Old earthen crocodile effigies made by the Iban at Nanga Putai in Baleh, Sarawak.
MYTHICAL beliefs and facts about crocodiles in Sarawak will be discussed in a talk at the Borneo Cultures Museum this weekend.
Former Sarawak Museum Department director Dr Ipoi Datan will explore how saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) came to be feared and revered, as well as their prominence in traditional cultures and rituals.
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He will also speak on crocodile myths and superstitions among certain indigenous communities in Borneo, such as the Iban, Lun Bawang and Malays.
In addition, the talk will discuss crocodile attacks and how to evade them, based on observations of evasive measures taken by dogs and wild pigs when crossing crocodile-infested rivers.
Organised by Friends of Sarawak Museum, "Crocodiles: Myths, Superstitions and Realities" will take place on Sunday (Feb 18).
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Ipoi, a Lun Bawang from Lawas, served as the state museum director from 2009 to 2018.
He is currently a research officer at Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak, a member of the Sarawak Heritage Council and heritage expert for the National Heritage Department.
He also served as the archaeology expert for the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) mission on the nomination of Niah National Park as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
