Bless the fishermen and farmers

Benardine playing the “geromong”, a traditional instrument, to accompany the procession of boats heading to Kuala Mukah beach.— ZULAZHAR SHEBlEE / The Star

KUCHING: Early one Saturday morning, 40 decorated boats floated in a procession down the Tellian River in Mukah, a coastal town in central Sarawak, towards the South China Sea.

They were making their way to the Kuala Mukah beach for the “seraheng kakan” ceremony, which heralds the start of the Melanau community’s Kaul festival.

Bapa Kaul (festival leader) Juana Ventura Lupuh said the ceremony on March 11 was observed to offer thanksgiving for good health and seek blessings for fishermen and farmers throughout the year.

“It might look simple but we took a long time to prepare the ingredients and materials for the ceremony.

Children in traditional Melanau attire joining in the celebration after the;seraheng kakan’ ceremony. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star

“It involves seven types of food, which will be placed as offerings to seek blessings,” he said.

According to Kampung Tellian Tengah village chief Winnie Wena Dominic Lai, the food offerings included fruits, dried fish and two types of glutinous rice.

“At 7am we will begin travelling in boats to the river mouth. The seraheng (a ceremonial basket for the offerings) will be in the lead boat,” she said.

“Once we reach the river mouth, the seraheng will be placed in a designated site on the beach for the ceremony.”

She added that the food was traditionally offered to the “ipok” or spirits of the sea, land and jungle for a bountiful year ahead and good catch for fishermen.

Villager darhat ruji preparing ceremonial masks to accompany the ‘seraheng’ (ceremonial basket) on its river journey to the beach. ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star

Juana said the villagers would share a meal together on the beach after the ceremony.

“Everyone brings food to share for the meal. Any leftover food cannot be brought back but must be left at the ceremonial site,” he said.

The Kaul festival, which will culminate in a grand celebration on April 29-30, is making a welcome return after three years of Covid-19 restrictions.

The “seraheng kakan” ceremony attracted a crowd of over 2,000 people, including visitors.

Kampung Tellian villager Naiza John said it was one of the most festive ceremonies he had attended.

“I’m very happy to see so many people coming to observe the ceremony, which makes it even more special,” he said.

Another villager, Diana Rose, said she was glad to see the participation of the younger generation in the festival.

“This means our culture will not die out as long as the young people keep celebrating it.

“Whether as a form of cultural appreciation or belief, the important thing is that they carry it forward and so our Melanau culture will be preserved,” she said.

Secondary school student Benardine Ashlyn Ordie, who played a musical instrument called “geromong” for the ceremony, said the Kaul festival should continue to be celebrated so that future generations would know Melanau culture and customs.

“This will enable other communities to respect our beliefs and culture,” she said.

Benardine also noted the festival’s economic impact on the local community in Mukah.

“This is an opportunity for the villagers to produce food and other items. For example, some villagers will make kuih for sale during the festival, when they have a bigger market to sell to,” she said.