Another Batu Nabau History


The other tourist attraction in Engkilili is Batu Nabau. The boulder or known as Batu Nabau by local people is located in Bukong which is about 50 metres from the longhouse. The rock has been an icon for Engkilili for many years. With its unique shape and coloration, it attracts many people to come and take pictures of it. 

According to local Ibans, they believe that the rock is a deity guarding the area and one that has mystical powers to fend off evil spirits and protect the land there. It is interesting to note that those coming to the site are strongly reminded to watch their behaviour because any wrong doing could result in them 'being cursed' by the deity. 

The Batu Nabau measures more than 9 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter. It straddles Sungai Bukong at a place called Batu Lintang. The tale regarding Batu Nabau resurfaces after a Siamese from Kuala Lumpur made a claim on the existence of a huge snake that turned into stone as he doubled his efforts to locate it. With the assistance of the local residents in the Sri Aman District, he located Batu Nabau as dream. Together with the local residents, he painted the boulder and cleared the areas around it. The man's tale was published in the local newspaper.The tale did not end there as Jawi-like alphabets were said to have been found in the central portion of Batu Nabau. The alleged Jawi alphabets of alif, lam, nun, mim, and sin were said to have been arranged in a reverse order and separated from one another. 



As Batu Nabau has become a public attraction, the Lubok Antu District Council (MDLA) plans to develop the area as one of the tourist attraction.