I"I!

III

legend related by the late Temenggong Datuk

VI) Jagoi Settlement Salau ak Jambang, a warrior (Panglima) of Bung
HI

Bratak by the name of Makabang had a dream.

(a) Historical Background In the dream, he saw one wild boar in the midst
of the domestic pigs. He also saw one sea turtle
Bidayuh Jagoi originally migrated from Bung
swimming at the Pangkalan Bratak. To him, it
Bratak and they moved over to Gunung Jagoi was an unusual bad dream. As a Panglima, he
due to bad omen as detailed in the legend of
the migration of Bijagoi Gunung
below. However, there was Jagoi, Bau
another version which
mentioned that some
Bidayuhs under the
II
leadership of Bari moved I
from Rabak Mikabuh, I1III1 .11

Penrissen to Paya Pais near

the present Pangkalan 11
111
Entabang and some years III
.
later they went to Bung Jagoi 1

III-

where they settled down

there. 'iil

Gunung Jagoi, which is 1,162 1111:

feet above sea level, is

therefore comparatively a I~iII
I
new settlement when
compared to Bratak, Singai Bijagoi 1:1111

and Serembu settlements. The girls in

traditional IIIII
Bidayuhs who are staying costume at
around Gunung Jagoi call Dewan
themselves "Bijagoi" and Suarah, Illil\

today, the Bijagoi population Bauin

has not only multiplied 1985
111111- !il.
tremendously in Bau Dustrict
but also has spread over to III' II III I
I
Jagoi Babang in Kalimantan II
1M

II
Barat, Indonesia and Lundu 1I1I

district.
Illr~~

(b) Legend of the 111111:

Migration of Bijagoi.
189
One night, according to a I ~I ~ "II-!'
'111 ,
11 [

II II
~ ,.1 J I [-
 called up the people for a meeting during which
he related his dream and interpreted it. He said,
"Kampung Bratak will be attacked by two
groups of people from downriver. We have to
move elsewhere in order to save our lives and
property". Most people in the village hardly
believed the interpretation of his dream. In the
end, he moved away together with his families
and close relatives to another mountain known
as Gunung Jagoi sometimes in early 1838. A few
months after Panglima Makabang left Bung
Bratak, his dream came true. Bung Bratak was
attacked and burnt down by the intruders from
Simanggang (Sri Aman) on 1-5-1838.
Meanwhile, Panglima Makabang and his group
settled down at the foot of Gunung Jagoi. They
built a village which was known as Kampung
Tembawang Jagoi and planted many fruit trees
around the Kampung. A year later, the Kampung
was burnt down by fire originated, as it was
suspected, from the house owned by a woman
called Sakup. While the Jagoi Bidayuhs were
building their temporary longhouse at the burnt
site, one group led by Panglima Makabang
moved further up the mountain and two other
groups moved out in stages to new places to look
for farming land/Plaman and eventually built
new settlements at Serasot and Bogak.
(c) Visit to Gunung Jagoi
A trip was arranged to visit Kampung Jagoi
Gunung on 28-4-1986. The party including the
author who was then the District Officer of Bau,
Government Officers and Penghulu Edward
Sibon were warmly welcomed in a traditional
way by Tua Kampung Uren ak. Tapak and the
villagers. The main purpose of the visit was in
connection with the implementation of a
190 generator project costing RM3, 000.00 in the
village.
The trek from Kampung Duyuh to Gunung Jagoi
took about one and half hours on foot. Panglima
Makabang and his group were wise to select
Gunung Jagoi for the settlement because the
mountain is very steep and situated in a strategic
location. It is like a fort which can protect the
Kampung people against any possible enemy
attack. We went up to "the station" (the peak of
Gunung Jagoi) and we could see Kuching
International Airport and Kuching City from the
distance - a beautiful and fascinating sight. In
the olden days" the station" was an "observation
tower" against intruders who might attack the
settlement.
(d) Movement of the Kampungs in
Taeoi Area
(1) Jagoi Gunung Settlement
After Kampung Tembawang Jagoi was burnt
down in 1840, tl}e place was known as
Tembawang Sauh Jagoi. The Bijagoi of the
"Burned Tembawang" was divided into three
groups for migration. One group led by
Makabang moved further up the mountain and
built a new village at a place called Tembawang
Tibodak where they stayed for quite sometime.
However, at the later stage the villagers moved
further up until they reached the peak of Gunung
Jagoi where they found the place was safer for
defence purpose. Hence, they settled down there
and created a new village known as Kampung
Jagoi Gunung sometime in 1842. They made a
few longhouses and a Baruk so that they could
continue to practise old pagan Adats. In 1845,
when Sir Hugh Low visited Upper Sarawak, he
visited Kampung Jagoi Gunung. He said that
Kampung Jagoi Gunung consisted of 60 houses
built in a few rows.
After Kampung Jagoi Gunung was established
~
 l'
for nearly 160 years, the
I
village still exists but with
only 36 houses and a
population of 73 based on
2000 census. Most of the .! IIII
villagers have been
converted to Roman
I
Catholic Christianity with II1I
only 9 pagan families left
in the village. The present
headman is Odeka ak
Dirop appointed on 17-4-
1989. "
III
Illm'
III
(2) Kampung Serasot II
Settlement
Kampung
(i) Kampung Serasot Serasot, fl/' II
1III
Jagoi II
Ii
Sometime in 1850, the
second group consisting of 18 families led by Clinic was established in the village in 1975.Based
Kubeh and Kumbang moved away from on 2000 census, there were 241 and 705 people
Tembawang SauhJagoi. They went over to a place staying at Kampung Seraso1.
where there were many "Serasot" trees. They
settled down there and called the new place (ii) Kampung Skibang
Kampung Seraso1. They built individual houses
to accommodate the 18 families. Kubeh was After the establishment of Kampung Serasot, the 111

appointed as the first Orang Kaya (Tua
Kampung) of Kampung Serasot in 1855 by the
Brooke Authority, followed by Kumbang,
Kitong, Koja, Munjew, Tarek and the present
headman, Nyotik ak Moseng, who was
appointed on 1-7-1980. In 1955,a primary school
known as S1.Leo Primary School was established
by Roman Catholic Mission in Kampung Seraso1.
population increased and there was a shortage of
farming land around the village. According to Ex-
Tua Kampung Noyem ak Atew who became the
headman of Kampung Skibang from 1986 to 1998,
1.
a group of 3 families led by Kowang left Kampung
Serasot in 1900.They moved over to a place called III I IIII
Kampung Sima tang where they stayed for a
while. Because of bad omen, they shifted to a place 111,:"111

In 1965, there were 2 families headed by Munjaw where they formed a new village called Kampung III

ak Kan and Ajlis ak Goim were converted to Sidunuk. In 1910, due to the outbreak of cholera 11111

Roman Catholic Christianity and an Attap chapel in the village, a group moved over to Skibang
known as S1.Leo's R.c. Church was built in the where they built a new settlement called 11

III

village in 1966.In 1986,a new building for S1.Leo's Kampung Skibang and they made a 5-door
Roman Catholic Church was constructed to longhouse there. Another group migrated over 191
replace the old Attap chapel. A Government to Lundu District where they joined the Stungkor
I'l,
I!'
I
II u
I I [
for nearly 160 years, the
village still exists but with
only 36 houses and a
population of 73 based on [
2000 census. Most of the a
villagers have been
converted to Roman
Catholic Christianity with
only 9 pagan families left
in the village. The present
headman is Odeka ak
Dirop appointed on 17-4-
1989.
II
(2) Kampung Serasot I
I1II

Settlement
Kampung
(i) Kampung Serasot Serasot,
'agoi II~

Sometime in 1850, the

second group consisting of 18 families led by Clinic was established in the village in 1975. Based
Kubeh and Kumbang moved away from on 2000 census, there were 241 and 705 people
Tembawang Sauh Jagoi. They went over to a place staying at Kampung Serasot. III
II
where there were many "Serasot" trees. They
settled down there and called the new place (ii) Kampung Skibang
Kampung Serasot. They built individual houses
to accommodate the 18 families. Kubeh was After the establishment of Kampung Serasot, the I
I
i
appointed as the first Orang Kaya (Tua population increased and there was a shortage of
Kampung) of Kampung Serasot in 1855 by the farming land around the village. According to Ex-
Brooke Authority, followed by Kumbang, Tua Kampung Noyem ak Atew who became the
Kitong, Koja, Munjew, Tarek and the present headman of Kampung Skibang from 1986 to 1998,
II lit
,
I
headman, Nyotik ak Moseng, who was a group of 3 families led by Kowang left Kampung
appointed on 1-7-1980. In 1955,a primary school Serasot in 1900.They moved over to a place called ill!
known as St. Leo Primary School was established Kampung Sima tang where they stayed for a II'I
I
by Roman Catholic Mission in Kampung Serasot. while. Because of bad omen, they shifted to a place II

In 1965, there were 2 families headed by Munjaw where they formed a new village called Kampung
ak Kan and Ajlis ak Goim were converted to Sidunuk. In 1910, due to the outbreak of cholera '~II
III
III
Roman Catholic Christianity and an Attap chapel in the village, a group moved over to Skibang I
I~
known as St. Leo's R.c. Church was built in the where they built a new settlement called
village in 1966.In 1986,a new building for St. Leo's Kampung Skibang and they made a 5-door ~:! ~ . III
Roman Catholic Church was constructed to longhouse there. Another group migrated over 191
replace the old Attap chapel. A Government to Lundu District where they joined the Stungkor III '1 ~ I III

IIII1 I II: I
.
group who had established the settlement along
Sungai Stungkor. In 1947, from Kampung
Skibang Lama, they moved over to the present
village which they called Kampung Skibang
Baru. Kampung Skibang Baru is accessible by
road from Bau. In 1950, a primary school was
built at Kampung Skibang. In 1960, the people
at the village were converted to Roman Catholic
Christianity and a chapel called St. Philip's
Roman Catholic Church was built. In 2000 there
were 134 houses and 479 people staying at
Kampung Skibang. The present headman is T.K.
Jihen ak Minaw who was appointed on
16.12.2000.
(3) Kampung Bogak Settlement
In 1867, following the footstep of the group
moving over to Serasot, a group consisting of 16
families led by Nisan also left Kampung
Tembawang SauhJagoi. They went over to Sungai
Podam where they formed a new village called
Kampung Bogak. Kampung Tembawang Sauh
Jagoi was then abandoned. There were seven
headmen being appointed in the village, namely
Nisan who became the first Orang Kaya (Tua
Kampung), followed by Anden, Nyuen, Monyis,
Nyaun, Nyandeng and until the present headman
Johen ak Nyandeng who was appointed on
1-7-1980. The villagers remained as pagans for
about 100 years. In 1960s, the people at Kampung
Bogak were converted to Roman Catholic faith
and a church known as St. Mary's Roman Catholic
Church was established.in the village. In 1958, a
primary school called SRK Podam was built at
the side of Sungai Podam and it was meant to
admit school children from Kampung Bogak itself
and Kampung Duyoh. In 1997, the name of the
school was changed to SekolahKebangsaanJagoi,
the name of the mountain and the tribe in the area.
192
Kampung Bogak had 142 houses with 625 people
in 2000.
\
(e) Migration of Kampungs from Jagoi
Gunune Settlement
Since its establishment in 1842, Kampung Jagoi
Gunung was prosperous and population
increased. Hence, there was a shortage of land
for housing expansion and farming. Moreover,
during the dry season, there was a shortage of
water on the top of the mountain.
(1) Kampung Stass Settlement
According to Ex-Tua Kampung Lakus ak Nasuh,
aged 64, of Kampung Stass, he said on 30-5-1874,
Pa'Sabun and Guga led 39 families from
Kampung Jagoi Gunung and went to a place
which they called Tembawang Omba. They
settled down at Tembawang Omba for 25 years.
Pa'Sabun became the first Orang Kaya followed
by Guga and both headmen died at Tembawang
Omba. On 24-5-1899,they moved to Tembawang
Baru where they lived for 26 years. By then, the
number of families had increased to 57 families.
On 6-6-1925, they divided into two groups. One
group went to a place where they were many
"Pelandok" animals and they settled down there.
They called the village Kampung Pelandok and
they built a 24-door longhouse. At the later stage
they changed the name from Kampung Pelandok
to Kampung Stass because the place was full of
hardwood trees called "Tass". In 1948, the 1
I
longhouse at Kampung Stass was dismantled to
give way to individual houses. The other group c
~
built a village called Kampung Ngilonas at
1
another new place. However, a few years later, a
group led by Konak moved out of Kampung
Ngilonas and migrated to Belubai in Kalimantan
Barat, Indonesia. The remaining group also
moved out of Kampung Ngilonas and created a Bo
new village called Kampung Kaih. Hence, a~
Kampung Ngilonas was abandoned. In 1956,:~ ~ ~c
J
families led by Lafe ak Leong moved to Pla01~e
 I
'I
'i
II
,
I
I
---,
Botung within Kaih area where
I
they stayed for 2 years. Later,
they shifted to Mudug where I
I
they settled down for another 8 I

years before moving over to

Sebemban which was part of the :1 I I
~ ~ I
I
I

~
present Kampung Stass in 1965. -~''T t I,
1:1
In 1965 during the Malaysia/ ".J.,, .. "$ II
"I
I
I II I
Indonesia confrontation, two
~...
.

-"j ... ~
III
'II
Bldayuhs, Siret ak Nasuh and 'II

1 aet Pa Taong of Kampung Kaih II

'II
III
._;: '!""
were killed by the communists.
Hence, at the later part of 1965,
the whole settlement at 'Ii
"-
Kampung Kaih was abandoned Kampllng Ii
and they all moved over to Stass, ,agoi I
Kampung Stass for resettlement.
In 1950, a primary school known as Sekolah Kampung Jagoi Gunung. They migrated over to
Kebangsaan Stass was built so that the children Balung Buan where they stayed for a few years.
could attend their primary education at Panglima Kabeng became the first Orang Kaya
Kampung Stass itself. In 1951, a group was of the village appointed by the Brooke Authority
converted to Roman Catholic Christianity and a in 1880s. Due to the outbreak of cholera disease,
church known as St. Mark's Roman Catholic they abandoned the settlement and moved to
Church and a prim'ary school called St. Mark's Sungai Gelomang. At Sungai Gelomang they II
I
Primary School were built there. The present stayed for more than 40 years. In 1926, they moved I

headman,Ringgis ak Lehok, who was appointed out from Sungai Gelomang and finally they I
on 1-3-1998 is looking after 217 houses with a settled down at Sungai Sebobok where they built
I

population of 922 villagers at Kampung Stass a new village called Kampung Sebobok. In 1964, II
II
based on 2000 census. Kampung Sebobok was converted to Christianity
and a chapel known as St. Augustine's Roman I
The Member of Parliament for Mas Gading, Y.B. Catholic Church was established there. In 1967, a
Dr. Tiki ak Lafe, who is also the Deputy Minister primary school called Sekolah Kebangsaan I
of National Unity and Social Development, Sebobok was built so that the children could Iii
II
I
III
Malaysia was born at Kampung Stass on attend their primary education in the village. In
11-5-1953. III
1975, the old village of Kampung Sebobok was
abondaned and they moved over to the present iii

(2) Kampung Sebobok Kampung Sebobok Baru which is along the road Ilrli
iii
and at the side of the primary school. The present
Based on my interview with Mabong ak Garin, headman, Jee Majid, who was appointed on 1-6-
iii
aged 82, of Kampung Sebobok, he disclosed that 1998 looks after 75 houses with a population of
sometime in 1875, it was Panglima Kabeng who 372 people staying at Kampung Sebobok based 193
led a group of Bijagoi moving down from on 2000 census.
11!IIti iii,
,IIIIII
iii I
ell JI
 (3) Jagoi Babang and Raso Settlements (4) Kampung Duyoh Settlement

In 1900, according to Penghulu Edward Sib on In 1910, another group of 5 families led by Orang
of Jagoi area, Kampung Gunung Jagoi had more Kaya Kanya Pak Raieng moved down from
than 200 houses in a few rows. The limited area Kampung Jagoi Gunung and established a new ,
for expansion on the Gunung had resulted in 50 village on the lowland along Sungai Duyoh and 1:
Jagoi Bidayuh families moving over to they called the new village Kampung Duyoh. e
Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia. They looked for The word "Duyoh" actually comes from the a
new agricultural land and finally they settled Bidayuh word "Kuyoh" which means "Crab" r
down at Babang and called themselves Bijagoi because in the olden days, Sungai Duyoh was v
Babang. In 1988, the Jagoi Babang settlement had full of Kuyoh crabs. In 1911, when more families E
multiplied to five villages namely Kampung moved down from the mountain, a longhouse (
Kindaw, Kampung Bidak, Kampung Takat, consisting of 10 doors was built at Kampung h
Kampung Beredat and Kampung Sijarow with Duyoh. However, the longhouse was dismantled f1
a population of more than 700. In the year 2000, in 1950 for the construction of individual houses. 1
two more new villages were created at Jagoi In 1920, Midot ak Sagi was appointed as the Tua I<
Babang and the villages are known as Kampung Kampung of Kampung Duyoh, followed by S
Liso and Kampung Pelanuh. The population of Edward Sibon, Ahien ak Nojep and the present v
Bijagoi Babang is now more than 1000 people. Tua Kampung Gumbek ak Moyew. In 1948, A
another big group of more than 30 families came s1
In 1901, another group headed by Konak left down from Kampung Jagoi Gunung and settled K
Kampung Jagoi Gunung and they went to Stass. down at Kampung Duyoh. In 1950s, Edward v
From Stass, Konak led his people to Belubai, Sibon ak Nyongiew brought 8 familes from the fe
Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia but some remained village to embrace to Roman Catholic IV,
at Kampung Stass (Tembawang Baru). At Christianity and a few years later a church hE
Belubai, the Bidayuh Jagoi lived for a few years. known as St. Lucas's Church was built there. In a1
It was at Belubai that they were hit by cholera 2000, based on the census record kept at District w
disease and many of them died. Konak died at Office, Bau, there were 151 houses with a w
Belubai and his son, Kolah, took over the population of 962 in Kampung Duyoh. The w'
leadership. He led more than 10 families and left Penghulu of Jagoi area, the former Tua Kampung di
Belubai to Sungai Raso in Lundu in 1905. From of Kampung Duyoh, Edward Sibon Nyongiew th
the initial settlement at Raso where they looked was appointed as the Penghulu on 1-7-1972 until bc
for suitable farming land, the Jagoi Bidayuh today. an
population spread over to eight other new W
villages namely Kampung Bokah, Kampung (5) Kampung Sirikin Settlement pc
Raso I, Kampung Raso II, Kampung Stungkor wI
Lama, Kampung Stungkor Baru, Kampung In 1915, Baseng ak Keros headed a group of 20 as
Selampit, Kampung Stuum Muda, Kampung families left Kampung Jagoi Gunung and moved
Simpang Bokah and Kampung Siluk with a down to the foot of Gunung Jagoi where they In
population of more than 4,300 in the year 2000. established a new settlement known as SeJ
Kampung Serabak at the side of Sungai Sirikin. as
194 an
Kabah Pa Tadeg became the first Orang Kaya

~
 ~II

II

(Tua Kampung) followed by

Kisong Pa Saeng. In Bidayuh
Jagoi dialect, the word "Rabak"
means "Flat Land". The old
village of Kampung Serabak was
" I"
\"'-
~ '~
I
built on the flat land. They f4.
'"
constructed a 20-door longhouse
at Kampung Serabak in 1920 but
it was dismantled after Second
World War in 1947. According to
Ex- Tua Kampung Angaw ak
- I
III

Gadeng, aged 71, who was the

Kampung
headman of Kampung Sirikin Serabak III
from 1957 to 1964, he said that in (The old
1953 he led 6 families from Kampung III
Kampung Serabak to Sungai of Sirikin)
Sirikin where they formed a new IIIII II
village called Kampung Sirikin.
Angaw ak Gadeng at the later
1 IIIII

stage became the first Tua II

Kampung of the newly formed I II

village of Kampung Sirikin

followed by N oew ak Ulai, III
I
Mideh ak Gunew and the present
headman, Tua Kampung Gihing II' I

ak Mideh @Giham ak Meda who

q
was appointed as the headman III I

with effect from 25-2-1988. The

II.
word "Sirikin" in Bidayuh Jagoi
dialect means "Station" because
the village is situated at the m
border point between Sarawak ...-J Kampung
and Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia. II
III

Whoever passing the border 1 Sirikin,

Jagoi
point had to station there for a IIII
while and, hence, the name of Sirikin was created In 1978, Christianity came over to Kampung
Sirikin and a group of villagers joined the Roman IIIINII
as the name of the village.
Catholic faith. A church known as St. Francis
In 1958, a primary school was built at Kampung X'avier's Roman Catholic Church was built
Serabak and until today the school is still known there. Today, there are 50% of the people at
Kampung Sirikin still believing the Pagan Old I
as Sekolah Kebangsaan Serabak although there 195
Adat. Based on 2000 census, there were 151 1lllnt" Iii
are only five houses left at Kampung Serabak.
111111 I
- _./j
 houses with a population of 649 people staying takes about 15 minutes' drive to reach Sirikn. (f) List of N
at Kampung Sirikin. Besides the general traders in Sirikin, the
businessmen from Kuching and Bau also come No. I Pemanca (pe
In 1985, there were only three shophouses at over to trade with the Indonesians along the 1. Kowah
Kampung Sirikin. In view of the importance of SirikinjJagoi Babang Road. Hence, Sirikin
Kampung Sirikin as a border bazaar, an Bazaar is a busy and booming rural centre in Bau 2. Keros
Immigration and Custom Office was built there District. Especially on Saturday and Sunday, 3. Katan
to check the border immigration matters. There many traders and general public from Kuching
are many Indonesians especially from Jagoi 4. Gunien
and Bau areas go to Sirikin for trading and there
Babang, Seluas, Sanggauledo, Ledo and are so many vehicles going there that it is 5.
Bengkayang areas in Kalimantan Barat coming difficulty to look for empty space for parking.
over to Kampung Sirikin to do their trading The private car-park is built there and the owner 6. I Kojang (Penf
Basieng
business, especially on Saturday and Sunday. charges every vehicle RM 2/ -per entry per day. 7. Munyew Pa
They use a 3-kilometre muddy road to cross over In 2001, there were 12 shophouses in Sirikin
8. Mijod ak Go
the border from Jagoi Babang either by foot that Bazaar and more shophouses are expected to be
takes about one hour or by motor-cycles which built there. 9. Edward Sibc

(e) Summary of Movement of Kampungs in Jagoi Area

Kg. Kindaw (g) Namec
Jagoi
Babang In the year 2000,~
Kg. Jagoi (Indonesia) The details are as.
Gunung

No. Name ofK.

1. Bogag

Sungkung, Kg. Bratak Kg. 2. Duyoh

Kalimantan Gunung Tembawang
Barat Landar 3. Sirikin
Sauh, Jagoi

4. Jagoi Gunl
5. Serasot
6. Sebobok
7. Skibang
8. Stass

196

~
 .,
I

(f) List of Names of Orang Kaya Pemanca (Penghulu) in Jagoi Area ,II

No. Pemanca (Penghulu) Home Kampung Period il I

I
1. Kowah Kg. Jagoi Gunung Unknown
2. Keros Kg. Jagoi Gunung Unknown
3. Katan Kg. Jagoi Gunung Unknown
4. Gunien Kg. Jagoi Gunung Unknown
5. From 1906-1930.Died on 26.11.30 :,
Kojang (Pengarah) Kg. Stass
6. Basieng Kg. Duyoh Unknown
7. Munyew Pa Nyomew Kg. Serasot Died on 2.1.1948
8. Mijod ak Goim Kg. Jagoi Gunung Retired in 1971
II
9. Edward Sibon ak. Nyongiew Kg. Duyoh Appointed from 2-4-1973until today
h

"
"
I

In the year 2000, there were 8 Kampungs with 1,158 houses and a population of 4,507 in Jagoi area.
The details are as follows: II"

'In I

No. Name of Kampung Name of Tua Kampung No of Houses Population

1. Bogag Johen ak Nyandeng 142 625
II
2. Duyoh Gumbek ak. Munjew 162 682 .
.
3. Sirikin Gihing ak Mideh @Giham 151 649 IIII
ak Meda
I
4. Jagoi Gunung 36 73
Odeka ak. Dirop III

5. Serasot Nyotik ak Moseng 241 705

I] ill

6. Sebobok 75 372 III

Jee Majid
7. II t!I'
Skibang Jihen ak Minaw 134 479 I
8. Stass Ringgis ak. Lehok 217 922 :1
II
h III
IIII
. I
I" II
Total 1,158 4,507 197

II;! Iii
II II " [-
 (VII) KROKONG SETTLEMENT
(a) Historical Background
Krokong Settlement which comprises of 9
Kampungs was formerly under Jagoi area
administered by Penghulu Edward Sibon. It was
officially split away from Jagoi area on 31-5-1986
and a new Penghulu in the person of Asong ak.
Johor from Kampung Kaman was appointed.
Krokong Settlement is also comparatively a new
area when compared to Bratak or Serembu
settlements. In actual fact, the Bidayuhs from
Gunung Orat migrated over to Gunung Tra-an
sometime in 1840. They stayed at Gunung Tra-
an for a while and then they moved over to Piled.
Again, they did not stay long at Piled and they
shifted to Perason where they stayed for a couple
of years. Sometime in 1843, a group left Perason
and moved to Gunung Krokong where they
created a village known as Kampung Krokong
Gunung. This was confirmed by Hugh Low who
visited Kampung Krokong on 26-11-1845. He
Gunung
Krokong
was first
inhabited
by a group
of Bratak
Bidayuh in
1843
198
described that Kampung Krokong had been
recently established because there were no fruit
trees except plantains. He mentioned that
Kampung Krokong belonged to Sow tribe (Sauh)
who originally came from Kampung Gunung
Rat (Orat). There were about 30 to 40 well-built
houses in a single row with a Pangah (Baruk) at
Kampung Krokong. Their houses at Kampung
Gunung Rat (Orat) were destroyed by the Skrang
Ibans who took away many children as slaves
(Low, p. 386).
When Frederick Boyle visited Sarawak in 1865,
he went to Upper Sarawak for hunting. He said
that Kampung Krokong Gunung was already in
existence. From Bidi, it took him 4 hours to reach
Krokong by walking over 'Batang' path.
Kampung Krokong was a straggling longhouse
about 80 yards long. He saw a Baruk in decaying
condition and he saw 9 human skulls were kept
in the headhouse. The Baruk was circular or
perhaps octagonal in shape, neatly constructed
and aborned with crude pictures and rather
indecorous carvings. There was an Orang Kaya
Pemanca at Krokong (Boyle, p.
34). In 1880s, Barot and his
followers abandoned Perason
and they migrated to Sungai
Peded where they established
a new village called Kampung
Blimbin.
Krokong area is situated
within the mining belt and
many places within Krokong
have been mined either for
gold or mercury. Krokong area
had also been inhabited by the
Chinese miners since the 19th
Century. Due to the constant
contact with the Chinese
miners especially the Hakka,
~
intermarriage was not uncommon. Because 0
the above factor, many Bidayuhs in the are,
especially around Pangkalan Tebang anc
Krokong areas can speak ChinesejHakkc
fluently and at same time many Chinese residin~
in these areas can converse fluent Bidayul
language.
(1) Kampung Blimbin Settlement
(a) Kampung Blimbin
In 1845, Kampung Krokong Gunung and
Perason consisted of 40 houses. However, the
increase of population meant more houses were
to be constructed but there was a shortage of land
for housing expansion at Gunung Krokong.
Hence, in 1880, Barot led 20 families out from
Perason and moved down from the mountain.
They established a new settlement near a Lubok
(pool) along Sungai Pedeh. Since the place was
full of Blimbin fruit trees in the olden days, they
called the place Kampung Blimbin. Barot became
the first headman of Kampung Blimbin,
followed by Nyuew, Abang ak Nyuew, Siru,
Rubis ak Nyowis and the present Tua Kampung
Jomet ak Rubis who was appointed on 1-10-1986
still serves the village. In 1961, James Manis
brought the villagers to be converted to Roman
Christianity and a church known as St. Patrick' b
Roman Catholic Church was established in
Krokong in 1962. However, a primary school
called Sekolah Rendah Bantuan St. Patrick was
established much earlier in 1951. In 2000, there
were 86 houses and 445 inhabitants at Kampung
Blimbin. .
(b) Kampung Butcy'Kampung Bijongan
After its establishment, Kampung Blimbin was
prosperous and population multiplied. In 1975,
Mesok ak Nusok led 9 families out of Kampung
 Irlf
"

intermarriage was not uncommon. Because of Blimbin and they moved over to their Plamanj
the above factor, many Bidayuhs in the area farmland where they established a new
especially around Pangkalan Tebang and settlement along a river called Sungai Buta. They
Krokong areas can speak ChinesejHakka called the new village Kampung Buta. In the
fluently and at same time many Chinese residing olden days, a man was attacked by his enemy
in these areas can converse fluent Bidayuh and he was made blind in a river. Hence, the river
language. was called Sungai Buta (Blind River). Mesok ak
Nusok became the first headman in 1980,
(1) Kampung Blimbin Settlement followed by the present Tua Kampung Juhed ak
Gindey who was appointed on 1-1-2000 and he
(a) Kampune: Blimbin is still serving the village with 50 houses and 210
people. In the year 2000, during a village meeting
In 1845, Kampung Krokong Gunung and at Kampung Buta, it was decided to change the
Perason consisted of 40 houses. However, the name of Kampung Buta which literally means
increase of population meant more houses were "blind people village" to "Bijongan". The word
to be constructed but there was a shortage of land "Bijongan" in Bidayuh dialect means
for housing expansion at Gunung Krokong. "beautiful". Hence, "Kampung Bijongan" means
Hence, in 1880, Barot led 20 families out from "Beautiful village".
Perason and moved down from the mountain.
They established a new settlement near a Lubok (c) KampungPedaun Bawah I

(pool) along Sungai Pedeh. Since the place was

full of Blimbin fruit trees in the olden days, they
called the place Kampung Blimbin. Barot became
the first headman of Kampung Blimbin,
followed by Nyuew, Abang ak Nyuew, Siru,
Rubis ak Nyowis and the present Tua Kampung
Jomet ak Rubis who was appointed on 1-10-1986
still serves the village. In 1961, James Manis
brought the villagers to be converted to Roman
In 1960, a group of 20 families headed by Simat
ak Nyangun left Kampung Blimbin and they
I,
moved over to a river called Sungai Pedaun I
where they formed a new village known as
Kampung Pedaun Bawah within their own
Plamanj farming land. Simat ak Nyangun was
later appointed as the first headman for II
Kampung Pedaun Bawah by the Colonial I
II~

I
Christianity and a church known as St. Patrick's Government of Sarawak and followed by Simot
Roman Catholic Church was established in ak Nyangun. In 1970, a primary school known
Krokong in 1962. However, a primary school as Sekolah Kebangsaan Pedaun Bawah was .1

called Sekolah Rendah Bantuan St. Patrick was
established much earlier in 1951. In 2000, there
were 86 houses and 445 inhabitants at Kampung
Blimbin.
established in the village. In July 2000, Abu Amin ib
who married to Nosen ak Teruk brought 4 II11 II l
families from Kampung Pedaun Bawah to be
converted to Muslims. A Muslim Surau called
Surau Al Falah was built at Kampung Pedaun :11I::11

(b) Kampung ButafKampung Bijongan Bawah. The present Tua Kampung is T.K. Chipok "11

ak Laip who was appointed on 16-7-2001 and

After its establishment, Kampung Blimbin was he is looking after 35 houses with a population
prosperous and population multiplied. In 1975, of 180 people in the village.
Mesok ak Nusok led 9 families out of Kampung 199
IfIU' iil
1

~ III
1111
II, III '
II
I

I
 a ne~\ settlement called Sungai Kaman. After they had established their
Kampung Monggak. Due Plamanj farming land there, they formed a new
to favourable conditions, village called Kampung Kaman in 1980 and the
the vlllagers buIlt 15 pioneer Nadot ak Sirul was appointed as the
individual houses around
headman for the newly formed Kampung
Sungal Monggak. In 1993, a Kaman on 11-7-1980. According to T.K. Nadot
Roman Catholic Church was ak Sirul, the name "Kaman" actually was the
established in the area for the name of an old man who had skin disease. He
Christians of both Kampung used to take the bath at the river and, hence, at
Pedaun Bawah and Kampung the later stage, whoever went to the river would
Monggak to worship there. call the place Sungai Kaman. Hence, the village
The pioneer Baki ak Jowan was known as Kampung Kaman. Based on 2000
was appointed as the census, "Kampung Kaman has 45 individual
headman for Kampung houses with a population of 359 people.
Kampung Monggak on 1-9-1994 and he
Blimbin, is still serving the village. (2) Gunung Krokong Settlements
Krokong Based on 2000 census, there
were 68 houses with a After settling down at Kampung Gunung
population of 350 people Krokong sometime in 1843, one row of
staying at Kampung longhouse with a Baruk was built there. Slowly,
Monggak Bijuray. another row of longhouse was constructed to
meet the increasing population of the village. In
In 1998, when the Chief early 1930, there were 4 longhouses consisting
Minister of Sarawak, YAB of 5 doors, 5 doors, 5 doors and 2 doors each
(Dr) Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri being established at the Gunung Krokong.
Abdul Taib Mahmud
declared open the SALCRA (a) Kampung Pisa
oil palm scheme in the area,
he proposed the name of When the land on the top of Gunung Krokong
Kampung Monggak to be was limited for village expansion, the first group
changed to "Kampung of 4 families led by Medilleft Kampung Gunung
Kampung Bijuray" which literally Krokong in 1930. They moved over to Plaman
Peros, Tarik where they stayed for 10 years. However,
means" a place where people
Gunung during Second World War in 1941, the Japanese
Krokong group together for meeting".
Hence, with effect from 1998, army put up an army camp at Plaman Tarik.
(d) Kampung Monggak/Kampung the name of Kampung Monggak was changed Then, the Bidayuh staying there had to shift to
Biiurav to Kampung Bijuray. Sungai Pedeh where they built a new settlement.
Due to constant flooding at Sungai Pedeh
Kampung MonggakjBijuray is a new village. In (e) Kampung Kaman especially during rainy days, the group decided
1992, Baki ak Jowan led 15 families out of to leave their settlement at Sungai Pedeh. In 1950,
Kampung Pedaun Bawah and moved over to a As far back as 1969, a group of 10 families led by they abandoned the settlement and moved the
200 river called Sungai Monggak where they formed Nadot ak Sirul started paddy farming along whole village to the present Kampung Pisa. The

~
Sungai Kaman. After they had established their
Plaman/ farming land there, they formed a new
village called Kampung Kaman in 1980 and the
pioneer Nadot ak Sirul was appointed as the
headman for the newly formed Kampung
Kaman on 11-7-1980. According to T.K. Nadot
ak Sirul, the name "Kaman" actually was the
name of an old man who had skin disease. He
used to take the bath at the river and, hence, at
the later stage, whoever went to the river would
call the place Sungai Kaman. Hence, the village
was known as Kampung Kaman. Based on 2000
census,oKampung Kaman has 45 individual
houses with a population of 359 people.
(2) Gunung Krokong Settlements
After settling down at Kampung Gunung
Krokong sometime in 1843, one row of
longhouse with a Baruk was built there. Slowly,
another row of longhouse was constructed to
meet the increasing population of the village. In
early 1930, there were 4 longhouses consisting
of 5 doors, 5 doors, 5 doors and 2 doors each
being established at the Gunung Krokong.
(a) Kampung Pisa
When the land on the top of Gunung Krokong
was limited for village expansion, the first group
of 4 families led by Medilleft Kampung Gunung
Krokong in 1930. They moved over to Plaman
Tarik where they stayed for 10 years. However,
during Second World Warin 1941, the Japanese
army put up an army camp at Plaman Tarik.
Then, the Bidayuh staying there had to shift to
Sungai Pedeh where they built a new settlement.
Due to constant flooding at Sungai Pedeh
especially during rainy days, the group decided
to leave their settlement at Sungai Pedeh. In 1950,
they abandoned the settlement and moved the
whole village to the present Kampung Pisa. The
word "Pisa" in Bidayuh dialect is the name of a
kind of bamboo in the area. In 1954, James Manis
brought the villagers to embrace to Christianity.
In 1958, Saweng ak Medil was appointed as the
first headman of Kampung Pis a by the Colonial
Government of Sarawak. In 1991, when Saweng
ak MediI passed away, Ahsey ak Rani became
the second headman on 1-7-1985 and he is still
serving in the village. In 2000, there were 61
houses with a population of 302 people staying
at Kampung Pisa.
I
(b) Kampung Puak
illl: Ii
Sometime in 1960s, Majing @Majim ak Pitot led II
20 families out of Kampung Gunung Krokong
and moved over to a river called Sungai Puak
where they created a new farming land/ Plaman
for padi cultivation. The pioneer Majing @Majim
ak Pitot was appointed as the first headman on
Ilr I: :
1-7-1980 and he is still serving Kampung Puak
until today. Slowly more families came down IIII!"'II
from Gunung Krokong to join the group at I
Kampung Puak. In 1980, when Kampung Puak
III
was fully established, there were 34 families in
the village. In 1982, a primary school known as ,. II
Sekolah Kebangsaan Puak was established at the
Kampung so that the children could attend their III
primary education. The villagers remained as
pagans for more than 20 years. Around 1983,
Kulim ak Taen headed a group of villagers to
accept Roman Catholic Christianity in the illl II I
village. Based on 2000 census, there were 56 III ,III
houses with a population of 231 people staying 11\1111 III
at Kampung Puak.
III
Kampung Puak is the home village of Dr.Patau
I II," I
Rubis, the former Member of Council Negeri for
Tasik Biru, former Member of Parliamant for Mas
Gading and former State Assistant Minister for 1]1)111111 ;:1
Finance and Utilities who was born there on
201 II NI'
21-3-1946 but brought up at Kampung Blimbin.
I!,I II
I I [
 (d) Kampung Gunung Krokong Peros (d) Name of Kampun~ Tua-tua KampuJ
year 2000.
At the later part of 1959, Caduo ak Regus brought
the remaining 20 families at Kampung Gunung In the year 2000, there were altogether 15 Kampung
Krokong down to the plain and established a Tringgus/Gumbang areas.
new settlement at Sungai Peros. They called the
... settlement Kampung Gunung Krokong Peros.
No Name of Kampungs Naml
After the establishment of Kampung Krokong

~
Peros, the old settlement at Gunung Krokong 1. Krokong Peros Cadu
was abandoned. They built a 20-door longhouse
at the new settlement but in 2001, there was only 2. Krokong Blimbin Jome!
J ~ a 3-door longhouse left at Kampung Gunung
Krokong Peros in the midst of individual houses. 3. Krokong Bijongan/Buta Juhed
Dr. Patau Rubis Caduo ak Regus was appointed as the first
headman for Kampung Gunung Krokong Peros 4. Ahse'
Krokong Pis a
on 1-7-1980 and he is still serving the village.
(c) Kampung Batu Sepit Kampung Gunung Krokong Peros has become 5. Batu Sepit Noya
the "Kampung Contoh" in Bau District. It was
In 1959, only 2 longhouses left in Kampung selected as a Kampung Contoh at village level 6. Krokong Puak Majin
in 1986, at district level in 1997 and at Divisional ak Pit
Gunung Krokong. Under the leadership of
Noyak ak Semon, a group of 17 families left the Level in 1998. A project fund worth RM18,000 1-
old viIlage at Gunung Krokong and settled down was awarded by the Government to Kampung 7. Pedaun Bawah Chipc
at the surrounding area at Batu Sepit. In the Peros and the money was used for the
olden days, there was a small footpath passing construction of a new community hall in the 8. Krokong Kaman Nadp
through a very narrow rocky passage. Hence, the village. In the 1950, a primary school known as
St. Patrick's Primary School was established and 9. Bijurayl Monggak Bakia
place was named "Batu Sepit" which means
in 1952, St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church was
"Narrow rocky passage". However, in 1957, the
built at Krokong. Both the school and the church 10. Tringgus Rabak Rotan Baru Toe al
narrow rocky passage was blasted for the
construction of Baul Krokong Road. According were shared by the people from Kampung Peros,
Kampung Pisa, Kampung Batu Sepit, Kampung 11. Tringgus Matan/Nguan SmaJ1
to Tua Kampung Noyak ak Semon whom I
interviewed on 30-3-2001, he said that from 1959 Blimbin and Kampung Kaman. In 2000, there
were 64 houses with a population of 401 people 12. Gumbang Keelir
until 1980, Kampung Batu Sepit was still under
the administration of Tua Kampung Regus @ staying at Kampung Krokong Peros.
13. Padang Pan Liboh
Regas of Kampung Gunung Krokong. Noyak ak
Semon was officially appointed as the first (c) List of Name of Penghulu in
14. Gumbang Ledan BatanJ
headman of Kampung Batu Sepit on 1-7-1980 Krokong Area.
and he is still holding the post. In 1970, William Name of Period 15. Magie
Home Kampung Pangkalan Tebang
Bihai led the villagers to accept Roman Catholic Penghulu
Christianity. There were 67 houses and 425 From
Asong ak Kg. Kaman
people staying at Kampung Batu Sepit in 2000. Johar 31.5.1986 l Total
202 until tod

~
 (d) Name of Kampun2:s. Tua-tua Kampun2: and Population of Krokon s Area in the
year 2000.

In the year 2000, there were altogether 15 Kampungs with 951 doors and population of 5,433 in Krokongj
TringgusjGumbang areas. iili

No Name of Kampungs Name of Headman No.of Houses Population

III

1. Krokong Peros Caduo ak. Regus 64 401 III

III

2. Krokong Blimbin Jomet ak Rubis 86 445

3. Krokong Bijonganj Buta Juhed ak. Gindey 50 210

4. Krokong Pis a Ahsey ak Rani 61 302

5. Batu Sepit Noyak ak. Semon 67 425

6. Krokong Puak Majing @Majim 56 231

ak Pitol

7. Pedaun Bawah Chipok ak Laip 35 180 ~I

8. Krokong Kaman Nadot ak Sirul 45 359

9. Bijurayj Monggak Baki ak Jowan 68 350 I

I
10. Tringgus Rabak Rotan Baru Toe akNew 54 400

11. Tringgus Matan j Nguan Sman ak Asem 102 717

II
Keelim ak Nilam 120 600 ,
12. Gumbang I

13. Padang Pan Liboh ak. Nawat 61 384 I lib

14. Gumbang Ledan Batang ak Najo 52 202

)1:'11

15. Pangkalan Tebang Magie ak Moyah 30 227 :::11I11'1

1:1

951 I I I
I
Total 5,433
203
Ii till

lillllllil I
 (VIII) Gumbang
Settlement

(1) Historical
Background

The Bidayuhs staying in

Kampung Gumbang belong to
a small group of their own.
They were the original
inhabitants staying at Rabak
Jemus near Pangkalan Tebang
a long time ago. While staying
Krokong at Rabak Jemus, they built a
Community Hall. 20-door longhouse and a
Photo taken in 1994
headhouse (Baruk). Around
the foot of Gunung Jemus,
they planted a lot of fruit trees
(e) Summary of Movement of Kampungs in Krokong Area
which are still existing today. The first headman
of Kampung Rabak Jemus was Sanok, followed
by Samut, Simulai, Sibeus, Sinamai and
Simulang. Today, there are 4 settlements namely
Kg Kampung Gumbang, Kampung Pangkalan
Gunung Tebang, Kampung Plaman Pan and Kampung
Krokon J Gumbang Ledan which belong to Gumbang
f,~.
group in Bau.
Kg Batu
Sepit (a) Kampung Gumbang
Kg Peduan
Bawah Sometime in 1800s when Simulang was th~
Kg headman, the Bidayuhs staying at Rabak Jemus
Peduan were attacked by the enemies from elsewhere.
The longhouse and the Head-house were burnt
down and many of them were kiIled by the
enemies. Those who survived left Kampung
Rabak Jemus. Sasu and Kalos who led 8 families
migrated over to the foot of Gunung Api where
they settled down along Sungai Gumbang. Then
they called the new settlement Kampung
Gumbang where they built a row of longhouse
and a Baruk Head-house. While staying at
204
Kampung Gumbang, there was a complete peace

~
 II,

II

li:1i
(VIII) Gumbang
Settlement

(1) Historical
Background

The Bidayuhs staying in

Kampung Gumbang belong to
a small group of their own.
They were the original
inhabitants staying at Rabak Abandoned
Jemus near Pangkalan Tebang Rabak II

a long time ago. While staying Jemus II

III

at Rabak Jemus, they built a Settlement

20-door longhouse and a near I III

headhouse (Baruk). Around Pangkalan

the foot of Gunung Jemus, Tebang ~: "
they planted a lot of fruit trees II,
which are still existing today. The first headman and population increased. There was a group led
of Kampung Rabak Jemus was Sanok, followed by Kobang Koma who migrated from Rabak Illf
Mikabuh, Penrissen to Kampung Gumbang. "I'I
by Samut, Simulai, Sibeus, Sinamai and
Simulang. Today, there are 4 settlements namely They settled down together with the group led Ililll

Kampung Gumbang, Kampung Pangkalan by Sasu and Kalos from Rabak Jemus. Kedat was III

Tebang, Kampung Plaman Pan and Kampung appointed as the first Orang Kaya (Tua
Gumbang Ledan which belong to Gumbang Kampung) for Kampung Gumbang by the
group in Bau. Brunei Authority in 1830s, followed by Murung,
Bisak, Kitong, Singaw, Sakup, Ahem ak Nayang, 'I '

Johed and the present headman, T.K. Keelim ak

(a) Kampung Gumbang
Sometime in 1800s when Simulang was the
headman, the Bidayuhs staying at Rabak Jemus
:11.I
Nilam who was appointed on 7-9-1995. On 25-
11-1845, when Hugh Low visited Kampung
Gumbang, he described that the village had sixty III!II

were attacked by the enemies from elsewhere. houses built in several rows and had two IIII

The longhouse and the Head-house were burnt Headhouses (Baruks). During the visit of Hugh I" :11.

down and many of them were killed by the Low, Bisak was the Orang Kaya (Tua Kampung) IIII111III
enemies. Those who survived left Kampung of Kampung Gumbang.
Rabak Jemus. Sasu and Kalos who led 8 families I

migrated over to the foot of Gunung Api where Since the establishment of Kampung Gumbang, ill:II;11

they settled down along Sungai Gumbang. Then
they called the new settlement Kampung
Gumbang where they built a row of longhouse
and a Baruk Head-house. While staying at
Kampung Gumbang, there was a complete peace
the Bidayuh Gumbang continued to practise
their old pagan Adats. In 1923, there were 3
Baruks known as Baruk Luban, Baruk Namuh " I
and Baruk Dieg being established at Kampung 205
Gumbang. Today, there is one Baruk Namuh left 111'11'
" II
III

::1111. [

Kampung
Gumbang.
Baruk
Namuh is
in the
background
at the village for the remaining pagan villagers
to conduct their Adats there. In 1959, a primary
school known as Sekolah Rendah Kerajaan
Gumbang was established at Kampung
Gumbang. However, the name of the school was
known as Sekolah Kebangsaan Gumbang with
effect from 1997. In 1979, Roman Catholic
Christianity started to extend its influence to the
village. A group of the villagers were converted
to Roman Catholic Christianity and a church
known as St. Nicholas's Roman Catholic was
built in 1986. In 2001, there were more than 50%
of the Bidayuh Gumbang still believing the old
pagan Adat. In 2000, there were 120 houses and
600 people staying at Kampung Gumbang.
Baruk Namuh was built sometime in the year
1950. It has a square base of 40 feet and with a
conical roof. The roofing originally made of
Attap was replaced with zinc sheets by the
206 British Army during Malaysiaj Indonesia
Confrontation i~ 1963. The Baruk sitting on piles
is about 8 feet from the
ground. The floor is
made of bamboo strips
and the planks and
bamboo strips are used
for the walling. Inside
the Baruk, there is a
fireplace at the centre.
Three So bangs
measuring 20 feet, 16
feet and 6 feet long are
found in the house.
There are 9 skulls and
some deer horns being
kept in the Headhouse.
In 1980s, it took about
half an hour using a
Land Cruiser to travel
from Bau Town
through the gravel road to Kampung Bogag.
From Bogag, it took four hours to walk through
the secondary jungle and farmland to reach
Kampung Gumbang. Today, one can drive a car
through the 23-kilometre road from Bau to
Kampung Gumbang in half an hour's time.
(b) Kampung PangkaIan Tebang
The increase of population and the shortage of
farming land around the foot of Gunung Api
caused the migration of the people from
Kampung Gumbang. Sometime in 1930, Barung
ak .Sayon led a small group from Kampung
Gumbang and settled down at Pangkalan
Tebang. During Second World War from 1941-
1945, Japanese army was stationed in the area to
mine mercury at Gunung Tading. Nyaung ak
Sayon who stayed around the area was asked to
clear the landing place. In Bidayuh dialect,
"Pangkalan Tebang" means "cleared landing
place". Today, Kampung Pangkalan Tebang is a
~
mixed group of the Bidayuhs from Gumbanl
and Tringgus. In 1988, there were only 10 house:
with a population of 56 people but in the yea]
2000, the number of houses had increased to 5~
with a population of 301 and the presenl
headman is T.K. Magie ak Moyah who wa~
appointed since 10-10-1986. There is a smal]
bazaar known as Pangkalan Tebang Bazaar
established at the side of the village.
(c) Kampung Plaman Pan
Kampung Plaman Pan is a new village. In 1974,
a group of 15 families headed by Langu ak Sedon
moved down from Kampung Gumbang and
settled down on the lowland at Kampung
PIaman Pan. The word "Pan" in Bidayuh dialect
means "Earthworm" because there were a lot of
earthworms in Plaman Pan in those days. In
1975, Ahem ak Nayang was appointed as the first
headman of Kampung Plaman Pan and Liboh
ak Nawat became the second Tua Kampung with
effect from 9-6-1987. In 1984, a Head-hous~
(Baruk) was built in the village so that the pagan
villagers could practise their old pagan Adats.
In 1984, a group headed by Mikol ak Minyoi of
Kampung Plaman Pan embraced Roman
Catholic Christianity and in 1986, a chapel
known as St. Gonzaro Garagga Church was
established in the village. Based on 2000 census,
Kampung Plaman Pan had 61 houses and with
a population of 384.
(d) Kampung Gumbang Ledan
Kampung Gumbang Ledan is also a new village.
In 1976, another group led by Reka ak Nyoung
moved over to the foot of Gunung Ledan along
the present BaujPangkalan Tebang Road. They
built individual houses and, hence, they
established a new settlement called Kampung
Gumbang Ledan. In 1992 when the village was
 Ii
II

II

mixed group of the Bidayuhs from Gumbang fully established, Batang ak Najo was appointed
and Tringgus. In 1988, there were only 10 houses as the headman of Kampung Gumbang Ledan
on 1-11-1998. Based on 2000 census, there were
with a population of 56 people but in the year
2000, the number of houses had increased to 59 25 houses with a population of 202 staying at
with a population of 301 and the present Kampung Gumbang Ledan.
headman is T.K. Magie ak Moyah who was
appointed since 10-10-1986. There is a small (e) Summary of Movements of
bazaar known as Pangkalan Tebang Bazaar Kampungs in Gumbang Area
established at the side of the village.
Kg Plaman
(c) Kampung Plaman Pan Pan

Kampung Plaman Pan is a new village. In 1974,

a group of 15 families headed by Langu ak Sedon Kampung
Gumbang II
moved down from Kampung Gumbang and Bung Rabak Kampung
settled down on the lowland at Kampung I
Jemus Gumbang
Plaman Pan. The word "Pan" in Bidayuh dialect Kampung
means "Earthworm" because there were a lot of Gum Dang
earthworms in Plaman Pan in those days. In Ledan
1975, Ahem ak Nayang was appointed as the first
headman of Kampung Plaman Pan and Liboh Kampung
ak Nawat became the second Tua Kampung with Pangkalan
effect from 9-6-1987. In 1984, a Head-house Teban
(Baruk) was built in the village so that the pagan (mixed group
villagers could practise their old pagan Adats. with Tringgus) I
I
In 1984, a group headed by Mikol ak Minyoi of
(IX) Tringgus Settlement I:
Kampung PIa man Pan embraced Roman
Catholic Christianity and in 1986, a chapel
known as St. Gonzaro Garagga Church was (a) Historical Backeround
/,
established in the village. Based on 2000 census,
Kampung Plaman Pan had 61 houses and with The Bidayuh of Tringgus is among the smallest
a population of 384. group in Bau District. According to Ex-Tua
Kampung Yasi ak Abong, the Bidayuh Tringgus
(d) Kamvune Gumbane Ledan were the original inhabitants of Kampung
Tringgus Rayawhich was established at the foot
Kampung Gumbang Ledan is also a new village. of Gunung Sibelih along the border line between
In 1976, another group led by Reka ak Nyoung Sarawak and Kalimantan Barat Indonesia a long 'nl

moved over to the foot of Gunung Ledan along
the present BaujPangkalan Tebang Road. They
built individual houses and, hence, they
established a new settlement called Kampung
Gumbang Ledan. In 1992 when the village was
time ago. They built a longhouse and one Head-
house (Baruk) in Kampung Tringgus Raya. The
old settlement is two hours on foot from
Kampung Tringgus Rabak Rotan at Sungai 207
Pedeh, Sarawak. In 1847, Noel Dension who was IUII'IIIIII

~
 the Assistant Resident of Upper Sarawak visited created new settlements in the following areas:-
__ - 'I
Kampung Tringgus. He commented that the
Baruk of Kampung Tringgus was small and dirty. (1) Kampung Tringgus Sang,
In the past, there were a lot of intermarriages (2) Kampung Tringgus Matang,
taken place between the Bidayuh of Tringgus
and the Bidayuh from Gahung of Kalimantan (3) Kampung Tringgus Wak, and
Barat, Indonesia. In actual fact, the Bidayuh
staying at Tringgus was a mixed group of (4) Kampung Plaman Pasoh.
Tringgus and Gahung. The first Orang Kaya (Tua
Kampung) was Ruwen. There were altogether In July 1953, Peter Howes and his group on their
seven headmen being appointed from Ruwen way back from Sungkung, Kalimantan Barat,
I"
~
until the present, Tua Kampung Toe ak New, Indonesia did pass through Tringgus area. They
-"" .;10 ~ ; ,.:..
. - who was appointed in 1999 and he is still serving spent a night at Tringgus Bering which he
.. as the headman in the village. described, "Not really a village but a cluster of
five or six huts inhabited by people from
- (b) Movementof Kampungs Tringgus who wanted better farming land". The
following day, they passed through Kampung
<:<"" oJ
In 1825, Bai Upet and his family left Kampung Tringgus, he said, "the Land Dayak longhouse,
Tringgus Raya to look for new farming land. They sprawling high on the slope which had been
Up-River Agent Nain ak Reka on the left with went to Gahung where they stayed for a while. over-farmed and was now a sea of Imperata
Author on the right. After that they moved to Pibi and finally they grass. There was hardly a soul in the longhouse.
Photo taken in front of Kampung Tringgus Baruk settled down at Semban Hill in Padawan area It was a lonely spot and all around a Penine
where they created a emptiness" (Howes p.250). In 1963, during the
Kampung new village known as Malaysia/Indonesia confrontation, there were,
Rabak
j,;(, Kampung Semban many communists' subversive activities along
Rotan III""
.<~
sometime in 1830s. This Sarawak/Indonesia Border especially around
Tringgus
,~ was the first migration of Tringgus area. The Bidayuh Tringgus had been
;"11:I threatened to supply food and provide shelter
-', the Bidayuh from
"
Kampung Tringgus to the communists. Upon the advice of the
Raya to other area Malaysian Army and on the ground of security,
beyond Bau District. Tua Kampung Yasi ak Abong led the Bidayuhs
-.~ from all the four Kampungs to Sedoh where they
I'
t.. .~ ,
'''''
In 1946, due to the
increase of population
established one settlement for all the four
villages known as Kampung Tringgus Sedoh.
I
1:
" and shortage of farming When the Malaysia/Indonesia confrontation
land around Gunung was over and peace was restored along the,

( ~,
.,

f1.1 ,
Sibelih, the whole group
led by Siak abandoned
Kampung Tringgus
border areas, the Bidayuh at Kampung Tringgus
Sedoh split into 3 groups and moved out of the
village in 1979. They established Kampung
-1)' Raya and they migrated Tringgus Bong along Sungai Bong, Kampung
208 f " "
~~ t L_ p
,~ ~'\,;...r'l>.
'.Lo-
further inside
Sarawak Territory and
the

~

created new settlements in the following areas:-
(1) Kampung Tringgus Sang,
(2) Kampung Tringgus Matang,
(3) Kampung Tringgus Wak, and
(4) Kampung Plaman Pasoh.
In July 1953, Peter Howes and his group on their
way back from Sungkung, Kalimantan Barat,
Indonesia did pass through Tringgus area. They
spent a night at Tringgus Bering which he
described, "Not really a village but a cluster of
five or six huts inhabited by people from
Tringgus who wanted better farming land". The
following day, they passed through Kampung
Tringgus, he said, "the Land Dayak longhouse,
sprawling high on the slope which had been
over-farmed and was now a sea of Imperata
grass. There was hardly a soul in the longhouse.
It was a lonely spot and all around a Penine
emptiness" (Howes p.250). In 1963, during the
Malaysia/Indonesia confrontation, there were
many communists' subversive activities along
Sarawak/Indonesia Border especially around
Tringgus area. The Bidayuh Tringgus had been
threatened to supply food and provide shelter
to the communists. Upon the advice of the
Malaysian Army and on the ground of security,
Tua Kampung Yasi ak Abong led the Bidayuhs
from all the four Kampungs to Sedoh where they
established one settlement for all the four
villages known as Kampung Tringgus Sedoh.
When the Malaysia/Indonesia confrontation
was over and peace was restored along the
border areas, the Bidayuh at Kampung Tringgus
Sedoh split into 3 groups and moved out of the
village in 1979. They established Kampung
Tringgus Bong along Sungai Bong, Kampung
Ii "
II
I
:1; IIIII ~.
Tringgus Rabak Rotan where there are a lot of
Rotan on the flatland and Kampung Tringgus
Awarn along Sungai Awam. Atthe moment, Tua
Kampung Toe ak New who was appointed on
1-5-1997 is looking after the village affair of
Kampung Tringgus Baru (Bong) and Kampung
Tringgus Rabak Rotan whereas Kampung
Tringgus Matan/Nguan (Awam) is under the
care of Tua Kampung Seman ak Asem who was
appointed on 1-7-1980. In 1980, the Government
built a primary school known as SK Tringgus in
the village so that the children could receive the
primary education in their own Kampung.
Traditionally, Tringgus settlement is a pagan
area. However, in 1990, a group of Bidayuh led
by Sylvester Bungas were converted to Roman
Catholic Christianity and a church known as St.
Sylvester's Roman Catholic Church was built.
Today, there are 40% of the Bidayuh Tringgus
who are still pagans believing in the old Adat. A
new eight-sided Head-house (Baruk) was rebuilt
at Kampung Tringgus Rotan in 1991 and it is still
well maintained by the pagan group. Based on
2000 census, there were 54 houses with a
population of 400 people staying at Kampung
Tringgus Rabak Rotan Baru whereas there were
102 houses with a population of 717 people living
at Kampung Tringgus Matan/Nguan.
In the olden days until 1980s, it took about half
an hour by car to travel on a gravel road from II
Bau Town to Krokong and from Krokong, it took
almost four hours by longboat to reach
PangkaIan Tebang. From Pangkalan Tebang, it
took another three hours on foot to Kampung
Tringgus Rabak Rotan. Today, it takes about half II1II
an hour to travel by car through the 23-kilometre
tar-sealed road from Bau Town to Kampung III
Tringgus Rabak Rotan.
I~ jllil
209
I rlu 111'1 I
It
IIII~
II
 -,

(c) Summary of the Movement of Kampungs in Tringgus Settlement In 1987, Bidayuh population in Bau Distric
could be classified into the following areas:-

Tringgus Kg No. Area No. of

Sang h Tringgus
Bong
Houses
Population

1. Bratak 776 4,989

I I I
Tringgus 2. Singai 966 4,924

Tringgus
Raya

(Gunung
H
I
I
I

I
Matang

Tringgus
Wak
I
I H
Tringgus
Sedoh
m Tringgus
RabakKgRotan
3.
4.
5.
Krokong
Jagoi
Serembu
333
789
813
1,676
3,816
5,606
Sibelih) I 6. Others 272 1,412
Kg
Plaman
Tringgus Total: 3,949 22,423
Pasoh Awam

I From the above data, we can analyze thE

Kampung movement of Bidayuh population as follows:-
Semban According to "Notes on the Land Dayak oj
Sarawak Proper" by N. Denison, the populatior
(Padawan) of the Land Dayak (Bidayuh) in Bau in 1871 waE
4,852. (Denison, 5). The details are as follows:-

(X) Bidayuh Population in Bau No. Area Population

1. Serembu 954
The following population data and figures of the Bidayuhs in Bau are collected as far back as 1871 to
2000. 2. 1,108
Singai
Year Population Annual Growth Remarks 3. Sauh (Bratak and 1,446
Rate (%)
Jagoi areas)
1871 4,852 - Sarawak Gazette No. 124dated 10.10.1876(P.6.) 4. 867
Gumbang
1947 9,525 1.0% Figure based on 1947Census Report (P.81) 5. 477
Tringgus
1960 13,057 2.4% Figure based on 1960Census Report (P.121) Total: 4,852
1970 18,586 3.5% Figure based on 1970 Census Report (P.97)
1980 21420 1.3% Figure based on 1986Sarawak Annual Statistic Bulletin (P.13)
1987 22,423 0.8% Based on locality data collected by Statistics Dept., Sarawak as at 1987
1991 23,413 Based on 1991 Census Report
210 2000 29,215 Based on Yearbook of Statistics 2001Sarawak

~
In 1987, Bidayuh population in Bau District There was no further record on the population
could be classified into the following areas:- of the Bidayuh until 1947. Before Second World
- War, the increase of Bidayuh population in Bau
No. I Area I No.of Population
I
was negligible. According to the official report,
Houses the Bidayuh population in 1947 was 9,525.After
1. I Bratak I 776 4,989 a period of 13 years, the population rose to
13,057, an increase of 2.4%. This was mainly due
2. I Singai 966 4,924 to the fact that after Second World War, there was
3. 333 1,676 a period of peace conducive to population
I Krokong
growth and there were some migrations of the
4. I Jagoi 789 3,816 Bidayuh from Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia to the
5. I Serembu 813 5,606 Bidayuh villages along the border. In between
1960-1970, there was a greater increase of 5,529
6. I Others 272 1,412 persons, an annual increase of 3.5%.The increase
Total: 3,949 22,423 could be contributed to the fact that the Bidayuhs
were more settled down. However; in between
From the above data, we can analyze the 1970- 1980, there was an increase of only 2,629
movement of Bidayuh population as follows:- persons, an increase of 1.3% per annum and
between 1980- 1987, there was an increase of
According to "Notes on the Land Dayak of
Sarawak Proper" by N. Denison, the population 1,203 persons, an increase of 0.8% only. This was
of the Land Dayak (Bidayuh) in Bau in 1871 was mainly due to the urban migration of Bau
4,852. (Denison, 5). The details are as follows:- Bidayuhs to other places especially on
employment in government and private sectors.
No. I Area I Population In 1991, based on Census record, there were
- 23,413 Bidayuhs in Bau District. However, from
1. 954 1999 to 2000, there was a great increase of 5,802
2. I Serembu
Singai 1,108 Bidayuhs population up to 29,215 based on
Yearbook of Statistics 2001 Sarawak.
3. I Sauh (Bratakand 1,446
Jagoi areas)
4. I Gumbang 867
5. I Tringgus 477
Total: 4,852