Gawai Antu Documentary
The Film Documentation
(Sypnosis from the Producer)
Battling the march of modernity, an ancient tribal community in Borneo works to retain its identity and traditions by calling back the dead to reassert the orderly relationship between their world, the human world, and the surrounding jungle. As one of the various ethnic groups in Borneo, the island's Iban have their own language, values and a rich cultural heritage that has been compared to legendary Greek mythology. They are known as a feared jungle tribe hunting heads to display courage and exact revenge on enemies as they fought to claim a tropical jungle territory they could call home. The orderly relationship between the human world, the world of the dead, and Borneo's jungle lies at the core of Iban existence. But as generations now drift into modern city life, the Jabu family is returning to their communal longhouse to reassert a revered tradition - a three day festival of homage to call the dead back and reaffirm their relationship with the living. Gawai Antu will involve a year of planning and draw tribal members in their thousands to the Iban's remote jungle homeland to recall the spirits of the dead in a ritual so complex and powerful most will experience it only once in a lifetime. In a modern world, Gawai Antu-"The Festival of the Ghosts" is a rare affirmation of ancient tribal identity and unity, as the spirits of the ancestors are called to defy the modern erosion of tribal identity and once more bind new generations behind the Iban mind and spirit.
The Exhibition
This exhibition, hosted at the Borneo Cultures Museum, is a collaborative effort prompted by an invitation from the Jabu Family in August last year. The exhibition seeks to introduce visitors in the immersive world of Gawai Antu Film Documentation—a comprehensive documentary by the Jabu Family and Image Farm Productions Sdn. Bhd. over the course of a year.
Spread over three vibrant days at the Borneo Cultures Museum, this exhibition serves as a lively celebration of the year-long cinematic journey. The exhibition's design is carefully curated to encapsulate the essence of the film documentary. It goes beyond mere artifact display, creating an immersive narrative that breathes life into the story itself. The design of the exhibition is predominantly centered around bamboo, a material of profound spiritual significance in the Gawai Antu ceremony. Bamboo is used for a wide range of purposes, from preparing Tuak and weaving to crafting, praying, chanting, food preparation, and offerings.The exhibition space is thoughtfully composed using bamboo screens, creating distinct themed areas in sequence:
1. "The Ngempi" - This section focuses on the making of Tuak Indai Billai, where glutinous rice and Ragi are fermented and transformed into Ai Tuak Indai Billai under the guidance of experienced individuals.
2. "Garong Basket" - In this area, miniature woven baskets symbolize the status of the deceased, skillfully crafted by accomplished women weavers.
3. "Rugan" - A bamboo structure that signifies the beginning of the Gawai Antu celebration and is erected at the Ruai.
4. "Miniature Weaving" - This section displays small, everyday items that are also offered to the departed.
5. "Tombstone" - All the items woven during Gawai Antu are hung under the Sungkup, which is the shed protecting the tomb from the weather.
The exhibition comprises a series of interconnected rooms of the above, with bamboo walls playing a crucial role in connecting the spaces and mirroring the ambiance of an Iban longhouse. The atmosphere of the Gawai Antu celebration is further enriched by the resonating chants and prayers, accompanying the visual presentation of the film in each room. Overall, the Gawai Antu exhibition acts as a bridge between the past and present, offering insight into the traditions of Gawai Antu and emphasizing the ongoing importance of cultural preservation. It leaves visitors with a deeper understanding of this unique tradition through film and exhibition design.
