Limbang : Tomb Raiders

A little above the Limbang area called Kelati is Pendam Parak, a piece of land given by the Colonial Government to the Ibans to bury their dead.

And near Ensurai, is Pendam Geramit, also an Iban cemetery land.

In those days, almost all Ibans who passed away were buried there according to their traditional customs and rituals. Most of the families practised the ritual of BAYA, which was to bury the departed with belongings that they loved and which theyh believed they could use in the afterlife. Items like gold, silver, plates, antique jars, and even television set and bicycles have been buried with the coffin.

From the early 60's to the present day, tomb raiders have been notorious in stealing from the dead.

Rivers were the chief means of transport in the early days. Old Iban burial grounds were sited near river banks and it was easy for tomb raiders to explore and exploit them, and make a quick exit to Brunei.

In the Limbang area, antique dealers from Brunei would contact local accomplices when they were keen to look for antiques and good profits. Some local folks were very tempted to help them becaise ot was easy money.

These two cemeteries in Limbang were often mentioned by newspaper articles and the Limbang Police. Sometimes the antique dealers were apprehended by the Special Branch while the Iban tomb raiders were caught red handed by their own community.

There have been lots of stories related to Iban tomb raiders. Some huge jars, silverware esp were even taken from their hands when they sailed down the Limbang River in the early hours of the morning.

A story was related about two tomb raiders who drowned after the local Ibans gave chase in a river which was considered very calm and safe.

The gods must have been angry.