The 128-Year-Old Sunhat Looted by the British is Back in Sarawak!
Source: SAYS
A historic bamboo sunhat that was taken by the British over a century ago has finally been returned to Sarawak, and it’s now back in the hands of the indigenous Kenyah-Badeng tribe. This Sa’ung, believed to be 128 years old, was looted during the colonial era when the White Rajahs (the Brooke family) seized it from the tribe after they failed to pay taxes.
The intricate bamboo sunhat made its way to the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford in 1923, but it was never displayed to the public. It wasn’t until a repatriation ceremony held on November 4th, 2024, that the hat was officially returned to its rightful home in Sarawak, celebrated by both locals and officials alike.
The Sa’ung is more than just an accessory. It symbolizes nobility, protection from evil, and a strong connection to the Kenyah-Badeng community’s heritage. The tribe’s history has been marred by violent conflict with the White Rajahs during their 100-year reign in Sarawak, which included massacres, destruction of longhouses, and widespread looting. The Sa’ung is a small but significant piece of this turbulent history.
This is the second successful repatriation for Sarawak after the Niah bone fragments were returned in 2020. According to Professor Dr. Laura Van Broekhoven, the director of the Pitt Rivers Museum, this repatriation is part of their ongoing effort to right historical wrongs. “Restoring items like this helps rebuild trust and understanding,” she said, signaling a positive step toward future peace.
The Sa’ung now sits proudly in the Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching, marking an important moment for the community and a deep connection to their past.
