Author: Valentine Tawie Salok

The significance of doors in life

Doors serve as the entry and exit points in any building, whether a residence, office, outlet or any other establishment. A locked door prevents entry or exit, but without a door, entry and exit are not concerns. In my rented apartment at Metrocity in May 2020, the door on the

Believing in the meaning of a song

Have you heard of the song ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’? It’s a song from the musical ‘Evita’ with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. In the musical, the song is performed by the character Eva Perón, who was portrayed by Elaine Paige in the original

Grandeur of Timang Jalung rituals

Timang Jalung, or the ‘bowl incantation,’ is a ritual performed by a group of bards to fulfil the proceedings of Gawai Antu, a festival commemorating the deceased. It is the grandest of Iban festivals, observed by the entire longhouse, particularly in the Saribas and Krian regions. However, in the Rajang

The power of quiet contemplation

Last week, I spent a few days away from Metrocity, Kuching and stayed at my niece’s bungalow in Merdang Lumut, Samarindah, Kota Samarahan. A former classmate, who now holds an MBA from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), found me there, sitting by the fish pond. “Are you enjoying the fresh air

Togetherness, the Heart of the Iban Community

The Iban people have long cherished the joys of socializing and fostering deep communal bonds. It is an intrinsic part of their daily lives, woven into the very fabric of their culture. In an Iban community, no individual is an island.  Each person is expected to be amicable, cultivate close

Heartfelt bonds formed through tragedy

In April of 1963, our new teacher, Tom Meludin Dian, at Saratok’s Nanga Assam Primary School experienced a heartbreaking loss when his infant son, Igat, passed away at just six months old. This tragedy deeply affected Tom, 27, and his wife, affectionately known as Indai Endun, 22, and their four-year-old

Master of Iban incantation rituals

My late father, Apai Salok Jembu (1910-2002), was a prominent bard known for his expertise in various Iban incantation rituals. He led the performances of Timang Jalung during significant ceremonies such as Gawai Antu (Festival to Commemorate the Deceased), Pengap Gawai Umai (Farming Festival), and Pengap Gawai Batu (Sharpening Stone

Delving into the durian heritage of Sarawak

Having penned two durian narratives previously, the scarcity of roadside sightings of the King of Fruits across Sarawak prompts a reflection on captivating durian tales that blend intrigue with a pinch of altruism. In November and December last year, my niece and her husband generously shared a plentiful supply of

Cinematic icons of Chinese cinema

‘Birth of The Dragon’, the latest film about Lee Jun-fan, professionally known as Bruce Lee, serves as a poignant reminder of my teenage obsession with movies featuring the late actor. Bruce Lee, who passed away at 32 on July 20, 1973, in Hong Kong, then a British colony, was born

1987: A year of educational triumphs

In 1987, several events unfolded that I am eager to share with you. The year began with me assuming the role of acting principal at Grade A school SMK Serian in Serian, following my promotion in late December 1986. This advancement was sparked by Fong Chee Hung’s transfer to the