By Anna Vivienne
CARVINGS or decoration of wood has been an art since time immemorial. Through ages, times and in many places, carvings on stone or wood has been practised. They usually tell a story or hold a message.
And this practise is no less used in Sabah, with the most popular being by the Murut people.
The Murut live mostly in the southwest interior of Sabah, like the districts of Keningau, Tenom and Nabawan Pensiangan as well as along the Sapulut and Padas Rivers.
The Murut nowadays live in the mainstream of of a thriving society and with this comes ‘modernisation’. With so-called modernisation comes the wish to keep up with the Joneses, therefore the old ways are set aside or left to be forgotten.
Anyway, even if there are still experts on wood carvings out there, it is not so easy to visit and view their works.
The best place to go and look at traditional Murut carvings is at the Murut Traditional House at Tenom. Yes, the traditional house there is huge and beautifully made and intricate carvings are every where on the wall and on the pillars.
CARVINGS or decoration of wood has been an art since time immemorial. Through ages, times and in many places, carvings on stone or wood has been practised. They usually tell a story or hold a message.
And this practise is no less used in Sabah, with the most popular being by the Murut people.
The Murut live mostly in the southwest interior of Sabah, like the districts of Keningau, Tenom and Nabawan Pensiangan as well as along the Sapulut and Padas Rivers.
The Murut nowadays live in the mainstream of of a thriving society and with this comes ‘modernisation’. With so-called modernisation comes the wish to keep up with the Joneses, therefore the old ways are set aside or left to be forgotten.
Anyway, even if there are still experts on wood carvings out there, it is not so easy to visit and view their works.
The best place to go and look at traditional Murut carvings is at the Murut Traditional House at Tenom. Yes, the traditional house there is huge and beautifully made and intricate carvings are every where on the wall and on the pillars.
The carvings however are not more markings and squiggles on the pillars. They carry a message.
For instance, a rather plain, straight forward looking carving on a pillar, named ‘Sinimpung’ has a significant meaning.
The Sinimpung is actually a message to the community of the harmonious existence among them. The post is usually located at the door so that visitors will be informed and discouraged from making unwanted violent advances.
The people also hoped that the carving (in its own way) will encouraged everybody to live together in a peaceful manner.
Another carving which is a little bit more intricate than the first is called ‘Lumayau Awas’. This carving is usually carved by a person who wish to travel. The carving serves to inform the community about his departure. A caricature of flying foxes means he will return after the journey.
A carving called ‘Pinansiet Ungkuyon’ is actually an engagement token from a guy to a girl. The male side is supposed to carry the carved pole to his intended during an engaement ceremony. It serves as an engagement announcement.
The “Pinansiet Ruandu’ carving is another form of announcement. This carving tells of an engagement within a family and is displayed prominently in ther homes of the newly bethrothed woman. This is to inform visitors and discourage any more interest from eligible young men for the girl.
A nomadic life can be difficult, but the Muruts ensures that the people know about their hardship. They do this by carving their experiences on a pole. This carving is called ‘Lumayau Nansulor’.
Actually the Maori sometimes carves not only poles and posts but also the fittings of his house too, even the rafters. He is influenced by nature around him, the flora and fauna.
These carvings can be located at the Murut Traditional House in Tenom.
Courtesy of: New Sabah Times 'In' Sites - Sabah Travel and Leisure Guide
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