Tom’s Note: Connecting the upper Oya and Egan rivers in Sarawak is a man-made canal called a Kut. It was first built in the late 1790s and has been modernized and dredged since then. Here are a couple of stories telling the origins of the Kut.
Early History of the Kut Canal
About 1790, the Oya region was governed by Pengiran Metali on behalf of the Sultan of Brunei. Metali needing an advisor, appointed Jilag.
Pengiran Metali divided the Oya river into two districts. The lower part, between Kampong Teh and Kampong Oya, remained under his direct rule. Pengabi(sic) Jilag governed the upper part between Kampong Balan and Kampong Medong.
Jilag’s reputation for fairness and justice spread thorough out the region. Metali became jealous and wanted to rid himself of Jilag.
Pengirian Metali ordered a barrier be constructed at Sungai Parit at Tanjong Oya. He tied a spear and a piece of gold to the rotan (twine made from a large vine). His followers were ordered to keep watch through the night, and if Jilag attempted to cross the river, he was to be killed. If other inhabitants attempted to cross into the lower section, they were to be fined a spear and a piece of gold.
Several people from Jilag’s area wanted to fish in the sea. They were surprised to see the barrier and returned to Jilag and informed him of the blockade. Jilag was surprised at the news because he had no idea why Metali was angry with him. Jilag, therefore, sent a tongkat (messenger), the usual form of communication for those who could neither read nor write. He asked Metali if the reports he received were accurate and if the Sultan of Brunei knew about it. Metali said they were true, and he reminded Jilag that he still ruled the whole Oya river.
Jilag called a meeting of his people. Many wanted to slay Metali, but Jilag wanted to find a solution by peaceful means. He suggested they find an alternative route to the sea. His people agreed.
Jilag made five trips into the jungle accompanied only by his dog. His fifth attempt brought success. He noticed that streams began to flow into the Sungai Makah, a tributary to the Igan.
He returned and told his people that they could avoid the barricade by following his path. Boats were built at Sungai Matah. Within a year, small boats were ready to bypass the barrier. The track was then used by all the people living above the barricade. Constant use wore a path into the shallow channel; after heavy rains, small boats could pass through the channel.
Pengiran Metali came to know about Jilag’s discovery. Forgetting his past hatred and previous jealousy, he invited Jilag to go to his house in Oya. Jilag readily agreed.
The path, which had been a shallow ditch, was deepened and became known as Sungai Kekut. From then on, the Sungai Kekut became the primary means of communication and trade between the Igan and Oya rivers. Father Stotter of the R.C. Mission was known to have referred to it as the “Cut” river.
European involvement included the building of two weirs, one by a durian tree and the other at a stream known as Sungai Jelimut. Sungai Kut was called a variety of names during its early existence. Batang Kayan was the scene of bloody fighting between the tribes of the Melanau and Kayan, with heads hung in trees on the Kayan side of the river. Sungai Tebo was also the scene of bloody fighting between the Melanaus and Ibans. Batang Jeji was the scene where a great Medang Jongkong tree was felled across the Kut, which made the passage of boats very difficult.
A small Melanau village was erected at Sungai Mukah and became known as Kampong Kut. Sago was planted on the banks of the new Sungai. Kampar’s from Sumatra later planted rubber trees. They had been working belian around the Oya river.
In 1896, a small school was started by Father Stotter in a small nibong(a Malay feather palm) building. This was later replaced by a three-story belian building which could accommodate 100 boys. A convent and a church were built, but in 1918 all three buildings were destroyed and rebuilt at Dalat.
It is thought that passengers in launches travelling through the Cut will remember the foresight of Jilag and the obstinate stupidity of Pengirian Metali.
How Sungei Kut came into existence
Before the so-called Cut was connected with the small river on the other side, the Melanaus had to go via the Oya river to visit their relatives. When the Sultan of Brunei was still in power in Oya, a man ruled in Oya who disliked the Melanaus. He would not allow any Melanau “prau.” to pass the fortress, which was built on the riverside. The people from Dalat and neighbouring places could not visit Sibu to visit their relatives.
One head-man of Dalat thought of another way. He searched all the side-rivers, trying to find a connection with the Igan river, thus avoiding Oya. Finally, he discovered that the so-called S’Cut had its source not far from another river flowing in the opposite direction, bringing him to the Igan River.
He got volunteers to cut through a canal between the sources of both rivers, thus joining the water and making a shortcut. The work, it is said, was accomplished within six days by volunteers.
From
by Austin Druce Early History of the Kut Canal Sarawak Museum Journal vol vi no. 6 1955
and
Father Aichner How Sungei Cut came into existence Sarawak Museum Journal 1955
You can purchase an e-copy of our book Early History of the Sarawak River Valley: Early Times to 1840 from Amazon.com
