‘Penan resource tenure and mode of life’ talk June 30

KUCHING: Jayl Langub, a retired civil servant and currently an associate research fellow at the Institute of Borneo Studies in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ( Unimas) will be the speaker at the talk on the topic of ‘ Penan resource tenure and mode of life’.

According to Friends of Sarawak Museum group, the public talk – in English – will be held at the 14 Chairs Room of the Old Courthouse here on June 30, starting 10.30am.

Registration for the event is free.

“For generations the Penan have made a living and maintain a longterm relationship with the land and forest. In their interactions with the surrounding area, the Penan have left their ‘ footprints’ (uban) through a series of former campsites (‘la’a’ in Eastern Penan; ‘ laa’ lamin’ in Western Penan) over the landscape, as they moved from one resource-area to another within a specific river system or area.

“As they harvest resources they establish ‘ tenure’ (olong) over them to ensure systematic management. The practice of leaving behind their ‘ footprints’ and the idea of a resource tenure system are ways they establish a long-term relationship with, and rights to the land and its resources,” the group said in a press statement yesterday.

“The Penan have a word ‘tawai’ that expresses in a particular way their sentiment to the landscape. It binds the group and individuals to the landscape. Penans’ feeling for the landscape, expressed through ‘tawai’, is told and retold through ‘ tesok’ (oral narratives) to succeeding generations. It is also expressed and passed down the generations through ‘sinui’ (Western Penan) or ‘jajan’ (Eastern Penan) sung for entertainment,” the statement added.

Friends of Sarawak Museum can be reached at 012-8550588.