The Melanau are a people who live on the island of Borneo, primarily in Sarawak, Malaysia, but also in Kalimantan, Indonesia. They are among the earliest settlers^{[citation needed]} of Sarawak, and speak a Northwest Malayo-Polynesian language (see Melanau language).

Origins[link]

The Melanau were in the 19th Century, settled in scattered communities along the main tributaries of the Rajang River in Central Sarawak. Melanau or problematic Kajang [1] speaking tribes such as the Sekapan, the Rajang, the Tanjung and the Kanowits gradually moved and assimilated into Dayak migrations settling in the Rajang. The Punan [2] (or Punan Bah) today are closely linked to the last riverine dwelling Melanau communities previously inhabiting the middle and upper Rejang tributaries. The Kajang language is kept relatively alive by the isolated Sekapan communities Kapit division of Sarawak.

The Melanau are considered among the earliest settlers in Sarawak. The name Melanau was not used by the Melanau to refer to themselves until recently. They call themselves a-likou meaning 'people of the river'. Legend has it that the name Melanau was given by one of the Sultans of Brunei to the inhabitants of the coastal swamp flats and riverbanks of central Sarawak.^{[citation needed]}

Eda Green, writing in 1909, referred to "...the Milanaus, whose girls are as fair as any Europeans and the belles of Borneo."^[1]

Divisions[link]

Grouping-wise,the Melanaus can be classified into the followings;

• Melanau Mukah
• Melanau Dalat
• Melanau Oya
• Melanau Matu-Daro
• Melanau Belawai-Rajang
• Melanau Ba'ie (Bintulu)
• Melanau Balingian ,and
• Melanau Miri.

The largest being the Matu-Daro group. Each group has its own characteristic dialect but they all share the same cultural and lingual background (Exception would be the Melanau Bintulu dialect which can hardly be understood by the rest. Many linguists feel that it hardly fits into the Melanau language grouping). The Melanau languages have been divided in the following eleven dilects: 1)Mukah, 2)Balingian, 3)Oya, 4)Dalat, 5)Matu-Daro, 6)Rajang, 7)Kanowit, 8)Sibu, 9)Bintulu, 10)Seru and 11)Tanjong.^[2]

Another Melanau group worth mentioning and inclusion is the Melanau Igan. They live in kampungs by Igan River (example : Kampung Skrang, Kampung Tengah, Kampung Hilir.) that borders the Mukah - (Matu-Daro) district. The main language is Melanau.However some speak local Malay dilect. This group of Melanau is probably all Muslims. They mainly adopt the Malay culture eventhough some of the Melanau cultures are still being maintained.It's believed that this group was originally Malays who settled in the area. However, mixed intermarriages with the Melanaus over generations produced new generations who considered themselves Melanaus.

Similar to the Igan Melanaus ancestral beginnings, many Melanaus who had migrated to different areas in Sarawak experienced the same transformation. A group of Matu Melanaus settled in Bintawa area in Kuching after World War 2. However their offsprings, eventhough mostly Melanaus by blood, normally donot speak the language. They are considered as Malays. However as a point of interest, the new secondary school built in Bintawa Kuching in 2007 is named SMK Matu Baru. Many areas in Kuching notably Petra Jaya, Lundu and Santubong do have a significant Melanau population. Miri the oil town, Bintulu the gas town, Sibu the riverine town are also places where there is a significant Melanau population. However the 'Bin' which mean "son of" and 'Binti', meaning "daughter of" factors in all their names (be they are Muslim, Christian or "Likou") had probably confused the census workers (read the following paragraph). One of the reasons the Muslim Melanau 'migrated' to become Malay is that during the registration of birth of the new borns, they will automatically being assumed as Malay if the parents don't inform the Birth&Death Registration officer of their racial preference .

Culture & economy[link]

The Melanau were traditionally fishermen as well as padi and sago farmers. Some were skilled boat builders. They used to live in tall stilted and long houses, but nowadays, they live in a Malaysian kampung-style houses (individual & separated houses). Because of religious similarity, the majority of Melanaus live socially and culturally like the rest of the Malays in Malaysia.

It is one of the rare ethnic groups in Malaysia which hardly grows or increases in its population. This is because the Muslim Melanaus that have migrated to bigger towns in Sarawak have "automatically" become Malays especially during the National Census Operation as their names (and many times the language the elders use with their children at homes) are inseparable from the Sarawak local Malays. This has helped the Malay population of Sarawak to have significantly increased in the census.

All the Melanaus have a 'Bin' (son of) and 'Binti' (daughter of) in their names similar to the Malays^[3] and it is also likely that the Christian Melanaus too were designated as Malays in the census.

The 2010 Malaysian Population Census showed the Melanaus population in Sarawak, Malaysia was about 123,410. They make up the 5th largest ethnic group in Sarawak, after the Ibans, Chinese, Malays and Bidayuh. The continuous 'cross-breeding' through inter-marriages between the Melanaus and other races in Malaysia has also caused the mysterious disappearance of the Melanau identity. Data from some private research estimated that the actual Melanau population (in Malaysia and outside Malaysia) is much higher.

Being migrants in the early days, Melanaus are found almost everywhere in Sarawak. Sadly, though their children know their roots,many of them cannot speak or even understand their Melanau languge.Intentionally or unintentionally, many of them registered themselves as other races, mostly as Malays. In some cases,their parents, both Melanaus, prefer to speak to their children using Malay or English. This language trend is mainly found in the towns and cities in Sarawak. There has been little efforts done to preserve the Melanau dialects and to teach the current Melanau generation continuous usage of their own dialects.

The gradual disappearance of the Melanau cultures and dialects is further aggravated by the absence of qualified Melanau staff members handling the documentation on the Melanaus cultures and history in the 'Majlis Adat Istiadat' department in Sarawak. This department is involved in the preservation and documentation of the cultures and histories of the various ethnic groups in Sarawak. The Melanaus are slowly being emulsified into other cultures. The Melanau Kaul festival will only serve as a reminder of the Melanau Pagan ritual.

Religion[link]

While originally animists, the majority of the Melanaus are now Muslim, although some of them, especially among the Melanau Mukah, and Dalat are Christian. Nonetheless, many still celebrate traditional rites such as the annual Kaul Festival. Despite their different beliefs and religions, the Melanaus, like the rest of East Malaysians (Sabah and Sarawak) are very tolerant of each other and they rightly feel proud of their tolerance. We would still come across a Melanau family with different child family members embracing Christianity and Islam while their parents still have strong animist belief.

Melanau Calendar[link]

The Melanau have their own calendar which begins in March. The New Year is celebrated during the Kaul Festival.

Notable Melanau people[link]

• Pangeran Matusin

Mukah Governor during Sultanate Brunei

• Orang Kaya Selair

Leader of Matu district before and during reign of Brooke Dynasty

• Orang Kaya Srigunim

Women who become a leader of Jemoreng district during reign of Brooke Dynasty, killed during pregnancy by her rival

• Sawing

One of the Sharif Masahor army leader during attack on Kanowit Fort 1859, who killed Henry Steel & Charles Fox

• Salakai

Sawing close friend who fought together during attack on Kanowit Fort 1859.

• Mohamad Taufan Mohamad Yassin

Social Activist and editor of malaysiagoblog.blogspot.com & asiandeftech.blogspot.com

• Abdul Taib Mahmud (also known as Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud)

The fourth and current longest serving Chief Minister of Sarawak, father of Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib, a politician & Mahmud Bekir Taib, corporate figure.

• Abdul Rahman Ya'kub (aka Tun Abdul Rahman Ya'kub)

The third Chief Minister of Sarawak, who preceded the current Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and the Fourth TYT (Governor) of Sarawak.

• Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Muhammad Nor

The fifth TYT of Sarawak.

• Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng (aka Tun Sallahuddin)

The sixth and current TYT of Sarawak.

• Mohd Effendi Norwawi (aka Dato Seri Effendi Norwawi)

Former Minister in The Prime Minister Department (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration).

• Leo Michael Toyad (aka Datuk Sri Dr. Mohammad Leo Toyad)

Ex-Federal Minister(Foreign Affairs).Chairman, Sarawak Conventions Bureau.

• Wahab Dollah (aka Datuk Wahab Dollah)

Member of Parliament.

• Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib

the son of Abdul Taib Mahmud. A Corporate figure who also Kota Samarahan Parliamentary Member.

• Datin Hjh Fatimah Abdullah@Ting Sai Ming.^{[citation needed]}

DUN Assemblywoman and Minister of Welfare, Woman & Family Affair in the Sarawak state cabinet.Married to a well-known educationist. Deputy Chairman Women Organisation Sarawak.

• Datuk Hj Hamden Hj Ahmad

former DUN Assemblyman and Former Assistant Minister of Youth and Tourism.Corporate figure (Oil-palm plantation)

• Abu Seman Jahwie

DUN Assemblyman. Former Deputy Superintendent Customs. Secretary Party PBB Sarawak.

• Hang Tuah Merawin

Resident, Kapit Division.

• Hj Sarudu Hoklai

Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Planning(Sarawak). Former Resident, Mukah, Kota Samarahan and Kapit(Sarawak).

• Akit Sebli

Former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism Sarawak.

• Datuk Hj Adi Badiozaman Tuah.

Well-known educationist. Former Education Director (Examinations)Malaysia. Director (Education) for Yayasan Islam Sarawak.

• Dr Haji Mohamad Topek Taufek Nahrawi

Businessman, Developer & Contractor, Former Deputy Chairman of SEDC, Academic

• Yusuf Hadi (aka Prof Datu Dr. Yusuf Hadi)

Academician UNIMAS.

• Sulaiman Hanapi (aka Prof. Dr. Sulaiman Hanapi)

Academician UNIMAS.

• Rashid Abdullah (aka Datuk Prof. Dr Rashid Abdullah)

Academician UNIMAS.

• Len Talip Salleh (aka Datu Len Salleh)

Forestry Expert; member of state legislative council (ADUN); Deputy Minister.

• Aloysius Dris (aka Datuk Aloysius Dris)

Director, Sarawak Tourism Board.

• Edmund Kurui.

Former Assistant Curator Sarawak Muzium.

• Hamid Sepawi (aka Datuk Hamid Sepawi)

Corporate Leader. CEO of Naim Cendera Group, well known property & housing developer and public listed company)

• Hasmi Hasnan (aka Datuk Hasmi Hasnan)

Corporate Leader. Managing Director of Naim Group

• Len Bubat

Melanau Song Composer/Producer (First Melanau Original Song Album 2002).

• Tazudin Murni

Melanau Song Composer/Producer/Arranger/Sound Designer/ANUM guitarist (ANUM First Melanau Original Rock Song Album 2006).

• Sahari Ubu

Staff Sergeant Royal Corps of Signal British Army 1962 Staff No 23895416.

Penghulu Kampung Nangka, Sibu.

• Rohani Abdullah (aka Prof Dr. Rohani Abdullah @ Josephine Yaman)

Academician UPM.

• Tuan Haji Mohamad Atei Abang Medaan

Mayor (Datuk Bandar) of Kuching North (Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU))

• Datuk Dr Yusof Hanifah

Former Mayor of Kuching North (Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU))

• Mohd Hafiz Mohd Suip (Hafiz)

Singer and winner of Akademi Fantasia, Season 7

• Rapaee Kawi (a.k.a. Apai or Mashor) (1958–2009)

Ex-Commando, Sarawak most senior national press photographer and the first Sarawakian to scale Mount Everest.(Sarawak Book of Amazing Facts And Records) On May 21, 2009, he died suddenly while undergoing a medical checkup at the Jalan Masjid Polyclinic in Kuching.

• Associate Professor Dr Haji Abdul Mutalip Abdullah

The former Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences UNIMAS

• Sharifah Zarina.

A singer most notable for her hit, "Langit Ke-7"

• Dr. Junaidi bin Hj. Diki

Pakar Perubatan Kesihatan Awam/ Timbalan Pengarah Perubatan HUS, Kuching.

• Datuk Haji Abang Abdul Wahap Haji Abang Julai

Mayor (Datuk Bandar) of Kuching North (Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU))

References[link]

1. ^ Eda Green (1909). "Borneo: The Land of River and Palm". Project Canterbury. http://anglicanhistory.org/asia/sarawak/green/01.html. Retrieved 2008-08-26. 
2. ^ Melanau Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version
3. ^ http://learn-melanau.blogspot.com/2011/01/why-melanau-use-bin-and-binti-in-their.html

Thomas James (c. 1573 – August 1629) was an English librarian, first librarian of the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

Thomas James, portrait attributed to Gilbert Jackson.

James became a fellow of New College, Oxford in 1593. In 1602, his wide knowledge of books, together with his skill in deciphering manuscripts and detecting literary forgeries, secured him the post of librarian to the library newly-founded by Sir Thomas Bodley at Oxford.^[1]

At the same time, he was made rector of St Aldate's Church, Oxford. In 1605, he compiled a classified catalogue of the books in the Bodleian Library, but in 1620 substituted for it an alphabetical catalogue. The arrangement in 1610, whereby the Stationers' Company undertook to supply the Bodleian with every book published, was James's suggestion. Ill health compelled him to resign his post in 1620, and he died at Oxford in August 1629.^[1]

Life[link]

He was born about 1573 at Newport, Isle of Wight. In 1586 he was admitted a scholar of Winchester College, matriculated at New College, Oxford on 28 January 1592, and was fellow of his college from 1593 to 1602. He graduated B.A. on 3 May 1595, M.A. on 5 February 1599, B.D. and D.D. on 16 May 1614.^[2]

He assisted in framing a complete body of the ancient statutes and customs of the university. He was also skilled in deciphering manuscripts and in detecting forged readings. He obtained leave to examine the manuscripts in the college libraries at Oxford, and was allowed by easy-going heads of houses (particularly those of Balliol and Merton) to take away several, chiefly patristic, which he gave in 1601 to the Bodleian Library, together with sixty printed volumes.^[2]

Bodley had fixed upon James as his library keeper, and the appointment was confirmed by the university in 1602. On 14 September of that year he also became rector of St. Aldate, Oxford. His salary as librarian was initially £5 13s. 4d. quarterly, but he threatened forthwith to resign unless it was raised to £30 or £40 a year. At the same time he demanded permission to marry. Bodley, who had made celibacy a condition in his statutes, expostulated with James, but eventually allowed him to take a wife.^[2]

In December 1610 the library began to receive copies of all works published by the members of the Stationers' Company, under an agreement made with them by Bodley at the suggestion of James. In 1614 James, through Bodley's interest, was preferred to the sub-deanery of Wells, and in 1617 he became rector of Mongeham, Kent. At the beginning of May 1620 he was obliged through ill-health to resign the librarianship.^[2]

At the convocation held with the parliament at Oxford in 1625 he moved that certain scholars be commissioned to peruse the patristic manuscripts in all public and private English libraries in order to detect forgeries introduced by Roman Catholic editors. His proposal not meeting with much encouragement, he set about the task himself. James died at Oxford in August 1629, and was buried in New College Chapel.^[2]

Works[link]

His first attempts at authorship were translations from the Italian of Antonio Brucioli's ‘Commentary upon the Canticle of Canticles,’ which was licensed for the press in November 1597, and from the French of Guillaume du Vair The Moral Philosophy of the Stoicks, London, 1598. He next edited Richard de Bury's Philobiblon, Oxford, 1599, which he dedicated to Sir Thomas Bodley. As the result of his researches in college libraries he published ‘Ecloga Oxonio-Cantabrigiensis, tributa in libros duos,’ London, 1600, a work commended by Joseph Scaliger. It gives a list of the manuscripts in the college libraries at Oxford and Cambridge, and in the university library at Cambridge, besides critical notes on the text of Cyprian's ‘De Unitate Ecclesiæ’ and of Augustine of Hippo's De fide.^[2]

In 1605 appeared the first catalogue of the library compiled by James, and dedicated to Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, at the suggestion of Bodley (who thought that ‘more reward was to be gained from the prince than from the king’). It includes both printed books and manuscripts, arranged alphabetically under the four classes of theology, medicine, law, and arts. A continuation of this classified index, embracing writers on arts and sciences, geography and history, is to be found in Rawlinson MS. Miscell. 730, drawn up by James after quitting the library. An alphabetical catalogue prepared by him in 1613 was not printed, but remained in the library. A second edition of the catalogue appeared in 1620. It abandoned the classified arrangement of the former catalogue, and adopts only one alphabet of names. There was also issued in 1635 ‘Catalogus Interpretum S. Scripturæ juxta numerorum ordinem qui extant in Bibliotheca Bodleiana olim a D. Jamesio … concinnatus, nunc vero altera fere parte auctior redditus. … Editio correcta,’ Oxford.^[2]

James's other works are:

• ‘Bellum Papale, sive Concordia discors Sixti Quinti & Clementis Octavi circa Hieronymianam Editionem,’ London, 1600; 1678.
• ‘Concordantiæ sanctorum Patrum, i.e. vera & pia Libri Canticorum per Patres universos, tam Græcos quam Latinos, Expositio,’ Oxford, 1607.
• ‘An Apologie for John Wickliffe, shewing his Conformitie with the now Church of England,’ Oxford, 1608; in answer to Robert Parsons and others.
• ‘Bellum Gregorianum, sive Corruptionis Romanæ in Operibus D. Gregorii M. jussu Pontificum Rom. recognitis atque editis ex Typographica Vaticana loca insigniora, observata, Theologis ad hoc officium deputatis,’ Oxford, 1610.
• ‘A Treatise of the Corruption of Scripture, Counsels, and Fathers, by … the Church of Rome. … Together with a sufficient Answere unto J. Gretser and A. Possevine, Jesuites, and the unknowne Author of the Grounds of the Old Religion and the New,’ 5 pts. London, 1611; other editions in 1612, 1688, and 1843. Against Jakob Gretser and Antonio Possevino.
• ‘The Jesuits Downefall threatened against them by the Secular Priests for their wicked lives, accursed manners, heretical doctrine, etc. Together with the Life of Father Parsons,’ Oxford, 1612.
• ‘Index generalis sanctorum Patrum, ad singulos versus cap. 5. secundum Matthæum,’ London, 1624.
• ‘G. Wicelii Methodus Concordiæ Ecclesiasticæ … Adjectæ sunt notæ … et vita ipsius … una cum enumeratione auctorum qui scripserunt contra squalores … Curiæ Romanæ,’ London, 1625. On Georg Witzel.
• ‘Vindiciæ Gregorianæ, seu restitutus innumeris pæne locis Gregorius M., ex variis manuscriptis … collatis,’ Geneva, 1625, with a preface by B. Turrettinus.
• ‘A Manuduction or Introduction unto Divinitie: containing a confutation of Papists by Papists throughout the important Articles of our Religion,’ Oxford, 1625.
• ‘The humble … Request of T. James to the Church of England, for, and in the behalfe of, Bookes touching Religion,’ Oxford? 1625?
• ‘An Explanation or Enlarging of the Ten Articles in the Supplication of Doctor James, lately exhibited to the Clergy of England’ [in reference to a projected new edition of the ‘Fathers’], Oxford, 1625.
• ‘Specimen Corruptelarum Pontificiorum in Cypriano, Ambrosio, Gregorio M. & Authore operis imperfecti, & in jure canonico,’ London, 1626.
• ‘Index generalis librorum prohibitorum a Pontificiis,’ Oxford, 1627.^[2]

James is said to have been the ‘Catholike Divine’ who edited, with preface and notes in English, the tract entitled ‘Fiscus Papalis; sive, Catalogus Indulgentiarum & Reliquiarum septem principalium Ecclesiarum urbis Romæ ex vetusto Manuscripto Codice descriptus,’ London, 1617; another edition, 1621, was accompanied by the English version of William Crashaw. In 1608 James edited John Wycliffe's ‘Two short Treatises against the Orders of the Begging Friars.’ Four of his manuscripts are in the Lambeth Library: 1. ‘Brevis Admonitio ad Theologos Protestantes de Libris Pontificorum caute, pie, ac sobrie habendis, legendis, emendis,’ &c. 2. ‘Enchiridion Theologicum, seu Chronologia Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum, ordine alphabetico,’ &c. 3. ‘Suspicionum et Conjecturarum liber primus, in quo ducenta ad minus loca SS. Patrum in dubium vocata, dubitandi Rationes, Rationum Summæ perspicue continentur.’ 4. ‘Breviarium Episcoporum totius Angliæ, seu nomina, successio, et chronologia eorundem ad sua usque tempora.’ In the Bodleian Library (Bodl. MS. 662) is his ‘Tomus primus Animadversionum in Patres, Latinæque Ecclesiæ Doctores primarios.’ Two letters from James to Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, dated 1625 and 1628, are preserved in Cotton. MS. Julius C. iii., ff. 159, 183. Bodley's letters to James are in ‘Reliquiæ Bodleianæ,’ published by Thomas Hearne, from Bodleian MS. 699, in 1703.^[2]

v t e Bodley's Librarians Librarians Thomas James (1599) · John Rouse (1620) · Thomas Barlow (1652) · Thomas Lockey (1660) · Thomas Hyde (1665) · John Hudson (1701) · Joseph Bowles (1719) · Robert Fysher (1729) · Humphrey Owen (1747) · John Price (1768) · Bulkeley Bandinel (1813) · Henry Octavius Coxe (1860) · Edward Nicholson (1882) · Falconer Madan (1912) · Arthur Cowley (1919) · Edmund Craster (1931) · Harry Creswick (1945) · Nowell Myres (1948) · Robert Shackleton (1966) · Richard Fifoot (1979) · John Jolliffe (1982) · David Vaisey (1986) · Reginald Carr (1997) · Sarah Thomas (2007) Related pages Bodleian Library · Thomas Bodley · Articles about the library's collection University of Oxford portal

References[link]

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain:  Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.