Spooky Mukah: Hanging coffins, burial totems and human sacrifices (Travelogue Day 4). [Newspaper] (2021)
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Abstract
BINTULU, Oct 14: Though the Melanau burial custom sounds spooky, eerie and even cruel at the mention of coffins, burial poles and human sacrifices, those were part of ancient burial rites for Melanau aristocrats ('bangsawan') that are no longer practices by the ethnic community.
Melanaus, in the early days when they had a hierarchy to reflect a man's position in the society, did not bury dead aristocrats. Instead, the bodies were kept in coffins resembling boats made of Bornean ironwood ('belian') and placed on platforms suspended about two metres from the ground.
| Item Type: | Newspaper |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Melanau burial custom, hanging coffins, burial poles, human sacrifices, Melanau aristocrats |
| Taxonomy: | By Niche > Ethnology > Melanau (Malaysian People) > Rites and Ceremonies By Niche > Ethnology > Melanau (Malaysian People) > Social Life and Customs |
| Local Content Hub: | Niche > Melanau |
| Depositing User: | Normah Sadaiee |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Feb 2025 01:56 |
| Last Modified: | 26 Feb 2025 01:56 |
| Related URLs: |
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