Melanau Lady
Abang Manai: a Melanau
The history of the Melanau as recorded by Wikipedia does not mention Abang Manai or the island of Bali. His name is not included in the” list of prominent people of Melanau descent” also compiled by Wikipedia. This version could be an early oral history as told in an extract from Heroes from the Land of Hornbill by Chang Pat Foh. Caution must always be used when using Wikipedia as a source.
Abang Manai was a pagan whose family arrived from Bali fearful of having to convert to Hinduism. They landed in Lundu where Teluk Melano now stands. They moved along the coast and eventually settled between Kuala Rejang and Kuala Baram.
Some of his group went inland and became the Kanjang, Lahanan, Sekapan, Punan Bah and other orang ulu tribes. Another group of these ancestors were the Malay Brunei Malays. Later, they came to Mukah because they were attracted to the sago trade. They then intermarried with the Melanau women who were already there. The titles Pengiran, Awangku, and Awang came from Mukah.
Other possible origins of the Melanau include Mindanao where the two words are very similar. (the Malaysian government supports this version) An Italian map drawn in 1595 shows the name Melano where the Oya, Muka and Balingian Rivers run. The current Melanos claim the name comes from the Brunei Malays.
The Melanos refer to themselves as A-Likou which means people of the river. The subgroups of the Melano include the people of the Islamic, Christian and Pagan religions.
Abang Manai bin Abang Dreman was born in Mukah in the 1830’s. His father was Abang Dreman bin Orang Kaya Abang Abong.
In his younger days, Abang Manai was known for his superior strength, bravery, and intelligence. Hence, when Sarawak was still under Brunei rule, Sultan Mumin of Brunei appointed him Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Raja. He was to watch over the Melanau community of Mukah.
Most accounts state Abang Manai was a benevolent ruler who solved various problems in kampongs ie inheritance, marriage and fruit and sago distribution. There was complete peace in the Melano community while Abang Manai ruled.
In 1853, Sultan Mumin of Brunei ceded all the land between the Oya River and Kurong Bintululu to the lands ruled by the Brookes in Sarawak. The Brooke regime wanted to reaffirm the native ruling system which was under the Brunei regime because of the peaceful governance of the people.
In 1883, Sir Charles Brooke appointed Abang Manai as Ketua Orang Melanau to look after the affairs of the Melanau people as he did under Brunei Rule. He also acted as a troubleshooter for anyone who rejected Brooke’s rule.
Many thanks, as always, to Veronica Chang Schmidt
BorneoHistory.net