The People of Tansang Kenyalang

Tansang Kenyalang, which literally means Hornbills Nest, is the name of Sengalang Burongs Domain after their separation from the human world. This domain is situated in the dome of the sky.

Aki Lang Sengalang Burong, Aki Jugu Menaul Tuntong, who takes the shape of a Brahminy Kite (pictured above) in his earthly appearance to man, was the eldest of the seven siblings six boys and a girl, born to a fable hero, Raja Jembu. Between them, the seven children posesses devine power; The smith Selampandai, both a creator of man and healer, could forge human beings as well as iron. Also known as Selampetoh or Selampeta; the daughter, Ini Inee or Ini Inda became the supreme doctor, and in turn imparted her skills to another brother, Menjaya Raja Manang, who was consecrated as the first transformed or transvestite shaman healer. Another sister is Bhiku Bunsu Petara who lives on top of a hill and she is a high priestess of the supreme creative diety named Bunsu Petara. She often attends mankinds festivals as his gods emissary. Anda Mara also known as Ganggang Ganggong is the Iban god of material wealth. Raja Simpulang Gana is the owner of earth upon whom all agricultural success depends and thus makes him and Sengalang Burong as the most honoured upon by the Ibans. Sengalang Burong, being the eldest brother, is not only paramount in warfare, but more importantly, it is Sengalang Burong, through a complicated system of omens, who regulates communication between gods and human.

God gives instruction to mankind by sending birds or animals with messages sanctioning or disapproving the activities of humans. These principal messengers are eight omen birds, seven of whom are sons-in-law, and the eighth, a client, of Sengalang Burong. On either side of Sengalang Burongs central longhouse apartment are the rooms of his sonsin-law; Ketupong, Beragai and Pangkas on the right side, with Bejampong, Embuas and Kelabu Papau on the left side. Burong Malam (literally means Night Bird which is actually a cricket) lives separately with his wife, Endu Chempaka Tempurong Alang, who was expelled from Tansang Kenyalang as punishment for her incestous relationship with his nephew, Sera Gunting. She was the youngest daughter of Sengalang Burong. Tusut Sengalang Burong: Raja Durong (bejulok Lumpong Tibang Bebaring, Durong Tuai berumah di tatai belakang tinting) x Endu Dara Talun Temaga, Ngemata ka kuta dinding hari, Endu Cherembang Chermin Bintang, Tukoh Lawaing Pinggai Bekaki = Raja Jembu dudok di Batu Tinggi Dedinggai, Meta Raja Pengibai x Endu Endat Baku Kansat Ngembuan Ubat Simpulai Umai, Endu Kumang Baku Palimbang Ngembuan Lemambang Ubat Pengembai. Seduai iya beranak ka: 1. Bidok Linggar natar di senggal gumbang besabong, Aki Jugu Menaul Tuntong, Aki Lang Sengalang Burong. Bini iya benama Indai Kachendai bepantak jirak, Dara Sentaba Balun kupak. Nama baru iya Endu Sudan Beringan Bungkong, Endu Diu Tiong Menyelong. 2. Manang Langgong ngembuan puchong penyangga nyawa, Matai Tuai Raja Menjaya. 3. Rangkang Kirai Raja Sua, Pepat Pudak Raja Sempulang Gana. Bini iya benama Kumang Sengelang Bintang Genarang Tanggui Buloh, Kepai-Kepai Ngelayang Didandang Danggur Uma. Kedua bali nama iya Endu Sudan Salenggam Bulan Sarentam Tanah Tumboh, Garas-Garas Tampak Panas Tengah Menoa. 4. Biku Imam Bunsu Raja Petara, Pantan Inan Raja Jadia. Laki iya Dato Siko Tuan Baginda, Bujang Pasang Sarih ke Bepurih Bulih Benda. (Pengap Gawai Batu) 5. Raja Selempandai ke tau begulai ka tanah perai jadi ka karigai anak mensia, Raja Selampeta tau nempa teruba iya, Raja Selampetoh tau ngamboh tuboh mula ada. 6. Ini Inda Rabong Menoa, Ini Inee Rabong Hari, ke ditelah Ini Andan bepala buban bebunga jirak, kulit rapit tumboh biak, baka dara biak ke disuak diguang bujang. 7. Gangga Gunggong penyadong jalai raja, Gangga Ganggai penatai jalai kaya (Anda Mara). Bini iya benama Endu Sudan ngembuan bungkan batu kemarau, Endu Kumang ngembuan gempanang tekang mau. Praise name (Ensumbar or julok): Earth Tremor which shakes the land and causes a full moon to fell down. Second name is Mangkok Berambing, which gave drink to Nising who collapsed and became unconcious (Rentap Tanah Belinggang Menoa, Sedan-Sedan Naban Ka Bulan Tanggar Peranama. Kedua bali nama Bejulok Mangkok Berambing, Kena numi Nising Ke luput enda ngeleda).

Special possession: Igi Mudan, the charm used by warleader to lead a war, Pengaruh Mali Balang Kayau, Taring Uting (babi), Batu Tebu & Rajut Tandok (deer horn) Researched and compiled by: Gregory Nyanggau Mawar