Lidam (seated on the floor, second from left) witnessing the ‘bebiau’ ceremony, part of the cultural ritual of the Iban people, at the meeting in Sibu.
A project to document the history of Katibas warrior Balang, also known as Balang Balai Nyabung, has been initiated to honour his contributions to Sarawak.
Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan said Balang played a crucial role in defending the Katibas region against foreign forces in the Rajah Brooke era.
“This initiative aims to commemorate Balang’s legacy as a patriot in protecting our homeland,” said Lidam.
He added that the idea was inspired by a recent seminar marking the 100th anniversary of Kapit Peace Agreement 1924, which revisited a significant battle in that year between the Katibas community and forces led by Charles Brooke.
Speaking to reporters after a task force meeting on “Unravelling the History of Balang Balai Nyabung”, Lidam noted that historical records mentioned four expeditions by outsiders to conquer Katibas during the earlier James Brooke era.
However, Balang and the local people fought to defend their land.
“I feel a strong responsibility to document and review Balang’s history,” he said.
“It is crucial as much of existing history has been written by outsiders and may not accurately reflect the true narrative.”
Lidam, who serves as the project’s patron, emphasised the importance of preserving this history for future generations.
The project is expected to take two years to complete, involving the collection of information, verification of facts and documentation of artefacts and other historical materials.
“We will collaborate with noted historians such as Professor Datuk Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat and Dr Philip Beginda, with the Song Graduate Club acting as secretariat,” he said.
In addition to historical documentation, a memorial will be built in Katibas to honour Balang’s contributions.
Lidam urged Katibas’ original residents, especially Balang’s descendants, to share their stories, artefacts and any knowledge they might have about him.
“We have identified living descendants of Balang who possess first-hand accounts of his life.
“Our goal is to gather details, including his significant contributions in defending Katibas,” he said.
Lidam added that the objective of documenting the history was to ensure younger generations remained connected to their roots.
“This initiative is crucial as the current generation has limited knowledge of our history, and future generations may lose it entirely.
“It is our duty to document and preserve our history accurately,” he said.
