Thursday, June 3, 2010

Baruk

This unique architecture is a Dayak Bidayuh icon or trademark.

Normally this building is constructed on stilts, round shape main body with a cone attap-roof. On the tip of the cone is normally a hornbill -shape wind vane.

In Dayak Bidayuh, the hornbill is called 'Manuk Ruoi'. It is 'burung kenyalang' in Dayak Iban.

Baruk was normally erected in the middle of a village of the newer villages, or at the far end of the longhouse.

Baruk serves as a community hall, similar to the functions now played by our community halls or 'balai raya'. The only difference is the fact that on the attic of the baruk are kept the skulls.

These skulls are the trophies of past 'ngoyu' (head hunting) activities. In villages which still practise Adat Gawia, these skulls will be 'washed' and 'fed' to appease the spirits of the 'skull owners', every 5 years in Kupuo Opar, Bau and every year in Kupuo Sebujit, Seluas.

In Kupuo Opar, this celebration is called 'Gawia Mukah Bak', while in Kupuo Sebujit, it is termed as 'Nyobeng'.

'Gawia Mukah Bak' or 'Nyobeng' or The Festival Of The Skulls needs to be performed regularly. In Kupuo Opar the 'Ulang Gawia' missed a few dues. As a result a few ugly incidents happened, amongst which was the cutting of a Chinese head by a young BiOpar ('Bi'- in Dayak Bidayuh means 'belongs to'. Thus BiOpar means people of Kupuo Opar), about 8 years ago.

The other incident which happened about three years ago, was a gang quarrel between BiOpar boys and some Malay boys from Bau town. The final straw was when a van filled with BiOpar boys rammed into a group of Malay boys who 'lepak' (lazed) by the road side.

Fortunately the police acted quickly. Despite the broken limbs and deaths, the community heads opted for peace settlement and fines, to legal redress, to stop the incident from spreading.

Do not mess with the skulls. Respect the skulls. The skulls in Baruk are 'alive'.

No comments:

Post a Comment