Kaul Festival at Mukah

2009
04.27
From Pesta Kaul

I have been searching for materials to explain Kaul to readers. The following is an extract from The Pesta Kaul : By Bulan (Published in 1993) . I welcome contributions to this article as there is still much we don’t know about the Kaul Festival.

From Pesta Kaul

In the past, the Melanau traditionally and culturally have been fisherfolk. The original Kaul as it was celebrated was essentially a pagan thanksgiving.

From Pesta Kaul

It was held independently by various Melanau villages to appease the spirits of the sea. It is traditionally held at river mouths in the month of March, after the rages of the Northwest monsoon have passed. Nowadays it is often held in the month of April.

From Pesta Kaul

With the majority of the Melanau people now Christians and Muslims, the pagan reasons behind Kaul are evolving into an ethnic celebration unique to the Melanau culture.

From Pesta Kaul

The original spectacle once provided by animal sacrifices and pagan chants have been replaced by traditional and cultural activities.

From Pesta Kaul

It is an occasion that stirs both community and ethnic spirits.

From Pesta Kaul

14 Responses to “Kaul Festival at Mukah”

  1. Indeed a colourful festival.

    colorfull indeed :)

  2. jane says:

    i’ve missed the festival again this time, must go next year.

    it can only get better every year

  3. Sheena says:

    Just thought I’d mention, the last picture is that of a ‘tajau.’ A sort-of swing, for the menfolk.

    thanks. you and Paul gave me an idea to post about tibau/tajau

  4. Twilightzone says:

    This is indeed very new to me. So much things to learn about the many cultures in Malaysia.

    you will learn lots more in the week to come over here :)

  5. Paul says:

    The swing bit they are doing looks like lotsa fun! :)

    i can jus imagine u swinging :)

  6. [SK] says:

    very new celebration to me indeed, were you in there??

    it was wonderful n i was there :)

  7. aaron says:

    nice and colour sama like pelangi pesta kaul….. kampung teh nice but mahau not there

  8. a likau says:

    hi gak semua a likau mukah…joinla forum ‘anak mukah’gak gitau.pendapat dan cara bak membangun agai likau telo ok..hidup aman semua bangsa malaysia..malaysia boleh

  9. CK says:

    I heard Mukah is crowded with people and even TV3 and other TV station is going there. I pass by the Mukah junction and many bus stop at the coffee shop at the mukah selangau junction there last week. must be having many activities and events over there.

    I took so many pic in Mukah you wouldnt believe it :)

  10. very happening…i’ve been there..

    Yes, it has changed so much it is incredible

  11. Bengbeng says:

    Aaron and a likau :

    inou dengah kaau. Mukah ajau ito ngak diak ji
    idak bak pegoi gak takan pesta kaul

  12. nbi@1523 says:

    kamek suka nanggar situasi pesta kaul mukah hari ya…macam2 ada tapi sayang,jalan gi sia kt ladang nun jaik gilak…

    jalan gi sia kt ladang nun jaik jaik jaik gilak…

  13. nbi@1523 says:

    hallo geng….mek perati org mukah ramei yang happy ngan kaul tapi sayang…,orang dari luar yang kaut untung…..sebab mek perati orang yang berniaga kat tapak kaul ya ngan kat area pasar nun ramei orang dari luar…maaf ye orng mukah,mek madah apa yang mek perati jak…..myb jua mek salah.

  14. [...] an insight of this fest, please read one of our members blog: MyLongkang.com. (Right: Photo of the giant swing during Pesta Kaul by MyLongkang.com) TweetShare this [...]

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