A Skrang Expedition ... 33 years ago

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 :-)
xxxxx

xxxx
One fine evening, thirty-three years ago, Bob Chew, Philip Hii, Mark Chin and I sat down to think of something adventurous to do.

xxxx

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.

xxxx

From left: Tour Guide, Robert Chin, Philip Hii, Mark Chin

xx 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.