Conclusion and Self reflection

              MPU classes has helped us to understand more about the cultures and arts of the different ethnic groups in Malaysia and the importance of preserving them. MPU gave us an opportunity to know more about the cultural heritages, ancestries, histories and other symbolic systems of different ethnic groups. We had to do assignments including presentation, performance and blog posts about the culture in Malaysia. These are the things that we learned from the MPU classes.

              Firstly, each group had to choose a different ethnic group and we chose the Muruts. This has given us a chance to know more about their cultures other than ours. Muruts are the third largest indigenous group in Sabah and the literal meaning for Murut is 'hill people'. Murut's heritage is most prominently exhibited in its diverse music and dance forms. Hence, we chose to perform the Murut Warrior Dance.Throughout  the preparations and dance practices, we have learned the cultural roots of the dance and had a great time performing on stage.

               Malaysia is a multi racial country consisting of Malays, Chinese, Indians and numerous indigenous people. Through MPU classes, we have a newfound perspective about the ethnic groups on Malaysia. Minor ethnic groups such as Kelabit, Melanau and Bajau aren't given as much attention as the major ones like Malays, Indians and Chinese. Through the MPU classes, it can be seen that the traditions of these minor groups are more preserved compared to the major groups. Nowadays, some of the ethnic groups are more modernized and begin to forget their traditions after many generations. Hence, the spirit of the minor groups in practicing their cultural heritages should be followed and appreciated.

              Moreover, the MPU classes are also a bonding session among our teammates. Every group discussion we had while completing our assignments acts as a catalyst that makes us understand each other better. We also have to take turns to write a new blog post. This certainly builds our team spirit as we are working towards the same target and did our best to contribute to the group. Therefore, we learned to appreciate our teammates.

              In a nutshell, MPU has been an interesting journey to all of us. We learned about the traditional cultures and arts and the consequences of not preserving them. If we don't make the effort to preserve the cultures and arts of the ethnic groups in Malaysia, the next generation wouldn't have the opportunity to experience the beauty of tradition as the culture is the soul of an ethnic group. In short, we think MPU classes should be continued.
             

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The last performance

We were at the hall since 1 pm to prepare for our props and the costumes. After all the preparations and the last dance practice, we sat there patiently while looking at other groups' performances namely Khadazan's traditonal dance and other ethnics' skits. Finally, it was our turn.

Our friends in other teams cheered for us when sir announced it was our turn to perform. We then walked up the stage nervously. One of our teammate, Joyce gave a short introduction about our performance which was Murut Warriors Dance. It is a victorious dance for Muruts to celebrate the return of their warriors from a headhunting raid.

Since there's an unequal number of male and female members in our team. We allocated 2 guys and 2 girls which are Kai Yuan, Theng Shen, Jorene and Ai Wei to be the male warriors, whereas Shu Yi, Yii Ling, Francisca and Andrea be the female maidens. At the beginning of the dance, it was pretty awkward as we only previously practiced to an empty hall and the music was hardly to be heard. After some time, we enjoyed ourselves and danced joyously with the rhythm as we really wanted this to be a success. The deafening thunder at the very last end caused us to lost count as we planned to have synchronized stomp at last beat. Honestly, we were quite disappointed to the lost count at that moment, but, thankfully our friends in the other teams cheered for us! This has certainly taught us to understand life is not always smooth sailing and we shouldn't allow little hiccups in life to drag us down.

As quoted by Claire Tomalin, enjoying the whole process of learning and was always happy when autumn came and college started up again. We were so happy to be in a team as we spent time together after class and laughed at each other. It was a memorable experience because we are closer to each other and we are given a chance to experience Murut culture. Through the module, we can see that Muruts are very proud of their gallant warriors' heroic contributions to the tribe as well as realizing the importance of fights in Murut culture in maintaining the tribe's dignity. We would be happy to perform and be a team again.

Preparation for the big day!!!

We learned the dance moves and got the background music for the Murut dance from YouTube. Then we assigned four people in our group to do the male part and another four to perform the female part. The last one person in our group will control the background music. We did not follow entirely from the Murut dance video that was posted on YouTube. We created some new moves and one of our group members, Kai Yuan, did a slight editing on the original background music by using 'Audacity' on the computer. We made some props for our performance as well. As the members who will do the male part need knives and shields, we made the knives out of sticks and cardboard. We made the shields by using files and we folded and pasted a piece of paper on each file as a handle to hold it. For the female part, the members will be wearing headbands made of ribbons and leaves. After preparing for all these, we spend our free time after classes to practice the Murut dance and get well-prepared for the big day.

Importance of Cultural Heritage

Culture is defined as the language, beliefs, values, and norms that combine to make up the way of life of a society. Art is categorized into visual art and performing arts. The population of Muruts in Sabah is small as compared to the other ethnics, such as Chinese, Indians, and the Malays, but this is not a excuse to forget their culture. In fact, this gives us a reason to strive to preserve their unique culture. What people often see is merely the surface of their culture, but their culture and traditions more than just clothing and dances. If we do not pass down their culture to our children, it will be lost sooner or later. The traditional dances and music are used as congratulatory messages, to welcome, criticise and express sorrow and sympathy.

Festivals attract people from afar, and serve as the focal point of unity. They are occasionally used for communing with Gods, planning of development of projects, settlement of chieftaincy, clan, family or interpersonal disputes. Each ethnic celebrates festivals in order to portray the culture of people and to teach the youth the need to preserve their cultural heritage.

Besides, the presence of art and culture brings together the current and previous generation. They can share the values within their ethnic through their traditions and culture. Through this, they can understand the culture and art that has been passed on from generation to generation. 

Moreover, art and culture enhances the community engagement and participation. People who work in arts-specific facilities contribute to the existence of theaters, arenas, museums and galleries. These places act as the recreation center of the local community and gathering spots for families and friends. 

In short, by preserving the ethnic's cultural heritage, strong relationships can be fostered among the ethnic, increasing the survivability of the ethnic. Thus, the young generation should be encouraged to participate in the ethnic's traditional culture, so that these culture will not be lost in time.

Rustic Arts of Murut

Carving Tagunggak
The tagunggak is a bamboo idiophone. It is an musical instrument frequently used by the Murut
people. A togunggak set consists of six to seven pieces, each made from a bamboo section of a different diameter and height to give it its respective sound and pitch. The tagunggak is played to the same rhythm as the gongs.   



Beadworks
Beads were handed down as heirlooms from generation. It often made up into necklaces, wristlets,
ear rings, girdles, headband, baskets seat mats, jackets and baby carriers. Like most of the other

indigenous groups in Sabah, the Murut decorated their clothing with distinctive beadwork. They have belts made of silver coins (pipirot linggit) and glass beads of various colours. Pinongkolo, a traditional costume of women comprising a blouse and a long wrap-skirt of black cotton, is also decorated with beadwork. The decorated blouse is called babaru linantian.

Weavings and Craftings
The word Kalimaran refers to the craftsmanship activities of the Muruts. They produce impressive handicrafts like the Tikar, Silaung, Tikalis, Buyung, Lintoyog and Onot by using raw materials like rattan and bamban. Aside from just weaving cloth and sampoi (scarf) by using thread, bamboo weaving is also a part of the Murut arts and culture. The Murut woven motifs are used for small items and accessories such as baskets, traditional baby carriers and mats.



Performing Arts
Magunatip, the warrior dance of Borneo Headhunters, also known as Bamboo Dance In tradition, Magunatip was performed as a victorious dance when Murut warriors return from a headhunting raid. The dancers follow the music tempo to place their feet in and out of clapping bamboo poles in right timing (to avoid the painful clip). Murut people no longer headhunt today, so the bamboo dance is mainly performed in cultural functions and celebrations for entertainment. The fast clapping of the bamboo poles accompanied by the gong musical instrument gives the musical rhythm to the dance.

Lansaran
Long before the western technology came to this part of the world, the Murut community in interior of Sabah had come up with their version of the bouncy trampoline. But in Sabah, it is called the lansaran. Made of wood and plank flooring, it is constructed in a way to allow it to bounce. The planks are properly arranged and tied with rattan to allow flexibility. It is supported at the edges so the middle part can bounce easily. Sometimes, the lansaran can take as many as 20 people. The creation of lansaran has contributed to the art of jumping called maningkawot (one must jump as high as possible to get the target tied above the lansaran). The lansaran is also done to test the craftsmanship needed in making it.

 

 

 

The Great Culture of Murut

The Murut people are mostly cultivators and hunters with some riverine fishing.

One of their traditions is headhunting. In order to get married, males had to present at least one head he hunted to the family of the desired girl. In one of the sub-ethnic groups, the Murut Tabol, it is believed that headhunting can help their souls to meet Aki Kaulung. According to their beliefs, Aki Kaulung is the main source of power and it also means grandfather in Murut Tabol. However, cultural practices like headhunting has been abandoned after the community has converted into Christianity.

Celebrations usually don't end before sunrise and can last up to seven days later. This is especially the case with weddings or funerals. Through modernization, jars along with cloth, beads, gold and ivory bracelets have replaced the heads required in weddings. All these dowry items will be proudly displayed at the ceremony. Jars or "sampa" holds a prominent status in their customs. The Murut know the age of sampa and treats them with utmost respect. Jars are also known as a place of spirits in the Murut culture.

Besides that, beads also play an integral role in Murut life. Wedding beads must be presented in the form of belts, necklaces, headgear and decoration. The wedding ceremony must be held in the bride's longhouse, tapai or rice wine must be served and all the meat has to be pickled.

The Murut keep the bodies of their deceased in a jar and place them in colourful and elaborately decorated grave-huts along with the deceased's belongings. The body will be placed in the foetal position inside the jar and a gong will be placed over the mouth of the jar to close it. However this custom of burial is becoming rare with the availability of wooden coffins.

There are certain taboos in Murut’s culture.
- After a person dies, no one living in the house is allowed to work for one to two days. If work is done, there will be poor crop yield.
- After a feast, no work may be done for 1 or 2 days or the padi will be as though burnt.
- After poisoning fish using tuba in large quantites, the padi will not be ‘fat’.
- While setting a trap, one must not make a sound or no animal will enter the trap.
- When searching for kuyong which are crystalline camphor, the product of a tree, the inhabitants of the hunter’s house may not go to another house to sleep lest no kuyong will be found. One may not eat cassava flour or the kuyong will be fine like flour.
- If the kuyong hunters has any menstruating women living under the same roof during the hunting period of the kuyong, it is believed that the camphor crystals will be bloodstained.

Introduction to the Murut Ethnic

1. Total Population: 120,000

2. Geographical Distribution: 

• Sabah: Southeasthern parts of Sabah (Keningau, Tenom, Nabawan, Pensiangan and along Sapulut river and Padas river)
• Sarawak: Lawas, Limbang

3. Languages Spoken: Tagol Murut, Malay and English 

4. Religions: Christian, Islam and Animism 

5. Occupations: Fishermen, hunters and farmers

6. Descendancy: Austronesian 

7. Musical Instruments: Agung, Tangkung, gong and bamboo 

Agung

8. Traditional Clothing: 

• Men: Jacket made of tree bark, red loincloth, headdress decorated with Argus pheasant feathers. 
• Women: Black sleeveless blouse and sarong. Clothing are decorated with distinctive beadwork, and belts are made out of old silver coins. Another belt is hung loosely around the waist, made of red, yellow and blue glass beads.

9. Festival: Kalimaran - Murut Festival

Fun fact: Head's plays a big role in Murut beliefs. If a man wishes to marry a girl, he must present at least 1 head of a person he hunted to the girl's family.