Punan History: Tuan Goret and Tuan Kiput
 |
| Rumah Pilai, Nanga Pila. (Facebook pix) |
Tuan Goret and Tuan Kiput - were colonial officers that many old Punan folks fondly remembered. Tuan is, of course, a Malay salutation for ‘sir’, hence ‘Tuan Goret’ means ‘Sir Goret’. His actual name was George Gueritz, who served as Bintulu Resident in the last decade of the 19th century.
Why he was such a character that old folks seemed too fond of? Not quite sure, but Tuan Goret was credited for example in appointing the first Punan “Penghulu” (community leadership position) in Penghulu Nyipa Lidom on October 1883.
He also the one that lifted the restriction on bird nest collection license, that enables other Punan to apply for the license. Prior to that, it was the privilege extended only to “Penghulu” and “Tuak Lovuk” (chief) and their “Madan” (deputy chief). The oldest birdnest collection license, known was issued in 1882 and renewed in 1911 to Angot, the deputy of Penghulu Nyipa.
Tuan Kiput, his actual name was Gerald M. Gifford, the Resident class of Kapit in the early 20th century. He is remembered for his bravery in saving the Punan from what could have been a certain massacre of Punan by Iban at Pila in 1919. The story actually started much earlier. After helping Brooke Government twice in a punitive expedition against the people referred to as “Orang Ulu” today, the Iban were expecting much bigger reward than merely ferrying back home loots and trophy heads. They want the fertile plains owned by Punan and Kayan on the upper Pelagus, theirs. The government knew they can’t grant such wishes especially with the Punan still remaining there.
To calm and appease the restless Iban, the Government proposed a peace-making ceremony to be held in Kapit. H.S.B Johnson in a report on November 2, 1907, wrote:
Punan people, naively assuming peace finally dawn along the Rejang, begin farming as far downriver as below Pelagus rapids. Less than two years later, Punan farmers farming near the foot of Pelagus were murdered at “na’a bongat”, or Iban “kerangan bangat” by a group of Iban.
It was just the beginning of Iban intensifying their raids to drive Punan out of Pila. In his Monthly report for May 12, 1910, the Resident of Third Division, Charles Agar Bampfylde wrote:
In between 1907 to 1919 Iban from Balleh and those as far downriver as Sungai Assan near Sibu were seemingly taking turns in raiding the Punan. And they were also sending up an ever-larger party with each raid.
In early May 1915 Semada, the adopted son of ex-Penghulu Merom, and seventy followers ambushed Punan farmers at Nanga Musa. The attack failed. Instead, two of Semada men badly wounded by the Punan and they fled.
The relentless raids continued later in the month. Penghulu Oyong Abun on his way downriver spent overnight with the Punan at Nanga Musa. They were attacked by a party of Iban of several boats led by Bakum of Mujong. Bakum managed to escape and badly wounded, while four of his men were killed. The Punan suffered no loss, report Kapit Resident. Weary of the never-ending raids on the Punan Kapit Resident proposes to Brook Raj, why not went after the Iban themselves. He says:
While awaiting “Your Highness” deliberation on the Resident’s proposal. In 1919, the Iban had marched upriver to Pila with 400 strong force. It was amount to a last-ditch effort to drive the Punan out of upper Pelagus region.
The Resident, Tuan Kiput learned about the Iban plan in advance but was too late to alert the Punan of the impending raid. He quickly rushed upriver with several soldiers to stop the war party. He met them at Pila. A battle broke out. About 200 of the Iban war party died, the rest run away. This battle is recorded as the infamous “battle of Pila 1919”.
If not for Tuan Kiput, the Punan would have been massacred by the Iban as they were apparently totally outnumbered by the Iban.
Tuan Kiput, his actual name was Gerald M. Gifford, the Resident class of Kapit in the early 20th century. He is remembered for his bravery in saving the Punan from what could have been a certain massacre of Punan by Iban at Pila in 1919. The story actually started much earlier. After helping Brooke Government twice in a punitive expedition against the people referred to as “Orang Ulu” today, the Iban were expecting much bigger reward than merely ferrying back home loots and trophy heads. They want the fertile plains owned by Punan and Kayan on the upper Pelagus, theirs. The government knew they can’t grant such wishes especially with the Punan still remaining there.
To calm and appease the restless Iban, the Government proposed a peace-making ceremony to be held in Kapit. H.S.B Johnson in a report on November 2, 1907, wrote:
I have the honour to inform Your Highness that a successful peacemaking and pig killing was brought off last Wednesday the 30th ultimo between the different Kayan tribes and the Ulu Ai Dyaks. The following Dyaks among others were present at the ceremony and agreed to make peace. Penghulu Meroom, Penghulu Narok, Penghulu Matahari and 14 others. The different up-river tribes were represented by the following: Laki Boh - Kayan, Abun Batu - Kayan, Abun - Sekapan, Laing - Uma Lesong, Tama Ludu - Kejaman, Oyong Seng - Lahanan, Tuba - Punan Bah.
Punan people, naively assuming peace finally dawn along the Rejang, begin farming as far downriver as below Pelagus rapids. Less than two years later, Punan farmers farming near the foot of Pelagus were murdered at “na’a bongat”, or Iban “kerangan bangat” by a group of Iban.
It was just the beginning of Iban intensifying their raids to drive Punan out of Pila. In his Monthly report for May 12, 1910, the Resident of Third Division, Charles Agar Bampfylde wrote:
I have the honour to inform Your Highness that on the 20th Penghulu Dana of Assan (Sibu) reported that nine of his people led by Penguang and Dunggat had gone off up the Rejang with the intention of attacking the Punan.
In between 1907 to 1919 Iban from Balleh and those as far downriver as Sungai Assan near Sibu were seemingly taking turns in raiding the Punan. And they were also sending up an ever-larger party with each raid.
In early May 1915 Semada, the adopted son of ex-Penghulu Merom, and seventy followers ambushed Punan farmers at Nanga Musa. The attack failed. Instead, two of Semada men badly wounded by the Punan and they fled.
The relentless raids continued later in the month. Penghulu Oyong Abun on his way downriver spent overnight with the Punan at Nanga Musa. They were attacked by a party of Iban of several boats led by Bakum of Mujong. Bakum managed to escape and badly wounded, while four of his men were killed. The Punan suffered no loss, report Kapit Resident. Weary of the never-ending raids on the Punan Kapit Resident proposes to Brook Raj, why not went after the Iban themselves. He says:
These two attacks on the Punans as well as numerous other raids, were made by the Mujong Dyaks and in consequence, His Highness the Rajah decided that a punitive expedition should be sent against the Dyaks living in the Mujong and its tributaries" (SG July 1, 1915:154-55).
While awaiting “Your Highness” deliberation on the Resident’s proposal. In 1919, the Iban had marched upriver to Pila with 400 strong force. It was amount to a last-ditch effort to drive the Punan out of upper Pelagus region.
The Resident, Tuan Kiput learned about the Iban plan in advance but was too late to alert the Punan of the impending raid. He quickly rushed upriver with several soldiers to stop the war party. He met them at Pila. A battle broke out. About 200 of the Iban war party died, the rest run away. This battle is recorded as the infamous “battle of Pila 1919”.
If not for Tuan Kiput, the Punan would have been massacred by the Iban as they were apparently totally outnumbered by the Iban.
