MUKAH: A method of using puppets known as ‘belum’ in Dalat Melanau dialect and ‘dakan’ in Mukah Melanau dialect used to play a significant role as a traditional healing treatment for various diseases.
These puppets were part of the Melanau’s traditional healing rituals once upon a time and are still used by some pagan (no religion yet) members of the Melanau community.
However, each of them has a different carving pattern with a role of its own.
Dakan or belum is a statue made of tree branches that is carved using a wooden knife and the material is from the flesh of the sago tree known as ‘betok balau’ and ‘balau’ leather can also be used to carve the statue.
According to Tommy Black, keeper of the Sapan Puloh Museum in Tellian Tengah Village here, the use of the statues as the central medium for transferring the disease experienced by patient is among the traditional treatment methods of ancient Melanau people. It was a traditional treatment with mystical and supernatural elements.
The late Petran Lebai from Kampung Tellian Ulu and Ya Galau from Kampung
Sungai Ud, Dalat; both practiced their own way and in parallel with what had been passed down to them.
For example, if there is a patient who suffers from abdominal pain, they or Petran will carve the puppet specifically reserved for stomachache by sprinkling betel and the patient’s name will be mentioned at that time.
Then lime will be used to taint or in other words the dakan will be labelled as to representing the patient.
Before the dakan is sprayed with betel water, Petran will cast a spell
or ‘menyumbar’. The patient is believed to recover in one week’s period.
According to him, in the course of time most of the traditional medication methods had slowly faded, especially when most Melanau had adhered to the teachings of their religion like Islam, Christianity and other religious beliefs.
“Many old customs left by our ancestors have also vanished because they violate the current religious values.” he said.
As a result of the latest references and information, there is a dakan or belum sculptor from Kampung Muara Sungai Ud in Dalat, Ya Galau or known as Wak Ya who has carved a few dakan statues to be exhibited in museums around Sarawak and is one of the old sculptors referred by Tommy Black.
Ya in Dalat, while Petran Lebai in Kampung Tellian Ulu acquired Melanau medicine practice as early as aged 12 which was learned from their grandparents who were traditional healers using dakan around 200 years ago.
Now, Ya has reached over 70 years of age while Petran Lebai had already died in the early 1990s.
Dakan or belum has a variety of species and sizes and there are even many types, distinctive shapes and names. Among the acknowledged names are Dakan Sebulang Langit, Jakau Nerading, Belagan Siau, Balun Belaga, Naga Pemalei or Naga Pekulieng, Bu’aw Tow, Pulum, Duhig Balow, Belalangan Yang, Naga Sebalun, Naga Semalayang, Naga Pesilieng and many more.
Dakan Buau or Bu’ aw was made as the housekeeper, Dakan Duhig Yang made to treat dizziness and palpitations while Dakan Jin Betapa is used to treat body aches.
Meanwhile Sebulang Langit is used to treat headaches. Naga Pesileing or Naga Terbang of hundreds of years old is now a museum treasure at the Sapan Puloh Museum.
For more information on the remaining dakan contact Tommy Black at 0198781545 or through Facebook page Sapan Puloh Sungai Teloh.
