StoryLand October 2022

Advanced
Mukah Kaul Festival
Kaul is a traditional festival celebrated by the Melanau
community living along the coast area in Sarawak. In the past,
Kaul was held as a religious ceremony to make peace with the
spirits of the sea, land, forest and farm.
The festival is a ritual of purification and thanksgiving for
good fortune. Today, it is more of keeping a heritage alive. It
marks the beginning of the Melanau calendar which begins at
the end of the Northeast monsoon. Kaul takes place in third
week of the month of April annually. The festival site is on the
right bank of the Mukah river.
During the week-long festival, there are many interesting
activities which include stalls selling traditional foods,
entertainment programs and traditional games. The highlight
will be the ‘Serahang’ procession lead by local Melanau
community elders. Some of the activities not to be missed are
playing the giant swing, Tibau, Lukut longboat race and
enjoying Melanau traditional food served on the log.

Tibau, a traditional game where you hold

onto the rope, climb up the ladders on the
left, and swing sometimes two at a time.

Lukut Longboat Race

The boats are made from wood and lukut
leaves for sails.
StoryLand October 2022

Serahang, a decorated flat round basket

made from sago leaf which raise on a
bamboo pole

Questions:
1. Who celebrate Mukah Kaul Festival?
2. What are the intentions of celebrating Mukah Kaul Festival?
3. List 3 activities during Mukah Kaul Festival.
4. Have you ever encountered any interesting festival in your area?

Intermediate
Mukah Kaul Festival
Kaul is a traditional festival celebrated by the Melanau
community living in Sarawak. In the past, Kaul was held as a
religious ceremony to make peace with the spirits of the sea,
land, forest and farm.
The festival is a ritual of purification and thanksgiving for
good fortune. Today, it is more of keeping a heritage alive. It
marks the beginning of the Melanau calendar. Kaul takes place
in third week of the month of April every year. The festival site
is on the bank of the Mukah river.
During the festival, there are many activities. There are
stalls selling traditional foods, entertainment programs and
traditional games. The highlight is the ‘Serahang’ procession
lead by local Melanau community elders. Some other activities
StoryLand October 2022

are playing the giant swing, Tibau, Lukut longboat race and
enjoying Melanau traditional food served on the log.

Tibau, a traditional game where you hold

onto the rope, climb up the ladders on the
left, and swing sometimes two at a time.

Lukut Longboat Race

The boats are made from wood and lukut
leaves for sails.

Serahang, a decorated flat round basket

made from sago leaf which raise on a
bamboo pole

Questions:
1. Who celebrate Mukah Kaul Festival?
2. What are the intentions of celebrating Mukah Kaul Festival?
3. List 3 activities during Mukah Kaul Festival.
4. Have you ever encountered any interesting festival in your area?

Beginner
Mukah Kaul Festival
StoryLand October 2022

Kaul is a traditional festival celebrated by the Melanau

community in Sarawak. In the past, Kaul was held as a religious
event to make peace with the spirits.
The festival is an event of thanksgiving for good fortune.
Today, it is more of keeping a culture alive. It marks the
beginning of the Melanau calendar. Kaul takes place in third
week of April every year. The festival is on the Mukah
riverbank.
During the festival, there are many activities. There are
stalls selling traditional foods, fun programs and traditional
games. The highlight is the ‘Serahang’ ceremony lead by
Melanau community elders. Some other activities are playing
the giant swing, Tibau, Lukut longboat race and enjoying
Melanau traditional food served on the log.

Tibau, a traditional game where you hold

onto the rope, climb up the ladders on the
left, and swing sometimes two at a time.

Lukut Longboat Race

The boats are made from wood and lukut
leaves for sails.

Serahang, a decorated flat round basket

made from sago leaf which raise on a
bamboo pole

Questions:
StoryLand October 2022

1. Who celebrate Mukah Kaul Festival?

2. Why do people celebrate Mukah Kaul Festival?
3. List 3 activities during Mukah Kaul Festival.