Earthen Crocodile Effigies of The Iban of Sarawak: A Preliminary Study.


 

THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL
VOL LXX NO.91 DECEMBER 2012
 
 
Title : 
Earthen Crocodile Effigies of The Iban of Sarawak: A Preliminary Study.
Author : 
Ipoi Datan, Stephen Chia and Nicholas Daby
Abstract:
In a slightly earlier article (Ipoi, 2011b), the main author has discussed the same subject, albeit, on effigies made by the Lun Bawang of Lawas District in Limbang Division, Sarawak. This latest article is thus useful for comparative and instigative purposes as this subject has not been fully studied by earlier and pioneering researchers on the Iban community, especially with regard to their hill paddy rituals and ceremonies. We hope that comments and reviews would be elicited from with in and outside Sarawak on this matter so that a more comprehensive scenario or picture can be attained. In 2004, the Sarawak Museum initiated survey work on the earthen crocodile effigies (buayeh tana’) made by the Lun Bawang in north-eastern Sarawak. In 2006, it was noted and validated that the Iban community also made similar effigies in Saratok, Betong Division. When it was realised that the Iban traditionally built effigies (baya tanah) as part of their hill paddy rituals, especially mali or ngemali umai, the museum decided to extend the scope of study to Iban dominated areas as well. From 2008, the museum was aptly assisted by researchers from the Centre for Global Archaeological Research Malaysia, University of Science Malaysia, Penang in conducting the surveys. This article is a preliminary report of the joint-research conducted in Iban domains that practically span all over Sarawak, especially in the middle and upper courses of most major rivers. It will touch on the general distribution and features of the effigies, purposes for their construction and reasons for abandonment.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61507/smj22-2012-IOUP-09
How to cite:
Ipoi Datan et. all. (2012). Earthen Crocodile Effigies of The Iban of Sarawak: A Preliminary Study. The Sarawak Museum Journal, LXX (91): 145-160
References
  1. Bilcher Bala. 2010. ‘The Ethno-archaeology of Ulong Buayeh Tradition among the Lundayeh People of Sabah’ presented at International Seminar on Bornean Archaeology 2010, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.
  2. Chin, L. & Nyandoh, R. 1975. ‘Archaeological Work in Sarawak’ The Sarawak Museum Journal Vol XXIII, No. 44; 1-7.
  3. Datan, Ipoi. 2006. ‘Crocodile Images of Highland Borneo’ presented at Borneo Research Council International Conference 2006, Kuching.
  4. Datan, Ipoi. 2008. ‘Crocodile Mounds in Sarawak: A Tentative Study’ presented at Seminar Arkeologi Kebangsaan 2008, USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
  5. Datan, Ipoi. 2009a. ‘Museum and Community Partnerships: The Sarawak Museum Experience’ presented at ASEAN Museum Director’s Symposium 2009, Singapore.
  6. Datan, Ipoi. 2009b. ‘Earthen Crocodile Images in Sarawak: Preservation and Revival Issues’ presented at Intellectual Discourse among Filipino and Malaysian Archaeologists, National Museum, Manila, June 2009.
  7. Datan, Ipoi. 2010a ‘Crocodile Mounds in Sarawak: past and present’ presented at Sabah State Museum, Kota Kinabalu, February 2010.
  8. Datan, Ipoi. 2010b ‘Earthen Crocodile Effigies of Sarawak: A Preliminary Report’ presented at International Seminar on Bornean Archaeology October 2010, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.
  9. Datan, Ipoi. 2011a ‘Crocodiles in the tradition and culture of some communities in Sarawak’ presented at International Crocodile Conference, Kuching, October 2011.
  10. Datan, Ipoi. 2011b ‘Traditional Earthen Crocodile Effigies of the Lun Bawang of Sarawak: Functions, origin and significance’. The Sarawak Museum Journal Vol. LXIX, No. 90 (Special Issue No. 8): 23-42.
  11. Jensen, E. 1974. The Iban and Their Religion. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  12. Kipli ak Ayom. 2009. Personal Communication (Manager, Suburemas Plantation, Bintulu).
  13. Magui anak Nabau. 2010. Personal Communication (Ketua Kampung, Rumah Empera, Kanowit).
  14. Richards, A. 1981. An Iban-English Dictionary. Oxford University Press.
  15. Schneeberger, WE. 1979. Contribution to the ethnology of central northeast Borneo, Studia Etnologica Berensia.
  16. Wicker, K.O. 1998. ‘Mermaids and Crocodiles in Borneo and West Africa’. The Sarawak Museum Journal Vol. LIII, No. 74: 25-35.

 

 

 
 

Copyright © 2021 Sarawak Museum Department
Last Updated On 20 Dec 2024

Operating Hours (Main Office)

Monday - Thursday
8.00am to 1.00pm & 2.00pm to 5.00pm

Friday
8.00am to 11.45pm & 2.00pm to 5.00pm

Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday
Counter Closed
SARAWAK MUSEUM DEPARTMENT
JALAN P RAMLEE
93400, KUCHING, SARAWAK

TEL: +6082-548181 (Main Office)
TEL: +6082-548215 (Borneo Cultures Museum)
FAX: +082-548282
EMAIL : museum@sarawak.gov.my
image image
Open Data Privacy Policy Complaints and Feedbacks Copyright Notice Disclaimer Sitemap
image Calendar
image Polls
image Announcement
Facebook
Youtube