Skip to main content

The Lun Bawang - Claudia Sarah Jeffrey

The Lun Bawang, who are also known as Trusan Murut or Southern Murut, is an ethnic group found in Central Northern Borneo. They are indigenous to the highlands of North Kalimantan which is Krayan, Malinau, Mentarang and Long Bawau. They also can be found at Temburong District in Brunei, southwest of Sabah, and rural northern regions of Limbang and Lawas in Sarawak. In Sarawak, the Lun Bawang are officially recognised by the constitution as natives of Sarawak. 

There are many unique things about the Lun Bawang people. First of all, Lun Bawang traditional food are porridge wrapped in leaves and barbecued wild boar. Porridge wrapped in leaves does not seem special, but it is what they do. Besides that, Lawas has also got some fruits that are unavailable in peninsula Malaysia, like their red or orange durians and tarap fruit, both of which are seasonal.

On the first of June every year, they celebrate a festival known as Irau Aco Lun Bawang. It is the festival of the rice harvest, but it also showcases Lun Bawang culture. For example, Ruran Ulung is a beauty pageant and Ngiup Suling is a musical instrument made from bamboo.

Most of Lun Bawang are Christians, and a small number are Muslim or Buddhist. There is a rather interesting game that they play during Christmas. The Christmas gifts are placed on a table and those in attendance will take turns one by one to select a gift for themselves.

Lastly, if anyone wants to know more about the Lun Bawang, we can search on the Internet or go the places mentioned in this essay. Many of the Lun Bawang are beautiful and handsome. I love being a part of the Lun Bawang people.

----------

Claudia Sarah Jeffrey is from Lawas, Sarawak. She is 16 years old and a mix of Lun Bawang and Bidayuh.

Labels:

Comments

  1. Shlle2/5/21, 9:23 PM

    Hi, Claudia! Im your classmates and also your roommates.First of all, thanks for your sharing about Lun Bawang stories.I hope you are in the pink! I really enjoyed reading your essay. From your essay, I've knew a little bit about your ethnic. I hope I can try your wrapped porridge in leaves and having fun with you during the 'Irau Aco Lun Bawang' someday.

    When Covid-19 is over, I hope I can know more about your cultures and pay a visit to your hometown. Let's celebrate Christmas together and meet each other again! Can't wait to see you again.



    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Playing Tennis In The USA - Hii Shieng Wee

Hi guys, I'm Hii. I come from Sibu, but now I'm studying at SMK Tabuan Jaya. Going to a foreign country has always been my dream because I wanted to see the outside world and feel the difference between other countries and my own. The story started from June 2019 when I received an invitation to enroll in SMK Tabuan Jaya from my Kuching-coach Stevie Din. Because of my work hard and respect, Coach Stevie helped me get into a program to go to Florida in the United States. When he told me this news, I felt very incredible and excited because I could realize my dream. In August, my Sibu-coach took me to Florida, because I was still a minor and too young to go abroad alone. Our flight started with my hometown in Sibu to KLIA1 to Hong Kong to Los Angeles and finally to Florida. When we arrived in Hong Kong, we had 5 more hours to go until our connecting flight, so we ate at the Hong Kong airport. After that, we went to Los Angeles. When we arrived in Los Angeles, we still had a fligh...
7 comments
Read more

Life - Adriana Ingram

Every one of us needs to move on. As the saying goes, “life must go on.” Some of us even have suicidal thoughts, but there must be one thing that keep us from doing it. It could be our family, or someone that we love. A lot of teenagers get depressed, just like one of my friends. She was only 12 years old and she had a lot of problems. They were caused by her family and school. I felt sorry for her. Sometimes I sit on my bed on a rainy day and ask myself, “what is the point of me living in this world?”, “why am I here?”, “does my friend like me?” I would repeat these questions in my head for hours and hours. But then I remembered my parents! My family! That is the reason for me to live. Besides that, everybody has their biggest fears. Do you know what is my biggest fear? My fear is being in a plane crash and also a monster might be hiding under my bed. Well, that is just my imagination. I want all of us, the young generation, to move on, go forward and never ever look back. There are a...
9 comments
Read more

A Part-Time Job I Want - Audrea Flennysha Jackie

For the upcoming school holiday, I have decided to take on a part time-job while waiting for my SPM result. I choose to be a baker and I want to work at Taka's bakery shop that is not far from my neighborhood. Very few people want to be bakers and have a part time-job there because they love eating, not baking. Another reason why I choose this job is I love baking. Since the job is not a struggle, I can learn more about baking during my shifts which are 9 to 10 hours each. For me, baking truly keeps me fulfilled, free, and energized. As the bakery is near my home, getting there will not take an hour or have traffic congestion problems. Being next to Farley Mall, some customers stop by the cake shop after they have finished shopping at the mall. In conclusion, I hope that many customers will come to the bakery to buy some cakes for their loved ones. Delicious food can make people happy. Through this part time-job, I can save up my income for a rainy day. ---------- Audrea Flennysha ...
12 comments
Read more

Journey of a Lifetime - Erika Vallensia

Life is one word that comes with multiple meanings. It has lots of problems that you need to face every day. Full of ups and downs, it also has many blessings. To some people, life is hard, cruel, and merciless. Those people see life as a punishment throughout their entire lives. Do not worry about it though! All these problems that you are facing make you strong; it gives you courage to stand alone in the future. You all know that life is also full of moments of joy, pleasure, and success. Comfort is punctuated by misery, defeat, failures, and problems. For your information, no human being on earth who is strong, powerful, wise, or rich has not experienced struggle, suffering or failure. Life is full of paths. It is your own decision to choose the right one. You must work hard to get what you really want. Life is as interesting and wonderful as the stars in the sky. Without a doubt, life is beautiful and full of celebration. There are days when I suddenly feel all alone, not belonging...
6 comments
Read more

My Guardian Angel - Steffy Sharon Saging

She is the one who exemplifies a godly woman in many ways. She is a whole person and a cooperative leader in the home. She also understands and accepts her role, despite cultural trends and pressure. She models authentic spirituality and is the keeper of intimate feelings. She demonstrates and teaches compassion with a desire to complete her duties with her heart. Her strong faith in God is contagious in my life. My mother is beautiful, healthy, and wealthy in God. She is the one and only in my heart. The most humble, kind, and caring person I have ever met. She treats all people like family. My dad is the luckiest man in the world. They always solve problems together. No matter what happens, they will always stay sweet and strong. She is my beloved mother, my guardian angel, my everything. I love my mom. ---------- Steffy Sharon Saging is 16 years old and from Bintulu, Sarawak, with Kayan, Chinese, Punan, and Kenyah ancestry. She participates in netball at school and has one brother,...
3 comments
Read more