By Rozlin Rusharmeen Rosmin
LAWAS: The ‘pekerur’ parade has returned to the Irau Aco Lun Bawang (IALB) celebrations after more than a decade’s absence, adding vibrancy once again to the cultural festival celebrated by the Lun Bawang community today.
As early as 8:00 am, hundreds of participants from 31 contingents marched approximately one kilometre from Hotel Seri Malaysia Lawas to Taman Awam Lawas, dressed in traditional Lun Bawang attire, including the ‘kuyu talun’ made from bark, alongside bead accessories and heritage ornaments symbolising the community’s identity.
For the Lun Bawang community, Irau Aco, which literally translates as ‘festival’, goes beyond an annual celebration, acting as a platform to strengthen family relationships, preserve traditions and introduce cultural heritage to younger people and the wider community.
Now in its 39th edition, the festival remains one of the most significant ethnic cultural events in northern Sarawak.
Amid the festive parade is the story of 72-year-old Langub Pengiran, who has worked tirelessly to train children and teenagers in his village to preserve the Lun Bawang’s traditional bamboo music.
“We formed this group to train children from primary school age to become the future custodians of Lun Bawang culture, because they will be the ones to carry this heritage forward,” said the head of the Persatuan Generasi Penerus contingent from Kampung Long Tuma, speaking to BERNAMA.
He said his students are taught not only how to play the traditional bamboo instruments, commonly known as the bamboo band, but also how to make them from forest-sourced bamboo to ensure they produce the proper sound.
“They learn the entire process, from harvesting bamboo in the forest to crafting the instruments and producing the correct sound. That is the heritage we want to pass on to the younger generation,” said Langub, who has been involved in Lun Bawang traditional music since the age of 25.
Langub said most of the participants in his contingent are primary school children as young as eight, who are continuously trained in the village to prevent the traditional music from disappearing.
Meanwhile, the head of the Kampung Long Sebangang Lama contingent, Loser Sakai, 57, said the village’s participation in this year’s ‘pekerur’ was particularly meaningful as it marked their first appearance in the event.
He said festivals such as the IALB play a crucial role in introducing Lun Bawang culture, customs and language to younger generations.
“Many young people today are no longer fluent in the Lun Bawang language; that’s why events such as this are important as they provide a platform to reintroduce cultural identity to future generations so it is not lost to time,” he said.
The Lun Bawang are one of the Orang Ulu ethnic groups in Sarawak, with an estimated population of around 30,000, most of whom live in the state’s northern region, particularly Lawas and Limbang.
In Sabah, Brunei and Indonesia, the community is also known as Lun Dayeh or Lun Dayah.
IALB 39th edition organising chairman, Racha Mulong, said this year’s event places particular emphasis on activities highlighting Lun Bawang culture and traditions, including the revival of the ‘pekerur’, which has not been held for some time.
“This year, we are grateful to have received full support from local elected representatives, Datuk Henry Sum Agong (Lawas MP) and Baru Bian (Ba’kelalan assemblyman), for the organisation of key activities at the IALB,” he said.
He said that in addition to the ‘pekerur’, organisers also introduced several other cultural activities, including ‘akan pemung’ or communal meal, in line with this year’s theme, ‘Pitarin Ayu’ Pupu, Tueh Anak Inul’, which means ‘Preserving Tradition, Inspiring Generations’. – BERNAMA
