Dayak Salako - The Lost and Found Tribe in Sarawak (Part 6)

Gold Arawana on Gawe Adat Ba'taah

"Gawe Adat Ba'taah" is a celebration of blessing to a new born baby. For this gawe held in Kg Siru on 11.05.2011 was for a mix Salako-Iban young parent to their nine-months son. The Gawe is considered small celebration with the offering of seven (7) cocks. For bigger celebration, a pig is offered. Others like "tumpik", "po'ek", "bontokng" are also prepared in medium size depending on the expectation of guests. As their religion is Christian, salutation to this young parent on the celebration, as they still maintain the Dayak Salako culture on blessing their son. On Gold Arawana point of view as a believer of Jesus Christ too, you are on the right way...

THE NEW GENERATION OF DAYAK SALAKO

The first photo is showing Ketua Kampung (Kampong Chief), Nek Akang Lani on his offering. The far view (not very clear) is Nek Usu Jimi, one of the eldest man in Siru.

The second photo, is one of the young generation man, Utoh@Miya who has the clear potential of continue the traditional celebration of Gawe in Salako culture.

Kampokngku - Gold Arawana at Kg Siru Longhouse

One for album... Gold Arawana with the JKKK Kg Siru, proud to be part of them..

Kg Siru Dayak, located about 100km from capital city of Kuching, just few minutes driving distance from beach town of Sematan and even a few minutes walking distance from the popular bidayuh salako longhouse of Kampung Pueh. This is where I grown and get my early education. For about 30 years, tremendous development has change this small kampung to a bigger kampung as it now. Up to date, I predict that more than 60 individual houses, and still keep counting. Im even dreaming to built my own kampung house here.

Kg Siru longhouse accomodate about 6 to 7 families is originally a wooden structure. The upgrading and total renovation to the longhouse is done through the initiative of the locals to promote their traditional identities.

So,why do the youngsters attracted to stay at their kampung, compare to some places where the youngsters prefer to work at town and get easier income? I believe that the youngsters still believe that their land still can offer them a better live. Anyway, by the tremendous grows of the population, I believe that one day their land and even they will no more relies on the "good offer" by the kampung. They need more land indeed!

Salako tradition of celebrating Gawe

No serious study being done to the various gawe celebration by the Bidayuh salako. Totally different in culture and even the way we celebrate it. Just to name few like Narakng, Ngabayatn, gawe uma, gawe batenek, gawe basunat, gawe ngampar gane....all normally celebrate on June. With one reason, the state government declaration of Gawai Public Holiday on 1st and 2nd June every year. This is where the families group together and celebrates their most important celebrtation.

Celebrating Gawe at Kampung Siru dayak
According to Councillor En Selian Jister, there will be a grand celebration on 1st June, 2011 centralized at the longhouse. The whole day celebration expected to attract more than 1000 visitors and participants of various activities.

One of the most attractive will be a symbolic celebration of traditional old ways to built the main pier of the longhouse. For our friend from ethnic Dayak Iban, its sound to be a normal celebration. However for Dayak Bidayuh Salako, it will be a once in a blue moon celebration.

Other Attractions
Kampung Siru Dayak is surrounded by few attractive places for a must visit by the tourists. Some of the places can be visited at redgoldarawana here or here.

Other cultural events like Pesta Narakng, and a first time international cultural fest will be held at Kampung Pueh. A little knowledge about Salako culture can be visited at redgoldarawana here.

They needs fund
To organize such a big function means need more money. So, to the youngsters...those who work overseas and get extra income are encourage to contribute to the JKKK. I believe that the younger generation of Kampung Siru Dayak will fully support the JKKK or whatever Salako traditional celebration to preserve our identity.

For Gold Arawana, he love his kampung... contributing in term of RM is just a small matter of supports. Moral supports in term of participating and promoting is his main agenda.

So, to those interested or even to contribute fund can call the organizing chairman, Councillor Selian Jister at +60198546305 for further clarifications.

GOOD LUCK KAMPUNG SIRU..

Gold Arawana present his small contribution to Councillor Selian Jister for Gawe Celebration on 1/6/2011.

Kampokng ku - Fishing at Kuala Siru

Gold Arawana on his fishing trip at Kuala Siru, Sematan, Sarawak...

This kid is just 7 years old, however he is my teacher to tie and prepare my fishing rod..

This unknown age of wooden bridge still serve the Pueh-Sg Kilong-Sematan Road users for more than 30 years... anyway, lot of sweet memories with my late father on the meaning of life survival... Owwwwhh... I really miss him!


To my eyes, the scenario is beautiful... an old jetty still there. And the following two pictures will show the different in 3 minutes!



Photo taken on 1853...

Photo taken on 1855... A lot of different in only 3 minutes.... what else for 30 years...

Like father, like son....He must be happy that his father finally got his fish of dream...

Lot of rods, but we gave too many choices for the fish until the give up to make a final decision. I guess...

Fishing teach the fisher to be patience..... mppphhh... no wonder I never could be a good fisher...

Owhhhh... its not a fish... luckily its not a bra... ha haha...

There is a Malay quotes, "Kais Pagi, Makan Pagi; Kais Petang, Makan Petang"... Be honest, I don't know how to translate it to English... Anyway, I have went through all the hard life at my kampokng during my childhood. I believe that my father has always gave me the best lesson so that my live will be better than his era. However, life in my kampokng is always an enjoyable moments; and I will always miss all the sweet and sour moments with you guys!

Important Note: Kampung Pueh Homestay is one of the most successful homestay program in Sarawak. Experient the everyday life of Dayak Salako and visit the oldest Malaysian's Salako longhouse at Kampung Pueh...

Dayak Salako - The Lost and Found Tribe in Sarawak (Part 5)

GOLD ARAWANA ON ONE OF SALAKO'S IMPORTANT OFFERINGS - GAWE UMA

As Salako (I used Salako instead of Selakau as part of improvement to my friend's comment) has too many Gawai/Gawe, I dont really understand to describe this. Anyway, on my personnal understanding, this "Gawe" is as an offering to "jubata" to guard their paddy farm from insects.

Bamboo altar and the offerings..

Its normally done at the centre of the farm.. The "Panyangahatn" is starting to give his offering.

Starting with the foods..


And later with the water...


I try to guess what is this small kid thinking.. Mphhh..


The new generation of Salako on the ceremony. At least, there are younger generation who still can be the witness of this Gawe. Can they be the future storyteller for the next generation?

At the end of the ceremony, I can see the hope on the farmer's face that "Jubata" will really bless him as his wish...

Believe it or not, this is how they show their respect to the nature... And we shall respect their culture too..

Sg Tengkorak ????

Photo by Nwo.... one of my best friend at Nangkat Salako

Tidak dapat dipastikan bila jambatan ini disiapkan, atau lebih sesuai dikatakan dinaiktaraf dari jambatan sementara kepada jambatan konkrit. Jambatan itu tidahlah besar kerana hanya menyeberangi sungai kecil yang bisa diseberangi dengan berjalan kaki sahaja. Bagai manapun, dengan kemajuan yang ada, hampir semua penduduk memiliki kenderaan sendiri, jambatan adalah yang paling sesuai. Terima kasih kerajaan di atas keprihatinan anda!

Asalnya adalah jambatan kayu atau balak, merupakan satu-satunya jambatan di sepanjang Jalan ke Kampung Pueh yang menghubungkan beberapa buah kampung ke pekan terdekat. Paling menarik adalah jambatan ini menandakan bahawa anda berada di kampung saya, Kampung Siru Dayak!

Sebelum ini, jambatan ini tidaklah sepopular sekarang kerana sungai itu sendiri adalah lebih penting berbanding dengan jambatan itu sendiri. Terlalu banyak nama, orang Salako memangilnya Batangan Siruk (Sg Siruk) dan ada yang menggelarnya Sg Takorok. Yang menghairankan dan menariknya adalah, nama baru yang dipaparkan pada papan tanda tersebut iaitu Sg. Tengkorak. Ini memberikan jambatan ini nama yang popular terutamanya di kalangan generasi muda. Saya tak pasti kenapa!

Sebagai orang muda, yang kurang mengetahui sejarah dan asal-usul sungai berkenaan, saya tidak pastilah sama ada itulah nama sebenar Sungai tersebut. Yang pasti adalah menarik untuk mengetahui nama di sebalik jambatan tersebut, sama ada ianya betul atau kesilapan mencetak pada papan tanda perlu diperbetulkan agar tidak menghilangkan identiti sungai tersebut. Bagi penduduk kampung, sungai tersebut sangat penting untuk pengairan yang mengairi tanaman dan dusun mereka, selain beberapa adat istiadat kaum Salako seperti "bersunat" dan sebagainya. Semasa kecil, itulah satu-satunya sungai yang saya kenali, tempat mandi-manda kerana airnya yang jernih dan menyegarkan.

Sekiranya nama Sg Tengkorak adalah betul, menarik untuk mengetahui cerita di sebalik nama tersebut. Sekiranya tersalah letak, adalah juga menarik kiranya nama sebenar diletakkan pada sungai tersebut. Saya tidak tertarik untuk menuding jari ke atas kesilapan sesiapa, tetapi saya tertarik untuk memperbetulkan keadaan dan mengetahui nama yang sebenar.

Tengkorak (skull)? Nama yang terlalu lucu tetapi semestinya mempunyai cerita menarik di sebalik nama tersebut yang perlu diceritakan!

Sematan Silk Farm

Gold Arawana on visit to Sematan Silk Farm...Place Like No other, Sematan...

Young Silk Worm...unfortunately there was no worm during my visit. Operation temporarily stop due to unknown reason...

It was more than ten years since my last visit to this farm, which is located about four or five kilometers from my Kampong. It was a surprise for me than!

1987 – The History Written

I was still very young to understand about the launching of the so-called Eastern Empress Silk Sdn Bhd, located at Kampung Siru Dayak, in Sematan Sarawak. The honorable, YAB Chief Minister launched the historical developments for Dayak Salako, might be until now is the biggest project ever for this area. I am not very sure on the cost, but it was really big.

My Kampong, on this year was still connected by gravel road. Traveling to Sematan will take about half day (we have to follow closely on the bus schedule), where I still remember that my parents bring our own “tapau” foods just to send my brother for routine check at a government clinic. And the bus fare is only 90 cents! Be careful on the bus because your hair will no need gels as the dust along the road is strong enough to straighten your hair. Most of the Dayak Salako is still lagging behind in terms of infrastructures developments as well as education and information.

By opening of the farm, which cover few hills of Bukit Pueh, its really change everything. The farm provides hundreds or thousands of job opportunities to the surroundings kampong as far as from Lundu. At first it s look a success for this mega project for a kampong boy like me.

The Success

At least one family has at least one representative who works in various departments. The salaries are not that good as their hopes but at least give them permanent job. The permanent income at least gives them confident to send their children to school. In extra, it’s actually their secondary job, apart from their routine and heritage occupation as farmer. The youngster even going back to Kampong by knowing that their hometown could give the similar income they get in town.

On this time, school and education become important, the parents take it as compulsory. Up today, the nearest school at Kampong Pueh (I am an old boys there, where I get my first education) is getting bigger and bigger and I believe it is now one of the important primary school in Lundu District. Two secondary schools, SMK Sematan and SMK Lundu now even bigger and get their school extension projects to enable it recruit more students from the surrounding kampongs. The education evolution in Dayak Salako is the biggest development that I believe could bring them similar to the achievement by other races in Sarawak. This is one of the output plays by the Silk Farm in Sematan.

Roads being upgraded to tar seal roads year later, and up to date some are until the individual houses. The standards of course, much far inferior in quality compare to the highways in Semanjung Malaysia. Sematan, anyway is the first point for the federal highway in Sarawak. By the road construction, the final outcome is electricity supply to the kampongs. Nowadays, all the kampongs are supply by 24 hours electricity. Hmm…it is part of the project, I guess…

Few years later, Pueh Youth Camp (Kem Belia Pueh), and DID Scheme came in, give another big impact to the surrounding Kampong. The DID scheme allowed the paddy farmers to plant their paddy for at least twice a year.

The latest development shall be the establishment of Kampung Pueh Longhouse as one of the most successful homestay programme in Sarawak.

The Failure

After years of launching, the workers are dwindling, most likely due to low production on the silk. The company changes its management for a few times, and the current company shall be given credits for continuously manage its struggle until now.

Most of the factories and other buildings now are not properly utilize, and it’s become abundant.

The farms are mostly now covered by wild plants, maintain only one third of the original, I believe just to continue on the production.

For the now economy crisis globally, credit again shall be given to the company for its struggle.

The Hopes

Mulberry Trees... Special foods...only for Silk Worm...

By that small analysis, I conclude that the project is not a failure. We heard about other similar project on Tiger Prawn, Crabs, Fish breeding, etc… and end in similar failure. Further analysis shall be taken into consideration for these semi-government projects so that it will further give more benefits to the rakyat.

As for the Sematan Silk Farm, which I believed one of the landmark for my Kampong shall be continue. Most of the Kampong folks now might be more interested to work on developing their own lands, but the pride of this Silk Farm as one of it in Sarawak shall be retain. As informed to me by a worker, hundred percent of their workers are local. Some more interesting fact!

I went to the show room, where the final product of silk; the silk quilt pillows and other silk products are display. Not bad. The prices are …mpphhh… expensive but I believe I will sleep comfortably on this local product of my Kampong.

Ya...of course...as a local here I have to support and make sure one day I will buy this local made silk product!

The silk worm factories...

Scenic view from the main office... on far view is Talang-talang Island

A factory in operation during its heyday....

The life circle of silk worm

The workers processing on the cocoon

Bundles of cocoons

The white silk, raw silk before process to other products.

One of the final product....Emperor King size quilt cost about RM 1, 000.00. Mppph...I would buy it, only if I could...

Sematan Silk Farm can be visited daily... for the entrance fee, I am not very sure. Final warning, the factories are really smell like XXXX. Anyway, it will give new experience for the visitors. One last advice...make sure you buy some souvenirs......tolong sikit ba....

Thumps up to this Young Selakau...

Gold Arawana congratulates and wish all the best to this younger generation of Dayak Selakau.........

Located at Food Avenue, just opposite to newly opened Boulevard Hypermarket at Batu 4, Kuching. This three brothers of young Dayak Selakau show the way to the youngsters of Dayak Selakau. And now, I try myself to write in Selakau language than...

Satinggi Bukit Poe, jakoa ugak cita-cita urakng tuha dirik ka anak-anak ke. Satinggi Bukit Poe ugaklah, cita-cita dirik maok majuant dirik Salako. Satinggi Bukit Poe ugaklah, harapant kamudak-kamudak sikolah dirik maok panei sikolah, ampus ka universiti, sikolah tinggi, dudi ari gaji kayak, jaji mentiri...

Koahan angkali kampokng dirik di mijawat basamakant ngan bukit koa, pakei urakng-urakng tuha arek marek dirik parangsang sak dirik Salako maju mansang sabaya ngan bansa lain.

Pamandangan nyian ku ngicakng di Kampokng Paon, kamudak-kamudak sikolah puakng sikolah ngingatant aku ka jaman sikolah ku arek. Bajaant paha, ngalawan angat mantaradek di tangah ari.

Bato dirik kaniak dah ada kasot, gik jaman dea...salepar pun susah ngagoak, batu, karasik, tanah batarabangan ka tubuh sabab maraga masih maraga batu. Munse ninyakh paku atau duri, bukant paha ang ukak tapi, paku koa ang bengkokh, duri patah sabab talapak paha koa taiee babilulang. Buukh pun badiri kana jel samulajadi ampat di dabu maraga....

Dea dirik pucayak sikolah kahe-kahe'e cara maok maju. Batol ugak, aku pun pucayak ugak.

Tapi, bukant kahe cara'e, ngarajaan tanah pun bisnes ugak auk! Manyak udak urakng kaya jaji patani moden. Urakng makant gaji (aya aku ugak), sampe kamie pun anak dapat kaya.

Jek dirik baajar ka ambujakng contoh nyian. Aku pucayak manyak agik dirik Salako ang mudak-mudak jaiya ugak, kreatif & inovatif, jauh pikirant'e. Ankali aku anak kanal, urakng dah karamian giak.

Ang nyian aku kanal giak, ampat di kenek ba sabalahnt rumah....jiran sampe ka tuha kaniak...

Ambujakng talu baradik nyian, angkali manyak dirik ang kanal. Bukant'e anak panei sikolah, iya nyian baajar tinggi, ta'paajar jare nenek arek. Kadare gik napant ba rajaki maok dapat karaja ang sabaya ngan kalulusane.

Iya pun bukant'e bakuli, di tangah-tangah nagari Sobat di Kuching dak idak'e ngagok makant. He he part nyian ang mijawat aku repo nanang....Iya talu miadik batoke ka sandirik...

Aku ka koa minggu lapas, nyacapik sumanan urakng bujakng....boleh tahan. Ame mangap, anak ada kurang tapi konpom labih nyaman dari sumanan Sobat.

Bisnes? Boleh tahan oooo.... Dirik nahuik Boulevard Kuching koa salalu manyakh urakng ampus "shopping". Maam ari memang susah maok ngagok tampat dudukh. Ka gerai ayukng dirik nyian pun anak kurang'e, bajebotant, babaris urank'ng ngicakng oder. Maksute kahe segek, nang boleh tahanlah...

Abang'e ang tuha nyian jaji "mastermind". Ba toke ka sandirik labih sanang. Munse rajint, taba ugak dompet. Ngantik'ant nak karaja ka urakng, ka parentah anak suah dirik nangar urakng jaji kaya. Kahe cara'e maok labih, karaja sandirik...mijawat bisnes jare urakng. Kenekh pun nak mea, asal puihant ne manyak..

Ame ngantiant subsidi agik, dah anak sangape dapat di arap. Karajaan damea ang patut asal duit tamak....

Jek dirik sabaya-baya nyokong bisnes ayukng-ayukng dirik. Sanang ajak, ampus ka Food Avenue di Batu Ampat, Kuching. Tamak ada nanang lampu biru ka gerai'e, iyalah koa.

Ada ugak tulisan sobat, tapi ame kitak kataik kata Laut, misti kataik kata Salako boh....Memang pun iya Salako!

Ka Nelson, Aseng, Kiong ngan sape sekok koa...Balalang.... Keep it Up! My two thumps up for this young Selakau...

Good job and wish you all the best!

Lundu - Another Beach Paradise in Sarawak

Gold Arawana on his visit to Siar Beach, Lundu, Sarawak....

Lundu, a district to where I born and growing up is about one hour drive from Kuching City. Most visitors will remember Lundu as a home of Rafflesia (a giant seasonal wild flower). First time visitors, if less information would not know that the real strength for Lundu is its beautiful beaches.

Yesteryears, Lundu was an isolated town which only accessible 16/18 hours from other parts of Sarawak. Ferry operations was from 6 am to 10 pm or sometimes extend to 12 midnight on Gawai or Hari Raya Festival. Nowadays, bridge being constructed, means that Lundu now is accessible 24 hours which easily could be visited by city folks of Kuching and enjoy the natural beauties of Lundu and Sematan.

Driving from Kuching to Lundu are Bidayuh kampongs on the left and right of the one and only one lanes highway in Sarawak connecting all the major towns from Sematan to Lawas. To know that you reach Lundu is easy, the visitors will be welcomed by Gunung Gading where you can find Rafflesia (if you are lucky). Remember this, turn right on a T-junction or otherwise you will go straight to Sematan or my Kampong at Kampung Siru/Kampung Pueh. Its ok anyway, because this three places have their own unique tourist attractions which I believe will definetely bring you to come again for your second visit. I have publish about Sematan, and in future I will publish on "Kampokngku", a story of a Selakau Kampong and their uniqueness.

For kaki pancing, Lundu known as a type of skinny fish which you can easily fish on the brackish water. Thats why, most of the time I feel that Lundu has his wrong identification. Anyway, this fish is too common, smelly and only few wish to have them for their food. As for Rafflesia, its really unique, informed for Sarawak only can be found in Lundu.

However, the beaches in Lundu is a hiddden treasures for decades, most likely because of the location which is quite isolated from the highland of Lundu. Most of the times, my new friends will talk about the Lundu beach, which I first time visit in last five years. That is common anyway, we tend not to appreciate our own beauties. Believe me, Lundu beaches are much much more attractive than other beaches in Sarawak.

I am not a good story teller, but the photos below have their own story to tell how this beaches could gear up the developments in Lundu.

(i) Lundu Wet Market, sea food is the best choice here








(ii) Gunug Gading, the home for Rafflesia








(iii) A landmark at Lundu towncentre, my playground in my childish time







(i) Lundu Bazaar, no place for shopping








(ii) Another land mark of Lundu, I try to look for Rafflesia, no where to find








(iii) No shopping center, but there are lot of food center. Their specialist are on the sea foods.








(i) Lundu, here I come to witness your beautiful beach. Nowhere to park your car in weekend, always full







(ii) A family from Kuching enjoy the scenic view of the paradise








(iii) While their family members enjoy on the beach











(i) The scenic view of Siar Beach








(ii) Clear water, looking for fish anyone?








(iii) The Beach Paradise...










(i) Everybody are happy...








(ii)My lovely son are the most happy...











(i) Batang Kayan, no more as the obstruction to visit Lundu








(ii) The white sandy beach








(iii) White shirt lady with her black shirt boyfriend in business..