The Ibans' Migration to Balingian: Tau River and Bawang River (Part 1)

This article documents the most recent phase of Iban migration to the Balingian region, led by the Iban warrior Undau anak Tadong. Accounts of this migration have been recorded by the Sarawak Museum authority and form part of the broader historical narrative of Iban settlement in central Sarawak.

Link to the journal:

https://fliphtml5.com/nwlxt/oskm/THE_SARAWAK_MUSEUM_JOURNAL_Vol_XLVI/

To situate Undau’s migration within the wider pattern of Iban movements into the Mukah, Balingian, Anap, and Bintulu river systems, it is useful to begin with earlier documented accounts of Iban migration in the region. One such compilation is provided by gnmawar, which brings together historical notes and oral traditions related to early Iban settlements.

According to gnmawar, the earliest Iban migration into the Balingian River was led by Penghulu Umpang:

https://gnmawar.wordpress.com/jerita-lama/iban-migration-peturun-iban/early-iban-migration-part-3/

“From the upper Krian, Penghulu Umpang, the son of Chambai, born at Nanga Dran, Paku, led his people to the Balingian River. He was the first Iban leader to migrate to the Balingian, a river located in today’s Third Division.”

This early movement provides the broader historical framework within which subsequent migrations occurred. It is within this continuum of Iban expansion that the migration led by Undau anak Tadong should be understood.

Undau was an Iban warrior originating from Nanga Kedap, Melupa, Saratok, who led a group migration from Saratok to what is now known as the Balingian District in the Third Division. This phase of migration is of particular importance, as I am a direct descendant of Undau.

This article therefore focuses on Undau’s migration, particularly the routes taken through the Tau River and later the Bawang River, the latter being the location of my longhouse to this day.

Further confirmation of Undau’s migration is recorded in Tusun Terabai (point number 8): https://tusunterabai.wordpress.com/pengingat-bansa/the-history-of-the-people-in-balingian-mukah-sarawak/the-coming-of-the-ibans-to-balingian/

“The latest group of Ibans who migrated to Balingian was led by Undau. He and his followers came from Melupa, Krian in the Kalaka District, Second Division. On their arrival, they settled at Penari on the bank of the Balingian below Bukut. After they had settled there for many years, they moved further up the Balingian River to settle at the mouth of the Beruroh stream, a branch of the Bawang River. Undau died of old age at this place and was succeeded as headman by his son Daji. Upon the death of Daji, his son Balong succeeded him and was still the headman of his house to this day.”

The following accounts are based on oral history passed down by my aunt (Sudau) and are presented here to complement existing written and archival records concerning Iban migration into the Balingian region:

Undau’s Migration from the Tau River to the Bawang River

Undau and his followers initially planned to migrate directly from Krian, Saratok to the Bawang River in the Balingian region. However, this intended movement was delayed by the death of Undau’s daughter, Jaba. As a result, Undau and his followers settled temporarily along the Tau River.

After a period of time, Undau resumed the migration, travelling via an overland route before eventually reaching the Bawang River. In this sense, Undau’s group constituted the second wave of Iban migration to the Bawang River, as the area had already been settled earlier by another group.

Below is another oral history passed down to me by an extended family member:

“Undau anak Tadong datai ari menua Saratok pindah ke Balingian dalam taun 1884. Terubah ya datai alu berumah ba Bukit Penari. Sebedau sidak nguan menua diak, ya dulu minta pemenda ari bangsa Punan benama Buyu Pagun. Pengelama sidak diau ba Bukit Penari kurang lebih dalam lima taun. Udah nya, iya mai bala madik ke Sungai Bawang. Keterubah iya datai ba Bawang, iya berumah ba Nanga Beruroh. Udah lama ke diau diak, iya lalu muka menua siti agi dikumbai Sungai Tau. Pengelama iya diau ba Sungai Tau, umur iya majak tuai lalu parai dalam taun 1910. Sebedau iya parai, iya bisi bepesan ke bala iya, enti iya parai, iya deka dilumbong ba tuchung bukit pengabis tinggi antara Sungai Bawang enggau Sungai Tau, ngambi ke iya ulih meda bala anak enggau ucu iya.”

Translation:

Undau anak Tadong came from the Saratok area and migrated to Balingian in 1884. At first, he and his people built their longhouse at Bukit Penari. Before settling the land, they sought permission from the Punan people, led by a man named Buyu Pagun. They lived at Bukit Penari for approximately five years. After that, they moved further upstream to the Bawang River. When they first arrived in Bawang, they built their longhouse at the mouth of the Beruroh stream (Nanga Beruroh). After living there for a long time, they opened up new land further upstream at a place now known as the Tau River. Undau lived at the Tau River until he passed away at a very old age in 1910. Before his death, he instructed his people that he was to be buried on the highest hilltop between the Bawang River and the Tau River so that he could watch over his children and grandchildren.

It is also recalled that Undau’s story was once broadcast on radio many years ago, a detail that further suggests the broader recognition of the migration led by Undau.

Lineage of Undau’s Descendants

Undau had several children, but the following outlines the direct line of descent relevant to my lineage:

Undau → Daji (his son) → Nuwi (my great-grandmother) → Bari (my grandmother) → Siti (my mother) → me

In essence, I am a sixth-generation descendant of Undau, traced through a matrilineal lineage beginning with Nuwi, followed by Bari, and then Siti. Daji, Undau’s son, had other children besides Nuwi, though my lineage follows Nuwi’s branch.

Additionally, in accordance with Iban custom, an individual may inherit an Iban name from their great-grandparents (aki inek icit). In my case, I was given the name Likan, who was Nuwi’s sister. This practice reflects the importance of ancestral names and continuity within Iban culture.

Therefore, my Iban name is T. J. Likan.

Thus, as a personal encounter with a descendant of Undau, I had the opportunity to meet Balong, Undau’s grandson, during the period when he was still alive, although he had already retired from his role as headman (longhouse chief). He lived to the age of 100 years and, despite his advanced age, was still able to read and tell the time using his watch. That meeting remains my final personal encounter with him.

For full historical and mythical context written by Balong anak Dajie and Nayan anak Nyawai, please refer to the link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VgYhZjQYskljenjy3MVfjTG-OwVP9Wyd/view?usp=sharing

Archive:

Tajau (jars) belonging to my family are part of a deeply rooted Iban tradition. In the past, possession of many tajau was seen as a sign of wealth and prestige within the longhouse, families with more jars were regarded as more prosperous. Traditionally, tajau were used for storing rice, water, or fermenting tuak (rice wine) during festivals such as Gawai. Before money was common, jars served in barter systems, and fine jars were sometimes given as part of dowries or compensation under customary law.

Editorial Note: This is the updated version of the article, based on retrievable sources. Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.