Kaul Mukah


David ST Loh

THE Kaul celebration at Mukah is done with great fervour each year and this year is another colourful celebration with an overflow of kinship, hospitality and gratitude.

The Melanau of the old days were animistic people who believes that the world is governed by “Ipok” spirits. Every year, they would give thanks to the “Ipok” of the sea, land, wind, jungle and river for a bountiful year and pray for blessings for the year ahead.

Boats decorated with “tertilip”, woven nipah leaves in shapes of flowers, birds and geometrical patterns gathers close to the lodge. Excited voices from the houses across the river announced that the Bapak Kaul, or head priest, is arriving with the Seraheng, the ceremonial basket. His entourage of community elders and village heads and two people dressed with masks, symbolising the ipoks, guard the basket tied to a pole. Musicians on board play traditional music on gongs added to the festivities.

The main boat takes the lead, cruising to the ceremonial site that is situated on the bank of the estuary. No other boats are allowed to be ahead of the main boat, lest they be punished.

Upon arriving at the beach where ceremony is to take place, the Seraheng basket is greeted with the mengalai, a Melanau martial art, as a welcome greeting. The Bapak Kaul leads the procession to a tree and plant the seraheng firmly on the ground. He then begins to chant and place small baskets of food in the middle of the seraheng; as offerings for the “ipok”.

The simple yet meaningful ceremony is complete within an hour and the celebration continues where everyone is invited to a communal picnic. Traditional kuih such as kuih penyaram, selorot and kuih beras pulut are shared. The merrymaking continues with dance and music performances while villagers share their food. It is taboo to bring any food back and it is believed that any leftovers must be left near the seraheng basket to be eaten by the “ipok” who are still wandering the site of the Kaul. – May 11, 2019.


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  • Thank you TMI for featuring yet another 'hidden gem' of Malaysian culture that all Malaysians should discover! Please keep up the good work.

    Posted 4 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply