Pua Kumbu (in English)

Well, as I have promised. I will explain a bit about Pua Kumbu. But before I explain what is Pua Kumbu futher, allow me to introduce the background or origin of Pua Kumbu. 

Diagram 1 : Maps of Sarawak

Diagram 2 : Iban Traditional Costumes

Diagram 3 : Iban People

Diagram 4 : Iban People

For your information, pua kumbu is the one of handicrafts that produced by Iban people in Sarawak. Iban people is the largest community in the state Land of the Hornbills. Iban people is not concentrated in rural areas only. Now most of Iban people migrated to the big cities like Kuching, Miri, Bintulu and so on. This is due to the demands of work and educational opportunities.

Whats mean by 'Pua Kumbu'?

I am sure, many of you never know about this Pua Kumbu. So, no doubt why I have chosen this topic as my task.

In the Iban community, 'Pua' means 'blanket' while 'kumbu' means 'veiled or refuge'. This mean, Pua kumbu is use by Iban people as a blanket that they believe can protect them from all things bad or evil.

In the past, pua kumbu used only in certain periods. Iban women also wove intended for specific purposes such as to 'greet head' which refers heads or skulls of enemies those successfully beheaded by her husband or lover after them went hunting or war. In addition, pua kumbu also used in ceremonial bathing the baby, weddings, funerals, rituals ngayau and so on. Therefore, pu kumbu is very exclusive and mystical for the Iban community.

Iban people also strongly believe that with the use of this pua kumbu during the ceremony medication can be wall shield themselves from any disaster that can affect their health.

In addition, weaving pua kumbu is among the most complex to be woven by Iban women. This is because pua kumbu is the one of woven that very delicate arts that need a skill.

Generally, pua kumbu is a traditional legacy of the Iban who have been handed down from generation to generation. Pua kumbu is considered by Iban people as a valuable and precious. Not only because of the subtlety of his art but also due to the inherited from the ancestors of yore. All I can say is, the longer it ages of pua kumbu then, the higher its value.