Cultural and myth from my land of Borneo (Sarawak), a prime tribe of Iban:

Crocodiles, men, and an unbroken pact: The story of the Iban community of Krian, Saratok.

In the days when the Iban people lived in close harmony with nature, a shaman named Belabun was visited by two Iban warriors. They asked him to cure their sick sister and without hesitation, Belabun agreed to help. He was taken to a strange longhouse, where he discovered a crocodile with a harpoon stuck in its side. Despite being taken aback by the sight, Belabun managed to free the harpoon from the creature, and it transformed into a beautiful young woman who thanked him for curing her.

The crocodile people revealed that they could appear in human form and they had made a pact with Belabun. They asked the Iban people not to harm or consume the meat of crocodiles, and in return, the crocodiles would leave the Iban people in peace. Belabun accepted the pact and promised to uphold it. Over the years, the pact remained unbroken, and the story of Belabun and the crocodiles became a significant part of Iban folklore, passed down from generation to generation.

The tale serves as a reminder of the importance of living in harmony with nature and respecting all living creatures, regardless of their form or appearance. The story illustrates how people can learn to coexist peacefully with animals and shows that it is possible to make agreements that benefit both people and nature.

#enseratendai #iban #crocodile

Full story: https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/crocodiles-men-and-an-unbroken-pact/

Photo credit: Peakpx_yasushimatsuoka