other version of the song goes:

Jelangkung jelangsat
Disini ada pesta
Pesta kecil-kecilan
Jelangkung jelangsat
Datang tidak diundang
Pergi tidak diantar