The name Bintulu was said to be originating from the phrase “Metu Ulau” that means “head picking” in the olden native language spoken in Bintulu. As some may or may not know, some of the ethnics in Sarawak practice headhunting. It was said that Metu Ulau was the name of a river in Bintulu where the decapitated heads of the people, particularly enemies, would be thrown into due to the casualties of war which were later collected by the victors. Another version of the story took place in Sebezaw River where the native residents would preserve the heads of decapitated enemies by smoking them to prevent the heads from rotting. The articulation of “Metu Ulau” changed progressively in time, as that visitors came to Bintulu, would pronounce it as “Mentulau” before it evovled into “Bentulu” and then officially recognised as “Bintulu”.
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