Beads Of Borneo

Heidi Munan is a familiar name among Sarawakians, especially if you're somehow involved in or have an interest in the local material culture - beads in particular. When striking up a conversation with a bead craftswoman during the World Harvest Festival at Sarawak Cultural Village, I mentioned that I was reading Beads of Borneo. The young Baram lady's response was an immediate but not too surprising, “I know Heidi! She and my mother are good friends.”

Beadwork is something most of us have gotten used to seeing, perhaps to the point of taking forgranted. This book eases you into the world of small and sometimes shiny things, beginning with a rundown of Borneo's geography, history and ethnic groups in which beads still feature prominently.

For a land so rich in bead culture, we can only really lay claim on beads of bone, tooth, pebbles and shell dug up in archeological sites. Most beads came to Borneo from overseas. They arrive as part of the international trade, only to soon make their way up and down the river. Beads are used as currency and carried by all traders as a medium of exchange for goods or goodwill.

Chapter Two takes a look at the origins of beads found in Borneo, including a fascinating Kayan origin myth.

Beads have many uses in the Borneo ethnic community. Chapter Three describes how they are used for rituals and spiritual purposes.

Beads are more durable compared to textile, metal and ceramics. It is said that an object that lasts a long time is physically and spiritually strong. The rightful owner can draw strength from it.

Shamans and healers have special beads that nobody else may touch or see. Depending on the group, beads may play the role of strengthening, attracting spirits, or identifying the intermediary between the human and spirit worlds.

Chapter Four tackles the issue of beads as a sign of wealth and status. Precious beads are often passed down to the next generation, but the occasional wealthy person with no close heirs may ask for her beads to be buried with her. She may also ask that the beads be smashed first to thwart grave robbery.

A single bead can be worth hundreds of ringgit. The peerless lukut selaka (or rosette bead), origins still a mystery, is said to be worth a life.

Beads these days are not used to ransom prisoners or work some magic anymore, but they are still used to embellish traditional costumes. They are also very common as souvenir items in the form of costume jewellery, or in the shape of practical items like handphone pouches and lanyards.

Chapter Seven in Beads of Borneo has descriptions and photos of beads which are common or have unusual historical interest, useful for identifying items.

It's good to know that the bead culture of Borneo is not in any danger of dying out, but I'm one of those people who believe we should take some time to learn where it all came from and how it evolved from there. This book makes it easy.

Illustrated with plenty of photos (guess who spent more time admiring pictures than actually reading!), Beads of Borneo is not as hard to digest as the cover suggests, and an intelligent yet interesting book on Borneo is always a welcome addition on my shelf.

(2006)