Earthen Crocodile Effigies of The Iban of Sarawak: A Preliminary Study

In a slightly earlier article (Ipoi, 2011b), the main author has discussed the same subject, albeit, on effigies made by the Lun Bawang of Lawas District in Limbang Division, Sarawak. This latest article is thus useful for comparative and instigative purposes as this subject has not been fully studied by earlier and pioneering researchers on the Iban community, especially with regard to their hill paddy rituals and ceremonies. We hope that comments and reviews would be elicited from with in and outside Sarawak on this matter so that a more comprehensive scenario or picture can be attained. In 2004, the Sarawak Museum initiated survey work on the earthen crocodile effigies (buayeh tana’) made by the Lun Bawang in north-eastern Sarawak. In 2006, it was noted and validated that the Iban community also made similar effigies in Saratok, Betong Division. When it was realised that the Iban traditionally built effigies (baya tanah) as part of their hill paddy rituals, especially mali or ngemali umai, the museum decided to extend the scope of study to Iban dominated areas as well. From 2008, the museum was aptly assisted by researchers from the Centre for Global Archaeological Research Malaysia, University of Science Malaysia, Penang in conducting the surveys. This article is a preliminary report of the joint-research conducted in Iban domains that practically span all over Sarawak, especially in the middle and upper courses of most major rivers. It will touch on the general distribution and features of the effigies, purposes for their construction and reasons for abandonment.