by Peter Sibon. Posted on April 15, 2011, Friday
STRONG GROUP: Kuak (back, fourth left) with the Kpg Krusen pironcong band. Nicholas is at front, fourth left.
SERIAN: While many villages struggle to maintain their cultural heritage, Kpg Krusen’s traditional pironcong bamboo band has grown from strength to strength.This is thanks to band leader Kuak Saol, 64, who has succeeded in getting Bidayuh youths to join his classes.Pironcong was traditionally played by the Bidayuh community after they finished planting padi.“In the olden days, farmers would play the pironcong with a beautiful melody, especially to entertain each other after a hard day’s work and to call for rain and of course for a bountiful harvest,” Kuak explained.
Nicholas James Kon, 27, is one of Kuak’s many students.“I am glad to learn how to play the pironcong from Uncle Kuak,” he told The Borneo Post at Kpg Krusen some 12km from here, while awaiting the arrival of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang on Tuesday.Nicholas is now part of the 18-strong band, which plays during various occasions including for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Abong Jangew, 74, one of the band’s eldest members, is also a qualified pironcong trainer who has taught the Bidayuh community in Miri how to play the instrument.“Our only hope is for our children to pick up the art of playing this instrument. And we are also glad that people like Kuak are teaching our children our cultural identity, otherwise when we are gone this treasure would vanish as well,” he stressed.Besides teaching the pironcong, Kuak has also trained youths to perform the bilanggi dance and konto, which is a Bidayuh martial art similar to the Malay silat.He is grateful to incumbent Tebedu assemblyman Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong for supporting his efforts.“He is very supportive of our efforts to preserve our culture by donating RM4,000 to our group to make our traditional costumes last year.”
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