Rumah Jana, Batu Matup

This is the community site for Rumah Jana, Batu Matup, located at Julau.

We are a long house community located in Julau, Sarawak.

There are 64 families living in this longhouse community, with a total population of 421.

The Origin Of Batu Matup

This picture was taken in 1970 during gawai festival

“Batu Matup” is the name originated from a big stone found at the river mouth of Sungai Matup. The big stone surface on the Kanowit River that flows to Sungai Rejang, the villagers name the long house after the big stone.

The first villagers comes from Nanga Engkeranji, Sungai Julau and Nanga Slaut, Sungai Kanowit. In 1947, this long house was built. At that time, only 18 families live here.

Belows are the names of the head of the families as pioneer that live in this long house;

1. Timbang Anak Manggie

2. Temenggung Anak Jawa

3. Maju Anak Bantin

4. Nyadang Anak Koh

5. Mambang Anak Imong

6. Empaling Anak Imong

7. Pengarah Banyang Anak Janting

8. Saweng Anak Janting

9. Keling Anak Lang

10.Jawi Anak Mambak

11.Kadom Anak Banyoi

12.Nyadang Anak Janting

13. Ringgit Anak Sanggol

14. Tinggi Anak Juna

15.Seliong@Leyo Anak Agok

16.Agok Anak Juna

17.Muyu Anak Telu

18. Jilan Anak Unjo

The land of the long house was bought by the 18 head of families from Apai Jemburai and paid by planting rubber in his land in Sungai Matup(The land was bought by Saweng Anak Janting at RM500 in early 50’s)

The first settler were farmers and rubber tappers. Some of them were working elsewhere such as Bintulu, Kuching and Sibu.

Education

Pupils from Batu Matup in 1973 at SK.St. Alphonsus, Julau.

The early education they got is from mission school, SK. St. Francis Xavier. The children travelled by longboat that tooks 6 hours to reach Kanowit. Then in 1930, a mission school was built in Julau ( SK. St. Alphonsus). The children went to this mission school by walking trough jungle path which took 20 minutes walk. The children continued their education in “Kanowit Secondary School” known as SMK Sedaya now. They also went to Sacred Heart, Sibu and SMK Sungai Paoh, Sarikei. In early 70’s, a secondary school was built in Julau, then the children got their education near to their long house.

Retake Picture. SAS(Saint Alphonsus School) in 1960 now known as SK. St. Alphonsus

Infrastructures

The earliest infrastructures was a muddy road that can only accessed by bicycles. The road was built in early 50’s. The electric supply and telecommunication system was able to use by early 60’s. The clean water was supply to Batu Matup in early 70’s.

Chief Of Long house In Batu Matup

Names of chief of the long house in Batu Matup;

1. Tuai Rumah Temenggung Anak Jawa

2. Tuai Rumah Empaling Anak Imong

3. Tuai Rumah Saweng Anak Janting