The Tomb of Layo situated across Belaga, on the opposite bank of Rajang River.
KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Culture and Heritage Liwan Lagang will look into the possibility of making the Tomb of Layo Abun @ Puso in Belaga a heritage site for Sarawak.
He said the site was the burial ground of prominent leaders and royal families of the Sekapang/Kajang/Kejeman tribes who occupied Belaga.
“The late Temenggong Matu Puso is also buried there,” Liwan told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Meanwhile, according to Among Matu, the grandson of Layo, the land now occupied by Belaga town itself used to be owned by their family who is of mixed Kajang, Kejeman and Sekapan tribes.
“My family is the descendants of Lake Dian, a Kajang/Sekapan royal family. Our ancestors used to own the land where Belaga town is now situated.
“We gave up the land for the building of the town which is now occupied by other races.
“My ancestors used to be important leaders who dealt directly with the Sultan of Brunei and the Brooke family. We were given two cannons, one by the Sultan of Brunei and the other by the Brooke family to protect our part of Sarawak from outside threats,” said Among. Among did not mind giving up the land for development.
However, he hoped that the contribution of his ancestors would be remembered by making the Tomb of Layo a heritage site.
Liwan, who is Belaga assemblyman, said some criteria needed to be fulfilled before a place could be registered as a heritage site.
“First of all, the sites or buildings built or in existence before 1940 must be of historical significance to warrant their preservation.
“Secondly, the sites or buildings are of special architectural, artistic or cultural interest or beauty.
“And thirdly, these sites or buildings must be closely associated or connected to the history of Sarawak,” he pointed out.
Liwan said tribes like Sekapang/Kajang and Kejaman were all minority tribes which were on the brink of extinction through assimilation into other bigger tribes such as Kayan and Kenyah.
“Some tribes like the Sihan, the Ukit/Bhukat or the Seping have only one longhouse left. They are at the brink of extinction. If nothing is done to preserve their cultures, they might be gone.”
He thus called on leaders of these minority tribes to form their respective associations.
“Through their own associations, they can apply for funding and organise activities to preserve their cultures.”