KUCHING: More than 100 participants took part in an online Zoom session led by Professor Dr. Noria Tugang, where she explained the history and legacy of the Iban people.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) lecturer Dr Noria discussed the Iban’s early migration, mentioning that they were part of the initial groups that moved.
Various topics were covered, such as their culture, customs, burial traditions, mourning practices, and their traditional foods.
“The Iban community places a lot of importance on their customs in their daily lives. For them, customs aren’t just values, they also serve as rules for society,” Dr Noria said yesterday.
She explained that the customary laws of the Iban emphasise unity and harmony. The head of the longhouse, known as the ‘Tuai Rumah,’ oversees activities and ensures the customs are followed.
“The Iban community strongly adheres to customs, beliefs, and taboos in their lives. Everything they do is based on their customs,” she said.
Additionally, Dr. Noria highlighted the Iban community’s belief in cosmology. Some Iban still practice these traditional beliefs.
“In Iban mythology, some Gods are believed to be present in the souls of deceased ancestors. The Iban culture includes ‘Petara’ (Gods), deities, spirits (good and bad), and the souls of ancestors,” she said.
She explained that today, the Iban can be divided into two main groups: those who follow Christianity or Islam, and those who continue with their ancestral beliefs.
Regarding celebrations, the Iban’s Gawai festival is a time for worship, blessings, requests, seeking forgiveness, and making prayers to ‘Petara.’
“All these customs, beliefs, taboos, and celebrations remain important to the Iban people even today,” she noted.
The Zoom session was organised by The Sarawak Initiatives (TSI). This was TSI’s second series of its leadership program called ‘The People of Sarawak.’
On Sunday (August 13) at 2.30pm, Dr. Charlie Ungang will speak about the Bidayuh community.
