THE Sarawak Museum Department received five historically significant artefacts, including a nearly century-old parang, 1960s Lun Bawang sunhats, and rare ceramic vases, that further enrich the state’s cultural repository and deepen the understanding of Borneo’s shared heritage.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the donations not only enhance the museum’s collection but also ensure future generations continue to appreciate Sarawak’s rich cultural history.
“The artefacts include two Lun Bawang sunhats from the 1960s, once owned by Canadian educators, Bill and Pam Lavery, and donated by their son, John Lavery,” Abdul Karim said in his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
He said the sunhats were believed to have been acquired during the formation of Malaysia in 1963, when Bill was posted to Limbang as a teacher under the Colombo Plan’s Canadian External Aid programme.
He later served as a headmaster before the Lavery family left Sarawak in 1965.
The sunhats have since remained with the family until their recent donation.
Another fascinating donation is a century-old parang (machete) from Tebakang, Serian, contributed by Mangu Bueng.
“The donor said the parang had been passed down for generations in his family. According to oral history, it originally belonged to a group of headhunters who clashed with his ancestor, Bueng, in the early 1900s.
“After a fierce confrontation, Bueng seized the parang and brought it back to Kampung Tebakang Bidayuh, where it became a treasured heirloom,” Abdul Karim said.
Also donated were two unglazed ceramic vases from Santubong, handed over by Mohd Rizal Bujang.
These vases were reportedly discovered in the 1970s by his late father, Bujang Abdullah, while fishing off the coast of Santubong with the late Ibni Zen and Othman Zen.
“These artefacts embody the narratives of our ancestors, and preserving them allows Sarawak to honour its unique identity while contributing to historical scholarship,” the minister added.
On a related note, Abdul Karim said the Sarawak Museum Department is continuing efforts to strengthen its institutional role under the Sarawak Heritage Ordinance (SHO) 2019.
“As of February 12, a total of 14 historical sites, buildings, monuments and underwater heritage locations have been officially gazetted under SHO 2019,” he said.
Among the gazetted sites are Rumah Panjang Melanau Kampung Sok (Matu), Sacred Heart Church in Sungai Bawan (Kanowit), the Brooke Coal Mine in Simunjan, Batu Ritong in Pa’ Lungan (Bario), and a Japanese landing craft wreck off Brighton Beach, Miri.
“These designations are crucial in preserving Sarawak’s legacy and safeguarding historical landmarks for future generations,” Abdul Karim said.
