I received this great "photo essay" from our friend Robert Chin (Form 5 Arts2, 1976), describing an interesting expedition he and other buddies made during those boyhood days of the mid 70s ... here's the story as told by Robert (with WJ applying a wee bit of creative license :-)
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One fine evening, thirty-three years ago, Bob Chew, Philip Hii, Mark Chin and I sat down to think of something adventurous to do.
One fine evening, thirty-three years ago, Bob Chew, Philip Hii, Mark Chin and I sat down to think of something adventurous to do.
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Yeah… we decided to make a trip to Skrang to see and experience life in a longhouse. Our history lessons had taught us that the inner reaches of Sarawak were once the home of notorious pirates and headhunters …
We got hold of an Iban friend (as tour guide) , boarded a bus (STC) from Kuching and headed to a place called Entaban. From there, we continued by motorized longboat down the Skrang river, occasionally “shooting the rapids”.
We spent two nights at Murat or more precisely at Rumah Basing longhouse, Nanga Murat.
We got hold of an Iban friend (as tour guide) , boarded a bus (STC) from Kuching and headed to a place called Entaban. From there, we continued by motorized longboat down the Skrang river, occasionally “shooting the rapids”.
We spent two nights at Murat or more precisely at Rumah Basing longhouse, Nanga Murat.
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From left: Tour Guide, Robert Chin, Philip Hii, Mark Chin
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From Left: Tour Guide, Philip Hii, Bob Chew, Mark Chin
(Bob obviously attracted by something amazing)
From Left: Tour Guide, Philip Hii, Bob Chew, Mark Chin(Bob obviously attracted by something amazing)
Here we had our first-hand experience of the customs and traditions of the Dayak Ibans.
Brave warriors RC & BC, in ngajat headgear, ready to do battle ...
MC and PH getting also ready for ngajat dance
The highlight of the evenings was fun and entertainment by the longhouse residents (young and old) performing traditional dances and music.
We also saw many residents at work.
PH with his hunting dog and Granny busy with her weaving
Bob trying to concentrate on the weaving
BC helping mum with the padi pounding
We had chankok manis (“money cai”) & monkey for dinner, washed down with
“Chap Ah Pek” wine.
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What a memorable expedition! But where are the younger residents?
ReplyDeletePlenty of bustkets to see? Or only aging one? Hehe.
ReplyDeleteOf all the ladies BC has to "choose a matured one". I see plenty of young ones in the background.What happened to the men? Went off hunting?
ReplyDeleteBob do you remember you went to visit my granny too? In Sri Aman? Do you want to share what she offered you?
Probably they won't let these boys near their younger ladies. And don't blame them. LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful look at Sarawak culture! Great story, Robert Chin. Is there a sequel 33 years later?
ReplyDeleteSomeone is picking on BC here....lol. Any comments from Bobby?. Yep, another great memories, with photos. Just think, in the next 10 to 20 years on what we are doing now and looking back. So keep clicking away (and stored them safely away) as they say: Pictures say a thousand words.
ReplyDeleteWell done RC and WJ !!!
ReplyDeleteThat's the way I like it ah..ha..ah..ha
where's the Ngayap???
What ngayap??? This is a family-oriented blog. LOL
ReplyDeleteRobert -thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSinos said
ReplyDeleteNyak nya wai !!.
Selamat Hari Gawai 2009 to all friends,ex-classmates, school mates etc... Gayu guru gerai nyamai...go easy on the tuak, wai !!!.
BC, PH, MC & RC & the others, what about next trip to ulu Rejang? That's more challenging & we get Datuk Justin Jinggut to be our guide?. What say you Datuk?
Hello Nick,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear from you again.Hope we can meet up one of these days.
SELAMAT HARI GAWAI !!!
ReplyDeleteParty time!! No need to go easy on the tuak. Let your hair and everything else hang loose!!
BTW guys, Robert's email is robertjfc@gmail.com if you wish to contact him. I will also put this into the directory entry (posting in Jan 2009)
ReplyDeletePhilip Hii, where are you man? Go and register under the ROLL CALL plz!
ReplyDeleteYa loh, where is the young looking Philip Hii hiding these days?
ReplyDeleteWhere's Mr Hii ? Someone said he's in UK.
ReplyDeletea little bird said that Mr Hii may be heading to Malaysia soon ... true or not?
ReplyDeletewho's anon 1.30pm n little bird..???????????
ReplyDeletewill be back in june - july. ph
good to see you on the site, PH ... and happy birthday !
ReplyDeleteAhh, finally PH makes some noise from some corner of the world, after a lapse of how many months? Seven months? 'Welcome home' gathering coming up soon guys.
ReplyDeletetks wj.......still in the dark who's sabun king n how he's got his name, js n many others. need an update when i'm back soon. best regards to all.
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