The legend of Tuked Rini is one of a number of traditional Kelabit sagas or legends. These were recited around the fire in the longhouse with the same aim laid out in the BBC charter – to inform, educate and entertain. They told of the lives of heroes in order to provide a model for ideal behaviour. They entertained through relating exciting adventures and including humorous episodes. They taught children about adult life by describing relationships and aspects of everyday life and culture.
Balang Pelaba Recites The Legend
I recorded the legend of Tuked Rini over two evenings in November 1986, from our neighbour in the longhouse in Pa’ Dalih, the late Balang Pelaba.
Balang Pelaba very much wanted to recite it to me then, although I did not understand Kelabit as yet at that time.
Balang Pelaba had, before the Kelabit became fully Christian in the early 1970s, been a shaman (dayong) and a friend of the Great Spirit (Ada’ Rayeh), whom he knew in the form of Pun Tumid (‘Twisted Heel’).
He was a charismatic man and his recital drew a large audience of adults and children, who eagerly listened to him in the light of the small brass light around which we gathered.

Balang Pelaba reciting the story of Agan Tudun (1987). A chorus was provided by women including Sinah Luun Aio' and Laba Awa, shown here far left and second left.
Transcribing The Legend As Recited By Balang Pelaba
Over the next two decades I worked at transcribing and translating the legend, with the help of Kelabit friends – including in particular the late Adeth Ulun. A recording and transcription of the legend as recited by Balang Pelaba is provided here, together with an English translation.
Ribuh Balang Recites
I also recorded versions of some of the sedarir – the chanted, learnt-by-heart, parts of the legend – from the legend of Tuked Rini from the late Ribuh Balang in December 2008 and have included videos of these here. He also recited part of a benging song composed by Langit Balang, and a lakuah song about a beautiful girl, a song beloved, according to Ribuh Balang, of the people across the border in the Kerayan part of the Heart of Borneo area. I have included these here too.
'Tuked Rini, Cosmic Traveller' Book
In 2014 I published a book, ‘Tuked Rini, Cosmic Traveller: Life and Legend in the Heart of Borneo’. This includes a translation of the legend and explores the traditional way of life of the Kelabit through the lens of the legend.
It includes ten paintings by the Kelabit artist Stephen Baya. The book can be purchased through NUS Press or, for those in Sarawak, through the Sarawak Museum Department (Publications Section).

Book Chapter
I also include here a chapter that I wrote about Tuked Rini for an edited book.
Paintings of Tuked Rini
For inclusion in the book, I bought 10 paintings from a Kelabit artist, Stephen Baya, five of which were commissioned to reflect the legend. I include digital versions of these paintings here.
Rainforest World Music Festival
In 2018, for the opening festival of the Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching, a 3-screen projection was created that animated some of the paintings by Stephen Baya and used audio from the recording of Balang Pelaba’s telling of the legend in 1986. I include a video of this projection.
Virtual Visit
In 2009, as part of the Cultured Rainforest project, I commissioned a ‘virtual visit’ of the southern Kelabit Highlands. Part of the virtual visit takes the visitor to sites related to Tuked Rini and this is included here. The rest of the virtual visit is accessible through the part of the website relating to the Cultured Rainforest project.
Publications
2021
‘Journeys in quest of cosmic power : Highland heroes in Borneo.’ In James Fox and Clifford Sather (eds) Austronesian Paths and Journeys. Canberra : ANU (Comparative Austronesian series no. 8), pp. 93–126.