Punan
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Punan, also known as Punan Bah is an ethnic group distinct from the Penan, and the many so called Punan in both Sarawak and Kalimantan. However, some literatures categorizes them as a sub-ethnic entity of the Penan (Leigh, 2002). However, officially, as under the Sarawak Interpretation Ordinance, the Punan is group together with Sekapan, Kejaman, Lahanan and Sihan as Kajang. They are also included in the politically coined term "Orang Ulu" when Orang Ulu National Association (OUNA) was formed by the Kayans and Kenyahs in 1969.
The Punan are believed to be one of the earliest peoples to have settled in the central part of Borneo, the Rejang and Balui areas together with the Sekapan, Kejaman and Lahanan. However the mass migrations of Kayans, subsequently followed by the warfaring Ibans into Rejang and Balui areas approximately some 200 years ago, forcing the Punan communities living in these areas retreating to Kakus and subsequently to Kemena basin.
Punan has a unigue burial custom. They still practice secondary treatment of the dead. In the early days they did not bury their aristocrats or "lajar". Instead they built a pole known as "Kelirieng" of 50 meter high to lay down their beloved leaders. In Sarawak it is estimated to be less than 30 kelirieng left standing.
As in year 2005, there were more than 10 Punan settlements (longhouses) found along the Rejang, Kakus, Kemena and Jelalong river. These settlements (longhouses) are:
- Punan Lovuk Sama,
- Punan Lovuk Ba,
- Punan Lovuk Biau,
- Punan Lovuk Meluyou,
- Punan Lovuk Lirung Belang (now known as Rumah Ado)
- Punan Lovuk Mina,
- Punan Lovuk Pedan (now Rumah Nyipa Tingang), and
- Punan Lo'o Buong (Jelalong).
Lovuk literally mean longhouse. The total Punan population is estimated to be around 3000 - 5000 in the year, 2005.
