Punan Sama village history
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| Punan Sama village, Belaga, 2018. |
This is Punan Sama village, one of the three Punan ethnic villages along the Rejang River. Eight generations ago, it was located some 30 km downriver, near Ba River confluence. It has not always been called "Punan Sama". The village had been known with other names over it long history.
In the 17th century, an epoch when it was located along Punan River, a tributary of Ba River, the village was known as "Lovu' Kavu' Uka". Probably in late 17th century or early 18th century it moved out of Punan River to Rejang River. On the Rejang, it became known as "Lovu' Tepeleang".
In the 17th century, an epoch when it was located along Punan River, a tributary of Ba River, the village was known as "Lovu' Kavu' Uka". Probably in late 17th century or early 18th century it moved out of Punan River to Rejang River. On the Rejang, it became known as "Lovu' Tepeleang".
The name "lovu' tepeleang"(crosswise longhouse) started merely as a nickname that eventually stuck and become what it was known for more than two centuries. It was also on the Rejang that Bejeang Kavu' Uko became it chief, following the untimely death of it previous chief Kavu' Uka. The latter, an uncle of Bejeang, committed suicide while it was at Opai Ba (upper Ba River).
Several decades, after the Punan settled on the Rejang, came the first group of Kayan from Usun Apau plataeu (Ida Nicolaisen 1976). The Kayan migration period generally stated as sometimes in the middle of 18th century (see Jerome Rousseau 1990, Peter Metcalf 2010, Antonio Guerreiro 1988)
Bejeang was succeeded by his son-in-law, Bapai Bato who was married to his daughter Bulan Bejeang. During Bapai rule, he and wife, Bulan moved the Lovu' Tepeleang longhouse to Susou, then Mi'a River (map Meah) - slightly up the Rejang River. The Lovu' Tepeleang community remained along the Mi'a watershed for about two generations - from Bapai Bato to Nyalang Bapai (father to son).
Bapai marked the beginning of heightening inter-tribal warfare triggerred by the Kayan arrival. The tumultuous periods span over four generations - from Bapai to his son Nyalang, grandson Jiui and great-grandson Lanyieng. Bapai was succeeded by his son Nyalang.
Several decades, after the Punan settled on the Rejang, came the first group of Kayan from Usun Apau plataeu (Ida Nicolaisen 1976). The Kayan migration period generally stated as sometimes in the middle of 18th century (see Jerome Rousseau 1990, Peter Metcalf 2010, Antonio Guerreiro 1988)
Bejeang was succeeded by his son-in-law, Bapai Bato who was married to his daughter Bulan Bejeang. During Bapai rule, he and wife, Bulan moved the Lovu' Tepeleang longhouse to Susou, then Mi'a River (map Meah) - slightly up the Rejang River. The Lovu' Tepeleang community remained along the Mi'a watershed for about two generations - from Bapai Bato to Nyalang Bapai (father to son).
Bapai marked the beginning of heightening inter-tribal warfare triggerred by the Kayan arrival. The tumultuous periods span over four generations - from Bapai to his son Nyalang, grandson Jiui and great-grandson Lanyieng. Bapai was succeeded by his son Nyalang.
Throughout Nyalang rule the Lovu' Tepeleang remained on the Mi'a watershed which is less than a mile from Ba River, to it north west, and on the north east, about two miles away were the Punan Biau. Nyalang decision to remain on the Mi'a watershed was probably for safety of his community - as it was flanked by two Punan large communities - Punan Ba and Punan Biau.
However, when Jiui succeeded his father Nyalang, much of available arable lands along Mi'a watershed had fully exhausted. Hence, Jiui had little choice but moving his community elsewhere. It entails going farther up the Rejang River - to Telawan River which is still within their boundary with Sekapan on the north east.
However, when Jiui succeeded his father Nyalang, much of available arable lands along Mi'a watershed had fully exhausted. Hence, Jiui had little choice but moving his community elsewhere. It entails going farther up the Rejang River - to Telawan River which is still within their boundary with Sekapan on the north east.
The Telawan region, is a not particular suitable for farming as it is a mountainous region with peak exceed 1000 meter at it highest (Tuguong Lumut or Lumut mountain). But there are pocket of valleys along the small rivers suitable for farming.
Under Jiui, the Lovu' Tepeleang were constantly moving up and down the Rejang - in between Bungan rapids, upriver and Keruang downriver - escaping the frequent raids by Iban groups from downriver. The first recorded attacked was in early 1860s ( approximately in 1862) based on Charles Brooke (1866) account.
In 1863, it was the Raja Muda Charles Brooke himself that led an army of more than 15,000 men, majority of them were Iban tribal warriors raiding Punan, Sekapan, Kejaman, Kayan and other communities along the Rejang - that went all the way as far upriver to above Bakun rapids.
Under Jiui, the Lovu' Tepeleang were constantly moving up and down the Rejang - in between Bungan rapids, upriver and Keruang downriver - escaping the frequent raids by Iban groups from downriver. The first recorded attacked was in early 1860s ( approximately in 1862) based on Charles Brooke (1866) account.
In 1863, it was the Raja Muda Charles Brooke himself that led an army of more than 15,000 men, majority of them were Iban tribal warriors raiding Punan, Sekapan, Kejaman, Kayan and other communities along the Rejang - that went all the way as far upriver to above Bakun rapids.
Raided by the Brooke Government, majority of Lovu' Tepeleang inhabitants fled to Belaga, seeking refuge among the Sekapan, Kayan and Kejaman people. A small group fled to Tatau and Pandan (Pringle 1970).
During the relative peace after the first raid "Kayan Great Expedition" of 1863, the Lovu' Tepeleang moved back downriver. In 1882, the longhouse of 18-doors, called Jiui longhouse in a record, was at Keruang. Then couple of years later it moved to Pii River (Hugh Brooke Low 1882, 1884).
Raja Muda Charles Brooke made another indiscriminate punitive raid against the people of upper Rejang in 1896. The Lovu' Tepeleang again forced to flee upriver, some migrate to Tatau and Pandan - escaping the turmoil in the aftermath of the raid.
Jiui Nyalang died about a year after the second raid. A klirieng was built for him in front of his temporary pura (bungalow) located near Long Menamong. Lanyieng then took over the leadership of Lovu' Tepeleang from his father. He brought Lovu' Tepeleang back downriver and settled at Boon River.
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| Punan Sama village, Belaga 2018 |
During the relative peace after the first raid "Kayan Great Expedition" of 1863, the Lovu' Tepeleang moved back downriver. In 1882, the longhouse of 18-doors, called Jiui longhouse in a record, was at Keruang. Then couple of years later it moved to Pii River (Hugh Brooke Low 1882, 1884).
Raja Muda Charles Brooke made another indiscriminate punitive raid against the people of upper Rejang in 1896. The Lovu' Tepeleang again forced to flee upriver, some migrate to Tatau and Pandan - escaping the turmoil in the aftermath of the raid.
Jiui Nyalang died about a year after the second raid. A klirieng was built for him in front of his temporary pura (bungalow) located near Long Menamong. Lanyieng then took over the leadership of Lovu' Tepeleang from his father. He brought Lovu' Tepeleang back downriver and settled at Boon River.
The longhouse several decades later torched by group of marauding Iban from downriver - referred to by Punan as "pupun Tabun". The incident likely happened in the early decade of 20th century. The community retreated back to Belaga in the safety of large Kayan, Sekapan and Kejaman communities in the area.
About decade of living Belaga, the community moved downriver and settled above Telawan River. In 1950s, after bout of disease, suspected to be cholera outbreak that claimed the life of several individuals including Nyuak Kuleh, Lanyieng's cousin. In an attempted to escape the outbreak, Lanyieng chose Bo'on, an old longhouse site (ugan).
About decade of living Belaga, the community moved downriver and settled above Telawan River. In 1950s, after bout of disease, suspected to be cholera outbreak that claimed the life of several individuals including Nyuak Kuleh, Lanyieng's cousin. In an attempted to escape the outbreak, Lanyieng chose Bo'on, an old longhouse site (ugan).
However, about a third of the community against moving far downriver. The faction, led by Ake' Dhwie, instead relocate a couple of miles downriver, to Tuju Kemetu. Hence, a split was unavoidable.
Lanyieng, believed to be over 90 plus years old, died at Bo'on. He had succumbed to the very disease he had hoped to escape. Lanyieng marriage to La'e bore no child. The couple then adopted a Kayan girl, named Baue. He was succeeded by his son-in-law, Kulleh Emang, a Lahanan, husband of her adopted daughter.
Meanwhile, several Punan elders, with the help of other respected Kayan leaders, including Balieng Abun brokered a deal to reunite the disunited Punan Tepeleang. A compromised was reached and the feuding parties agreed to build a new longhouse on an undulating low land above a sandbar below Sama River.
Lanyieng, believed to be over 90 plus years old, died at Bo'on. He had succumbed to the very disease he had hoped to escape. Lanyieng marriage to La'e bore no child. The couple then adopted a Kayan girl, named Baue. He was succeeded by his son-in-law, Kulleh Emang, a Lahanan, husband of her adopted daughter.
Meanwhile, several Punan elders, with the help of other respected Kayan leaders, including Balieng Abun brokered a deal to reunite the disunited Punan Tepeleang. A compromised was reached and the feuding parties agreed to build a new longhouse on an undulating low land above a sandbar below Sama River.
In early 1960s, Kulleh group moved up from Bo'on, while Ake' Dhwie and followers moved downriver to Sama from Tuju Kemetu. The Punan Tepeleang community eventually reunited at Sama - over time the new longhouse becomes known as "Lovu' Sama" - a name that remain to this day.
The Punan Sama or Lovu' Sama village is located approximately 90km southeast of Bintulu town, as crow flies. It is accessible by a gravel road from Bintulu and also by boat (express boat and speed boat) from Kapit and Belaga.
Today, Punan Sama village is home to nearly 600 people, headed by Bapai and Bulan direct descendant - Ladang Keluka. -- 2019 © PunanRights
Names of Punan Sama chiefs on the Rejang
- Bejeang Kavu' Uko
- Bapai Bato
- Nyalang Bapai
- Jiui Bapai (died in 1896)
- Lanying Jiui (died 1960s)
- Kulleh Emang
- Nicholas Mering Kulleh
- Ladang Keluka
