MUKAH: The Mukah Kaul Festival was not celebrated here like in previous years, instead, only the ‘Kakan Kala’ ceremony was conducted at Kala Dana beach as early as 7am.
Kampung Tellian folk prepared light meals in the compounds of their respective homes to ensure that this Melanau custom is not forgotten, even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Suara Sarawak went to the location and found a number of villagers eating in the compounds with family members — a symbolic gesture that all their problems would go away.
Hamlin Snin, 41, said she hoped the ceremony would bring about a change to the current situation.
“The ceremony is carried out every year to ward off bad luck and that we will be protected from illness. Besides that, it’s so that the fishermen’s catch and the farmers’ harvest would be bountiful.”
Sari Anu, 61, who was having meals with her grandchildren, said she wanted things to go back to normal as Covid-19 had brought many challenges.
“We don’t want any more problems. It is difficult for us to go to the market or anywhere because we are afraid for our safety and health.”.
Meanwhile, Benedict Peter, 41, explained that the ritual was done in a small scale.
“This is to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government. For your information, this was actually how it was done back in the old days.
“I hope that next year and for many years to come, the festival would be done in a larger scale so that we can bring back tourists to Mukah.”
Sarinas Linus Peter, 32, admitted that the ceremony and the meals helped to foster closer ties among family members.
“This year, we did not gather with a lot of people and we celebrated with family members instead. This is to follow SOPs from the government.
“Even though we celebrated within the compound of our home only, it was meaningful, and we share the same hope that the pandemic would come to an end soon.”
One of the Melanau customs in practice is that all food served on that day within the home compound cannot be brought into the house. It is preferably to be given to others or pets.
However, within Tapak Kaul Serahang Kakan areas, unfinished food cannot be brought back, often placed under a serahang (structure).
Families gathering for meals in their respective home compounds. 
Families gathering for meals in their respective home compounds. 
Families gathering for meals in their respective home compounds. 
Families gathering for meals in their respective home compounds.
