After a Decade, Borneo’s Lun Bawang Revive Their Cultural Parade

After more than a decade, the Irau Aco Lun Bawang (IALB) pekerur, or parade, has returned to the streets of Lawas, Sarawak, bringing fresh energy to one of the region’s most important indigenous cultural festivals. Hundreds of participants from 31 contingents marched one kilometer from Hotel Seri Malaysia Lawas to Taman Awam Lawas, dressed in traditional Lun Bawang attire including the bark-based kuyu talun, beaded accessories, and heritage ornaments that symbolize their identity.

For the Lun Bawang, the irau aco, meaning festival, is more than an annual gathering. It strengthens family ties, preserves traditions, and introduces cultural heritage to the younger generation. Now in its 39th year, the event remains one of the most significant ethnic cultural festivals in northern Sarawak.

Why the Parade Matters

The parade included 72-year-old Langub Pengiran, who has worked tirelessly to train children and teenagers in traditional bamboo music. We formed this group to train children to become the future custodians of Lun Bawang culture, he told Bernama. They will be the ones to carry this heritage forward. Langub, head of the Persatuan Generasi Penerus contingent from Kampung Long Tuma, said his students learn the entire process, from harvesting bamboo in the forest to crafting the instruments that produce the right sound. That is the heritage we want to pass on to the younger generation, he added. Most participants in his contingent were primary pupils as young as eight, trained continuously in the village to prevent the traditional music from disappearing.

Kampung Long Sebangang Lama contingent head Loser Sakai, 57, said the village’s participation this year was particularly meaningful as it marked their first appearance in the event. Festivals such as IALB play a crucial role in introducing Lun Bawang culture, customs, and language to young people, he said. Many are no longer fluent in the Lun Bawang language. That is why events like this are important. They provide a platform to reintroduce cultural identity to future generations so it is not lost to time.

Who Are the Lun Bawang?

The Lun Bawang, with an estimated population of around 30,000, mostly live in Sarawak’s northern region, particularly Lawas and Limbang. In Sabah, Brunei, and Indonesia, the community is also known as Lun Dayeh or Lun Dayah.

Support From Local Leaders

IALB organizing chairman Racha Mulong said this year’s event emphasized activities that highlight Lun Bawang culture and traditions, including the revival of the pekerur. This year, we are grateful to have received full support from local elected representatives Datuk Henry Sum Agong, the Lawas MP, and Baru Bian, the Ba’kelalan assemblyman, for the organization of key activities, he said. In addition to the parade, organizers introduced other cultural activities such as akan pemung, or the communal meal, in line with the theme Pitarin Ayu’ Pupu, Tueh Anak Inul, which means Preserving Tradition, Inspiring Generations. Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan also attended.

For a community that values economic freedom and cultural autonomy, the revival of the pekerur is a reminder that preserving heritage is not just about the past. It is an investment in the future, one that requires no government handout, only the will of the people.