Historical Exploration of Niah Cave: Local Legends and Folklore (9)

During the excavation of the historical site at Niah Caves, evidence was discovered—then scientifically tested—and it was found that humans have been here for around 40,000 years. Photo credit: Niah Museum, Sarawak.

Nestled at the base of a towering rocky mountain and enveloped by lush rainforest,

 Niah Cave is a marvel of nature's artistry. Its immense cavernous chambers, adorned with ancient stalactites and stalagmites, create an awe-inspiring landscape that is both majestic and serene. 

The air inside the cave is refreshingly cool, untouched by the pollutants of modern life, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the pristine beauty of this natural wonder. 

The cave's unique location and enchanting atmosphere make it a place where nature’s splendor is preserved and revered.

This captivating environment draws visitors into a world that feels both timeless and magical. 

Niah Cave and local legends and folklore

As sunlight filters through the dense canopy of the surrounding rainforest, it casts a soft, ethereal glow over the cave's entrance, creating a welcoming and mystical aura. 

Exploring the depths of Niah Cave reveals not just a geological treasure, but also a living testament to the area's rich natural heritage. 

The cave's allure is further enhanced by its connection to local legends and folklore, making it a place where the natural and the mythical intertwine.

The sacrifice and the curse

Long ago, on the banks of the Niah River, stood a grand longhouse, a symbol of power and pride. This longhouse was home to a prosperous community that had engaged in numerous battles and faced many adversaries with unyielding confidence. 

Fueled by their desire for even greater prestige, the inhabitants resolved to expand their dwelling. They meticulously dug deep holes to set the support posts for their ambitious project. According to their customs, strengthening the house required a human sacrifice, a practice meant to ensure stability and strength.

In their grim pursuit, they seized a young boy, the only grandchild of a humble, elderly woman living in a run-down room at the far end of the longhouse. This boy's life was offered up to fortify the new pillars. 

When night fell, and the boy was discovered missing, the old woman was consumed by worry. She searched frantically throughout the longhouse, her calls for her grandson met with evasive responses from the others. 

The community, aware of the boy’s fate but unwilling to admit it, offered no comfort or assistance.

Heartbroken and enraged by the realization of her grandson’s death, the old woman’s sorrow turned to fury. She dressed her cat in a piece of cloth to resemble a woman’s skirt and adorned it with a belt of dancing bells. Her intention was clear—to mock the community that had wronged her. 

As she struck the gongs, her actions were a form of defiant protest against the injustice she had suffered. The sound of the gongs, meant to signify a joyous occasion, carried a bitter irony, highlighting the old woman’s profound grief and anger.

The eternal punishment

The echo of the gongs drew the attention of the longhouse’s inhabitants, but rather than recognizing the seriousness of the old woman’s plight, they saw only a curious spectacle. 

As they gathered to witness the comical scene of the cat struggling with its costume, their laughter grew louder, drowning out the increasing storm outside. 

Their amusement proved to be short-lived as nature’s fury unleashed its wrath upon them.

The sky darkened ominously, and a fierce storm erupted. Torrential rain, followed by icy hailstones, battered the longhouse, which trembled and groaned under the assault. 

The once-proud structure began to harden and transform into stone, a slow and agonizing process. 

In a desperate bid to halt the transformation, the old woman placed an ancient, large jar at her doorway. This jar was a last, symbolic attempt to stave off the curse that had begun to take hold.

In her darkest hour, the old woman called upon her brother, a revered sorcerer residing far in Bintulu. Her plea, uttered amidst the chaos of the storm, was a final cry for help: 

“Oh Muled Rali! Muled Rali! I have summoned the wrath of the gods! This evil is not my doing—save me now, my brother!” 

Hearing her desperate call, the sorcerer braved the tempest, riding the stormy winds on his powerful shield. He arrived just in time to rescue the old woman, as the grand longhouse solidified into a mountain of rock.

The transformation of the longhouse into stone served as a harsh and eternal reminder of the consequences of mocking and mistreating others. 

The petrified figures of the longhouse’s former inhabitants

Today, those who venture into the depths of Niah Cave, carrying nothing but a bamboo torch glowing with resin, will find the petrified figures of the longhouse’s former inhabitants.

 These statues, forever frozen in their final moments of fear and horror, stand as haunting witnesses to the tale’s moral: a reminder of the price of cruelty and the enduring power of ancient curses.

The Great Niah Cave, with its natural beauty and embedded legends, remains a place where the past and present converge, offering visitors both a glimpse into the grandeur of nature and a poignant reminder of human folly.

-- Masri Sareb Putra