Jerunei

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Kilirieng on display at the Borneo Cultures Museum, Kuching

Jerunei or kilirieng is a totem pole historically set up by the indigenous people across Sarawak, Malaysia, as part of burial ceremonies, especially among the Melanau and Kajang ethnicities.[1]

The jerunei is made of ironwood, being chosen for its durability and availability within the downstream Melanau settlements.[2] Jerunei can be either carved with spirit (antu) illustrations or not, with the latter called kilirieng.[3] Jerunei consists of an upper, middle and bottom parts. The upper part has a compartment for an urn containing the bones of the deceased, and sometimes attached with a female slave.[4][5] The middle and bottom layers would also be fitted with remains.[4] The jerunei is thought to be similar in style with corresponding wooden totem poles among the Kayan and Kenyah ethnicities in Kalimantan, Indonesia.[3]

Constructing a jerunei takes months or years. During the construction duration, the kins of the deceased take effort to cover up the construction costs.[6]

Ceremony

History

References

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