2 days ago
Memorial proposed in Serian to honour professor who documented Bidayuh life
Minos (fourth left) MDS councillors and officials are joined by some of the Mentu Tapu folks as they visit the hall that Geddes helped to build.
KUCHING (Aug 17): A memorial and gallery to honour the late Prof William Geddes, the New Zealand academic who documented Bidayuh life in the 1950s, is being proposed at Kampung Mentu Tapu in Serian.
Serian District Council chairman Dato Peter Minos said the council, together with Kedup assemblyman Datuk Martin Ben, is considering the initiative in recognition of Geddes' invaluable contributions to the Bidayuh community.
He explained that Geddes had written the book 'Nine Dayak Nights' based on his experiences living with the Bidayuh community at Mentu Tapu.
'Geddes lived in Kampung Mentu Tapu from around 1950 to 1951 while conducting research on the Bidayuhs, then known as the Land Dayaks, on behalf of the British colonial government.
'His book Nine Dayak Nights and accompanying report remain classic references on Bidayuh culture and traditions,' Minos said in a statement.
He noted that Geddes' works captured the community's history, customs and character with great depth and accuracy.
As such, he strongly believes that setting up the memorial, albeit a modest one for a start, would be a fitting tribute for Geddes.
'This is the least we can do for this great man who did a good turn for the Bidayuhs. We must never forget our roots, and remembering Geddes is part of remembering our history,' he stressed.
According to Minos, he was told Geddes returned to Kampung Mentu Tapu briefly in the 1970s and 1980s, and even helped build a small village hall, which still stands today, though no longer in use.
He pointed out that although Geddes passed away many years ago, villagers of Mentu Tapu still remember him fondly.
Minos, who visited the village recently, said the people expressed their gratitude to the professor for putting their community on the map.
'They told me, 'Geddes made our village famous. We really thank him for that.' It shows the depth of their appreciation and respect,' he said. Bidayuh life Kampung Mentu Tapu lead Peter Minos Prof William Geddes Serian
