Rentap

Rentap (born Libau Anak Ningkan) was a well-known Iban Dayak warrior. He was also a recogized Iban hero in Sarawak (now part of Malaysia) during the time of James Brooke. He is mainly known by the name "Rentap".

"Rentap Tanah, Runtuh Menua" translates to "Earth-tremor, World-shaker" in the Iban language. He was proclaimed by his followers "Raja Darat" (King of Upland) or "Raja Ulu" (King of Upriver) at the height of his power.

Rentap was selected as one of Orang Kaya Pemancha Dada "Bayang"'s lead warriors and led war expeditions to the areas surrounding the Kapuas River in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Rentap led a battle against James Brooke, notably at Sadok Hill until his death in 1870.

Rentap was born in the Skrang area in the Second Division in Sarawak. Rentap's father and mother were Ningkan and Imbong. They had five siblings named Libau anak Ningkan, Jarop anak Ningkan, Ringgit anak Ningkan, Lepo Anak Ningkan and Serini anak Ningkan.Libau, Jarop and Ringgit stayed in Skrang while Lepo migrated to Sungai Ngemah, a tributary of Batang Rajang. His sister Serini migrated to Sungai Muput, a tributary of Sungai Anap in Tatau, Bintulu.

Not much was known about Rentap until he was appointed one of the lead warriors ("manok sabong", literally meaning fighting cock) by chief Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana "Bayang".

Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana "Bayang" had led major ngayau (war) expeditions from south of Sarawak to the Kapuas River in what is now West Kalimantan in Indonesia. During these raids, the chief obtained a well-known cannon. One of its handles was broken, thus it was called "Bujang Timpang Berang" (one-armed Bachelor). It was marked with the year "1515", and had belonged to the Dutch East India Company in Kalimantan, West Borneo. This cannon was later used by Rentap in his fight against Brooke's troops at Sadok Hill until his final defeat in 1861. Libau Rentap, as a famous fighting man (Manok Sabong) of the Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang, was a very brave fighting man, and he always joined him in these sea war expeditions. Dana Byang was the mentor of Libau Rentap and another Paku Iban chief, Linggir Mali Lebu.

When Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana Bayang grew old, Libau Rentap took over as the commanding officer, and he led a number of similar sea war expeditions to raid Sambas and Pontianak, Indonesia. During one of these raiding voyages, Libau Rentap attacked and killed a boatful of Sambas people. One of them was the nephew of Sultan Sambas, whose keris (dagger) was distinguishable by its golden handle. The keris was taken by Libau Rentap. From that incident onwards, Libau Rentap’s name became famous and was recognized by the Dayak Iban Skrangs as their great war chief. This experience had prepared Rentap for the upcoming struggles, especially in the rebellion against the Rajah James Brooke of Sarawak.

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