-

-

There are seven main stages in this ritual:

i. Gathering Building Materials

The Tuai Rumah (House Chief) will inform and discuss with the residents of the longhouse about the need to build a new Rumah Lamin. Once an agreement is reached, each family begins gathering sufficient building materials, including pillars, beams, rafters, and boards. With guidance from the Tuai Burung (bird signs used as omens), the Tuai Rumah selects the most auspicious date for clearing the site of the new Rumah Lamin, choosing a day believed to bring good fortune to the entire longhouse community.

ii. Tuai Burung (Seeking Omens)

A few days before clearing the site, the Tuai Rumah goes into the forest to seek positive signs to begin construction. If the new Rumah Lamin is to be built downstream and on a previous house site, the Tuai Rumah will listen for the call of the Nendak bird on his right side. Upon hearing it, he pulls up a sapling from that location, a practice known as tambak burung, marking the site where the bird was heard. The sapling is then taken back to be kept at home.

The Tuai Rumah repeats this action on the second day, seeking the same bird's call. On the third morning, he goes again, listening for the call from his left side. Upon hearing it, he pulls up another sapling, similar to the first time.

iii. Clearing and Burning the Tambak Burung Site

Clearing the house site usually begins early in the morning. The Tuai Rumah starts by clearing and burning bushes and trees in the center of the new site. Next, he leads the community in clearing the entire area of the house site until completion. Once the area is cleared, each family gathers and brings all the building materials to the new site.

iv. Sprinkling Female Pig’s Blood and Praying to God and Spirits

Once the site is fully prepared, the next ritual involves setting up the main pillar, followed by the remaining pillars. Before raising the first pillar, the Tuai Rumah conducts a ritual of sprinkling female pig’s blood and recites prayers, seeking blessings from ancestral spirits and God for the new home. This ritual also aims to bring prosperity and success to the future occupants.

v. Placing Salt in the Pillar Hole

Another important ritual in the house construction stage, after the prayer is recited, involves placing a handful of coarse salt, along with a small piece of gold, the shell of langgir (a type of wild fruit found in Sarawak), and a twig from a shrub that grows along the riverbed into the pillar hole, along with the other materials.

vi. Building the Roof

After the pillars and main framework of the house are completed, the main structure that must be finished at the earliest stage is the roof. Typically, the roof of an Iban house is made from nipah palm fronds, which are readily available along the riverbanks in Sarawak. The nipah fronds are usually arranged and folded into roofing sheets and gathered in large quantities before the roofing installation begins.

Roof installation is typically done with precision and speed, and does not require a long time. This task requires expertise, especially to ensure there are no leaks when it rains. If leaks occur, it is very difficult to repair them once the house is fully completed. Secondly, meticulousness is essential to ensure safety during the work, as the roof is a high part of the structure, and builders are at risk of falling if they are not skilled and highly attentive during their work. With the roof completed, other tasks such as installing floors, walls, doors, and windows can be carried out more easily, safely, and comfortably.

vii. Tuai Rumah Leads the Families into Their Rooms

Once the new longhouse is almost fully completed and each part of the structure is finished, the Tuai Burung will lead all the families who will reside in the house to move in together in a lively ceremony. Before this vibrant moving-in ceremony takes place, it is essential for each family to ensure that their kitchen is built and ready for use. This preparation is crucial for a smooth transition, allowing families to continue their daily lives in the new home. With the kitchen fully equipped and constructed, it signifies that the family can now settle permanently in the house and prepare daily meals for all family members.

-