Book Review ‘Pengebumian Keranda Kayu Balak di Kinabatangan, Sabah’ (Malay Version)

Abstract

Written by Stephen Chia, this book is the third publication of the Archeology Series of Prime / Inaugural Archeology Series by Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). This book contains the latest research and data on the burial casket tradition in Kinabatangan Valley, Sabah. Most of the contents discussed in this book are the results of the study conducted in Kinabatangan Valley in 2007 by a writer with a group of researchers from the Global Archeological Research Center (PPAG), USM and Sabah Museum Department. The latest study was conducted in 2010 at Hulu Kinabatangan by writers with researchers from PPAG, USM, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sultan Idris Education University, Department of Museums Malaysia and Yayasan Sabah under the Imbak Canyon Scientific Expedition. The 2007 study was funded by funds from the National Heritage Department, Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture, USM Research University Grant and Short Term USM Grants while the 2010 study was funded by the Ministry of Higher Education Grants with assistance from the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and Yayasan Sabah. The book is divided into five main sections. The front section briefly discusses the history of the study, issues and questions about the burial casket tradition in Kinabatangan. This section also describes the purpose of the studies conducted in 2007 and 2010 as well as the scattering and dating of timber coffin sites in Sabah. The second part discussed in detail the site and type of timber coffin found at Batu Kapur Agop Batu Tulug Complex while the third part describes the site and type of timber coffin available at Batu Kapur Batu Supu
Complex. The fourth part is about the scaffolding sites of other logs such as Sapa Tareng, Agop Pungit, Agop Sarupi and Miasias as well as types of timber coffins. The fifth section provides some information about indigenous communities, especially the Sungai and Murut ethnic groups in the Kinabatangan Valley and the burial casket tradition traditionally practiced by them. The final part concludes the findings of the study and interpretation of the burial casket tradition in Kinabatangan Valley and its relationship with other timber coffin sites in Sabah, Southeast Asia and China. The Kinabatangan Valley in Sabah is known as a tropical forest ecotourism destination and a rich river of flora and fauna. In addition, many know that the Kinabatangan Valley also stores the human cultural treasures, especially the ancient and unique basil culture and traditions of Sabah and Malaysia. The interest in the ancient and mysterious logs of the logs in Kinabatangan Valley began in the late 1960s by the Sarawak Museum curators and his wife at that time, T. Harrisson and B. Harrisson (1969-1970). They have made preliminary surveys of timber coffins in Sabah and recorded a large number of burial casket grounds in Kinabatangan Valley and other areas in eastern Sabah. However, their review does not involve careful research, such as analysis of radiocarbon radiocarbon types and dating, the significance of the polahias motifs found in the coffin and the relationship between timber coffins with local communities in Kinabatangan. In addition to the Kinabatangan Valley, T. Harrisson and B. Harrisson (1969-1970) have also written and published about the discovery of timber coffins in the Segama Valley namely in Gua Tapadong and Batu Blas (Balos), Hagop Bilo and Madai sites in
Madai-Baturong limestone complex and also Sipit Cave in Kunak.