The Wandergraphy: The Crafting of Sape, Borneo’s Traditional Lute

Ever since we were in semester one of our diploma studies, both of us along with a few of our friends had always talked about visiting Sarawak’s very own living museum, The Sarawak Culture Village.

It wasn’t until just recently – mind you, we are now in our fourth semester – that we finally, yes finally, we got to visit Sarawak Culture Village during one of our weekends.

Sarawak Cultural Village is known as Sarawak’s living museum because the place is a blend of history, tradition, culture, and lifestyle of the many ethnic living in Sarawak.

There is a total of seven traditional houses within Sarawak Cultural Village and each house belongs to one of the ethnic in Sarawak.

And so in a group of about 8 people, we went around visiting the traditional houses and even watched the cultural show.

Here’s where it suddenly got interesting, as we were walking towards the Orang Ulu longhouse, our ears suddenly picked up the sound of a beautiful melody that came from a string instrument that definitely sound a lot different than your average guitar.

However after a while, the melody suddenly stopped. We then climbed up the stairs of the Orang Ulu Longhouse to find the source of the music.

Sure enough, we found a man, literally half naked and dressed in a kelambi, a loincloth worn on the bottom by the man of the Orang Ulu tribe, sitting at the far end of the long house while doing some woodworking.

Curious, we went to him and sat down to question him about what he was making.

He introduced himself to us as Francis Kujen, who has been working with Sarawak Cultural Village for a long time now.

And apart from that, he is also a professional sape player who has travelled around the globe, promoting the traditional Orang Ulu musical instrument and its beautiful music to everyone.

He is a local but unlike the musical instrument he plays, which belongs to the Orang Ulu, he is in fact from the Bidayuh tribe in Serian.

We asked him about what he was making even though it was kind of obvious that he was crafting a new sape.

Lining up beside him against the wall were the sapes that were already crafted finish by him and his own bare hands.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: The Wandergraphy: The Crafting of Sape, Borneo’s Traditional Lute

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Bidayuh museum in the offing at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association headquarters

KUCHING: The public can learn more about the Bidayuh community once the museum at the Baruk in Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) headquarters here is fully ready by end of this year.

DBNA president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik said the association was still collecting feedback to improve the museum which was soft-launched yesterday by Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong.

He said visitors to DBNA and the restaurant located within its headquarters can visit the museum soon, especially for those who want to do research on the Bidayuh community.

“One of the purposes for this Baruk was  as a collection centre for culture and heritage of the Bidayuhs. In the past two to three years, we have been looking at all our files and archives, to see what are the relevant documents that are relevant to DBNA which we can exhibit, and we have also set up a special committee on this.

“The DBNA museum is more pictorial (in its presentation), to relate how we started in 1955, who were the leaders then, the programmes and activities done by them and how we have progressed,” he told reporters when met during the DBNA’s triennial general assembly yesterday.

He revealed plans to expand the content of the museum to include map showing the population and demographic distribution of the Bidayuh, as well as to feature photos and biodata of successful members of the Bidayuh community.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Bidayuh museum in the offing at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association headquarters

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Visitors greeted with warm welcome at Gawai Dayak open houses

KUCHING: Sarawakians are celebrating the Gawai Dayak Festival with open houses and “ngabang” – the practice of visiting family and friends.

At the home of the state’s Assistant Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil at Jalan Batu Lintang here, Bidayuh villagers in traditional costumes ushered visitors in and staged cultural performances.

“Our annual open house welcomes people from every race. People from all walks of life come to join us, but this year we miss our Muslim friends because Gawai falls during the fasting month.

“We enjoy opening our home in staying true to the tradition of celebrating Gawai, not just in the longhouse but also in an urban setting,” Dr Jerip said.

Guests were served traditional dishes such as ayam pansuh, baked empurau, lemang, kuih jala and umai for the visitors to enjoy the real taste of Gawai, he added.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Visitors greeted with warm welcome at Gawai Dayak open houses

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World Harvest Festival 2017 set to wow visitors once again

KUCHING: The World Harvest Festival (WHF) will continue its role in presenting the state’s culture and tradition, apart from award-winning performances to everyone.

According to Assistant Minister for Arts and Culture Datuk John Sikie Tayai, the annual event serves as a prelude to the Gawai Dayak celebration on June 1.

This year, the WHF will be running from April 28 to 30 at Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV).

“The WHF aims to celebrate the diversity of the different ethnic groups in Sarawak and also to help enhance the understanding of the culture among locals and foreigners alike.

“Thus, it is an ideal place for people of different backgrounds to meet, discuss and compare notes on traditional cultures through the exchange of ideas, as well as the portrayal of the dances, music, crafts and arts. This enables the participants to discover something new and at the same time, appreciate their own cultural heritage,” he said at a press conference cum promotional event for WHF 2017 at a hotel here yesterday.

The WHF 2017 is being organised by SCV with supported from both state and federal ministries of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Sarawak Tourism Board.

The highlight of the festival will be a special play themed ‘Tra Tra Land – Where Honey Sparkles’. Other exciting programmes at the festival will be the ‘Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2017’, ‘Ironman Challenge World Harvest Festival 2017’, ‘Sape World Concert and Workshop’ and ‘Sarawak Kitchen’.

On the special play, SCV general manager Jane Lian Labang said it would be based on a Bidayuh legend.

“It relates the story of Jurai, a Bidayuh lad who learned to harvest honey through a special song after his missing grandmother taught him in a dream. With this ability, Jurai managed to get the mystical honey that could only be found deep in the jungle of ‘Tra Tra Land’ and used it to cure Raja Manggeng’s only princess, who was suffering from a mysterious illness.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: World Harvest Festival 2017 set to wow visitors once again

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Magic Kervan: Orangutan, stinky predatory flowers, teachers-bodybuilders and other endemits of Borneo

We head to the outskirts of Kuching on foot. The city is called “The city of cats”. At almost every roundabout we see figures and statues of cats, but we couldn’t understand why they are so honored here and we didn’t see much cats on the streets.

One comes to Borneo in order to see natural wonders, endemits, rare animals and plants. Historical landmarks and architectural buildings are not the strong sides of the island.

Our next destination is Gunung Gading National Park. We want to visit it in order to see the parasitic giant flower Rafflesia. Here grows a rare kind of Rafflesia that blossoms only at the territory of this park.

Biological note: Rafflesia Arnoldii is the biggest flower on earth reaching a diameter of 1 meter. Its leaf bud grows for 9 months before blossoming and is as big as a human embryonic. The huge flower stays open for just six to eight days and before it fades it emanates a strong smell of decomposing corpse. Because of its short and impossible to predict period of flowering one has to be very lucky to see one but we will try anyway. There are said to be many Rafflesia flowers at this park so, who knows, we might see an open one.

We walk for an hour and a half under the hot sun till we reach the fork to Lundu Town where the entrance to the park is. We start hitchhiking and no more than 15 minutes later a luxury jeeps stops by. It is driven by an elegantly dressed driver.

He is going to a nearby place just 10 km away, but insists to take us to Lundu as he says he is not occupied with anything in particular at the moment. We refuse as the distance to Lundu is 100 km. but he keeps insisting. Soon we fly direction Lundu and enjoy an air-conditioner for the first time.

Before we entered the car the outside temperature was 40 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit) and we started feeling dizzy waiting on the road. Our driver turns out to be a rum bird – he is a professor at the university though he looks like a businessman. He belongs to the ethnic group Bidayuh, one that we have never heard of till now, but this is normal as there are so many ethnic groups in Borneo.

He told us that most of the Bidayuh are Christian Evangelists and go to church every Sunday. His name is Joshua and has five brothers and four sisters. He speaks in a low, flat tone and doesn’t seem very interested in us. He doesn’t ask us where we come from or what we do. We drive in silence most of the time and at the end he leaves us at the center of the town with an air of someone who did his duty.

We reach the fork to the park and sit to eat in a pavilion. It is 6 p.m. now, the park closes and we decide to try and enter through the main entrance. There is still light from the sun and we know that the path with the Rafflesia flowers is no more than 30-40 minutes walking distance.

The Rafflesia flower and its magical intent

The guard at the door spends some time wondering who these two strange guys coming on foot at this time of the day are. We tell him we want to walk for 20 minutes inside the park. Obviously the improbability of the situation is too much for him as all tourists come with organized transport and guides and he receives a brain freeze and lets us in without requesting us to pay any entrance fee.

We start running but we don’t see even a bud of the Rafflesia flower. We read some information signs where they say that the best chance to see the blossoming flower is during the rain season, which is September-December. Nevertheless the forest is amazing. We see giant liana vines hanging everywhere and the trees are enormous. We feel like we are in a fairy tale.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Magic Kervan: Orangutan, stinky predatory flowers, teachers-bodybuilders and other endemits of Borneo

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Bengoh fest in Sarawak tourism calendar

KUCHING: The Bengoh Cultural Carnival will be included in the Sarawak tourism calendar of event starting next year.

Permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datu Ik Pahon Joyik  disclosed this when launching the Bidayuh Gong and Traditional Dance Competition held at Bengoh Resettlement Scheme, Jalan Semadang-Bau yesterday. Commending the efforts made the organiser of the event, he said the ministry was fully committed to support any event that promotes local arts and culture.

“I’m very impressed with tonight’s traditional music and cultural show and we will include it in the state’s annual tourism calendar of event as I believe it can offer travel experience to tourists in the state.

“We will also give a token support in terms of annual grant so that it can be sustained in years to come,” he said.

This competition kicked-off the festival, which is being held for the second year. The competition has attracted over 100 young and old participants from around Puncak Borneo, Padawan, Bau as well as secondary schools and arts institutions.

Ik Pahon, who is also Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president, suggested that the organiser rename the festival in Bidayuh Biatah dialect so that it can be the signature event for the Bidayuh in Puncak Borneo.

On the Bidayuh Gong and Traditional Dance competition, he proposed that the competition be divided into two categories – Original and Creative categories to accommodate both the youths and elders from the community.

Continue reading at: Bengoh fest in Sarawak tourism calendar

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Bung Bratak Heritage Centre for completion by May 2017

KUCHING: The RM8 million Bung Bratak Heritage Centre (BBHC) is heading for completion, said Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) chairman Datuk Peter Minos.

He said the Department of Public Works (JKR) and its contractor have assured that the centre would be fully completed by May next year as 80 per cent of it will be done by end of December this year if the weather permits.

“This RM8 million Bidayuh historical cum tourism centre at 1,000 feet of Bung Bratak (Mt Bratak) in Bau is financed by the federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture and is being built by Sarawak JKR,” he said.

He also pointed out that students of several Australian universities and tourists from the  People’s Republic of China had indicated interest in spending time at the centre, which boasts of beautiful mountain-top scenery, virgin jungles with unique plants and fauna, two waterfalls, two springs and numerous wild animals and birds.

“So Bung Bratak is not just a Bidayuh historical site but it has everything nature can offer. It is truly an eco-tourism centre in its own class,” he said.

“When completed, BBHC will have a unique and traditional longhouse which can accommodate 100 persons, another longhouse for conferences and seminars, a big baruk (conference hall), a reception hall and dining hall,” he stressed.

“Dayak food and drinks will be available and Dayak cultural performances will be presented for guests. Everything will be affordable,” he added.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Bung Bratak Heritage Centre for completion by May 2017

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Fairy Cave - Spelunking in a mystical cave

THE cave is notable because of its connection to legend.

To the local Bidayuhs, the human-like rock formations inside the cave were formerly real people.

According to folklore, there used to be a village near the cave. But because of their cruelty to a pair of orphans, the villagers were cursed and turned into stone.

The two orphans wanted to participate in a festival held in the village but the villagers made fun of them before chasing them away.

For the villagers’ heartless treatment of the orphans, fairies were said to have put a curse on them. That’s how the cave got its name — Fairy Cave or Gua Pari as the locals call it. I have heard about Fairy Cave, situated near Bau town, since I was a teenager but it was not until recently that I managed to see it for myself. I tried looking for some of the rock formations outside the cave around the foot of a mountain but didn’t see any as the fenced up area was covered with vegetation.

There are also claims Fairy Cave takes its name from a stalagmite structure at its entrance, said to resemble a Chinese deity.

That claim could have come about because the cave has long been frequented by the Chinese living in the area and from afar. Even today, debris of joss sticks left behind by deific devotees can still be seen strewn near some of the rock formations inside the cave.

The superstitious Chinese come to pray at these stone figures, believing they are representations of spiritual beings.

What is a fairy?

Some have associated fairies with pagan myth or religion. They are generally thought of as supernatural beings living alongside humans, possibly within a slightly different dimension.

Some myths have it that fairies are either immortal or extremely long-lived, and come in a variety of usually humanoid shapes and sizes.

Anyway, what constitutes a fairy can change from culture to culture and tradition to tradition. However, a few things carry across whereby most are of the idea that a fairy is a being of mystery and possesses power.

According to some beliefs, the fairy has assumed the role of a kind of pretty genie, relegated to such work as making wishes come true and hauling off fallen teeth.

The pictures of the fairy that we come across in today’s media show them as benevolent, wise, and kind.

They bestow gifts on Sleeping Beauty or help Cinderella out of trouble or act as a sidekick to a boy who does not grow up. Hence, the term fairytales.

Interestingly enough though, while popular culture today reveres the fairy as a creature of good, it hasn’t always been so.

In the past, fairies were thought to be suspicious creatures, mischievous in the best of times, and downright evil in the worst. They were blamed for missing children, certain illnesses and bad luck during travel.

Folklore pertaining to the origins of fairies are varied. One school of thought insists they are the spirits of the dead while another claims they are fallen angels — cast out of heaven — yet not evil enough to be thrown into hell.

While these ‘dark angels’ could roam the earth, they were still subjects of the devil and must pay him a tithe — usually in the form of children or wayward travellers.

Still another theory espouses that fairies are a distinct species altogether — in the manner of Big Foot or Yeti.

Yet, it’s not just the fairy’s origin that is being debated. Even their very appearance is uncertain.

Sometimes, they’re described as tall, willowy and enchantingly beautiful, other times as dazzling, winged and no bigger than a foot called a demifey.

On some occasions, they may possess a magic wand, and at others, no wand at all.

Anyway, as soon as I came out of the car on arrival at Fairy Cave, I looked up at the sheer limestone cliff in front of me. Next to it was a four- to five-storey concrete stairway.

While ascending the flight of steps, I turned aside to look at the limestone wall and noticed a smaller set of stairs running closely to the rocks. It was steep, narrow, and looked very dangerous to climb. I guess it could be the old stairwell used by visitors or tourists in the past to reach the mouth of the cave.

On reaching the top, I discovered there were more steps to climb. Altogether, I climbed 185 steps to reach the entrance of the cave. There, I saw interesting stalagmite and stalactite formations.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Fairy Cave - Spelunking in a mystical cave

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Tap Sarawak homestays for tourism

KUCHING: Sarawakians must strive to be proactive and creative, especially in promoting the state’s vast culture and heritage to tourists.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said there were strategies that could be adopted to share these unique offerings with foreigners.

“Most people know that Sarawak is among the states that have many races. The racial differences were not a choice. It came naturally. This is the potential to tap to grow the tourism sector,” he said at the Darul Islam Belimbing Homestay Gawai celebration at Kampung Belimbing Padawan yesterday.

Nazri said he had been to many places, such as the Bidayuh villages here (Kpg Belimbing Padawan), Annah Rais and Gumbang.

“Although they are Bidayuhs who are Christians, what they practised as their customs is similar to those practised by Bidayuhs who are Muslims.

He advised more Kampung Belimbing Padawan folk to participate in the homestay programme.

Currently, there are 22 homestays at Kampung Belimbing Padawan.

“The income from homestay in Sarawak is about RM3 million in 2015. This is a big number.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Tap Sarawak homestays for tourism

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Make Dayak music appeals more to outsiders

KUCHING: The Dayak music industry has seen tremendous improvement over the past few years.

Now it has gone beyond our shores and reached other parts of the world.

As such, it is necessary for singers, musicians and art activists to be able to sustain the development, advised Snowdan Lawan, the chairman of Dayak Artistes and Musicians Association (Dama).

“Today, we can see that our talents are varied and we have really good singers and musicians of various genres including ballad, pop, rock and many more. We have moved beyond ordinary in terms of music quality, lyrics, music arrangements as well as the artistes.

“Nevertheless, we must strive to make other people, especially those outside of Sarawak, to understand that Dayak music is no longer just traditional music and show them our new generation of music. That is an achievement for us all,” he said in his speech when launching Dayak Music Awards (AMD) 2016 at Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Hall here recently.

He also pointed out that there was a need to make people love our music, although they might not understand our language.

“We love to listen to songs that we do not really understand the lyrics or language, but we tend to memorise the song by heart, including popular Hindi and Korean songs.

“So, what is the difference between our Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu songs? If we are able to charm music enthusiasts with our extraordinary music arrangements, music, and melody I am sure other races that do not understand our language will also love our songs,” said Snowdan, adding that several Dayak songs had been made famous by foreigners including Andrewson Ngalai’s ‘Bekikis Bulu Betis’.

He thanked the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) for their continuous effort in fighting piracy.

“The issue of piracy must be eradicated to ensure that the Dayak music industry will be able to sustain for more years to come and we will continue to fight the good fight,” he added.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Make Dayak music appeals more to outsiders

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Mount Singai, Bau - Stairway up a sacred mountain

THE mountain has been a source of clean water for drinking, bathing and washing among villagers in the lowlands not just in the past but probably today as well.

The lofty area is also believed to be a habitat for at least 30 species of amphibians and 19 species of reptiles, of which 14 are endemic to Borneo. At least 20 species of birds, 22 species of mammals, 86 species of butterflies and 1,178 species of plants are said to belong to some 69 families in the vicinity.

Moreover, there are about 150 groups of under-storey plants found within the mountain which can be used for landscaping, medicinal purposes, timber and handicrafts.

Located between Bau and Matang, Mount Singai was the abode of the Bisingai for more than 400 years before the villagers moved down to the lowlands in the early 1970’s.

Legend has it that the Bidayuh Singai settlers at Mount Singai in the early 1800’s were from Kalimantan. They left because of frequent attacks by their enemies, and were looking for a place to start a new settlement. Their choice was Mount Singai where they established their villages about a quarter-way up the mountain for better protection. The steep slope provided an impregnable buffer against attacks.

In the early days, the villages — Daun, Moti, Puot, Sajong, Saga, Somu, Sudoh and Tuben — were situated close to each other, yet separately administered under a village chief. The overall leader was the Orang Kaya Pemanca, locally referred to as Raja, a ruler of great power and influence.

The people practised paganism where Gawai Adat was then the Bisingai’s religion. It was based on the worship of the ancestral spirit called Ieng Sumuk Ieng Babai. The people also believed in supreme beings and had some faint idea of God.

Along the pathways and in their farms, they were said to have planted fruit trees and cash crops, resulting in a mosaic of secondary forests and gardens while the forests higher up in the mountain were left untouched till now.

Mount Singai with its unique flat summit is, indeed, an iconic landmark gracing the skyline.

Today, the Bidayuhs from Mount Singai have moved down and resettled in villages called Sagah, Bobak Tengah, Browing, Daun, Sinibung, Tanjong Bowang, Tanjong Poting, Atas, Sudoh, Apar. There have been repeated calls by the Bisingai for the mountain to be protected in order to preserve the social system, cultures and traditions of the community.

A lot of folklore, arts and crafts — basket, mats, traps and the like — need to be conserved and only by safeguarding nature at Mount Singai can these cultural treasures of the Bidayuhs be perpetuated.

Climb up Mt Singai

Together with my family, I recently made a day trip to Bau to ascend Mount Singai and see for myself the surrounding natural habitants and the flora and fauna.

For me, the forests in the area truly present an excellent opportunity for biodiversity and forest succession studies.

Along the belian plankwalk and stairway on the way up, we could see lots of large bamboo plants, tapang trees, palm (Arenga Sp) or ‘njuok’ in Bidayuh, ferns, wild flowers and fruit trees, especially durian and langsat, among others.

While taking a short break at one of the stations, I imagined what could possibly be around the entire mountain far beyond the Singai area. Perhaps, the forests are still rich in resources like the numerous ancient tapang trees and other huge hardwoods, fruit trees, bamboo for home flooring and walls and rattan for baskets and mats.

I also believe there are many more ‘njuok’ palms which produce a juice call ‘tuak njuok,’ normally consumed by men while socialising.

Checking out the area undoubtedly gives one greater insight into the history of Mount Singai — the cultures, the original settlements and the places connected with rites and rituals practised by the Bisingai centuries ago.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Mount Singai, Bau - Stairway up a sacred mountain

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Bau set to be part of Western Tourism Belt

KUCHING: Bau will be part of the greater Western Tourism Belt once the proposed Western Sarawak Tourism Development Plan is approved and launched soon, revealed Assistant Minister of Community Development Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie.

He said the masterplan of the project was designed by renowned Malaysian consultant Dr Mah Chen Ying who has been helping China in planning and designing many of its renowned tourism products.

“On my own initiative, I have done the Western Sarawak Study for Tourism Development that can be done in western Sarawak from Kuching to Sematan and particularly in Bau District.

“This is to tap the rich Culture, Adventure and Nature (CAN) tourism potential in Bau to include tourism products such as the Bidayuh cultural centre, the Chinese cultural village, the gold mining museum, the caves, the lake and the mountains of Bau,” Nansian told The Borneo Post at his office here yesterday.

He added that the Western Sarawak Tourism Development Plan could be part of the overall Southern Sarawak Corridor as proposed by the Regional Corridor of Development Agency (Recoda) to bring forth strategic development to the southern and western parts of the state.

Nansian believed that the masterplan would further boost Bau to become a major tourism centre as it has been known for its historical sites, lake, caves, rivers and mountains.

“Among the things that will be included in the Bau tourism masterplan will be a Chinese cultural village, forest and health resort, Bidayuh cultural village at Redeems Centre and many more,” Nansian explained.

On another issue, the Tasik Biru assemblyman revealed that the Bau industrial estate had been approved and would be launched soon to cater for the growing need for small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the district.

“With the approval of 50 acres of land for this purpose, we are confident the development of SMEs in the district would boost the local economy and would provide job opportunities for the local people especially in food processing, fabrication works, vehicle maintenance and many more,” he elaborated.

Nansian also revealed that the Bidayuh cultural village costing some RM11 million would be built at Redeems Centre at Kpg Apar, Singai and would be completed within the next one or two years.

“I am a grassroots leader and my niche is on community development. Whatever we plan is for the benefit of the people and not for my own gain,” he said.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Bau set to be part of Western Tourism Belt

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Serving up unique Bidayuh cuisine

BORN and raised at Kampung Sudoh, Singai in Bau, Patis Misid developed a passion for Bidayuh cuisine at a young age when she would help her mother cook for the family.

When she grew up and got married, she not only pursued her passion for cooking and preserved some of the original Bidayah cuisine but also produced Bidayuh recipes of her very own. And Patis has since been using these recipes to cook for her family everyday.

She prides herself on the quality of her cooking and strives to serve up the tastiest Bidayuh Singai dishes.

Her signature dishes include free range chicken soup (ayam kampung masak sup), fried fermented durian (tempoyak goreng) with pork and lemon grass condiment (sambal serai).

The free range chicken soup is cooked in a clay pot, stuffed with, among other ingredients, ginger, red onions, garlic, turmeric, lemon grass and turmeric leaves — plus seasoning. The clay pot is said to maintain a distinctive and delicate taste to the food. It seals the flavour and produces tender chicken meat, made different essentially by the fragrance of the lemon grass and ginger.

Most Sarawakians know and love fried fermented durian which is quite easy to prepare. It may be fried with a combination of chili, onions, garlic and anchovies with the optional addition of any meat. However, Patis’ signature tempoyak goreng is non-halal.

In any case, the best thing about fried fermented durian — including the one that is halal — is that it is not easily spoilt and can last for several days. But it must be kept in a container in a fridge.

Patis’ signature dishes were exhibited and sold at the recent Ethnic Food and Music Festival held at the Association of Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak (REDEEMS) Centre.

Her offerings are said to be so popular with the local community that she is sometimes requested to cook for events and gatherings.

“I do catering occasionally on request for birthday parties or meetings — mainly involving fewer than 100 guests. I use my own recipes,” she told thesundaypost.

Her two daughters — Edelweiss and Estrella Lemy — said their mother is not only good in ethnic cuisine but also some modern Chinese and Malay cooking.

“She likes to cook and we all love her cooking, especially her ethnic dishes,” Edelweiss enthused.

Her sister Estrella, standing next to her, concurred, saying they were lucky to have a mum who could prepare tasty Bidayuh foods.

“I’m proud of my mum who keeps our ethnic recipes not just for us but also the community at large,” she beamed.

The siblings helped their mother operate her stall during the Festival.

Sharing culinary prowess

One Bidayuh grandmother, too, has been interested in cooking — even as a little girl.

Lositina Jukien would spend time in the kitchen with her mother and she soon developed a strong passion for cooking — from Bidayuh to Chinese dishes.

The 66-year-old, who manned a stall at the Festival, confessed cooking for her loved ones and friends brought instant gratification.

Some of her recipes have been handed down from one generation to another — and she is now ready to share her culinary prowess.

“I am privileged to have this opportunity to share my cooking with you and the public,” she said as she invited me to taste some of her dishes.

At her stall, Lositina exhibited her signature dishes — sup ayam masak terung, fried fermented durian and lemon condiment and other side dishes. Her sup ayam masak terung had stuffings of ginger, lemon grass, turmeric and terung Dayak — plus seasoning.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Serving up unique Bidayuh cuisine

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RM8 million Bung Bratak heritage centre gets off ground

KUCHING: The RM8 million Bung Bratak Heritage Centre (BBHC) project will finally get off the ground with its launch on Saturday by Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Deputy Minister Anthony Nogeh Gumbek.

Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) chairman Datuk Peter Minos said the launch would be held at Kampung Tembawang Sauh off Bau-Lundu Road at 2 pm.

He said the centre, to be built 1,000 feet high up the top of Bung Bratak (Mount Bratak) is fully financed by the federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture and implemented by the Sarawak Public Works Department.

“The BBHA which represents 33 Jagoi-Bratak Bidayuh villages in Bau and Lundu District of over 30,000 people, has long wanted to set up the BBHC to honour and perpetuate the history and heritage of Bung Bratak, the original and ancient ancestral home of the Jagoi-Bratak Bidayuhs,” said Minos.

He said the project would transform the scenic 1,000 feet Bung Bratak’s two waterfalls, two spring water holes, forest, plants and faunas and other natural features into a tourist spot.

“It will also be a centre for research on Bidayuh culture, customs and traditions, arts and artifacts, traditional dances and music and on the natural things and environment found on Bung Bratak,” he said.

Continue reading at: RM8 million Bung Bratak heritage centre gets off ground

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Belimbing Bidayuh Longhouse - A unique homestay experience

IT derives its name from a local fruit called Gerumbing by the Bidayuh.

This fruit, also called Belimbing by the Malays or known as star fruit (local) in English, is sweet although not very fleshy. It can make a nice decoration on the table, especially if we can have the red ones.

Pink Gerumbings are also available in Sarawak.

Because star fruits are abundant in their area, one of the Bidayuh sub-ethnic groups within upper Padawan had named their village Kampung Gerumbing about almost a century ago when they were still pagans.

Gerumbing was eventually replaced with Belimbing when the villagers moved to the new location, about 60km from Kuching. The original site was about 15 minutes by foot from the present one.

Kampung Belimbing is divided into two sections — one  is called Kampung Darul Islam Belimbing, the first Muslim Bidayuh Longhouse community settlement in Kuching Division.

This longhouse has been quite a popular countryside homestay to travellers or tourists who love the rough ride and rustic life. Backpackers in particular, will appreciate it.

The facilities are not for city dwellers but people who love nature and the green belt. The location is appropriate for people wanting to spend a few days in a typical countryside village and explore the surrounding attractions.

The road leading to the village itself offers scenic views of mountains, lush tropical forests and natural greenery.

Staying with a host family at the Kampung Darul Islam Belimbing homestay is also an opportunity to experience the lifestyle and culture of the Bidayuh Muslim community.

Visitors, especially foreigners, can learn about the Bidayuh Muslim culture and also pick up their language in a friendly home atmosphere.

Besides, the very reasonable rates make this homestay an affordable short-term housing alternative to guesthouse or apartment.

Day-to-day life

There are 22 participants and 22 rooms in this longhouse.

Programme coordinator Raie Omar said homestay visitors could share the day-to-day life, traditional Bidayuh Muslim meals and special social activities at the village.

According to him, the programme includes activities such as jungle trekking, Rafflesia tour, bamboo raft safari, Bidayuh longhouse culture and cultural performance.

Raie said the Rafflesia site is about 2km away, adding that experienced guides would show the way to latest rafflesia bloom.

The Rafflesia is as unusual as it is spectacular. Much of the flower’s biology remains a mystery to this day. It has no specific flowering season, no roots, leaves or stems.

Scientists are still unsure how the seeds of a Rafflesia germinate and grow.

What is known is that it takes several hours for a flower to open fully. There are usually five thick and fleshy red-coloured petals, covered in lighter coloured spots, warts and blotches.

The Rafflesia only blooms for three to five days before it starts to blacken and rot. Raie said Rafflesia near Kampung Darul Islam Belimbing normally blooms in June or November but visitors could  still visit the site to the see the plant for themselves.

Along the jungle trek, there are also opportunities to observe the many types of medicinal, flowering and bamboo plants herbs, as well as wild local fruit trees and other flora and fauna.

Raie said the Kampung was equipped with several infrastructural facilities such as a multi-purpose community hall, a baruk, a sundry shop, a sportsfield, public phones and toilets.

He added that all activities, including cultural performance, would only be organised upon the visitors’ request.

“We have a cultural club which train dancers to perform upon request. Although we are Muslims, we still preserve our Bidayuh culture and our traditional attires are still Bidayuh-based.”

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Belimbing Bidayuh Longhouse - A unique homestay experience

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Kuching to host national-level International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

KUCHING: The national-level celebrations for this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous People will be held in Kuching from Aug 7 to 10.

The celebrations, organised by the Indigenous People’s Network of Malaysia (JOAS), will be hosted by several indigenous organisations led by Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) and will be held at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) headquarters.

Sadia secretary general and JOAS steering committee member Nicholas Mujah said the event will see the participation of indigenous groups comprising Orang Asal from Sabah, Orang Asli from Peninsular Malaysia and the Dayak from Sarawak.

He explained the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is observed on Aug 9 each year to promote and highlight the rights of the world’s indigenous peoples following the decision of the United Nations’ General Assembly on Dec 23, 1994.

In Malaysia, he added JOAS has been organising the celebration since 2008, rotating the venues between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. Sarawak is hosting the celebration for the third time, twice previously in Miri. Peninsular Malaysia will host the event next year.

“The indigenous people of Malaysia, which make up 13.8 per cent of the population, continue to face many issues and challenges that affect their rights as citizens of the country.

“Even though Malaysia endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007 – which outlines the rights that the government should respect and recognise; the serious gaps in our laws, policies and administration continue to persist.

“As such, Malaysia’s indigenous peoples continue to assert their rights and are determined in their efforts to bring about positive change in the country,” he said to reporters at the Sadia headquarters here yesterday.

Nicholas also said he expected the celebration will attract a lot of interest from both locals and tourists alike, since it coincided with the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) to be held in Kuching.

Activities planned include cultural presentations by various indigenous groups on the evenings of Aug 7, 8 and 9, including a rare opportunity to witness performance by Orang Asli cultural troupe.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Kuching to host national-level International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

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Gawai Bidayuh now a merry and fun time

FOR three days and nights, the priests, men and women of the village gathered in a longhouse balcony to celebrate Gawai their harvest festival.

The offering and ritual ceremony was held on the first day. The feast chief or the Ketua Gawai may sacrifice a pig or a cockerel to thank the gods for the good harvest and to ask for guidance, blessings and long life.

Sitting on a long swing made of a dug-out tree trunk, hung in the longhouse balcony, were the priestesses, reciting the chants in an archaic Bidayuh dialect.

The hymn is called beris in Bidayuh Biatah or boris in Bidayuh Bau dialect.

The priestesses were dressed in mostly black hand-woven costumes, lavishly decorated with antique beads and silver necklaces called sembon, silver belt and cap with a long wide piece of cloth, hanging down the back.

Arrayed on a bamboo shrine or platform are the offerings or sadis, normally consisting of rice and meat, presented to the gods to bestow blessings on the village.

Ritual music — beating of gongs and drums or jubat in Biatah — was played at the stroke of midnight on Gawai Eve.

The curtain raiser of Gawai got merrier when the men and women, decked in their traditional Gawai costumes, danced around the platform, holding a small bundle of items, consisting of glutinous rice, cooked in a small bamboo, rice wrapped in leaf, cigarettes and tobacco.

The dance — part of the rituals — was normally led by the Ketua Gawai. That was the general scenario of the Bidayuh Gawai once upon a time.

Dying tradition

The hymn, said to be mantras, were sung by the priestesses to their ancestors, giving thanks and appreciation for the good health and bountiful harvest during the year.

It is also to seek their blessings and guidance for a healthy and good harvest in coming year.

However, this mantra is a dying tradition as not many of the new generation are willing to learn and carry on the tradition.

They are also difficult to learn without any written references, and are passed down orally from one generation to the next.

Gawai is still celebrated by the Bidayuh but in the very different style now.

The days of real or authentic Gawai are long gone as it now comes without the pagan rituals, the birejang and nyerindang (the dances of men and women), ritual music, mantras and hymns.

The one and only village still known for practising the traditional Gawai ritual is Kampung Serasot in Bau. A special house was built mainly to hold the ritual ceremony.

The most-keenly awaited Gawai festival in Serasot, which fell on June 14, could be dubbed up as a mixture of traditional and modern festival. Its original features were seen in the ritual ceremony still practised according to the old customs and beliefs.

The offering, the ritual ceremony, chanting, the recital of hymns, the dances — name them, they are all there.

One can see the feast chief and the male elders of the village as well as the priestesses, dressed in their full and colourful traditional Gawai costumes, in addition to the chanting by the leader of the ritual, and hymns by the priestesses sitting on a long swing.

One can still see a sturdy altar standing on a bamboo platform, holding the traditional offerings of betel nut, rice wine, tobacco, glutinous rice and freshly cooked wild boar to the dieties.

On the verandah of the Gawai house was a selection of gongs and drums to be played during the ceremony.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Gawai Bidayuh now a merry and fun time

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Bidayuhs celebrate Gawea Festival

BAU: The Bidayuh village of Kampung Serasot near here chose to celebrate the Gawea Festival on Saturday (June 20) instead of June 1.

Yet, that did not stop thousands from flocking to the village to join in the celebration.

According to villagers of the Jagoi Bidayuh Dayak sub-ethnic settlement, the Gawea celebration held last week was their version of Gawai Dayak – the only difference is that it is usually celebrated after June 1, the official date for Gawai Dayak in the state.

They claimed that the Gawea in their village is one of the state’s iconic Dayak festivals and is very popular even among outsiders.

One of the villagers, Henshell ‘Kojek’ Ranged, when interviewed during the festival commented that during Gawea the main activities were ceremonies held at the village’s ‘Boli Gawea’, which is a house specifically used to host the events.

“Female shamans will be stationed at the Boli Gawea and their duties are to recite prayers, as they sit on a swing, thanking our deities for a good harvest this year and requesting for a good harvest in the next paddy planting season. Male villagers would play the gong just outside the Boli Gawea during the process,” added Henshell.

Henshell, who is known as Kojek by the villagers, said an altar of offerings was placed outside the Boli Gawea during the celebration.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Bidayuhs celebrate Gawea Festival

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Bidayuh’s sacred Mount Sadong to be conserved

SERIAN: The Bidayuh here are urged to emulate their brethren in Bau in conserving their ancestral hills and mountains while allowing visitors to visit these places.

In making this call, Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said Mount Sadong — the ancestral home of the Bukar Bidayuh community here — would be promoted as a tourism spot.

“In Bau District, they have Bung Jagoi, Dorod Singai and Bung Bratak which are well known and receiving visitors almost every week. But in Serian, we are yet to have a similar one like theirs,” he said in announcing a grant to start the conservation and promotion of Mount Sadong at the Gawai Nyara Mari Sawa (Gawai countdown dinner) at Balu Gambang, Kampung Taee on Sunday night.

The 1,800-metre Mount Sadong is a cultural heritage and pride to the Bukar people, a sub-dialect Bidayuh group in the Serian Division.

It also serves as water catchment area particularly for the villages of Tarat, Kakeng, Jenan, Bantang, Lanchang, Taee, Baru and Bunga.

So sacred is the mountain to the Bukar Bidayuhs that 1,000 people staged a protest in 2013 following encroachment by a company.

A local band immortalised the mountain by recording a song called Darud Sadong.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Bidayuh’s sacred Mount Sadong to be conserved

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Gawai carnival to showcase full Gawai rituals

KUCHING: The upcoming Gawai Carnival Redeems from June 11 to 14 is the best opportunity for people to see the actual celebration of the ancient Bidayuh festival.

Redeems president Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie said this time they will be showcasing the full Gawai rituals from ‘A to Z’ and as such it would be the best chance for the modern community to see the actual Gawai rituals as practised by the Bidayuh in the past.

“We no longer practise such rituals because most of us are now Christians but what we will do is just a show for people to see how our forefathers celebrated the festive occasion in the past.

“Gawai is in fact a festival for them to give thanks to the gods for their blessings and abundant harvests of padi for that particular year apart from looking forward to more success in the year to come,” he said.

He disclosed this when updating reporters on the upcoming Redeems (Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak) Gawai Carnival at a media conference at Redeems Centre Office at MJC here yesterday.

He said in this modern era most people no longer plant padi but they still celebrate Gawai to give thanks to God for the blessings given to them throughout the year.

“Gawai is a very special occasion for our community and because of that I, as president of Redeems, would like to wish our fellow Dayak friends a very happy Gawai Dayak 2015,” he said.

Nansian, who is Assistant Community Services Minister and Tasik Biru assemblyman, said in conjunction with Gawai Carnival Redeems 2015 various side events had been planned, starting from the morning of June 11 until midnight of June 14.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Gawai carnival to showcase full Gawai rituals

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