The Wisdom of Bird Ritual Symbols in the Poem Pengap Gawai Pangkung Tiang: An Analysis Based on Charles Sander Peirce Semiotic Theory

Abstract

The Iban community has shaped their culture through the inheritance of traditional customs passed down from earlier generations. This research aims to analyse the symbolic representation of adat beburung (bird omen customs) in the Iban ritual chant Pengap Gawai Pangkung Tiang. The use of various symbols serves as a medium for cultural continuity, as reflected in the translation of adat beburung within the Pengap Gawai Pangkung Tiang chant. This poetic form is profoundly rich in symbols, signs, values, and the ethical dimensions upheld by its cultural bearers. However, the failure to comprehend both the explicit and implicit meanings embedded in these cultural symbols threatens the resilience and continuity of the chant’s practice. A qualitative approach was employed in this study. Fieldwork was conducted through semi-structured interviews with key informants, namely the lemambang (ritual chanters). The research instruments consisted of semi-structured interview protocols and transcripts of the Pengap Gawai Pangkung Tiang chant. The analysed data were further compared with findings from relevant literature review. Data analysis was conducted using the Bogdan and Biklen’s Model (2007), while thematic identification was performed using Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis Model (2006). The findings reveal that the translation of adat beburung is symbolically represented through seven bird species, namely ketupung, beragai, bejampung, nendak, pangkas, embuas, and kelabu papau. These seven bird symbols were analysed in detail using Charles Sander Peirce’s Semiotic Theory. The implications of this study provide a deeper understanding for the Iban community as a vital agent of cultural expression to continue preservation of tradition poetry.

Keywords: Poem, augury, symbol, signs, pengap, gawai pangkung tiang

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