Tiger bells in South East Asia

Malaysia

All bells are of the A type, in sizes varying from about 2 to 5.5 cm., the largest bells mainly occurring with the Iban.

Sarawak
Group: Iban

Iban man holding a small tiger bell in his hand

Many reports from tiger bells on necklaces, skirts, religious objects, etc. In the longhouses upriver tiger bells can still be seen in actual use. One antique dealer in Kuching explained that the bells originally come from China and are often worn by small children (see also: Kalimantan).

String with tiger bell, tied to carrier, Iban

Iban necklace with old beads and tiger bells (author's collection)

In 'Life in a longhouse' (1962) and other publications by photographer Hedda Morrison, tiger bells appear in many photographs.

In 'Hornbill and Dragon' by Bernard Sellato (1989, photograph 235): a ceremonial sword belt with a hornbill beak, beadwork and one tiger bell.

Group: Bidayu

Necklace with one tiger bells, several small bells, animal teeth, and beads
(Author's collection)

Many tiger bells, mainly on necklaces together with beads, animal claws and sometimes cowrey shells. Tiger bells are still in use in the longhouses, including those near Kuching.

Several necklaces in a longhouse near Kuching. All bells are tiger bells. Photographed in 1989.

Various tiger bells found in one ethnic curio shop. Bells are mainly from Bidayu amulets and necklaces, some from Iban.

Tiger bell, Iban
Dimensions: 3,9 cm. wide, 3,1 cm. height
Donated by Irene Lim-Reid, Bareo Gallery, Singapore

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Note: No tiger bells were found with the Melanau and Kelabit Dayak.

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Kelantan
Group: unknown
A letter from Ms. Inger Wulff, Danish National Museum, Copenhagen in 1976:

'I have tried to find such bells in our collection other than those on the Mongolian shaman costume, but only discovered one, which was attached to the wrist of a shadow puppet from Kelantan, Malaysia.'

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for information please contact F. de Jager