Punan klirieng pattern - Ulei Inan Benyai

The patterns carved on this famous klirieng and the coffin in the hollowed chamber is called "ulei Inan Benyai".

There are two types of Punan klirieng's patterns (ulei). The first and oldest patterns dated to 17th century or earlier called "casting net patterns" (ulei mato jalo'). The second, newer pattern is called "Inan Benyai pattern" (ulei Inan Benyai).

Of these two patterns, the latter, newer, is the one often seen  by the outside world.  Kliriengs bearing the "ulei Inan Benyai" are being displayed in a number of locations locally and abroad.

So what is ulei Inan Benyai? According to a Punan legend it was inspired by story of a young couple Oman Benyai and his wife Inan Benyai. Oman means "father", inan is "mother". Hence, oman Benyai means Benyai father; inan Benyai - Benyai mother.

As the legend goes, inan Benyai just gave birth to the couple first child named "Benyai". Still in abstinence, she has to observe very strict maternity taboo - no exotic meats, fishes, and whole ranges of foods.

However, one day oman Benyai killed a python, huge one. Even though, knowing it was a forbidden meat for Inan Benyai, he still decided to roast the python meat anyway. Oman Benyai, built a small hut away from their house, far enough. "Inan Benyai would not find or seeing it from here", so he thought.

After roasting the python meats, the next day, he went on hunting for game along a watershed behind their house. Mid-way into the forest he heard an omen bird.

"Oman Benyai, oman Benyai, menetai kou tanok latai, Inan Benyai bak lovuk pe'alik jadei asei," the omen bird kept chirping.

Bapai's klirieng located near present-day Punan Ba village among several klirieng featuring ulei Inan Benyai.

(Oman Benyai2, as you walk across the flat plain, inan Benyai at home just had changed into a snake.)

"Wak ahh. Nyelai lan pak loie janei ni," (Oh my. This bird's chirping is so strange) Oman Benyai murmurred. Feeling uneasy, he rush home.

Upon reaching the hut, he saw a snake like figure inside. "Oh Inan Benyai, I told you not to went out of the house. But you never listen," oman Benyai said as he hugging inan Benyai. Her whole body had completely turn into python, save for the head.

"We don't have much time, you have to release me before night fall, or i will be a danger to you and our baby," a sobing Inan Benyai said.

"Find the biggest pool downriver and release me there.

"If you see a white blood coming up from bottom of the pool, run as fast as you can.

"If you see red blood. Mean I'm alive.

So oman Benyai grabbed their infant son Benyai, and he paddled them downriver. They reached a spot, where the river become wide and has a huge pool .

"Drop me into this pool. Remember what I told you before," she told Oman Benyai.

Oman Benyai released Inan Benyai who had completely turned into a snake, as the sun was setting. They waited for a while. Then saw the water turn murky, the pool swirling.

"Your mom probably fought her way down to the bottom Benyai," oman Benyai said.

Then, thing gradually calmed, a red blood emerged from the pool.

" Ah my wife is alive down there," oman Benyai said. He paddled back upriver home and said last good bye to her beloved wife.

Years later, in memory of Inan Benyai, Oman Benyai began sculpting and painting a pattern resembling a snake with human figurine. Over time his sculptures and painting become known as "ulei Inan Benyai" by Punan people. Anything that Punan sculptured, painted, thereafter, must incorporate certain elements of this legend - notably on klirieng and kludan.

According to the legend, Inan Benyai was released into a large pool located upriver from present-day Sibu town, called "liruong Inan Benyai".



This is Sagieng (Saghieng) Selawik at Pandan, the first Punan chief led the Punan to settle in Pandan. His klirieng was erected sometime in 1865.

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