BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Temburong – Residents and citizens in the Temburong District, including foreign nationals, gathered at areas around the Community Field Complex, Bangar Town yesterday for the get-together ceremony with His Majesty’s the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Borneo Bulletin reported.
The event saw ethnic groups in the district such as the Ibans and Lun Bawangs donning their traditional costume, which they normally wear only during grand celebrations.
A 64-year-old retired government servant from Kampong Ngagalang Iring in Batu Apoi, Mukim Amo, Awg Banging Alias Udan bin Aluk, who led the Lun Bawang community at the parade said that the traditional costume they wore is locally known as “Dakat Talud”.
It is a vest-like shirt made from special wood bark known as “Timbaran”, which will normally take about two to three days to make.
Speaking on the process of making the shirt, Awg Banging Alias Udan said, “First, we have to look for Timbaran in the jungle, and cut it into pieces. Then we have to soak it in the water, as this is to allow the stem to be easily removed from the bark. The next process is to dry the tree bark under the sun. Following that, it will be rolled using the rubber machine to smoothen it. After that, it will go through the drying process once again and finally, cut the tree bark according to the body size. Awg Banging Alias Udan also added that only Timbaran are suitable for making Dakat Talud.
According to him, this is the only type of clothing worn by members of the community in the olden days.
When asked for his thoughts on His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s recent birthday decree regarding the construction of a bridge connecting the Temburong and Brunei-Muara Districts, he said, “I think the people in Temburong really welcome the good news. The construction of the bridge will further boost economic activity and progress, and in addition to that, the people-to-people link will be closer between districts as most of the younger generation are working in Bandar.”
Meanwhile, the Iban community comprising members of the younger generations from various villages including those from Kampong Lepong Lama, also showcased the rich cultural heritage of their community by joining in the parade.