The making of 300yo Pua Kumbu: ‘Akik Ungkuk’ promises victory for Iban woman’s husband at war

A lady holds the 300-year-old pua kumbu while Josefine (left) weaves a craft hat during the Borneo Textile Craft (FKTB) 2023 held in conjunction with Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival in Oct 30, 2023.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Jan 2: In the 1720s, an Iban woman named Sudan residing in the interior of Borneo, was separated from her husband who was away for war.

One night, Sudan who was worried sick for her husband’s safety, dreamt of an elderly hunchbacked man, who she believed was ‘Akik Ungkuk’ – a deity who lives on the moon in Iban mythology.

In Iban, ‘Akik’ means ‘grandfather’ while ‘Ungkuk’ which derives from the word ‘bungkuk’ means ‘bent’ because he has a hunchback.

In Sudan’s dream, Akik Ungkuk told her to weave a pua kumbu in honour of him and in return, he would grant victory to Sudan’s husband who is at war, ensuring his safe return.

Following the encounter, Sudan who was 12-years-old at the time, started weaving a pua kumbu the next day.

True enough, Sudan’s husband returned home to his family safe and sound.

A close-up of the 300-year-old pua kumbu.

A close-up of the 300-year-old pua kumbu.

This story was retold by Sudan’s 7th generation descendant Josefine Midong Jubin, 64, who is now the guardian of the special pua kumbu.

DayakDaily had the opportunity to see the exquisite artwork in person during the Borneo Textile Craft (FKTB) 2023 held in conjunction with Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival in October last year.

Measuring 2-meters long and 1.2-meter wide, the pua kumbu features a distinct motif called ‘Buah Niga Bekurung’ resembling a human figure trapped inside a full moon.

The pua kumbu is made from natural dyes of engkudu (morinda citrifolio) and tarum (marsdenia tinctorial).

Josefine Midong Jubin

Josefine, who is a pua kumbu weaver herself stated that her family would hang the 300-year-old masterpiece on the ceiling during Gawai festivals, weddings and other significant occassions.

On normal days, the pua kumbu would be kept locked inside a wardrobe.

“There was one time during Gawai festival in the 1980s when we were carrying out ‘miring’ ritual at the ‘tanju’ (verandah) of our longhouse, the pua kumbu was wet because of the rain.

“That was the only time I had to wash the pua kumbu,” she said.

Josefine also mentioned that she grew up with the whole village calling her by the name of ‘Sudan’ after a lot of her family members including her father had the same dream, telling them to name Josephine after her ancestor.

“This is probably because I am the guardian of this 300-year-old pua kumbu. Therefore, they elevated me by naming me after ‘Sudan’ as the current possessor,” she added.

Today, the pua kumbu’s net worth is estimated at RM130,000.

Nevertheless, Josefine did not reject the idea of selling the pua kumbu to any interested collectors although she prefers to have the masterpiece displayed in the museum, with royalties paid to her family.

Josefine now resides at Rh Unggam Majau, Nanga Entawau, Balleh in Kapit, Sarawak. She can be reached at 013-8049896. — DayakDaily