Our primary school in Nanga Assam, Melupa, Saratok, entered its second year of operation on January 2, 1963. There were some cherished moments that I can recall and would like to share with the readers. Firstly, we happily welcomed a new teacher into our fold, an Iban from Disso, Saratok,
On January 2nd, 1962, I enrolled as a Primary One pupil at the newly built Nanga Assam Primary School in the Middle Melupa Basin, Saratok. Nanga Assam is named after the confluence of the Assam River on the right side, going upstream. Melupa, a tributary of the Krian on the
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
