Exploring the ancient origins of villages in Mukim Kiudang
Understanding a village’s history is akin to peeling back the layers of time to reveal the intricate tapestry that shapes its identity.
Each village, with its unique narrative and experiences, holds a wealth of stories, traditions, and cultural nuances that contribute to its present character.
Take, for example, Mukim Kiudang, situated in the Tutong District. The mukim is characterised by its rich history and diverse community, comprising five villages within a 74-square-kilometre radius and home to approximately 5,063 residents.
The mukim holds significance as a historical gateway, where its inhabitants, including the early Puak Tutong and Puak Dusun communities, engaged in communal activities like rice cultivation.
Now, for a brief story on the origin of each of the villages.
As per the narratives passed down by the elders, Kampong Batang Mitus derived its original name from a fruit tree known as mitus. This tree thrived on Bukit Kubu and continues to flourish to this day.
The inaugural resident of the village was Orang Kaya Tindak Pahlawan Angkai, the father of Orang Kaya Muda Imbok.
The history of Kampong Kebia, on the other hand, originates from a tree called pokok bia. This tree grew prominently by the water spring known as Kaut Madang on Bukit Tambai. Because the residents in that area frequently fetched water from the spring, the village was named Kampong Kebia, and according to records, the first person to reside in that village was Yantut bin Inggal.
Kampong Birau has a slightly longer history. Kuala Birau or Long Birau is one of the early settlements of the Tutong ethnic group before they moved elsewhere.
In the past, this place was known as the entry and exit point for the residents living along the Tutong River to venture into the interior areas of the Tutong District for rice cultivation and buffalo farming. The name Birau is derived from a type of game called bahirau, similar to the berkuit game that uses coconut shells as playing tools.
It was used as a form of entertainment for the village residents after the fatigue of rice planting. The necessity of rice cultivation prompted the Tutong ethnic group living around the Tutong River to continue settling in the interior of Kuala Birau.
The present-day Kampong Birau initially was a village of the Dusun ethnic group with various names based on the settlements. Notable areas during that time were Sambiling and Bukit Suak Nantu. The two famous rivers in the village were Bawang Putih and Bawang Amok.
Sambiling was a marshy area located near Bukit Mahligai, where the current mosque of Kampong Birau is built.
When the Tutong ethnic group residing in Kampong Birau Lama moved to that location, it became known as Kampong Birau.
This was further intensified by the migration of Tutong people to new settlements after the construction of the highway at Kuala Abang, connecting Kampong Lamunin to Bandar Brunei. Development became a contributing factor to the migration of the village residents from Kampong Birau Lama.
Meanwhile, in the past, Kampong Pengkalan Mau lacked road facilities for residents to reach their destinations.
They either walked or used boats to navigate a river towards Pekan Tutong. Upon reaching this village, they would disembark at a wharf where a fruit tree called mahau fruit tree (cat’s eye fruit) stood. They would tie the boat’s rope to the trunk of that tree before proceeding to their intended location.
As this wharf became a meeting point upon arrival or when returning to Pekan Tutong, they named it Mahau Wharf. As the village began to be explored by newcomers from Kampong Panchor Dulit, it became known as Kampong Pengkalan Mau.
Now, according to the tales of the elders, the name of Kampong Bakiau comes from the Dusun language, specifically ‘Iyau’, meaning to come back to life.
The tale goes that a group of villagers from the Dusun ethnic group was on a journey, transporting the body of a deceased family member to a designated burial site.
They paused briefly for a rest, propping the body against a wooden tree.
Out of the blue, one of them noticed the body exhibiting movement and excitedly exclaimed to their companions, “Baa… Iyau,” indicating that the body had come back to life.
This narrative circulated among the villagers, leading to the village being named Kampong Bakiau.
Kampong Kiudang and Kampong Mungkom both for shorter explanations of their origin, where the origin of Kampong Kiudang comes from the name of a certain type of wood known as ‘kayudang’ according to the Dusun community residing in this village, while the original name of Kampong Mungkom is derived from the term ‘mungkom’, which comes from the Bong language and refers to a type of durian fruit tree.
Lastly, the genesis of Kampong Pad Nunok revolves around a sizeable fig tree with spreading roots that served as a makeshift bridge over a small river, facilitating the daily commute between houses.
The village was initially inhabited by the Dusun and Tutong ethnic groups, who engaged in socialising and collaborative efforts, particularly in activities like rice cultivation.
Despite linguistic differences, there existed mutual understanding between the communities.
During their journeys to the small river, they encountered a significant fig tree with spreading roots, functioning as a bridge.
A distinction arose in the pronunciation of ‘bridge’ and the fig tree, with the Dusun using ‘apad’ and ‘lunuk’, while the Tutong had their terms, leading to contemplation of a single village name.
Ultimately, the names ‘apad’ and ‘lunuk’ were chosen as the village’s identity, persisting through the Japanese occupation of Brunei.
With the influence of educated residents, the village name underwent a transformation from ‘Apad Lunuk’ to ‘Pad Nunok’, located in Mukim Kiudang.
As the nation progresses, Mukim Kiudang has witnessed advancements in infrastructure, including the establishment of numerous amenities such as schools, mosques, prayer halls, economic and industrial zones, and centres.
The mukim also actively engages in the production of traditional handicrafts, agriculture, and horticulture, aligning with the One Village One Product initiative and the offerings of the Village Consultative Council.
Notable attractions within Mukim Kiudang include the captivating Wasai Bedanu and Wasai Sapok Heritage Park, as well as the scenic Batu Mapan Waterfall Recreation
Park.
In essence, the importance of knowing a village’s history lies in recognising the rich tapestry of human experiences woven over time and understanding how these threads continue to influence the present and future of a vibrant community. – Izah Azahari
