Depending on how one looks at it, the Rungus tribe beaded necklace presents a variety of folktale stories, making it a unique piece of accessories to acquire.
Called the Pinakol, one will notice at least four motifs designed around the necklace. The motifs are usually symbolising a man, a woman, tinugarang (giant lizard), and vinusak (flowered plant).
In a quiet village of Kampung Tinangol in Kudat district, a group of Rungus women gathers at a longhouse to make Pinakol, especially for visiting tourists if any.
Afterall it is a time for them to catch up with one another and exchange stories, while their spouses are out hunting or farming.
For Nonjiring Mantuku, 61, she started making Pinakol when she was six. She learnt the art of beading and the patterns from her elder sister.
“The motifs have been passed down from generations and they are always the same. If you look at the necklace and understand the motifs, there are stories planted on the Pinakol.
“Depending on how one interprets it, one can read many story versions just like reading a storybook,” says the craft maker as she slowly slides her forefinger from one motif pattern to another.
The stories mainly focus on strength, bravery, courage and love.
One interpretation, Nonjiring points, tells a story about a Rungus warrior going on an adventure in the deep forest to look for a special vinusak as a gift for his lover. During his journey, a huge tinugarang attacks the warrior. He fights bravely, kills the tinugarang, and returns home safely with the vinusak.
Another tells a story about a maiden waiting for the return of her lover, who goes hunting and comes across a tinugarang. The hunter eventually returns home injured with his lizard catch. The maiden attends to his injuries and places vinusak on his wounds.
According to Nonjiring, most Pinakol makers have learnt the stories from their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents.
“The stories are always changing but the motifs remain the same. The four motifs are important to us because in the olden days, the people lived with nature and relied on nature,” she adds.
Her 63-year-old sister Inowoling says not many locals know the Pinakol is a storytelling necklace, adding tourists will always find it fascinating after learning about it.
“I personally think the art of making Pinakol should be preserved because, through this, one can learn about folktale stories. However, nowadays not a lot of young people are keen to learn how to bead.
“We hope the relevant quarters can assist the Rungus community in encouraging the younger generation to continue learning the traditional craft,” she adds.
Both sisters say the Rungus women rely on making beaded necklaces to earn income, noting the Sabah Tourism Board has always assisted them in promoting their crafts for sale.
“Otherwise, we just depend on locals and tourists to buy our necklace when they visit Kampung Tinangol,” says Inowoling, adding Pinakol cost between RM20 (US$5) to RM100 (US$23) depending on the size.
About the author
Avila Geraldine is the founder of The Turos. She is also a journalist at New Straits Times and a content creator. She travels in her spare time and writes about people, culture, travel, environment, and whatnot.