THE TSENGLAP TRIBE OF JIWAKA

A Tribal Myth

Ghilgalkup Clan Of Tsenglap

According to traditional folk lore, the Gilgalkups are cousins of the Tsenglaps. Gilgalkup Clans' great ancestor the progenitor of the clan came to live with his cousin Kupus. A a result, the Gilgalkup clan was born. Collectively the Ghighalkup and Kupuskup are sometimes called Kupus-Ghilghalkup.

The Gilgalkups' traditional singsing ground is at Kip Village. The Gilgalkup are now a major tribe inside the Tsenglap and they live in places such as: Pinip, Tumbang, Nolkoma, Bolda, Kolnganol, Mandhang, Kum, Gurnel, Kumbaning, Tolu Point, Tuwaling, Kasbalnol, and Maliu. The Gilgalkup share their border with Tsenglap's neighbour to the west, the Kumuka Nganz Kapangkup Tribe.

There are three (3) sub-clans inside the big Gilgalkup Clan. The Three sub-clans are:

  • Kip Dop
  • Komban Anamb Kanem
  • Baiman Andapang Kanem

The sub-clans inside the Ghilghalkup have their own little mini-clans as well. The two mini-clans inside the Kip Dop sub-clan are called Kip Gawam and Dop Gawam. The two mini-clans inside the Komban Anamb Kanem sub-clan are called Komban Kanem and Anamb Kanem. The two mini-clans which come under the Baiman Andapang Kanem sub-clan are called Baimankanem and Andapang Kanem.

Tumbang-Alang Pinip-Anip

Late Sir Kaibelt Diria comes from the Kip-Dop sub-clan of the Gilgalkup. Inside the Dop Gawam mini-clan, there are two house units known as Mond Ngalim and Kaman Ngalim. The Gilgalkup and Kumukanem are the two biggest clans inside Tsenglap Tribe. Ghilghalkup's traditional Singsing Ground is at Kip Kundula. During the Tsenglap Tribe's last pig killing ceremony in 1977, Sir Kaiabelt Diria officially closed the Ghilghalkup ceremony at Kip Kundula.