The Melanau's Caste System ( Adet Basa)

At birth a Melanau was placed in a rank category called "basa" or "Pakat", which was that of his father. Relationship between the ranks was formally laid down in the "Adet" ( Law) and a breach of rank rules was an act of disrespect "Tulah" and incurred civil and supernatural penalties.

The Caste System consists  three main categories arranged in Pikoul* ( A unit of Weight of Brassware):

1. Aristrocrats ( A-Mentri)
2. Freemen ( A-Bumi)
3. Slaves ( Dipen)

* 1 Pikoul is equivalent to 133 Pounds ( c.a. 60 kg) of Brass.

In reality the melanau's caste system is more complex. Among the aristocrats there are three grades: the top, the middle and the low, each of which was marked by the right to use a particular type of weapon to symbolize the status of their daughters at their weddings and for the parents to received a fixed weight of brassware ( Pikoul) as bride wealth. Only the Aristocrats were allowed to have slaves.
Above the aristocrats were the royal family of Brunei ( Tagan Raja Kelieng).

Photo: System of Rank.
The Grades of Aristocrats (A-Mentri) from top to bottom are:

15 Pikoul- "Pangiran" carries the title Datu. Pangiran was the vassal of brunei sultanate. Most of them married with the local melanau and their title was inherited to their children. The unmarried son of a Pangiran carries the title Awang or Awangku and the unmarried daughter carries the title Dayang or Dayangku.

12 Pikoul- "A-Nyat " also known as the "Perabangan" and carries the title Abang. There were families of wealthy brunei's or malay's merchants who married with the local melanau.

9 Pikoul- "A-Metahei" were the aristocrats of pure melanau blood. The were the founder of the village and keeper of the "Adet". Leadership among the A-Metahei are base on Primus inter Pares ( English: the first among equal). It means that the leadership was given to a particular A-Metahei that qualified to do the task but still technically equal among his peers.

Similary there are two grades of freemen:

7 Pikoul- "A-Bumi Ateng" or the true freemen could be commanded by nobody to perform services for aristocrats. They have the right to receive payment or salary for their work.

5 Pikoul (7 Betirih)- "A-Bumi Giga" or the "tied" freemen could be called upon by former owner to perform services. These "tied" freemen were freed slaves.

The rank Dipen ( Slave) also known as 2 1/2 Pikoul was also divided into a number of grades:

5 Betirih- "Dipen gak luer" or the field slave lived in a household of their own and were entitled to their own strip of land in the communal rice field. Like inside slaves they might even own sago gardens in their own right. But they were subject of course to all the demands made by the owner. Their granted land can also be taken by their owner without any permission.

2 1/2 Betirih- "Dipen gak lebok" or the house slave lived in the owner`s household and helped with domestic tasks and accompanied aristocrats as servants and companions wherever they went.

Tebuih Basa- Change of rank

Although the rank is hardly unalterable, any melanau are entitled to redeem rank at a weeding or at other times with the permission from the A-Metahei by paying the rest amount of Pikoul left to achieved the desired status.

The system of redeeming rank was organized in steps ( tirih). The full redemption of a slave from the lowest group to the status of a "tied" freemen ( A-Bumi Giga or 5 Pikoul) took 3 Pikoul or seven steps/ installments ( 7 Tirih). Hence the "tied" freemen are also known as 7 Betirih. The slave should and usually did take fewer than seven steps at a time and thus still remained a slave. Those who have paid their fifth installment are called 5 Betirih ( Dipen gak luer).

Only at a wedding a freemen (A-Bumi)  could redeem his rank and become the lower aristocrat (A-Metahei). For the true freemen ( A-Bumi Ateng) he has to pay additional 2 Pikoul and the "tied" Freemen ( A-Bumi Giga) 3 Pikoul to complete 9-Pikoul in 15 steps/ installments (15 tirih). Only the first born will inherit the redeemed rank while the other siblings will inherit the former ranks of their father.

The 9 Pikoul is the highest redeemable rank.

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Written by Learn Melanau

Learn Melanau by Nativeglot.com provides insider information about melanau unique cultures and language