Gunpowder flask

This gunpowder flask made of light wood with a plaited rattan covering belonged to the Muruts. The Muruts are highland communities who live around the borders of Sabah, Kalimantan and Sarawak. It was thought the pagans or non-muslim people had limited use of the muzzle-loading musket. 'Gunpowder' was often a handful of black powder extracted from Chinese fireworks, which was possibly stored in a container such as this.