The Salong of Kejaman and Sekapan people
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| Fig. 1 Sekapan's salong on the opposite bank of the Rejang from Belaga town. |
In Sarawak, this type of death monument is often attributed to Kayan, Kejaman, Sekapan, Kenyah, Berawan, and Punan people. But if you are reading the literature, it is stated as originated from the Usun Apau region, a custom of the Kayan and Kenyah.
There is a distinction between these various ethnics' salong - a Kayan salong, for example, had its own uniqueness in styles and patterns to that of the Punan, Kejaman, Kenyah or Berawan.
It is said brought to the northern part of the Borneo Island following Kayan and Kenyah migrations into the area. However, evidently, it has existed long before Kayan and Kenyah people in the Lemeting (Tinjar), Tatau and Upper Rejang areas, among the peoples within an area that Peter Metcalf called "the nulang arc" (see Metcalf 1974, 1976).
The Berawan's salong in the Baram, for example, this one located at Long Miri, is nothing like that of the Kayan or Kenyah.
The salong of Sekapan, Kejaman and Punan, however, are very identical. Punan's salongs as featured in our previous post, are either supported by a single or double cylindrical posts. That of the Kejaman (Fig. 3) and Sekapan (Fig 1) is a single post salong. They also built, just like the Berawan, multiple posts salong, only that it was no as elaborate as the former.
And the most impressive salong, once situated near Belaga was this - Fig.4 Tipuong Tuloi Salong on the compound of Sarawak Museum.
It seems, as to who was the first interred in this salong is contested. The early record indicates it was Kayan lady, but Tuloi who was appointed 'Penuroh', a precursor of 'Pengulu' or 'Penghulu'.
This particular salong sometime called 'double klirieng', in fact, called 'klirieng geban' in Punan. But early Kejaman and Sekapan informants, including former chiefs Lasah and Matu stated it as 'salong'.
Anyway, it is not a klirieng - as klirieng always top by a slab - either stones or buttress of a lalou tree (koompassia excelsa).
It is said brought to the northern part of the Borneo Island following Kayan and Kenyah migrations into the area. However, evidently, it has existed long before Kayan and Kenyah people in the Lemeting (Tinjar), Tatau and Upper Rejang areas, among the peoples within an area that Peter Metcalf called "the nulang arc" (see Metcalf 1974, 1976).
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| Fig. 2 - Berawan salong at Long Miri dated to the late thirties according to Peter Metcalf (1976) in this undated photo. Pix. Peter Metcalf. |
The Berawan's salong in the Baram, for example, this one located at Long Miri, is nothing like that of the Kayan or Kenyah.
The salong of Sekapan, Kejaman and Punan, however, are very identical. Punan's salongs as featured in our previous post, are either supported by a single or double cylindrical posts. That of the Kejaman (Fig. 3) and Sekapan (Fig 1) is a single post salong. They also built, just like the Berawan, multiple posts salong, only that it was no as elaborate as the former.
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| Fig. 3 - A Kejaman salong. |
And the most impressive salong, once situated near Belaga was this - Fig.4 Tipuong Tuloi Salong on the compound of Sarawak Museum.
 |
| Fig.4 - Tipuong Tuloi salong |
It seems, as to who was the first interred in this salong is contested. The early record indicates it was Kayan lady, but Tuloi who was appointed 'Penuroh', a precursor of 'Pengulu' or 'Penghulu'.
This particular salong sometime called 'double klirieng', in fact, called 'klirieng geban' in Punan. But early Kejaman and Sekapan informants, including former chiefs Lasah and Matu stated it as 'salong'.
Anyway, it is not a klirieng - as klirieng always top by a slab - either stones or buttress of a lalou tree (koompassia excelsa).
