The Importance of Preserving Memories-A Story of a Long Apu Family's Pesaka Beads

Abstract

Beads have played an important role in Dayak society for several centuries. They are seen not only as decorative objects valued merely for their aesthetic qualities but have a deeper significant cultural value placed on them. Some beads have ritualistic purposes and are only worn during certain rituals and festivals. Pesaka or heirloom beads are greatly treasured and are passed down from one generation to the next, and behind every heirloom bead there is a story to be told of how it came to be part of a certain family’s possession. A beautiful bead is just a tangible piece of material culture, but the stories related to it transform it into a family treasure. This is just one story of a family’s pesaka beads.