Keliring - Burial Pole

What is a kelirieng? From afar, it looks like a totem pole, but up close, it's an imposing figure (about 50 metres tall!) that evokes a sense of mystery and even unease. Especially since it's a burial pole, and every pole required a human sacrifice. Keliriengs aren't made for just anybody though; they're made for beloved leaders and aristocrats of the Punan community and are a secondary burial treatment, often done in the following year of their death. The Kelirieng is made of belian wood, and once a large tree is selected, it is chopped and brought over to the village by the men. The trunk is then handed over to a trusted craftsman, who is responsible for a flawless carving. The carver must not only be a master at his craft, but also highly knowledgeable about the local customs and traditions, as every shape carries significant meaning. One kelirieng can take three to five years to complete. One of the main reasons why this ritual was abandoned in the late 19th century amid pressure from the Brooke government was because of the element of human sacrifice that comes with every kelirieng. Someone, usually a young female slave, is crushed by the kelirieng as it's being erected. This is to ensure that bad fortune doesn't befall the people. Once the keliring is erected, the secondary burial takes place during the next harvest season. The remains of the aristocrats are placed into jars called tajau, which are then lifted and placed into the kelirieng. The more important you were, the higher of a compartment you'll be placed. A single kelirieng can have multiple compartments for different royal family members. Each compartment is then covered with fast-decaying wood like empelai and meranti. #sarawak #burialpole #keliring #travelwithseth