Beads still important part of ethnic culture

KOTA KINABALU: Beads were and still are an important component of the culture of indigenous people in the State, said Sabah Museum Director Joanna Kitingan.

She said apart from being a cultural symbol of their ethnic identity, beads as part of people’s attire as personal adornment is a visual collective expression of an ethnic group.

“In the old days such beads were used as currency and also for other purposes such as for the exchange of goods in barter trade, bridewealth payments (dowry), ritual practices and as a status symbol in traditional societies.

“We have hundreds of such indigenous traditional beads in our museum collection. Aside from their value as significant heirloom objects, they also serve as a variety of functions and use.

“Those endowed with spiritual power are used as ritual paraphernalia. Others were used as collateral or currency or worn as a display of beauty and as an indicator of wealth and prominence in society.”

She said this at a talk entitled “Importance of beads in our society” at the Sabah Society secretariat in Damai, which focused on Rungus and Murut beads.

“Today we are displaying some of the beads which are important in communities such as Rungus, Murut, Lundayeh and Lotud, for example, from our Sabah Museum collection here as part of our efforts to preserve the traditional indigenous cultures of the State.”

The Museum began acquiring the collection since 1965.

She said some of the most expensive beads are typically heirloom beads made of Carnelian or Agate and that some of these heirloom beads can even cost more than the price of three buffaloes, especially beads that have been used in ritual ceremonies.

Such old beads are believed to carry potent spiritual powers or possess guardian spirits and are such treated with respect and stored properly.

However, in conclusion, she said these days the role of such beads has changed over time with most beads being now used as a adornments for traditional costumes rather than as an indicator of status symbols in society.

Later the participants of the talk numbering more than a dozen people comprising Sabah Society members and the public were invited to examine the museum’s collection of traditional beads and also purchase contemporary beadwork for sale there.

Source: Daily Express