GNMawar, born in the Ides of March 1957 this 26th descendant of Sengalang Burong, the Iban God of War, wish to preserve and share all historical data on the Iban cultural heritage for use by future students of Iban studies. Recent development in the information technology has made it possible to preserve the data, which can reach a lot of people quickly. The purpose of this publication is to preserve knowledge on cultural heritage of the Iban people of Borneo. It is my hope that the future generation can benefit alot in any way from the articles posted in this blog.
Tusut From Sengalang Burong (my family tree):
Sengalang Burong x Endu Sudan Beringan Bungkong = Ajee, Dara Tinchin Temaga x Menggin or Ming = Sera Gunting x Seri Ngiang = Sera Kempat x Ranjau (f) = Ridoh (f) x Bada = Gupi (f) x Grasi “Belang Pinggang” (or Damu) = Geraman or Ensoh (m) x Tebari (f) = Beragai (f) x Chundau = Beti “Brauh Ngumbang” x Duri (f) = Talak x Pandak (f) = Badas (f) x Girik = Blaki I x Buang (f) = Penyut x Endia (f) = Landan (f), Jering (f), Empiang (f), Sudan (f) x Salang I = Blaki II x Beremas (f) = Tur “Bayang”, Lada (f) & Ugap x Nisi (f) = Salang II x Nati (f) = Lintu (f), Limping x Tambong (f) = Bali, Uja x Sree (f) = Salang III, Sambun (f), Nyanggau x Gindu (f) = Indoo (f) x Attat = Benedict Sandin, Lenti (f), Gerinching (f) & L.F. Mawar x Roselyne Petri = Gregory Nyanggau (Author)
My family tree from Bejie:
Bejie > Nisi > Antu Berembayan Bulu > (Telichu, Ragam) Telichai X Endu Dara Sia (F) = Retak Dai x Kelitak Darah Menyadi > Sarapoh x Reminda (F) = (Chundau, Bada, Sempaok, Sampar), Remie x Rukok Ke Bejulok Apok papong Tengkiong, Antu sapuon tebu, Nempuah Bau Sinang, Bujang Pasak Jalu, Pematak bala nyerang = Menggin (Ming) x Endu Dara Tinchin Temaga = Sera Gunting x Seri Ngiang (F) = Sera Kempat x Ranjau (F) = Ridoh (F) x Bada = Gupie (F) x Antu Gerasi belang Pinggang = Geraman (Ensoh) x Tebarie (F) = Beragai (F) x Chundau = Betie “Berauh Ngumbang” x Durie (F) = Talak x Pandak (F) = Badas (F) x Girik = Blaki I x Buang (F) = Penyut x Endia (F) = Sudan (F) x Salang I = Blaki II x Bremas (F) = (Lada, Tur “BAYANG”) Ugap x Nisie (F) = Salang II x Natie (F) = Limping x Tambong (F) = Uja x Sree (F) = Nyanggau x Gindu (F) = Indoo (F) x Attat = (Benedict Sandin, Lentie, Gerinching) Lionel Frederick Mawar x Roselyne Petry = Gregory NYanggau (27th descendant)
Academic:
Attended primary school in Tanjong Labang (Paku), Abang Aing (Sri Aman), St. Christopher (Debak) and Pusa Primary School. Attended secondary school in Saribas Secondary School (Debak), St. Augustine (Betong), Gov’t Secondary School (Limbang), Sunny Hill Sec. school (Kuching) and St. Thomas Secondary School (Kuching). Went for further education at Institute Technology Mara, Shah Alam, majoring in Mass Communication (Public Relations).
Career:
Started my career as a Temporary Teacher teaching Geography, English and Iban language at Kalaka Secondary School, Roban. Moved on to Brunei to seek better career and worked as a pile driver at a construction site. Returned to Miri and started my career in Oil and Gas Industry serving various Departments ranging from Refinery Maintenance, HR, Operations Business Planning, IT Development & Support and currently serving as Company Site Representative for Offshore Topside Major Maintenance and Hook-up project with Sarawak Shell Berhad.
Visit To My Worksite:
My worksite is located at the South China Sea around the Sarawak & Sabah waters. My office is inside a workbarge attached to an Oil or Gas Platform by temporary gangway. Our work is like nomads moving around all the Shell platform in these waters. We work hard by day and rested well by night. Sometimes we have to work two shifts to meet tight schedule. Working condition is tough and money is hard earned. Safety of everybody and everything is the order of the day. Food and drinks is almost free flow.
Works are discussed in detail, planned and executed at worksite. Resources is limited and is never immediately available when required. There is also constraint in spaces to perform work and storage space for equipment and materials.
When you are tired, you think alot about home. You think about your family, the food they eat, their schooling, the bills that have to be paid, their future, etc…..
Offshore Oil and Gas construction activities involves alot of business and safety risks. There is always a limit to the resources available, so we have to prioritise how these are used. HSSE take top place in your priority list.
Chopper is the main means of transportation to and from the work location. Sea survival and helicopter underwater escape training is the mandatory training requirement for going offshore besides being in good health condition, H2S training and other Safety trainings.
Interest: writing, cock fighting, bladesmith, birds & orchids.
Proffessional discipline: Mass Communication
Longhouse : Bilik No. 7, Kerangan Pinggai, Paku Spaoh, Saribas.
Career : Oil & Gas Industry.
Current Position : Offshore Construction & Maintainence.
E-mail: gregory.mawar@shell.com
Maritial status: Married with 2 children
Residential location: Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Politics: Supporter of BN led government in Malaysia.
Motto: Be prepared, Be Polite & Be Patience
Message to Iban readers: Keep up the pioneering and “bejalai” spirit. The world is a big playground for all to explore. Your land is your precious heritage aquired through blood, sweat and tears. So defend it with your blood, sweat & tears to the end.
Favourite quote: “Enti mati sama mati. Anak dirumah nyadi ka ganti”…… Entingi bejulok Keti Aur Tulang, Tuai Bansa Baketan, Bukit Saban (My great x 13 grandfather)
A carefree person who loves life. I have alot of respect for people.
Chandu menyadik Bungkok , asal ari ng.lemanak , enti aku salah sebut , betul k d baru tuan.
Nama api kena urang rumah panjai ngerejaka pengawa maya malam ari Baka berandau ngau melah pinang? Ngena api badilang kini? Laban api kelita bedau business.
Api getah dambar di tungkun maya malam hari.
Why bunsu petara got imam bhiku Infront?
High priestess of Bunsu Petara
Is it true Melanau and Kayan tribes called Malays by the name of ‘ Klieng.’?
The Malays are known to the Sea Dyaks by the name of ‘ Laut ;’ to the
Melanau and Kayan tribes by the name of ‘ Klieng.’ (p40)
https://archive.org/stream/nativessarawaka01lowgoog/nativessarawaka01lowgoog_djvu.txt
Can you upload a picture of tuchok, belangkiang, mengalai & selempandai?
How to modernize the Iban culture?
It’s not a culture if its modernised.
Selamat Pagi Tr. Kadang ngilikka pala meda pelajar enggau pengawa nuan.
Mass Com tau nyadi CSR. Nya meh baka jalai pengidup kitai. Aku empu berengkah ari 1990 ketasik ba Oil n Gas industry. Tau kumbai setengah dunya endor belelang ngiga pemakai udah badu sekola ba Shah Alam.
My concernce is. Bisi nuan nyimpan semoa utai tu ba hard desk, kebuah pia takutka blog nuan tu kena virus lalu semoa utai ditu lenyau magang. Sayauka semoa info ditu. Penting amat ba kitai Iban jemah ila. Enti ulih share ngagai bala bukai awakka bela ngibun lalu enda lenyau baka buk ensera Iban enggau surat nendak kelia.
Thanks Tr. Arapka semoa anak pelaut bejaya semoa.
Tqvm Watts.
Semua utai ditu sigi bisi copy ngagai pen drive enggau dalam personal computer. Mayuh bala ngambi degree, masters enggau PhD ngena info ari blog tu. Bala professor enggau lecturers mega Mayuh ngena info aku ditu.
Sigi gaya pejalai pengidup siku2, enda temu penunga. Nitih ka ulu duku aja. Mass communication besai amai tulong kena aku compile semua info ditu. Dalam Pengawa pan sama mega, sampai ka aku diasuh company betulis ka business and technical document. Ari nya aku belajar ka Semua pekara OG business, technical enggau production process. Enti nadai acquire knowledge bakanya, pedis deka pass internal evaluation and assessment nyadi CSR Ba international company.
aku selalu macha blog Iban Cultural Heritages. Diatu aku benung ngaga siti Projek Penyelidikan dikena aku nembu ke degree aku ba taun 2017 ti ka datai. Nangka kediatu, aku lalu bedau bisi tetemu ke web /blog ti bisi nengkebang jerita pasal daya idup kitai iban ti beguna ke tajau kenyau ari dulu kelia menya. Nyadi aya GNMawar, enti nuan bisi nemu info tauka maklumat pasal tajau, ulih ke nuan aya bekunsi enggau aku jerita tajau nya ngambi ke ulih dikena aku ngaga penyelidikan aku ti betajuk ‘Penggunaan Tajau dalam sosiobudaya masyarakat Iban di Sarawak”. enti nuan bisi jerita pasal tajau, tau bekunsi enggau aku ba email : floryancelinq@yahoo.com. Terima kasih ke nuan aya GNmawar, lalu arap ke nuan mujur dalam semua pengawa.
Nama tikas degree de nyak, bachelor or masters or PhD?
Ti de search internet ngena keyword tajau tauka jar, dah beberapa iti studies ke dulu ba universiti bukai.
Mayuh tajau ba website Tun Jugah Foundation ba Kuching. Udah temu nama tajau diak ka? Bisi betisik, bakake mayuh macam tajau dalam gambar diak.
Ulih minta TR publish ditu bup Singlang Burong, Raja Durong ngau Sea Dayak before Rajah, ni ke ulih ditulis ditu laban bup tu tusah ka dibeli alu ukai semua library bisi bup tu?
tabi basa nuju Tn. Gregory Nyanggau,
aku, Furnival Linggang ari Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, taun 2. Aku bisi maca bup Iban Omen ari Benedict Sandin. aku deka pansik ngau dalam agi ba adat kitai iban pecaya ke burong. Ngarap ke Tn. Gregory nulong aku laban deka digaga aku ke tesis.
Nuan tau macha lalu mansik article aku ba Origin of Iban Adat Part 1 ngagai Part 6, Part 1 Iban Adat Law and Custom enggau Part 2 Iban Augury dalam blog tu.
Iban omen ukai semina burong aja tang nyengkaum jelu Sempulang gana, ati babi, mimpi, bungai pinang maya belian, unexpected events/accidents/incidents, ngau nampok.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iban_people#Iban_Omens_and_Augury
Betul nya …… mayuh chara kitai Iban tau batenong ka nasib, pemanah tauka pemujur pejalai pendiau kitai.
Tabi basa Tuai Gregory
Penyampau urang muka blog nuan tu nyo ka datai sejuta. Kena ngumbok bala mayuh agi, bisi gawai open house kini?
uwa1971,
Tiap2 Gawai aku bisi open house ba rumah panjai aku di Betong. Mayuh kaban dalam blog enggau ari dunya siber bukai bisi rembus nandang ngagai aku maya nya. Sida endang diasuh lalu ngabang maya nya. TQ.
Tabi basa tuai rumah
Arapka nuan tauka bala bukai ngesuhka leka main nyak alu rikut ambika bisi didinga. Tau pansutka ditu free tauka jual baka VCD lagu ti bukai.
JohnK
Are you coming to Sarawak for an textile exhibition by 8 muzuems in Borneo in Kuching now?
http://www.sinarharian.com.my/nasional/lapan-muzium-jayakan-pameran-tekstil-1.326317
Soeey, here is the news in English:
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/newsindex.php?id=1078608
Hi UWA1971 – Yes! Thanks for the news. I will be in Kuching from November 25-30. I will definitely go to see the exhibit. Any chance of meeting up with you? I stay at the Kuching Hilton.
Perhaps by then, the exhibition is closed. Not sure how it will be there.
I am in Labuan. So perhaps cannot meet.
Ok, I double-checked that the exhibition is quite long until April 2015:
http://www.museum.sarawak.gov.my/index.php/en/home-en-gb/8-wastra-borneo-exhibition-2014/event_details
There is a good introductory article on Iban here:
kienhock.blogspot.com/2008/04/iban-of-sarawak-southeast-asian.html
Amat pengarap kitai Iban bisi kena parit agama Hindu munyika ditulis ditu?
Hi BernardS and JohnK
Any update on your paper and intetrest in Iban culture?
Hi uwa 1971. Unfortunately, I am making very slow progress on the paper but i am learning much new material for it. Also I will be in Kuching this November in support of an exhibition of some of my Sarawak and Kalimantan textiles to be held in the US in 2016. I hope to get back to the paper soon. I continue to have the greatest admiration for the creativity and skill of those women weavers. There work is unparalleled in the world!
it’s good you are still following this blog. there is one weaver in Sg yong kapit still alive, the iban women cab do beautiful plaiting as well.
When you are in Kuching, why don’t you ask the name for the motive which is called Bong Midang? from expert weavers?
Is it possible to have an online exhibition after your physical exhibition in US or at least a review of the exhibition? The travelling costs are prohibitive for some.
Hi uwa 1971. Nice to be hearing from you! I can tell you that my interest for Iban culture is still very strong! But right now I am working on another ethnic group belonging to the Austronesian speaking people. I have a long haul until I get to the end of this work. I foresee getting back to the Iban culture around the first quarter of 2015 and will be pleased to re-start our dialog at this time, if you will. I don’t think I will be able to publish anything on the matter before the end of 2015. Anyway, I’ll keep you posted about my progress.
Which tribe is that?
If you are interested in Iban rituals, there is said to one lemambang bard still practicing in Entabai, Julai area. It would be nice if someone can repeat the the thesis by Dr. JJ Masing. I saw he could carve out a nice dragon for Gawai Antu (Festival for the Dead) on a friend;s handphone.
BernardS
I happen to read GN Appell’s article on Iban Encyclopedia and quote the following paragraph which has a similar question to your latest enquiry about manang, with my responses embedded below :
“In this latter instance it is important to define closely the number of souls an individual has and which, if any, of these travel during dream and trance. Authors on Iban shamanism report the manang sends out his soul to deal with malevolent spirits, but generally they do not indicate which of the souls are sent.”
– The soul sent is the manang’s semengat.
Among some authors there appears to be an underlying assumption that there is just one soul.
– Yes, only one.
In other Bornean societies if there were just this one soul and it went wandering, a person would die.
– Yes the person or patient will die if his or her soul go beyond a certain point which is called “Titi Rawan” (Bridge of Fear) which separates the world of the living (dunya) from the sebayan (the Haedes). Normally the manang will not retrieves the soul beyond this titi rawan because his own soul will die as well. Any soul if seen by a manang through the crystal stone to pass beyond the titi rawan will be reported going to die. Any persons in coma eg Kanang Anak Langkau who was the most decorated Iban soldier who was shot by the communists during one of military operations can gain life again if told by Bunsu Bubut to return back to this world before passing the titi rawan. The bridge of fear is also not easily passable because it is slender and high with a deep groove below it and my uncle who is a tukang sabak (derge guide) say the soul needs a lover’s help (ambai = lover) in order to pass the bridge. Therefore, it is quite a must for an IBan to have a lover while living. In Saribas region, there was a night free for alll (married and singles) to participate in licensed courting (ngayap) after 2 major festivals which I think Gawai Burong and Gawai Antu..
The Ibans believe in multiple souls, as many other groups in Borneo do, according to Vinson Sutlive (personal communication). Sutlive states that according to one informant, these ‘souls’ include semengat, iang, ayu, sukat, panggau, buluh ayu, and bulu.
– Iban believes in one soul called semengat. Iban will not die as long as his semengat does not pass the Titi Rawan. Even after major chants like pelian and pengap or timang, the manang and bards will return their soul from the unseen world travel (this is called “mulaika semengat). Their upah (gratutity) will include besi, normally duku khife or a piece of metal for purpose of kering semengat (to strenthen the soul) and a kebuk (small jar) or tajau (big jar) as kurong semengat (to trap the soul from further wanderings without intended purpose).
– Iang is normally the animal that helps a manang to heal patients.
– Ayu is related to life or gayu (long life) eg alah ayu (become weaker).
– Sukat, isn’t measure eg timang sukat is to measure the lifespan of the person after having bad dreams
– panggau, is it related to life of persons? Panngau refers to sleeping beds up above in the loft, inside the room for ladies (eg anak umbong = secluded daughter) or above the ruai gallery (for sons).
– buluh ayu is the living bamboo that represents the health of any Iban person. If it is growing luxiantly, then the health is very well and vice versa. There is timang buluh ayu.
– Bulu refers to the mantle. Timang bulu is to add unseen mantle over the body of the living Iban performing this ritual. The Iban try to avoid “alah bulu” (weak mantle)
Can refer to Masing’s PhD thesis for the proper definitions.
Therefore, it is possible for one of those souls to leave the body in a dream or trance without the person dying.
– Semengat leaves the body but not beyond the titi rawan to avoid death. The Manang is luput (fainted) which is considered or symbolises the body is half-way to death but his sould is flying to catch the patient’s soul which is running away towards the sebayan.
Studies of Iban manang need to determine which soul leaves the body during trance,
– Again semengat that leaves the body during luput.
and what is its relationship to its ayu.
-Ayu indicates the strength of the person’s soul. Buluh ayu is planted near the tanju after timang buluh ayu.
How does this critical plant counterpart of the individual figure in the movement of souls?”
– Buluh ayu does not move. Only semengat moves or flies.
Hi Bern, how are you nowadays?
Hi uwa 1971! Thank you for your follow-up email and sorry for my late answer! I am doing good and I hope it’s the same for you. I have not got back to you yet regarding my research because I have been considerably delayed due to other things that I had to deal with at first. I have lost approximately one year regarding this work and I just hope I’ll be able to start again our exciting cultural discussions at the beginning of next year! But sooner or later I’ll for sure get back to you. Thanks for thinking of me. Take care, Bernard
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2015 07:33:59 +0000 To: bernardjm@live.fr
Hi uwa 1971!
Thank you so much for your recent and numerous comments that very appropriately came to complete your previous answers on the matter.
I don’t want to open now a new series of dialog since it is something I’ll be prepared to do in a much better way in the middle of the first quarter of 2015, but I would appreciate deeply if right now you would give some answers to the following set of questions listed in bulk:
Questions in bulk:
1) In one of your recent comments, you wrote the following:
“I read somewhere a manang covers himself with a pua kumbu as wings to fly (terebai) in catching the soul of the patient”.
This is very interesting. It leads me to ask you these questions:
a- what kind of soul is the manang dealing with and what is or what are the Iban names for this kind of “soul”?
b- what are the other categories of souls (and their Iban names) that are components of an individual in the Iban vision?
2) Is there or are there Iban words for “sledge”? If so would you tell me which these names are?
3) Clifford Sather wrote the following: “BUNSU PETARA THE GOD WHO IMPARTS THE BREATH OF LIFE TO HUMAN BEINGS” (page 625 of Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor, Volume 1 – 2004)
a- Has the name “BUNSU” a specific meaning?
b- What is the appearance of “BUNSU PETARA”?
c- Is Bunsu Petara SELAM PANDAI assistant?
d- What are the Iban words to say: “breath of life”?
e- What are the Iban words to say “breath”?
f- What are the Iban words to say “to impart” in the expression “to impart the breath of life”?
1) In one of your recent comments, you wrote the following:
“I read somewhere a manang covers himself with a pua kumbu as wings to fly (terebai) in catching the soul of the patient”.
This is very interesting. It leads me to ask you these questions:
a- what kind of soul is the manang dealing with and what is or what are the Iban names for this kind of “soul”?
The soul of the patient or person which is called semengat in Iban.
b- what are the other categories of souls (and their Iban names) that are components of an individual in the Iban vision?
Other than semengat, perhaps ayu….
2) Is there or are there Iban words for “sledge”? If so would you tell me which these names are?
Iban employs no sledge if it means a carriage drawn by an animal. Iban carries paddy put inside a plaited tall basket (lanji) on their back or shoulder. Iban uses rakit (raft) to transport heavy loads like house poles over the river. In the old time, Iban only keep dogs, chicken and pigs. No cows or elephants or horses.
3) Clifford Sather wrote the following: “BUNSU PETARA THE GOD WHO IMPARTS THE BREATH OF LIFE TO HUMAN BEINGS” (page 625 of Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor, Volume 1 – 2004)
a- Has the name “BUNSU” a specific meaning?
Kree
b- What is the appearance of “BUNSU PETARA”?
No appearance
c- Is Bunsu Petara SELAM PANDAI assistant?
Bunsu petara is the supreme god. Selampandai is the deity of creativity and procreation who is a blacksmitth who forms humans upon instruction by Bunsu petara. Iban believes in 7 deitis who are brothers and sisters
\
d- What are the Iban words to say: “breath of life”?
Seput pengidup
e- What are the Iban words to say “breath”?
seput
f- What are the Iban words to say “to impart” in the expression “to impart the breath of life”?
Meri seput penidup
Breath of life = seput nyawa
to impart breath of life = meri, ngesohka seput nyawa
Another definition of sledge is a heavy, long-handled maul or hammer.
If this is what you means, Ibans uses adze (beliong) which is now obselete and replaced by axe.
Ayu (v. f. ngaytt; beayu), s. the soul, the
representative or kindred soul in Hades (ac-
cording to Dyak belief every person in this-
world has a kindred soul in Hades, if that soul
sickens then the person in this world gets ill),
V. to warn, prognosticate. Manyi mansa
umai ngayu ka bidihpadi, A swarm of bees-
passes the paddy field and prognosticates a
good crop.
http://www16.us.archive.org/stream/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog_djvu.txt
fiteimengat (besamengat), the soul. Orang
ti begawai ngambi samengat padi. People
that make a feast to take the soul of the
paddy. Kur Samengat. Come hither Oh
Soul I [Dyaks have very vague notions re-
specting the soul and its attributes. The
Manang are generally agreed that it is
similar to a man’s shadow {baka kelemayang
mensia). Some state that everybody pos-
sesses seven souls. When a man dies, it is
asserted by some medicine men, his soul
goes to Hades {Sabayan) and there abides
until the Feast to the dead {berantu) is given
on earth. This it attends. It then travels
to Mandai Mati (a mountain in the Nether-
lands India Borneo) where it stays an in-
definite period finally becoming dissolved
into dew. The dew is then taken up into
—147—
the paddy ears and thejr become rice which
is eaten by people who m their turn die and
the process is continued.
Panggau (v. f. manggau; bepanggatt)^ s.
a bed, sleeping place, seat made in a tree
where a person can lie in ambush for pig or
deer : the name of a place, v./tcr make^ be
-^116^
etc. lya ngipa jani datas panggau. He lies
in wait for pig in ambush up a tree.
http://www16.us.archive.org/stream/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog_djvu.txt
Bulu {bebulu), a feather, down, hair of the
body, quill, kind. Bulu sua. The feathers
on the neck of a fowl. Bulu manok nya la*
bang. The feathers of that fowl are white,
Bulu kaki akupanjai. The hairs of my leg are
long. Bulu landak, Thequills of a porcupine.
Bisi maioh bulu mensia dia. There are
many kinds of people there. Bulu nya aku
enggai mli. That kind I will not buy.
Surprisingly I cannot find the words of bedara, iang or iyang in the Rev Howell and Bailey’s dictionary.
I don’t quite agree with the statement by Howell and Bailey’s dictionary as qouted below. Unfortunately, they also did not specify or name the 7 souls.
Samengat (besamengat), the soul.
…[Dyaks have very vague notions re-
specting the soul and its attributes. The
Manang are generally agreed that it is
similar to a man’s shadow {baka kelemayang
mensia). Some state that everybody pos-
sesses seven souls….
OK, sukat seems to have nother meaning which is fate or destiny as below:
Sokat (v. f. nyukat : besukat), s, a
measurement, destiny, fate, v. to measure,
destine. Panjai bendar sukat €lepa iya. His
fathom measure is a very long one. Kitai
mensia diau enggau sukat aja. We mortals
live entirely depending upon fate. Kamari
kami nyukat tanah alai bumai. Yesterday
we measured the paddy farming land. Petara
nyukat nmor kitai. The gods destine our
lives.
http://www16.us.archive.org/stream/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog_djvu.txt
Rev Howell & Bailey seems to cliam that the manang can go to Sabayan (Haedes) under pelian heading as below, If this is true, then the upah (fee) should be higher I think. Prof, Sather’s book on shamanism should contain the confirmation.
10. Nemuai ka Sabayan^ To go on a
visit to Hades. A manang equipped as if
for a journey walks about the house, goes
down and then returns, and catches the soul
of the patient.
I read in allencharlie.com that says the soul of the dead is guided by a dirge (tukang sabak) to the haedes, using a piece of metal to strengthen her/his soul so that it does not became weaker.
Qouted as follows:
Orang ti parai diiring tukang sabak nuju ke batang mandai. Semina tukang sabak aja ke ulih nemuai sereta pulai baru ari mandai, iya guna besi kering semengat, enggaika semengat iya layu lalu enda ulih tepulaika diri.
http://allencharlie.com/2014/09/25/betubuh-bisi-enggau-nyera/
Hi Uwa1971! Your last precisions about the concept of soul in the Iban culture were really useful. As I said I will wait next year for a full dialog with you on the matter but I really want to thank you deeply for this first round of clarification.
Hi, I am currently doing a assignment about the iban people for the subject of malaysian cultural studies. I love how detailed your blog is and I’d hope to use it as a reference source. However, my teacher is particular about credibility of sources. So, can I interview you more via email as primary research? My email address is allanlaw9999@gmail.com. Thank you!
I hope the author will response to you. Alternatively, you can post your interview questions here if any Iban can response with beneficial answers.
Greeting Mr GNMawar,
I have tried to contact you via your email@Shell but the mail was returned back. I have proposition for you Sir and I do not wish to discuss it in an open blog. This is my email normenarule01@gmail.com, could you please reply as your response will be really appreciated. Thank you,
Normen
BernardS & JohnK
Recently I read these 2 books about Dayaks in Sarawak online if you are interested:
http://archive.org/stream/seventeenyearsam00gomeuoft/seventeenyearsam00gomeuoft_djvu.txt
http://www.fullbooks.com/The-Pagan-Tribes-of-Borneo9.html
There is also a paper entittled “Some aspects of Iban-Maloh contact in West Kalimantan” by Victor T King online in JSTOR.
Here is the augury related to bees:
27. If you find the gamang bersarang hornets are making a nest inside your padi bin, it is an omen which lifts up your luck and brings prosperity.
28. If you find renyuan (honey bees) are building their combs filled with honey in your house, it is a good omen which indicates that wealth will pour in to you continually. If the comb is without honey it predicts that nothing of value will come to you as long as you occupy the house.
29. If you find a long comb which is full of young bees in your padi field, it is an omen which foretells that your farm will produce plenty of padi grain. If you find the honey comb is empty of young bees, it indicates that your padi will not produce much grain.
30. If you see bees alight on a tree branch in your rice field, you must leave the place instantly, so that you may not see them flying away, which is known as burong nyinggah. If you then see them alight and then fly away it is an omen which endangers the life of a member of your family, including possibly yourself.
Source: Iban Augury by Sandin
The omens from bees are parked under the omens under Simpulang Gana who is the Iban’s god of agriculture and land.
BernardS
4) How are bees involved regarding the augury activity? For example I read that “it is most lucky in planting time to dream of an abundance of bees”. Are there other guide lines to “use” bees as omen animals?
– Where do the bees alight or stay? Is it in the paddy field or in the house or while walking? Any honey comb that contains a lot of young bees?
I think that dream is not nyentuk (sufficient).
BernardS
I think you are reffering to this story of Sera Gunting about the bees:
He ordered Sera Gunting to step and walked on the sharp edges of the sword. The boy jumped on it and walked unharmed to the amazement of the old man. But still the old man was not convinced by his feat, so he set up a final trial for the boy. This time he ordered Sera Gunting to climb a very tall tapang tree at midday to collect honeycomb from one of its branches. The boy climbed the tree and took the honeycomb as ordered. Even when he received the honeycomb brought back by Sera Gunting, Sengalang Burong still would not bring himself to believe that the boy was his grandson. Sera Gunting then decided punish the old man for his stubbornness. He summoned the bees down from the tapang tree and commanded them to attack and sting his grandfather.
The bees flew into the house and stung the old man. He ran to hide in his loft, but still the bees followed him there. After he had be stung thoroughly by the bees, and no where else to escape, Sengalang Burong decided give in to Sera Gunting and formally admitted that the boy was truly his grandson. At this submission, Sera Gunting happily commanded the bees to return to their hives on the branches of the tapang tree.
From that day onward, Sera Gunting dared to approach Sengalang Burong and talked to him as grandson and grandfather.
Source: Early Iban Migration Part 1
It seems Sera Gunting had to force his grandfather to accept him as his grand son because his mother of godly status had married a human. They accepted him as he got the supernatural power in overcoming the ordeals set up by them as a proof of his half-god and half-human origin.
Below I just answer your questions candidly without referring to the story of Sera Gunting again:
B- In another field I recently came across an article about the importance of bees for the Iban community, not only because the production of honey is an important livelihood for the Ibans, but also because the bees are part of the omen animals (though this doesn’t seem to be very well known!).
– Yes, sometimes the bees come to ferch on the longhouse or found on one of trees within the jungle which is cleared for paddy farming. This can be considered as an omen whether good or bad. A chicken may be slaughtered as a genselan or a pig whose liver will be divined whether it indicates a good or bad future. For the interpretation which I don’t remember exactly, you can refer to Iban Augury written by Sandin in this blog.
To delve a little deeper into the subject I have a few questions:
1) What are the Iban words for: a) Bee, b) Queen bee, c) Bee hive, d) Bee keeper, e) Honey, f) Bee wax, g) Royal jelly, h) Bee tree?
Bee=Manyi,
Queen bee = Indu manyi
Bee hive = Sarang manyi or labit or idang
Bee keeper = I guest this doesn’t exist in Iban because it is wild bee.
Honey = madu
Bee wax = rampang idang manyi?
Royal jelly = ai tulen manyi?
Bee tree = menggeris or tapang which is a very tall tree over the rest of forest trees.
Pls refe to the Rev Howell ‘s dictionary.
2) What or who is the bee “MANYI”? Is MANYI the name for a species of bees? Or is it the name for a special bee playing a special role in a myth?
– The Ibans call the bees which produce honey MANYI.
3) On a general level, are bees involved in some Iban tales, legends or myths?
– Perhaps if one reads all the Iban materials.
4) How are bees involved regarding the augury activity? For example I read that “it is most lucky in planting time to dream of an abundance of bees”. Are there other guide lines to “use” bees as omen animals?
– Pls refer to the Iban Augury written by Sandin in this blog. I read it but forgot the details. I have to reread it before recalling the details later on.
5) Last question but not least: what is the relationship between bees and Singalang Burong? I am aware of Sera Gunting using bees to draw his grandfather attention, and consequently of Singalang Burong having to find a shelter to protect himself from the bees!
– Which is the source of the story? I think in this case, Sera Gunting who Sengalang Burong accepted as his grandson after several tests had used bees to sting his grandfather to get his attention.
But other than that, is there a particular relationship between bees and Singalang Burong?
– I think no because the bee is not part of the Singalang Burong’s longhouse.
Other stinging bees which do not produce much honey are called indu engkerawai and indu naning. The latter is very painful and causes the victim to faint.
Indu gamang is another type of bees that sting very painfully but not much of honey because its nest is small.
Sorry, honey is simply called ai manyi, I think. Madu is a Malay word for honey. Again can refer to Rev Howell’s dictionary.
BernardS
Here is an article written about napang or getting manyi on the tapang tree. however it is in Iban with some Iban words which are rare to me. You can check their meanings in Rev Howell;s dictionary if you wish.
http://tempalaikenang-uchutedung.blogspot.com/2011/06/napang.html?showComment=1396560265827#c7627493261678313627
A- Has “RUAI” a meaning of its own? Is it simply “Gallery”? (in the same way as BALAI AGUNG literally means “Great House” or “House of Meetings” or “Great Hall”?)
Ruai refers to the gallery of a long house. You can refer to an article in this blog about Iban longhouses.
But if burong ruai, it refers to peacock or angus peasant whose feathers Iban use to decorate their headgear..
I like to think of Bale Agung or Balai Agung if the bale means balai, as the Great Hall. If this Great Hall is a part of a palace, it means the audience hall. If it built as a satand-alone building, it means a multi-purpose public hall so it is not only for meetings but also for other occasions such as weddings,
House in Malay is Rumah.
BernardS
In Iban context, the ruai acts as both the audience and multi-purpose public hall. Only private or personal matters are discussed inside the family bilek room which is considered a private area to have privacy.
Normally men are seated at the ruai while women inside the bilek. Any Iban will adhere to this unwritten segregation rule.
Small ritual offerings called bedara mata is performed inside the bilek while bedara mansau is held at the ruai and major ritual festivals are carried out at the tanju which is the open verandah after the ruai wall.
Parties called makai di ruai (meal at gallery) involving other families of the same longhouses is at ruai.
In gatherings such as betugong or baum, the chief and elders sit at the panggau with their backs rested (nyandih) along the wall of the tanju and others sitting around and facing them without any order.
In big longhouses, the ruai can have 3 areas ie the upper area near the tanju open verandah, the middle portion and the tempuan portion near the bilek. These 3 portions are indicated or separated by 2 posts which support the sadau loft portion above the gallery.
During the lining up which is called bedigir in Iban, the sitting arrangement is as follows:
Men of high ranks eg chiefs and VIPs are seated in a line at the upper area and facing the bilek and their hosts. The upper area is sometimes raised up about sejengkal jari (6 inches) above the middle portion and tempuan to ensure its cleanliness.
The hosts and VIPs of the longhouse itself also sit at the lower area of the upper urai area, facing their guests sitting near the tanju wall.
The women sit at the middle portion of the ruai and face the guests as well.
Tempuan used to be reserved for dogs, fighting cocks and walking along the longhouse but nowadays, this is no longer the practice so it is clean.
Other activities like weddings, death vigils, beranyai (erecting tree of life), ngajat (Iban dancing), betaboh, erection of ritual shrines and inchantations, making items by men are all held at the ruai.
Women usually works inside the bilek to do weaving and beranyam (plaiting).
I hope this helps you to understand the use of the ruai gallery.
Hi JS, this is great! yes indeed it helps me to understand much better the use of the ruai gallery. It is a very complete clarification!
Food and drinks are served at the ruai during festivals like Gawai Dayak nowadays. So guests will be invited to taste these food and drinks served by each bilek room.
Sometimes for closer and rather personal or special reception, guests are invited into the room.
Guests are always invited to meals inside the kitchen area.
Only during ritual festivals during which guests are many or social occasions like eating at gallery are meals served and taken at the ruai.
Long time ago, it used to be a practice to ask all guests to sit in line up and each be given a plate before rice and dishes are distributed by several individuals (of a food and drink committee) in equal amounts if not rejected by the individual guests. This practice ensures everybody eats a more or less same amount of food and to avoid any wastage.
Nowadays, sometimes guests are invited to stand and line up for self-service on foods and drinks.
Let me briefly tell the layout design of my first longhouse where I spent my childhood beside living in the school boarding house. The design is called gajah (elephant) which has the following conventional main areas:
1) bilek room
2) ruai gallery
3) tanju verandah
4) sadau loft
5) dapur kitchen and meal area.
The access area between the room and kitchen is split into 2 halves:
6) access area where jars and brasswares are displayed on the left and right walls.
7) Another half is called pelaboh where water jars are kept and a opening for toilet is made at a corner. This pelaboh has a gutter to collect rain water. It was also lowered down (betingkah) by 1 foot to avoid water splash to adjacent areas I guess.
8) The area tanju area at the headman and his mandal deputy is split into 2 halves as a tanju and another apartment for the headman and his deputy. However, the mandal apartment is empty ie not occupied by him so I used to go inside this room. The headman’s apartment only had a small door, even himself had to bend forward in order to enter or to go out. So I never even peeped into his private area.
9) The upper area of the ruai is sometimes elevated about sejengkal jari (6 inches) to ensure clealiness I guess. In this case, the ruai of the headman which is even nicely decorated along the edges and one of his younger brothers.
10) Only that younger brother of him built a panggau for sleeping for his many sons. This panggau is attached to the roof and thus looks hanging with a ladder for access. I used to sleep here with one of his sons who is at the same age with me (serambau).
11) In this gajah layout design, the ruai had only tempuan and one post in the middle so no middle area in between. In this case, the tempuan has the same size as the upper area of the ruai.
12) One room had a ladder made at the pelaboh while another at the kitchen.
13) One ruai which was the widest area because its width was 16’x16″x16″ had a jarin area that had opening slots to slide out rubbish to the ground. Probably because of this extra size, the owner did not make the access & kitchen area and the tanju presumaly due to insufficient materials. Only later, he extended his room to the access area where his kitchen was situated and pelaboh area. They ate in one portion of the room area.
14) There was a permanent clear glass or plastic on the room roof but I was not sure whether it was corrugated like the zinc sheet or not. This feature was at least made at my grandparents’ room.
The size of the house which can be a repeat of 16′ feet was (if I remember correctly):
Width (buka) = 16’x16′ which can be a multiple of the basic width of 16′
Length (panjai) = 16’x16′ (room), 16′ access area & pelaboh and 16′ kicthen, 16’x16′ (ruai) and 16′ or longer (tanju).
Height is 10′ between the floor and loft.
The heights of house posts vary with shape of the ground. This longhouse was located a hill slope so the height at the middle of the longhouses is low, perhaps 4 to 5 feet but the heights at both ends are high, probably 20 feet. So, I guess this selection of the ground shape gave a natural defensive strategy because the lower area was only in the middle of the longhouse while both ends were really elevated and their ladders can be easily thrown to the ground if needed.
Hope this helps to appreciate the purpose of each part of the longhouse.
Sometimes, a window is made between adjacent kitchens to exchange foods etc.
After meal, perhaps another activity is to serve drinks for all guests at the ruai. This is called nyibur temuai. During this activity, each round of drink is specially named as follows:
First round = ai aus (thirsty-quenching drink)
Second round = ai basu (cleansing drink)
Third round = ai untong (profit drink)
Fourth round = ai basa (respect drink)
before moving on to other activities.
Visitors will be normally seated at the ruai of the family whom he knows and aimed for first, before being invited into the room such as for meal unless the visitors are close relatives or friends, they may be invited into the room straight away.
It is a common practice for neighbors to come and meet the visitors when time permits eg after the dinner or even invited the visitors to join their dinner or meal as a sign of hospitality.
If the visitor or stranger does not know any family and wish to enter the longhouse with a purpose of course, he may ask for the heaman’s room and may be seated at his ruai.
During ritual festivals eg Gawai Antu (Ghost or spirit Festival), invited guests are distributed among the family of the longhouse where men sit at the ruai while women enter the room. If there are many longhouses are invited, each bilek may be assigned guests from one longhouse, perhaps which is related to the family. This arrangement is to share responsibilities of receiving guests and ensure proper accommodation, food and perhaps care. Don’t forget this visiting (called ngabang) will be reciprocated by the invited longhouses later on. The Iban call these longhouses as “agi sapemakai” (still eating together) or “agi semenua” (still sharing the same territorial domain).
JohnK
In my general readings and search until now, I have not came across any statements that say Bong medang/Medang is another praisename of Pungga. His praisenames that I found out are Puntang Medang, Bujang Medang and Aka sebila daun isang. So it seems that bong medang combined with bong penyau may simply refer to hard-wooden boat.
JohnK
Qoute:
Bong medang, dudi di lantar, dulu genu genu
Bong penyau, dudi di tebang, dulu beduru.
In that metaphor above, can you ascertain whether Enyan said genu-genu or gunu-gunu from Heppell? Gunu-gunu (with a dash to join the two words) is commonly used in Iban. It means going ahead steadily eg the puppy is “belanda gunu-gunu” (running in a steady manner). I don’t really know the meaning of genu-genu if there is any meaning. Pls check in Howell’s dictionary.
Di lantar and di tebang should have no spacings in between ie dilantar and ditebang which mean “launched’ and ‘fell down’.
uwa1971 – it is the same figure. As to whom it represents – that is a bit complicated. Gavin got the name from Heppell but at the time he called it Bong Midang even though Enyan called it Bong Medang. Gavin may have got the idea that because of the Midang and the Bong that it referred to a war boat on a journey. Heppel had translated Enyan’s praise name as to do with a boat on a journey although he later told me he would now translate it as a wooden boat but no journey. Gavin may also have got the idea that the journey interpretation was supported by the “bars” at the waist somehow representing a boat or to do with a boat. I am trying to straighten all this out in the article i am writing. there is much more to the story.
JohnK
Ok, now it is clear where they differ. How do you propose to straighten this matter?
Who came up with Bong Midang? Heppell or Gavin? Ong said bong nidang.
Enyan said Bong Medang or medang? Did Enyan say she really referred to Pungga in the metaphor or was Heppell the one associates it with Pungga? Combined with bong penyau, it is reasonable to think that bong medang (hardwood boat) is what Enyan meant. If that figure represents Pungga, why Pungga is chosen and not other heroes of Panggau Libau like Keling?
Will you investigate what that figure represents with other weaving experts?
JohnK
Is the figure that Heppell/Enyan call Bong Medang (which refers to Pungga) the same as the figure which Gavin calls Bong Midang (Warboat on voyage)?
Or do they differ in what that figure represents?
How does plate 83 look like?
What are Pungga’s other praise names?
Qoute: We then come to plate 83, which Enyan calls Bong Medang. I later ascertained Bong Medang was another name for Pungga, a cousin of Keling and one of his strongest lieutenants. Pungga had a number of praise names, one of which is the one Enyan gave. Gavin shows a similar motif on the top row of a pua’ sungkit which she calls Bong Midang. (22)
Source: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Rejoinder%3A+on+my+late+Iban+co-author.-a0254265436
Did Mike Heppell ascertain that Bong Medang is another of Pungga with Enyan or someone else?
JohnK
Qoute: On the sungkit, there were 8 rows of figures–one row she called Antu Jawing; three, Bong Medang; two Dara Meni; and two were the head tree. (24)
Is it possible to clarify these questions with Mike Heppell?
Why Enyan chose the four types of figures to be depicted on her pua sungkit?
Inclusion of Dara Meni is explained because she can weave better than Kumang as per in one of Gavin’s books.
Why Bong Medang is chosen and not other heroes of Panggau Libau?
What is Antu Jawing? Pls explain.
What is the head tree? Is it a ranyai tree with trophy heads hung on its branches?
A brief summary of Iban is here:
http://www.everyculture.com/East-Southeast-Asia/Iban.html#Comments_form
It would be interesting to know why the late Enyan gave a praisename of Bong medang, Bong penyau to her sungkit cloth.
Did she mean the pua to be as strong as the woods medang and penyau?
Did mean she and/or other weavers parallel woven pua to be like a bong which is required for bejalai or ngayau bearing in mind that weaving is regarded as the women’s warpath?.
Pungga’s full name is Sepungga “Sepuntang Medang” as in Masing’s PhD thesis. Both Pungga and Sempurai “Bungai Nuing” are chosen as messengers to invite deities to ritual festivals.
Why Pungga is given an ensumabar (praise-name) Sepuntang Medang?
JohnK
Can you also please confirm why 2 figures on a jacket and a basket are also called Bong Medang as per my posts below which I found while searching internet?
The figure on the jacket appears the same like the “skirted figure” as you said and facing the viewers but the figure on the basket is side-way with hands and feets jointed together with the adjacent repetitive figures.
JohnK
So do you still think that Pungga is the one that forced Lang to berayah dance and became air-borne after I said it was Sempurai “Bungai Nuing” that forced Lang?
If you need a reference in Balau Iban culture, you could contact Mr. Jimmy Donald (ex-headmaster and ex-MP) who has published some materials on Balau Iban and whose blog is here:
http://dayakibanworld.blogspot.com/
JohnK
It is Sempurai with his praisename “Bungai Nuing” that forced Lang to berayah and became airborne. It is NOT Pungga that forced Lang to berayah.
Sempurai is said to be very violent because he was said to be a descendant of a demon (antu gerasi) and captured by Keling’s father during a war raids to Nising (chief demon) into the sky.
Pungga’s origin is not very clear to me so far as my readings.
In the Masing’s PhD thesis, both Sempurai and Pungga are selected to cordially invite gods to gawai festivals because they are the manuk sabong (fighting cocks or lieutenants) of Keling.
Sorry, Pungga is a cousin of Keling by blood while Sempurai is adopted son.
There is a book about Natives of Sarawak and North Borneo by H Ling Roth which is available online free by Google.http://archive.org/stream/nativessarawaka01lowgoog/nativessarawaka01lowgoog_djvu.txt
For light readings on Iban, you can read write-ups on Gawai, Iban people and Dayak people on wikipedia to get a basic introductions about Iban. These I have edited to some extent in the past.
Another professor who has studied Ibans a lot in Saribas area is Dr. Clifford Sather which is close to Gregory himself. Some of his papers available online free. He wrote a book on Iban Shamanism.
Bernard, Masing’s academic supervisor was Dr. JD Freeman who himself wrote a lot about Ibans from Baleh area. You can search for his papers if interested but it seems none available free online.
-What are the various words to say “frog” in Iban language?
I guess I have not answered this question.
Ibans call frog as katak or engkatak. The frog species which I can recall readily are called the proper katak, raung which is noisy at night and during rain and pama which can be eaten. Before becoming a frog, it is called “lelegup”.
The frog tattoo or kalingai or pantang on the Iban troat is called engkatak which signifies that the bearer has chopped off his enemy’s head(s) and to symbolize Sengalang Burong (the Iban god of war) in order to protect his own throat from being chopped off.
Why are you interested in the frog in Iban?
Another a species of frog is called raong which is a big one and thus can make a loud call during rains or morning.
Pama is a species of frog which is hunted because it can be eaten and is served in some Chinese restaurants.
If you wish to learn Iban grammar, here is a good book to start with I think: http://books.google.com.my/books/about/The_Iban_language_of_Sarawak.html?id=pwYuAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y
Of course Mike Heppell knowledgeable in Iban culture because he is a scholar of Iban in cultural anthropology.
Anyway, can you and/or Heppell confirm the correct spelling of bong medang or midang and its correct meaning whether really referring to Pungga in case of bong medang or lost in case of bong midang and bong penyau which means loss.
In Edric Ong’s book of Pua: Iban etc the same metaphor is spelt as bong nidang. So which is the correct spelling and its correct meaning.
I read in internet as posted in one of my posts below, a figure on a basket is also called nong medang but it is quite different from “skirted figure” that you refer to in the sungkit pua.
Who quoted and published the metaphor that contains the “Bong Medang” and bong penyau, is it Edric Ong or Mike Heppell?
Is it possible to listen again to the tape recording (if any) of the late Enyan whether she said Bong medang or midang, which Heppell said recorded by his wife while she was visiting them in Australia?
Anyway, what is Antu Jawing which is mentioned by Heppell?
It looks like Enyan anak Husen – Mike’s coauthor and a weaver – gave that figure the name Bong Medang in 1983. She has since died. So any other variation of the name is probably a misspelling.
Ok, I just saw your reply because the Comments cannot be displayed on my laptop. If it is a Bong Medang, then it may refer to Pungga with his praisename “Puntang Medang”.
So who quoted that metahor first? Is it Heppell/Enyan or Edric Ong? Or did Edric Ong quote that metaphor from Heppell/Enyan?
Can you confirm other variations of Bong Medang are mis-spelling in your research paper?
Can you also find out why Pungga is given the praisename “Puntang Medang”? Normally there is a reason for giving a specific praise-name in Iban culture.
If indeed the figure is a giant or demon, why it is associated with Pungga who is of Orang Panggau descendency because Sempurai is said to be of a demon giant ancestry.
If Bong Medang is the correct version, the it means Medang’s boat.
The word bong is not commonly used nowadays. I am not sure of its origin or whether bong means the same thing as bangkong or the short form of bangkong or whether it is used in the Kapuas region among the tribes there.
I read in this blong that the word bong is used to describe boats used during the Kanowit’s war and Katibas’s war between the Ibans and Brooke troop.
Why Enyan chose Pungga instead of other cultural heros of Panggau Libau?
In this blog, Keling was chosen to be depicted on the pua design:
http://www.dayanglaing.net/2009/11/pua-woven-by-my-grandma-esah-ak-ketit.html
regarding the Iban-English dictionary link – it is a help but it is the old one by Rev. Howell and not Richard;’s. But thank’s much for the link. I have downloaded the dictionary.
I am still working on that Sungkit image and am finding much interesting materials mostly through Mike Heppell who seems to know a great deal about the Iban.
Ok, perhaps the Iban-English dictionary by AJN Richards is not avaialble online free. I guess anybody interested have to buy.
Here is another Iban-English dictionary written by Iban itself if interested: http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/11/word-user%E2%80%99s-companions/
It is in one of my posts regdg bong medang on 12 Feb 2014 below. Anyway here it is reposted:
http://www16.us.archive.org/stream/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog_djvu.txt
For English-Iban dictionary, you can search internet. I think it has been written.
On the group from Samutra, I think Sandin calls them the “Raja Durong group” who was claimed to be migrating to Kapuas river basin and bringing some cultural aspects which may be related to Hinduism. Raja Durong begot Raja Jembu who begot the seven deities of the Ibans in addition to the only one Bunsu (Kree) Petara. Sandin wrote a book entittled Raja Durong which I haven’t read because not available online.
In Iban society, it was stated in this blog that one generation equals about 25 years so 26 generations x 25 years = 650 years.
I think Dr, Robert Menua of Tun Jugah Foundation is currently studying similarities and perhaps differences between an ingenious ethnic Batak in Sumatra and Iban of Sarawak in terms of their mother tongue languages. This can be checked further if you are interested.
According to studies, there are probably 3 ways of Iban migration to Sarawak: 1. from Kapuas 2. from Merudu Hill near Brunei 3, from Cape Datu near Lundu, Kuching.
Bernard
I thought the Iban Council of Elders in any longhouses has no specific name but it is convened in meeting sessions called berandau, betugong or baum.
I thought Nelson Mandela did describe how his council of elders works in his Afircan Madiba tribe in his memoir “Long Walk to Freedom”.
There is one PhD thesis on Randau as an effective communication in Iban longhouses by one person which I forgot his name. You can try to search internet if you wish.
If randau fails, the dispute can escalate to pengulu level in sessions called becara or bicara in Malay. If randau or becara fails to resolve the dispute, the longhouse may break up with either one or both parties in the dispute leave the longhouse especially long time ago when there are still virgin forests for migrations.
Pengulu, Pemancha, Pengarah and Temenggung are later inventions by the Brooke government, I don’t think it really originates from the Iban themselves at the beginning.
Before Brooke, the regional or riverine leaders were normally the “raja berani” (king of bravery) who can command large followers in headhunting or ngayau expeditions and who become distinguished dignitaries during gawai/festival celebrations. Two examples may be Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana “Bayang” of Saribas and Temenggung Koh of Kapit.
If I remember correctly, the PhD thesis on randau was produced in UNIMAS. Can google it.
Once the dispute escalate to pengulu level, the session is called native court. The tuai rumah (longhouse headman) may also be called a native court as per Sandin in Iban Adat and Customary Laws.
Sorry, the meeting session (betugong) chaired by the tuai rumah can also be considered a native court as he administers the Iban Adat.
Normally one representative of either disputants will inform the longhouse chief of any dispute and then inform all family bilek heads about the coming betugong eg tonight after dinner at the headman’s ruai. In fact, everybody can come and sit around to be present.
Correction: Once the dispute escalate to pengulu level, the session is called native court. The meeting session (Betugong) chaired by the tuai rumah (longhouse headman) may also be called a native court as per Sandin in Iban Adat and Customary Laws.
Betugong means to assemble.
Sandin has written a book ob Iban Adat and Customary Law which is administered by the tuai rumah.
Now there is a standard tusun tunggu (Iban Customary Laws) perhaps by Maljis Adat Istiadat Sarawak and Sarawak Native Court which is already scanned and uploaded in one of the Iban blogs that can be searched online.
Hi JS! Thank you once again for your numerous posts over these past days. They answer most of my questions in a very effective manner. And once again I do appreciate it even though I am not getting back to you on the spot, since I am travelling.
Three brief comments right now:
-The Balinese councils of elders are taking place in rooms called “BALE AGUNG” (meaning: meeting house, house for gathering) in Balinese. If you had to translate this Balinese expression in Iban language, what would be in Iban language the closest equivalent to BALE AGUNG?
-You mentioned that once the dispute escalates to pengulu level, the session is called “native court”. What are the Iban words for “native court”?
-Another thing of interest you mentioned: “the tuai rumah (longhouse headman) may also be called a native court”. So, do you mean by that that this person (the longhouse headman) is sometimes named after the name of the institution? Who is chairing this “native court”? Is it precisely the tuai rumah?
Bale Agung sounds like Balai Agung (Great Hall).
The Ibans’ meeting place is usually at the ruai (gallery) of the headman or his deputy (mandal).
I don’t know the Iban’s translation for native court now. I think the Iban’s word for court is simply kot. Perhaps you can check the Rev Howell’s dictionary, if any. The session is called becara.
At the longhouse level, the headman or his deputy chairs the meetings.
The longhouse headman is never named after the institution. It is just that the meeting and gathering of people is called betugong. This can be considered like a native court especially now after the standardization of fines across the riverine regions as per the tusun tunggu book. The headman administer this Iban Adat and Customary Laws to settle disputes among dwellers of the same longhouse or inter-longhouses.
Here is a scanned copy of the tusun tunggu Adat Iban:
http://adatbansaiban.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00:00:00%2B08:00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00:00:00%2B08:00&max-results=30
Betugong can be anywhere convenient such as at the ruai gallery of the longhouse or at the gravel bed especially if the dispute is half-way between two or more longhouses or at the paddy farm.
Tuai rumah can be glossed as the longhouse chief or headman.
I think the Iban translation of the tusun tunggu Iban is Maljis Adat Istiadat (which is in Malay) which can be glossed Council of Adat (Customary Laws).
The ruai of Iban longhouses can be considered as a “balai agung” or a great and stretched hall or gallery. This is between the wall of the family room and the wall before the tanju open verandah. It consists of 3 spaces called tempuan, middle space and upper space with 2 posts in between.
Hi JS! Thanks!
A- Has “RUAI” a meaning of its own? Is it simply “Gallery”? (in the same way as BALAI AGUNG literally means “Great House” or “House of Meetings” or “Great Hall”?)
B- In another field I recently came across an article about the importance of bees for the Iban community, not only because the production of honey is an important livelihood for the Ibans, but also because the bees are part of the omen animals (though this doesn’t seem to be very well known!).
To delve a little deeper into the subject I have a few questions:
1) What are the Iban words for: a) Bee, b) Queen bee, c) Bee hive, d) Bee keeper, e) Honey, f) Bee wax, g) Royal jelly, h) Bee tree?
2) What or who is the bee “MANYI”? Is MANYI the name for a species of bees? Or is it the name for a special bee playing a special role in a myth?
3) On a general level, are bees involved in some Iban tales, legends or myths?
4) How are bees involved regarding the augury activity? For example I read that “it is most lucky in planting time to dream of an abundance of bees”. Are there other guide lines to “use” bees as omen animals?
5) Last question but not least: what is the relationship between bees and Singalang Burong? I am aware of Sera Gunting using bees to draw his grandfather attention, and consequently of Singalang Burong having to find a shelter to protect himself from the bees!
But other than that, is there a particular relationship between bees and Singalang Burong?
Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:29:26 +0000 To: bernardjm@live.fr
Because the houses of the Iban are jointed together in a straight line, the whole structure is called a longhouse. It provides both a place of accommodation and ritual activities. The accommodation include living, meetings, etc.
I answered your questions upstairs to avoid a long thread.
Hi JS! Thanks!
A- Has “RUAI” a meaning of its own? Is it simply “Gallery”? (in the same way as BALAI AGUNG literally means “Great House” or “House of Meetings” or “Great Hall”?)
B- In another field I recently came across an article about the importance of bees for the Iban community, not only because the production of honey is an important livelihood for the Ibans, but also because the bees are part of the omen animals (though this doesn’t seem to be very well known!).
To delve a little deeper into the subject I have a few questions:
1) What are the Iban words for: a) Bee, b) Queen bee, c) Bee hive, d) Bee keeper, e) Honey, f) Bee wax, g) Royal jelly, h) Bee tree?
2) What or who is the bee “MANYI”? Is MANYI the name for a species of bees? Or is it the name for a special bee playing a special role in a myth?
3) On a general level, are bees involved in some Iban tales, legends or myths?
4) How are bees involved regarding the augury activity? For example I read that “it is most lucky in planting time to dream of an abundance of bees”. Are there other guide lines to “use” bees as omen animals?
5) Last question but not least: what is the relationship between bees and Singalang Burong? I am aware of Sera Gunting using bees to draw his grandfather attention, and consequently of Singalang Burong having to find a shelter to protect himself from the bees!
But other than that, is there a particular relationship between bees and Singalang Burong?
Bernard
For Iban-English dictionary, the classic and free one is by AJN Richards which is available online by searching using the author’s name.
If you read all the artciles in this blog of GNMawar, you should also find it to be a goldmine about Iban culture and language.
I can’t locate the online free copy of Richards dictionary. Do you have the site link by any chance? Thanks if you do or don’t.
John, you should have located the link in my various posts about bong medang/midang below. By the way, any comments from you regarding this subject or your publication on it?
Indeed Sapungga is called Bujang Medang as in this legend of Klieng’s war-raid to the skies:
Cut down the lihas tree in the jungle : who of us will form a company to spy out
the land ?
** I for one,** said Sampurei Manok Tawei of the manang hawkbells.
*• I for another,’* said Sapungga Bujang Medang.
Kariring was another. Young Aping, the star-cluster youth.
These three went forward walking in single file ;
And arrived at the house of Pintik Sabang, watcher of the spirits which cannot
see.
page 322
In Edric Ong’s book page 106, it is spelt as “Bong nidang”. Is it a typo error?
Is it really “Bong Midang/Medang or “Puntang Medang”?
From my searches, Pungga’s ensumbar is always said to Puntang Medang, not Bong Midang/Medang.
Where did the metaphor “Bong midang” quoted by Edric Ong and Mike Heppell come from?
My understanding from Mike Heppell is that his co-author/weaver Enyan anak Usen wove a sungkit with the skirted figure and called it “Bong Medang” and gave it the pua the praise name:
Bong medang, dudi di lantar, dulu genu genu
Bong penyau, dudi di tebang, dulu beduru.
which Mike roughly translates as:
War Boat for a voyage launched after rumbling down a bank
The keel from a trunk creaking before it was felled.
Mike also said:
Bong Medang was one of Keling’s manok sabong in Panggau Libau. He was immensely strong and a bit of a larrikin. It was he who insulted Singalang Burong by insisting he do a berayah in Tampun Juah which resulted in Lang taking his family off to the other side of the sky. He is more famously known as Pungga’ or Puntang Medang.
That same metaphor is also contained in Edric Ong book Pua: Weavings of Iban In Sarawak. Search internet, we will get Bong nidang etc…. So who quoted that same metaphor first, is it Mike Heppell/Enyan or Edrci Ong? Can you please confirm that with Miek Heppell?
That same metaphor is quoted in Edric Ong;s book Pua: Weaving of Iban from Sarawak page 106 in which it is (mis-)spelt as Bong nidang etc. So who quoted it first, Mike Heppell/Enyan or Edric Ong? Can you pls confirm that with Heppell?
I thought Sempurai is the one that forced Sengalang Burong to berayah. Let me doublecheck that in Iban Early Migration story here in this blog. Are you aware that Sempurai “Bungai Nuing” and Sepungga/Pungga “Puntang Medang” are totally two different persons.
Here is the reference that says Sempurai forced Sengalang Burong to berayah dance:
QUote: Pengingat sekeda tuai ari Batang Undup madahka penyerara nya kelia ketegal Bungai Nuing ti udu mejal Sengalang Burung berayah maya ngintu Gawai Burung, iya nya lebuh sida ke pugu-pugu berani berayah ngelingi pun sabang di tanju. Lebuh iya berayah, dia kaki Sengalang Burung lama agi tinggi agi begantung ari tikai peda sida ti lalu ngujungka iya terus ke langit. Ari nya, Sengalang Burung mih tuai keterubah angkat ninggalka Tembawai Bejuah nya kelia.
Source: http://ibanology.wordpress.com/author/uwa1971/page/21/
Dear John
Can you please re-confirm with Mike Heppell why he did not spell Bong medang with capital M for Medang if it does refer to Pungga with his praisename “Puntang Medang”?
The word medang spelt with a small letter m can mean a type of tree called medang eg Tinting Medang is so named because there are many medang trees grow there.
If Bong Medang does refer to Pungga, then this cannot be interchangable with Bong Midang (with an i to replace e) because midang can mean tear or lost or gone.
If Bong Medang is the correct spelling and Medang refers to Pungga, then Bong Medang means Medang’s boat or Pungga’s boat.
Meanwhile, Bong medang with a small letter m means a boat made of the medang tree.
The word Medang spelt with capital M does refer to Pungga.
Bong Medang means Medang’s boat.
So I doubt that Bong Medang is another praisename for Pungga.
Pungga’s praisename is Puntang Medang or shortened as Medang.
Ok, I checked on the meaning of penyau in the “Bong penyau”. Penyau is a type wood like medang is also aty oe wood. So in this metaphor, medang and penyau with small m and p refer to wood, NOT Medang in Pungga “Puntang Medang”. That is the reason why medang and penyau were written with small letters m and p.
INTRODUCTION
The Standard Malaysian Name as well as the ASEAN Standard Name for the timber of Upuna borneensis (Dipterocarpaceae). Vernacular name applied includes upun (Sabah). Only one species has been recorded, viz. U. borneensis. The sapwood is lighter in colour and is distinctly differentiated from the heartwood, which is dark brown.
Also known as Upun batu (Brunei); and Balau penyau, Cangal tanduk and Penyau tanduk (Indonesia).
Source: http://woodwizard.my/report.asp?AttrID=34&ItemID=77
Can I try to translate this metaphor?
Bong medang, dudi dilantar, dulu genu-genu
Bong penyau, dudi ditebang, dulu beduru.
A boat made of medang wood sails first before it was launched.
A boat made of penyau wood creaks before it was felled down.
So the praisename for the whole pua with the skirted figure is “Bong medang”, right? Did she really say the skirted figure as Bong medang or just Medang?
Quote: My understanding from Mike Heppell is that his co-author/weaver Enyan anak Usen wove a sungkit with the skirted figure and called it “Bong Medang” and gave it the pua the praise name:
Bong medang, dudi di lantar, dulu genu genu
Bong penyau, dudi di tebang, dulu beduru.
It seems only the word Medang with capital M refers to Pungga’s praisename.
So Bong medang with small letter m refers to a boat made of medang wood.
However, Enyan could refer inexplicitly using “jaku karong” (hidden-meaning language) to Medang’s boat i.e. Pungga’s boat. Did she really mean this ie. to regrad her sungkit pua to be used by Pungga as his boat?
I think to really identify what that “skirted figure” motif means or refers to, got to ask expert weavers. It does seem like a giant demon (antu grasi) but Ibans do not like to feature antu grasi in their pua except in the last stage of Gawai Burong Gerasi Papa because Sengalang Burong dislikes to see his arch-enemy’s image on the pua and won’t come down to grace the Gawai Burong (Bird Festival) if that pua with antu grasi image is used to cover the ritual pole.
Does it really refer to Pungga? If yes, why only Pungga? Why not other more famous heroes like Keling, Laja, Sempurai, etc.? At least one ritual pua features Keling sitting in the middle of it, just by searching internet.
Medan^ (bemeddng), a jungle tree. The
name is given to many trees chiefly of the
N. O. Latmnece, Tinting medang. The
Medang range (between Ulu Paku and
Krian).
http://www16.us.archive.org/stream/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog_djvu.txt
The Edric Ong’s bok was published in 1996:
Pua: Iban Weavings of Sarawak
Edric Ong
Society Atelier Sarawak, 1996 – Textile fabrics, Iban – 110 pages
http://books.google.com.my/books/about/Pua.html?id=zn_WAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y
The Mike Heppell, Timbang and Enyan’s book was published in 2005 as below. So who quoted the Bong medang first, Edric or Heppell/Enyan?
Iban art: sexual selection and severed heads : weaving, sculpture, tattooing and other arts of the Iban of Borneo
M. Heppell, Limbang anak Melaka, Enyan anak Usen
KIT Publishers, 2005 – Art and society – 180 pages
I checked in the old Iban dictionary the meaning pf openyau As below:
penyau, loss. Kati baka penyau wang
tu? What is there to be said about the loss
of this money?
http://www16.us.archive.org/stream/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog_djvu.txt
If the meaning of penyau in the bong penyau is loss, then this jives with the word midang which also mean lost. So the metaphor if spelt as Bong midang… Bong penyau… mean lost war boat or lost pua weaving culture (which is increasingly forgotten) if she means bong refers metaphorically (in jaku karong) to pua.
If spelt as Bong midang, then this does not seem to refer to Pungga’s praisename of Puntang Medang.
So which spelling is correct, midang or medang?
In Edric Ong;s book, the same 2-line metaphor is spelt as bong nidang. Nidang has no meaning as far as I knowas an Iban. So it could mean mis-spelt.
Here is the meaning of penyau as a type of wood in that old Iban dictionary by Anthony Richards:
Penyau {bepenyau), a hard wood inferior
only to the iron-wood (tebelian),
With whom did Mike Heppell ascertain that Bong Midang/Medang is Pungga, Enyan or others?
Here is another called bong midang:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/AUTHENTIC-Headhunter-Jacket-WARBOAT-JOURNEY-Male-Shirt-Outfit-Fabric-Cloth-/331117985646
There are many uses of ikat pua discussed in this paper but Bong Midang/Medang was mentioned:
http://www.academia.edu/3795323/Ikat_as_metaphor_for_Iban_Women_artists_creative_ritual_and_social_powers_in_Borneo_in_Van_Esterik_Milgram_Eds._1994_#
Many motifs relate explicitly to headhunting, a dangerous activity needing the assistance of a multitude of spirits. These include Bong Medang, the personification of the war boat, and Antu Rambun, an anthropomorphic form adopted by the spirits of the dead. Pua sungkit also depict images of the trophy heads themselves, in animated forms wailing above the longhouse fireplace, or being smoked above the hearth of another spirit, Antu Gerasi.
http://nga.gov.au/Exhibition/LIFEDEATHMAGIC/Default.cfm?IRN=73002&MnuID=3&ViewID=2
Why is Pungga called Bong Midang/Medang?
Medan^ (bemeddng), a jungle tree. The
name is given to many trees chiefly of the
N. O. Latmnece, Tinting medang. The
Medang range (between Ulu Paku and
Krian).
http://www16.us.archive.org/stream/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog_djvu.txt
Pungga (v. f. mungga; bepungga), to cut
in two the trunk of a tree, cut into blocks,
stretch out cotton so as to be ready for weav-
ing. Samoa pun kayu olih mungga di ai Sabu,
All the trees in the Sabu stream have to be cut
in two. Peba enda pungkang^ olih matak
prauh, ama olih mungga batang. There is no
lack of fallen (drift) wood, one must drag the
boat through it, or, sometimes, cut through
the tree trunks.
http://www16.us.archive.org/stream/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog_djvu.txt
Bong-nebang, or bebong-nebang, to
work in a body felling trees.
Here is a defintio of bong in Iban:
Bong {bebong), a flat-bottomed boat with
square bows and stern used chiefly for up-river
work ; a proper name, m. Bong iya laju
nanjak karangan. His boat is swift going up^
stream over the gravel beds.
Source: http://www16.us.archive.org/stream/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog/aseadyakdiction00bailgoog_djvu.txt
It seems Bong Midang is also used to name a motif on a basket here:
Quote: Borneo artifact item number: WR 0200 A pair of beautiful Iban Dayak Wedding Baskets, each body intricately hand woven from rattan skin with the left basket decorated with Buah Berasok / Creeper pattern, whereas the right basket is adorn with rare pattern of Warboat On A Journey / Bong Midang.
Source: http://borneoartifact.com/modules/product/?show=info&id=6094
Pungga is a cousin of Keling as per tusut in this blog:
http://ibanentabai.blogspot.com/2011/09/kenang-ngelansa-batang-panggau-libau-di.html
Pungga is also known as Puntang Medang or Sepuntang Medang in Masing’s PhD thesis.
PDF]
Iban migration into Sarawak
hornbill.cdc.net.my/yzm/Iban%20Migration%20into%20Sarawak.pdf
The Saribas Rebellion against Brunei and The Beginning of Iban Piracy . …… were Simpurai and Pungga (Puntang Medang) of Panggau Libau (the world of …
The title notes below seem very divergent, either antu gerasi (giant demon) or bong midang (Pungga of Panggau Libau).
Quote:
Thomas Briggs ASHTON
United States of America Died 1864
Movements: Italy 1845-47
lived in England by 1851
Artist’s cultural association:
Iban people
Ritual cloth [pua sungkit]
19th century
Title Notes: with bands of spirit figures [antu gerasi or bong midang] and an Indian tradecloth-inspired field
Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia
Textile, handspun cotton, natural dyes
Technique: supplementary weft wrapping
209.0 h x 94.0 w cm
Purchased 1982
Accession No: NGA 82.2304
Source: http://artsearch.nga.gov.au/Detail.cfm?IRN=89555&PICTAUS=TRUE
Here is some note about Bong Medang:
Finally, there are the “dancing figures.” Gavin’s account of the scorpion incident is correct. Enyan was at an international workshop in Kuching and was the only ulu Batang Ai weaver present among many from the Saribas and Baleh. She was standing in front of the sungkit cloth she had woven in Australia in 1984. As she explained later, she was malu–which in that context meant that she was embarrassed, concerned that she would be regarded as making inflated claims for a design she had woven. (23) She therefore said kala because it was nothing. In Australia, there was a small gawai in which Enyan revealed the names of the three cloths she had woven to an assemblage of Melbourne weavers and other people she had met. On the sungkit, there were 8 rows of figures–one row she called Antu Jawing; three, Bong Medang; two Dara Meni; and two were the head tree. (24)
One might legitimately ask if there is a logic to having Meni represented on a sungkit cloth. Both in the Batang Ai and the Saribas, sungkit cloths were used to receive a newly taken head before being paraded up and down a longhouse gallery in the ritual naku pala. Meni is an underworld figure as also are naga (dragon) and remaung (tiger) which are frequently represented on sungkit cloths. The underworld is associated with fertility. Hence, many sungkit cloths have representations of the constellations which are associated with fertility through their role in the Iban agricultural calendar. The taking of a head is also strongly related with fertility as a number of authors writing on the Iban, including myself, have remarked. Consequently, having Meni represented on a sungkit cloth does not fly in the face of Iban logic associated with a cloth, the primary use of which was to receive a newly taken head.
Source: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Rejoinder%3A+on+my+late+Iban+co-author.-a0254265436
I think when Enyan said “malu” or embarassed among many other expert people in weaving, she simply used “jaku karong” by saying that the design motif is “kala or scorpion which means it can sting terribly. so it means the motif is powerful. It is a typical way of Iban peole expressing humility or ngemaroh ke diri which would “buy” or get you more acceptance among the people.
It is the frist time I read about Dara Meni. Why she is chosen to be a motif in pua?
Who is Antu Jawing?
I would like to know why Pungga is featured in pua and how did he get his ensumbar “Bong Midang”? Can Mike Heppell answer this question please from his Contact with Enyan who featured Bong Midang is her cloth woven in Melbourne?
Why Enyan said the skirted figure on that sungkit pua to be Bong Midang, then kala and finally no nothing about it when asked repeatedly until someone concluded that she knows nothing about weaving and talked about weaving voluntarily to someone whom she likes and chose to talk to?
It is possible that she got annoyed for being questioned on the same design repeatedly and at last pretended not to know anything about it. It is a mark of someone who refuses to be argumentative. It is quite a typical behaviour of Iban, isn’t it? It is not normal or common for any Iban not to claim expertise in any field to avoid boastfulness but can lead the way in action when really required to do so! Once Ibans decide actions are required, they would be normally committed to the cause e.g. when Brooke asked for their help as troop after the pacification of Saribas Dayaks, they dare to kill their own fellow Dayaks!
When Enyan decided to show her talent in weaving in Melbourne, I think she is committed to show it to those who appreciate the matter.
Anyone knows why Pungga is given a praisename “Bong Midang”?
Ok, I found who is Bong Midang. It’s a praisename for Pungga as below. I know Pungga but not Bong Midang.
Quote: …. We then come to plate 83, which Enyan calls Bong Medang. I later ascertained Bong Medang was another name for Pungga, a cousin of Keling and one of his strongest lieutenants. Pungga had a number of praise names, one of which is the one Enyan gave. Gavin shows a similar motif on the top row of a pua’ sungkit which she calls Bong Midang. (22)
Source: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Rejoinder%3A+on+my+late+Iban+co-author.-a0254265436
Para 6: Kumang is a ‘hero,’ patroness of weaving, and epitomizes desirable womanhood for the Iban. On this cloth, there are female and male figures testifying to Kumang’s attractiveness to the opposite sex. It would be surprising if these figures did not represent Kumang and her husband and lover, Keling. Kumang and Keling live in a non-terrestrial place called Panggau, in longhouses peopled by numerous named heroes, whose exploits epitomize Iban ambition. It needs to be understood, a fact omitted by Gavin, that, historically, dream-inspired cloth designs originated in Panggau, usually revealed by Kumang. Consequently, scenes from Panggau are often represented on cloths.
Source: ccs.infospace.com/ClickHandler.ashx?du=moussons.revues.org%2f2267%3flang%3den&ru=http%3a%2f%2fmoussons.revues.org%2f2267%3flang%3den&ld=20140127&ap=5&app=1&c=b1g&s=b1g&coi=771&cop=main-title&euip=175.142.84.182&npp=5&p=0&pp=0&pvaid=de046123e7a548e1a5c14297fa2d8227&ep=5&mid=9&en=tTdqDjsVtz6pRbTb74li9QGxFnEZPsjTTwwg%2fWP15lzKvWSJ61RQ0A%3d%3d&hash=ACB31197C48C8FD9D9BC7864764804D6
Thanks JS.
I am familiar with what you have quoted and am glad to see that you also found that information.
The characteristics of the figure – wild hair, big eyes, glittering teeth- seems be first stated in an 1881 publication which calls such figures Girgasi which later evolves into Gerasi or Grasi.
I have tracked “Bong Midang” back to Gavin (1996) in her “Woman’s War”. I find no earlier mention of that name for that “skirted” figure. (I don’t think they represent “skirts” – I just use that term for a description.)
Gavin gives the name of such “skirted” figures to be “Bong Midang” and that the name refers to a “war boat (bong) on a journey (midang)”; the horizontal bars at the waist suggesting the boat. She says in the book that Mike Heppell was her source giving “private communication” and an unpublished paper by Heppell. But nowhere in any of Heppell’s writings that I have found does he give that “boat” interpretation because of the “skirts”. In fact sometimes Heppell calls the figure “Bong Midang” and sometimes “Bong Medang” and nowhere mentions “war boat on a journey” in connection with the figure. He does say as you stated that there are other names for the figure.
I have my own interpretation as to what the “skirts” represent and I am writing a short article for publication about it.
So I very much appreciate any help you or others can give me in this regard.
Thanks again for so much attention and help and I hope all’s well with you.
-John
OK, now I see why you are searching for the origin of Bong Midang. About the interpretation for the skirted figure, I guess you have to talk to expert weavers themselves. Where was the sungkit pua made, is it in Sarawak like Saribas, Baleh, Julau or Kalimantan Barat? If you know where the pua was woven, then you talk to expert weavers in the vicinity.
It is said Bong Midang is a hero of Panggau, so it is not heroin, thus Bong Midang can’t be Kumang, Indai Abang or Lulong who are female and goddesses of weaving.
Ok, I reread my post below that stated the Bong midang motif comes from Batang Ai region of Sarawak. The Iban people of Batang Ai migrated to Katibas and then Baleh due to internal dispute. So you can talk to expert weavers from Batang Ai or Baleh.
It is quite the first time I heard about Bong Midang. I interested why is he a hero of Panggau? Have you got that info yet?
You may want to contact Vernon Kedit if he knows anything about this Bong Midang motif.
You stated you have your own interpretation. Is it really originated from you or you got it from discussions with expert weavers or experts in Iban Anthropology? Have you tried to talk to Prof Sather Clifford? or Gavin herself or Tun Jugah Foundation or Linggi herself?
I hope you be careful when publishing because at one time someone published that the rhinocerous hornbill is the god of war for Ibans but the correct one is the Brahminy Kite who is also called Sengalang Burong. The wrong fact has been published in internet and repeated in many websites.
Quote: The characteristics of the figure – wild hair, big eyes, glittering teeth- seems be first stated in an 1881 publication which calls such figures Girgasi which later evolves into Gerasi or Grasi.
Are you saying the skirted figures to be demons? The Malay word for it is Gergasi (Something big, huge or massive size) so mispelled by Europeans to be Girgasi. The Ibans call it Gerasi or shortened to be Grasi or in fact Antu Grasi. The chief Antu Gerasi is Nising who was slayed by Sengalang Burong and is featured in the pua kumbu at the highest stage of the Bird Festival (Gawai Burong).
The Antu Grasi iamge is not to displayed without ritaul piring/offering. Vernon Kedit blackened the image when displaying the pua kumbu that contains this demon.
Can you contact Micheal Heppel about the Bong Midang? He is quite closely associated with Tun Jugah Foundation in Kuching.
I have just heard back from Mike Heppell who have some interesting things to say but I will ask his permission first if I can reprint them. But very satisfying. I also heard that according to weavers now in the Baleh area, that they never heard of any sungkit with “bong midang/medang”. I also understand that boat there is “bung” or “bangkung”.
My interpretation has been supported by Vernon and recently Mike Heppell has somewhat the same opinion.
I am dong this research because I also want to be careful of what gets repeated in the literature. I have seen very strange things.
I will follow all this up more but now will be on a trip for a week. So I may not be in contact for awhile.
But definitely very much appreciate all your comments and work.
Thanks very much.
The sungkit pua that has the “Bong Midang” motif may not be made in Baleh, may it? Is it really made in Batang Ai or brought on during migration from Kapuas in West Kalimantan? It may be logical to trace where it is made to know the interpretation of the motif from the original weaver or her relatives or the local people in the vicinity.
Actually, I heard the word “bong” when reading the battles between the Brooke troop aganist Iban people in Kanowit and Katibas. Not sure whether it means a huge war boat but the word “bangkong” or “bangkung” is very familiar with me. The normal long boat for river transport is called perau or perahu in Malay. Bangkong is used to sail into the sea and thus can sustain big waves eg to travel from Saribas/Skrang to Kuching or Pontianak or Sambas.
I would like to know from where did Micheal Heppell quoted the “2 Bong midang lines”, is it from a poem or pengap or other leka main Iban?
I think the 2 line metahor were quoted directly from Eddric Ong’s book, I read it last night.It was perhaps mis-spelt as Bong Nidang there.
on page 106 of Pua: Iban Weavings of Sarawak asper my search in internet
Quote: Para 6: Kumang is a ‘hero,’ patroness of weaving, …
It should be “Kumang is a heroin, not a hero as Kumang is female and the wife of Keling.
So Bong Midang is a hero of Panggau as below. Is she Kumang who is the goddess or patron of weaving or Indai Abang or Lulong?
In fact, it is the first time that I heard about Bong Midang.
para. 31: Apparently, according to Gavin, in the Baleh, there are “no known examples of repetitive rows of small figures,” and yet, in her UCLA Fowler exhibition, she shows (1996: 44) one sungkit cloth with one row of figures, which on many other such cloths come in repetitive rows. The figure is called Bong Midang, a hero of Panggau, who, like many other heroes, such as Keling, Pungga’, Bulan Menyimbang, Tutong, Bungei Nuing, Laja, and others, do find their images gracing cloths.
Source: http://moussons.revues.org/2267?lang=en
It seems the author did not know that Bong Midang refers to Pungga as above.
O ok, here is the Bong Midang motif:
Fine pua sunkit from the Batang Ai region of Sarawak. Pua sunkit are the oldest surving Iban textiles. This piece dates from the mid 19th century. The motif is sometimes called Dancing Witches or War Boat on a Journey (Bong Midang). Pieces like this would have been used in head hunting rituals to receive and wrap the captured enemy skull to purify it and neuralize it so it’s power would then become protective for the village. Also used in the Gawai Festival, to give thanks for the harvest and ensure another plentiful crop and to bring protective forces to the entire village – in former times to protect the community from raiding parties. Has very fine human figure work. 76″ x 21″ (165 x 53 cms). Very high review in Kuching from an Iban pua expert and descendant of acknowledged master weaver. We got it from Dan Cook
Source: http://www.jungleartsandflora.com/product_pages/textile_product_pages/dayak_text_prod_pages/iban_pua2.html
Here is the Shell Miri Lutong’s Telephone found in internet:
+6085-454545
Thanks JS. I’m in the US but will give it a try.
So John, can you please tell us the source where you got the “Bong midang”?
Can try Ibanology.wordpress.com for compilation of many papers related to Ibans.
Thanks JS. I have already examined that source. Among things I am researching is the origin of the description of a certain figure on sungkit weavings as “warboat on a journey”, sometimes called “Bong Midang” sometimes “Bong Medang”, and others.
I have tracked it back to a 1996 publication but it must be earlier. Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated and acknowledged.
And I got an “undeliverable” from Gregory’s Shell email address.
I assume that means he is no longer reachable at that address.
So you want to know the origin of Bong Midang or Medang? I am expert in weavings.
From my general reading, bong means great size. There were warbots’ names such as Bong Kap used at Kanowit battle between the Brooke troop against Ibans there and Bong Tekam used in Katibas’ Enjob rebellion.
Midang can mean something “lost” in Iban language. Medang can mean somebody’s name. Wasn’t he the owner of the warboat?
Where is the origin of that sungkit weaving? Saribas, Kanowit/Julau or Ulu Rajang?
Have contacted Vernon Kedit who seems to know about Saribas weaving very well ie to interprete the design motives.
Have you tried calling Shell’s general line and ask for Gregory’s contact?
John, can you please quote the paragraph that contain the “Bong Midang/Medang” so that we can read the context?
John, are you referring to the phrase “Bong midang” in Micheal Heppel’s book page 130 which is availbel in internet searching? In here is it written as Bong midang with a small letter m i.e.
“Bong midang dudi dilantar, dulu genu genu.
Bong penyau dudi ditebang, dulu beduru.”
(Boat for a voyage rumbling down to be lauched
The keel once a trunk creaking before it was felled)
So it is not a man’s name. In this case, Bong midang can just refer to the whole pua kumbu of a big size woven by women. This is just like Iban man warriors would go on a sojourn using a bong warboat. I am sure you know Iban women regard weaving as their effort on warpath.
Is it really a certain figure on sungkit waevings as you said?
Sorry, typo: I am NOT expert in weavings. I am just one of those Ibans.
it seems the author seldomly access his Shell email. He replied me once.
Perhaps you caqn post your questions here so that any readers can discuss or answer to help you.
Another way is to call Shell company in Miri. I think you can get the general line in internet and ask for Gregory’s direct officor handphone number.
Hello! I am a researcher in the field of cultural anthropology. Some years ago I earned a post graduate degree at the INALCO: National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations, in Paris (France). I am currently very interested in the culture of the Iban people. I would like to get in touch with GREGORY NYANGGAU MAWAR to discuss of some aspects of the Iban culture. I would deeply appreciate it if it was possible. Thank you very much in advance.
I also would like to get in touch with Gregory for a paper I am writing on Iban textiles. Does anyone have Gregory’s latest email address? the “shell oil” one is no longer valid apparently.
Thanks
John
Thank you John for keeping me posted. So far I have not been able to get in touch with Gregory. If you get to reach him, please let me know.
Thanks,
Bernard
Will do Bernard. Can I ask you to do the same in case you find Gregory? I will try searching for him in Miri via the web.
-John
Absolutely John, you can count on me!
Bernard
So Bernard, what do you want to discuss about Iban culture?
Ok JS, thanks for your answer. I really appreciate it. By the way, both of us are not professional anthropologists, but I still consider myself as an anthropologist (I studied anthropology at the university), not for the title but for the frame of mind that it implies! Right now I would like to ask a few questions:
1) Could recommend some books about the Iban culture that should I buy at first to start my education in the field?
2) What are the distinct categories of souls in the Iban vision and more precisely what was the soul that was captured with the head during head hunting campaigns?
3) When an Iban shaman (a manang) wraps a pua kumbu cloth over his body, do you know if he pronounces some specific words in order to activate the power given to him by this cloth?
4) What are the constellations associated with fertility and what is their role in the Iban agricultural calendar?
Ok, I am an engineer by background and learning Iban religion and culture as I am Iban by blood. I try to answer your questions as follows:
1) Could recommend some books about the Iban culture that should I buy at first to start my education in the field?
– Read the articles in this blog which are free of charge. Most of the content are from Benedict Sandin books or articles in Sarawak Museum journals.
This gives introduction to Iban traditions in Saribas/Kalaka/Skrang areas.
– Read Masing’s PhD thesis with pdf copy is downloadable from internet, again FOC. This give good introduction about Iban religion, culture and language used in chants in the Baleh/Mujong areas.
– Search internet for Iban-related websites or blogs, plenty such as my own compilation of articles on Iban in Ibanology.wordpress.com.
2) What are the distinct categories of souls in the Iban vision and more precisely what was the soul that was captured with the head during head hunting campaigns?
– The souls or spirits in Iban religion and culture, I guess, can be categorized into deities or gods (petara), Orang Panggau & Gelong (cultural heroes and heroines) and antu (spirits) which can be good or bad to humans.
– I guess the soul captured in the head skulls (antu pala) is the soul of the person whose head was captured. The value of the soul will be better if the person is a prominent warrior or chief. The Ibans believe the souls of the dead persons especially family members and relatives can help them in their life by giving sumpah/curse or pengraoh/charm. Therefore, the souls of dead are called upon during bebiau during bedara/miring and welcomed to special Gawai Antu/Ngelumbong dedicated to the dead relatives who are invited from the sebayan/haedes to the world of the living.
3) When an Iban shaman (a manang) wraps a pua kumbu cloth over his body, do you know if he pronounces some specific words in order to activate the power given to him by this cloth?
– I don’t know the words if ever a manang utters any words to activate the power given to him while wrapped in pua. I and others hears during a belian session: ehm, ehm, ehm,,,, until the manang faints inside his pua. I am not sure whether the pua must be a pua kumbu or any ordinary pua. The manang sure has their special chant (leka main) called pelian which is recited during the belian healing session. You can read a book on Iban shamanism written by Prof Clifford Sather to read more. Perham wrote a good article about Iban manangism, available in internet.
– I am not sure if the pua kumbu ever gives the manang any power. What I know the manang gets his power from his tutelary spirit (yang) who helps him to cure sick people eg if the manang is helped by a crocodile/baya and so he is called manang baya, he might draw the crocodile image on rice flattened on a capan (winnnowing basket) , I guess, to invoke the spirit of the croc, This I saw myself while living in the longhouse.
– Ibans do sleep wrapped in pua kumbu in the past while seeking a good dream eg before going on ngayau/headhunting or becoming a bujang berani. I myself never practiced this because my generation (about 40 years old now) went to school most of the time living in the boarding house so not learning much about Iban culture and belief system then. Now I am trying to learn again Iban culture after going on belelang/pegi (sojourn) to gain knowledge overseas,
4) What are the constellations associated with fertility and what is their role in the Iban agricultural calendar?
– The constellations are called Bintang Banyak – literally translated as Many Stars (the Pleiades) and Bintang Tiga (the Orion). Their movement or appearance in the sky tells when to start farming and the subsequent stages of farming (23 stages according to Freeman), which roughly coincides with the dry and wet seasons that are conducive for planting paddy for rice and other crops like cotton/taya. The whole year is considered as one cycle of farming.
– Bintang Banyak is known to be 7 sisters, one of them married an Iban. Not sure whether Bintang Banyak is related to fertility or procreation but very sure they are related to bountiful harvest and thus survival of the Ibans.
Hope my answers help you.
Hi Bernard
Why do you choose to study Iban in the field of anthropology? Is it because of “magical power” as perceived in your questions above?
Have you visited Sarawak? If not yet and if time and finance permits, there is a good river cruise along the Rajang river which is the longest river in Borneo:
http://www.travelific.my/travelstry_full.php?sid=268
Otherwise, may go for homestay at any Iban longhouse to experience real Iban living eg Rumah Lulut at Sungai Tisa, Kapit:
http://www.sarawaktourism.com/en/itinerary-detail/itin-detail?catid=6&itinid=110
If you read the Masing’s PhD thesis, you will find out the “magical or supernatural power” purportedly received by Iban warriors who performed Gawai Amat during which a ritual timang chant is recited and believed to be “the most potent curse” (sumpah ti pemadu bisa). It is claimed that the efficacy or effectiveness of the curse is real because the Ibans there who had earlier migrated from Ulu Ai managed to conquer a vast track of land of virgin forest in the new region which is essential for farming, source of food and jungle products for cash.
Here is the story of “How Jelenggai married Bunsu Bintang Banyak”:
Bernard
Judgung from your questions above, perhaps you are more interested in Iban culture as you said instead of the Iban language and literature per se. Therefore, you can read Adat Iban and Gawai topics above first plus the Masing’s PhD thesis. These will give an idea about the Iban culture. However, the Iban culture and Iban language are so inter-twined and inseparable eg during the Iban ritual festivals, oral literature will be recited and chanted. Perhaps you already realize this aspect.
Bernard
Pls see my separate replies to your various questions above to avoid this thread to be very long.
I read somewhere a manang covers himself with a pua kumbu as wings to fly (terebai) in catching the soul of the patient.
So may we read the papers written by you Bernard?
Thank you JS for your interest in me! But I am going to get you disappointed: indeed I am not a professional researcher having a career at the university, but simply an individual passionate for anthropology and I have just retired from a busy business life. This explains that: I have never published anything so far but may be willing to do it in the future.
In regards with you, I would be happy to learn a little more about you, since I only know what you wrote in one of your previous posts: “I am just one of these Ibans”!
Ok Bernard, I am also not an anthropologist but interested in learning my own Iban culture (on my free time), which did not learn while in school.
So which area of Iban culture you are interested in?
Hi JS, thank you so much for your last answers (five posts) that found me well two weeks ago! I am getting back to you only now because I have been travelling a lot over these past days (right now I am in Europe) and it is not over!
Anyway I am glad to touch base again with you: so that you know I am also an engineer by education and my interest for Iban culture goes way beyond a specific interest for things related to “magical power”. Yes indeed I am deeply interested in Iban culture in general but also in Iban language, because for me language is one of the most powerful vector and memory of a culture.
In this respect I would be very happy if you would advise me on an Iban – English dictionary that I could access or order online and maybe (if there is one) an English – Iban dictionary.
I have already followed a number of your precious advices and as an example I have downloaded and printed Masing’s PhD thesis which really is a goldmine. Thank you so much for that! I am going to read it carefully and will certainly get back to you with some questions for clarification of some issues.
For now I would be happy if you would tell something about the following points:
-Can I find somewhere a study of how works the Iban Council of Elders in the longhouse, for major decision (before having to escalate to a pengulu level). By the way what’s the name in Iban language of such an institution?
-What are the various words to say “frog” in Iban language?
-On one of the Iban-related websites or blogs (that you mentioned) I was puzzled to read that most of the Iban culture would have originated from a group of persons coming from Sumatra. Are these persons perceived as “civilizing heroes” by the Ibans? How much this fact has been scientifically established?
-I also read that GNMawar is the 26th descendant of Singalang Burong. How far in the past does this take us? (I mean: approximately how many years?).
Ok, I replied you by separating the topics above to avoid a long thread.
I think the Iban Council of Elders is simply called “Bala Side Ka Tuai” or briefly “Bala Tuai”. It normally consists of all heads of families in the longhouse.
The Iban Council of Elders may comprise the headman, his deputy and heads of families who may also be a tuai burong (augury chief), tuai bumai (farming head), manang shaman, lemambang bard, saudagar (if any), tuai kayau (raiding chief) in the past.
Tk ka Panggau Pengingat nn Aya, aku bisi research pansik tusut lalu belematika nya, aku ari turun Tibu ari Layar…
uncle…cerita keling limau senaman bc?
Selamat pagi GN, aku kak nanyak enti d bc penemu pasal ‘Batu Sebayan’. Enti batu nyak bc d berik ke kitai keni enggau utai nyak?
Apakah boleh pemirsa mengirim artikel ke media ini, dan apa saja ketentuannya? Apakah ada persyaratan tertentu yang mesti ditaati oleh pengirim tulisan?
Atas kesempatannya kami aturkan terimakasih.
Pelatihan di Malang,
Hanya artikel sejarah yang berkaitan dengan kaum Dayak boleh di kirimkan ke sini.
Greg, I am the result of bejalai. My maternal grandfather (Kedit) came from Paku and grandmother from Stambak. Vernon is my cousin and I live with my family in Melbourne Australia. I appreciate your stories and hope that this heritage will be recorded for my children to follow. Lived in Kuching 1963 to 1969 met Aki Sandin and always fascinated by the Sarawak museum collection. All the best and keep safe.
Donald De Foe,
Thanks. So I’m your uncle.
Kemaya kini BN ulih ngemendarke Iban History tu diprajarke ba sekula?
JS,
Kereban ke bisi ba website aku tu sigi udah dikena belajarka jaku Iban ba sekula.
Greg, aku tadi surfing begiga ke ‘adat dayak’ lalu tepeda ke site tu. Enda meh aku nemu nya tak enggi nuan deh kaban. Being an ex-SSB lalu kala begulai bekelala enggau nuan make me feel impressed.
Pia mega aku gaga bendar meda site nuan tu tak penuh manah disi ngena macham macham leman main Iban.
Keep it up.
Ex-SSB’97
Terima kasih ka comment nuan. Sigi lama udah dicompile aku semua utai ke dalam blog aku tu. Kasih ka anak bansa kitai bangat enda nemu heritage diri.
manjan tarang
terima kasih punggal laban udah mantai ka semuo repih pasal adat tuai sereta mega tusut kitai iban dalam blog nuan.dalam pasal tusut aku rindu amai ninga tusut tuai kitai iban kai nyadi raja berani.kai tau serang tau kayau tau mulau.tambah mega aku deka nemu penatai aki ini sereta peturun aku empu aku semina nemu ari lapan serak datai ba tubuh aku tang laban ba tusut kami nya enda nyamai di dinga orang ketegal bemusuh diri semenuo. laban tusut tu bepun ari rentap kai lari ari bukit sadok kai diau di nanga panggil masuk ai wak .angkat ari nya rentap endang udah mati ba tembawai nanga panggil. bala aki ini kami pindah baru ngagai nanga wa dalam ai wak kai diatu dia meh penyarut bisi nyadi ketegal di kayau minggat apai runai ari awek bepun ari tu aki kami buyung selalu bebalas munuh bala ari awek.asai kai naka tu aja meh punggal tang enti nuan deka ninga ka silik agi ila aku nampong iya panjai agi sampai kai minggat enda oleh nguan batang awek
Unggal,
Tau nuan e-mail aku jerita nuan nya. Ila aku tau ngeripih jerita nya ngambika nyamai dipansik bala kitai ke dudi hari ila. Utai baka tu ukai ngasuh kitai charut agi, tang deka nemu pengawa aki ini siko2 enggau silik agi. Enti semina ari sepiak jerita ditemu, sigi enda chukup segala didinga. Terima kasih.
Bak kenike tusut kitak ngau jerita Buyung nyak?
Nama kabuah Minggat bejalai ke Sumtra? Sapa ngasoh Munan jadi ngau uchu Rentap tauakke saduai disabong jadi kena madamke laya?
hi uncle…rindu meda blog tu tadi..ari blog nn tu tadi mega mantu aku ngau raban bala dialektologi iban pom enam smk saribas ngaga pengawa besai(dialektologi iban) sama reti mega enggau ngerembaika bansa iban ba saribas ditu kena 18.10.11 ba dewan Sri Rimbas SMK Saribas..terima kasih..
Dorothy Dumeng,
Terima kasih ka sukong bala kitai di SMK Saribas dia. Arap ka kita mujur dalam semua pengawa kita.
ya..Bejalai enggau manah pengawa kami..Diselitka adat kitai iban,adat betusut lebih agi ngemegahka kitai iban..ulih betusut sampai 20 generasi ngasuh kepala pengajar kami temegah ati..siti agi,tayangan pengawa gawai batu di rumah aki ku di jerai taun 2 tadi..laban nembiak kemaya ari tu nadai nemu gawai batu ke kitai..jarang amat urg ngga pngawa ngau main asal kmya ari tu..nyntuk ka ensera iban nadai nemu sekeda ea..anang ka agi penatai iban enggau men asal..a,uncle..ulih engkahka ensera Bungai Setangkai enggua menyadi ea nya ditu??Last aku macha crta nya ba tahun 3..nya pan,aku nda ingat agi jalai cerita..
welson manjan tabi unggal aku berasai gaga amai meda nuan oleh ngerembai ka jako iban dalam blok tu,sereta lalu meri penemu ngagai sida kai rebak baru lalu oleh nampong kenang sida niang aki ini kitai udah lama lesi bebadi nangga ari parai nyengalaie lemai,ngambi enda punas meh bansa kitai ,ditu aku deka madah mimit tusut ari kami,maioh bebalut ari ini kami kai benama tenang tau kai kumang kai mati di kayau minggat di nanga wa masuk aiwak tau kai di kumbai kedup cherita tu panjai amai ,enti nuan ngasoh aku nusoi iya nganti aku nganjong tau email ngagai nuan unggal
hay uncle.. rindu benda aku mcha chita nuan tok.. mehi aku phagsang meh tai dtulis dk tok.. dtok ku bnug blaja dlm bdg engineering.. ndai minat lalu.. udh ku mcha tok nya bsi timbul meh minat aku nerus ka diri blaja dlm bdg tok.. ti uncle bsi experience ka manah pasal keja uncle, chita meh ba blog dk tok au.. pama meh meri nebiak iban ka baka aku tok ndai minat lalu dlm bdg ka dplajar.. ukai km belik milih bdg tok tang km ndai pilihan.. nya impian apai indai ngau 1 1 ya choice yg kami bsi.. blaja2 lalu bkeja nydi engineer.. dh mcha blog tok, aku tkait ati ngau keja dk tok.. enjoy ja bunyi, best ngau mcabar.. hehe
[ tq gai kaban ku lbn dh ngasuh ku mcha blog tok..]
selamat bekelala uncle..piak mega meri besai terima kasih laban udah ngaga blog tuk..aku student final year,so, aku berminat kak ngaga researsh pasal bansa kitai dayak, kelebih agik cerita pasal jerita tuai kelia. Aku kala ninga bak radio cerita pasal Temenggung Jugah bakani ea tauk nyadi urang ti terbilang, nyadi ditu aku deka bertanya ngagai nuan nyangka nuan tauk nemu cerita asal Temenggung Jugah..
Ba Tun Jugah foundation mayuh nyimpan data pasal tuai kitai tu ….
siti agi utai ka tanya aku tauka enda aku ngmbi cerita dalam website tu nydi kajian ilmiah aku?,aku minta pemendar ari nuan.
No problem … asal nuan quote source kajian nuan.
keterubah ea…slamt bekelala uncle..aku meri besai trima kasih ngagai nuan lbn udah ngaga webste tu…nyadi baka aku tu, nembiak sekula ke bisi ngaga tesis pasal jerita lama kitai iban. Aku tu bisi ngambi pasal sastera melayu, nyadi diatu aku deka mansik sastera kita iban ti myuh bendar.aku minta tulung ari nuan amai2 nyaut beberapa iti soalan. kebendar agi aku ngiga falsafah dalam cerita iban lama ke ulih nyadi ajar ngagai bala mensia raban…
ari ni nuan bulih semua cerita lama tu?
nama nya ari idea engau pengelandik nuan empu tauka disambung cerita ari bala aki engau ini nuan suba?
nama agi aspek bukai ti nulung nuan dalam ngaga website tu?
bakani aku ulih menghubungi nuan laban myuh g utai ka tanya aku senentang engau cerita lama kitai iban ke nyadi kajian ilmiah aku utk tahun terakhir aku….
e-mail aku gnmawar@gmail.com
kami nyukung pengawa nn aya..berasai temegah ati meda utai ke di gaga nuan. ngarap ke bansa iban rebak baru nitih pejalai kitai ngemansang ke bansa.
Dear GNMAWAR,
I’m really impressed with your expressive language. I’m orang Iban; 19 years old and I’m so proud to read some of your articles here. Full with information and knowledge. At least, younger generation like me able to learn and know more about our Iban culture. Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban! 🙂
Salam muhibah ngagai semua.
Winnie (IPG Ipoh Perak)
Salam 1Malaysia tuan…saya Johnny Ak Barangan dari Sibu, saya buat blog mengenai kraftangan parang ilang dan terabai warisan kita…mohon tuan masukkan blog saya dalam senarai blog tuan…semoga memberikan manfaat kepada semua kita….jasa baik tuan amat saya hargai…
blog saya : parangjohnny.blogspot.com
selamat kitai betemu.Aku tu siku ari editor,reporter ba Sada Sarawak-utusan sarawak.Naka pengerindu meda blog nuan laban sada tu agi biak baru. minta pemendar ari nuan begunaka lalu meda artikel nn.
edwin tanggi
Nadai salah nuan ngena info ditu, tang nuan patut madah ka penatai info nuan nya secara professional.
Punggal,
Excellent works you have done. Oleh nuan cherita pemindah orang iban datai ari Skrang/simanggang pindah ke Limbang/Miri/Lawas.
TQ. anggup besi.
Greetings my friend. I am completing a book on the sarawak land code. I was wondering whether i could get assistance frm you about some of the iban words that appear in the cases. My first query is about the meaning of NIKI NIBONG NIKI PINANG. THANK YOU
GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED
NIKI NIBONG NIKI PINANG – difficult task are done together – no biaise to individual.
bro GN.. so your are the grandson of the late Benedict Sandin? I also have a copy of that book written by him, about nyabong.
Sir, you are doing a good job here, but I would like to suggest a few things.
1) can you please put more photos of the various kinds of animals, birds, insects and etc that the fighting cock are named after? I am sure many of us here have never seen for example a burung engkechong, or engkarung for that matter. Like they say, a picture paints a thousand words..
2) the book written by your grandpa is a good book..but at times I find that the Iban language there is a bit difficult to understand. if it is not too difficult, please can you rewrite it into a simpler Iban language which is easier to understand?
I am sure many would appreciate that.
Thank you and keep up the good work…
dear wai,
aloy ari betong, i am looking a information about PAPONG GAK, i got this information from my late father, mr anthony , betong. he told me a very useful and valuable infor, called PAPONG GAK.
I am student for PHD in USM , since 1996 , first degree involved in iban culture development for Rentap, master used animation to show the bird omen story, Panglima Bukit Sadok, can get it on youtube. gained my award from Japan in 2004. now persuing my PHD also about iban culture but this time regarding PAPONG GAK.
intro for PAPONG GAK
Kayu arang been prepare by orang Lesung to unite iban people to fight Brooke regime. durign warlod period, iban killed each other for status and power and slavery, but the practice of PAPONG GAK can unite all of them especially the warrior from Batang Ai, saribas, kalaka, layar, paku etc to stand together for IBAN spirit,. i am producing the animation at this moment, besides i am carrying research to figure out what is the percentage of people knew or knows about PAPONG GAK, or may be people calls in other name for the practice, since mr wai carry a task to preserve iban culture with online method, i am hoping and wish wai can help me to clarify this practicePAPONG GAK. i need to collect data on how many people knows about the practice. thanks
i hope i can get more people discuss about it.
Aloy from Betong
dear wai,
aloy ari betong, i am looking a information about PAPONG GAK, i got this information from my late father, mr anthony , betong. he told me a very useful and valuable infor, called PAPONG GAK.
I am student for PHD in USM , since 1996 , first degree involved in iban culture development for Rentap, master used animation to show the bird omen story, Panglima Bukit Sadok, can get it on youtube. gained my award from Japan in 2004. now persuing my PHD also about iban culture but this time regarding PAPONG GAK.
intro for PAPONG GAK
Kayu arang been prepare by orang Lesung to unite iban people to fight Brooke regime. durign warlod period, iban killed each other for status and power and slavery, but the practice of PAPONG GAK can unite all of them especially the warrior from Batang Ai, saribas, kalaka, layar, paku etc to stand together for IBAN spirit,. i am producing the animation at this moment, besides i am carrying research to figure out what is the percentage of people knew or knows about PAPONG GAK, or may be people calls in other name for the practice, since mr wai carry a task to preserve iban culture with online method, i am hoping and wish wai can help me to clarify this practicePAPONG GAK. i need to collect data on how many people knows about the practice. thanks
i hope i can get more people discuss about it.
Aloy from Betong
Dah tembu PhD nuan nyak, wat? Ukai papong along ti ditancang ba sangkoh nyak kena ngangauke bala begau tauka minta sah?
Hi…Mr.GNMawar,manah mat blog nuan tuk. aku baru nemu lbn ka ngiga kereban kena ngajar bahasa iban. terus ka lebih agi pasal cerita kitai iban.congrate!!!!!!!!!
hye,un.gnmawar! congrate…aku baru ka berjinak2 ngau iban culture. Fall in love ngau iban culture evr since ku nguai ke menua orng mcari ilmu. Kaban sekeliling semua iban tulin semina aku tok jak kopisusu dan kurang mahir jakuk iban..Masih belajar… 🙂 Aku kagum ngau blog tok walaupn hnya introduction jak ku macha but it inspired me a lot… Honestly, i’m proud to be in this bumi kenyalang citizen.. Tx n GBU!
Terima kasih ngagai Petara laban udah meri aku peluang tetemu ke website tok. Baka aya GN Mawar ti udah madah ke kitai lalu madah k semua dunya adat serta asal main ktai iban. Baka aku nembiak ti baru encelak mata cigi ka nemu jerita lama ambi ke ulih dikunsi agai bala maioh. Ngarap ke nuan aya mujur dalam ngereja semua pegawa…WE ARE STANDING AN EQUATOR LINE EN-ROUTE TO THE NORTH POLE, NEVER ALTER COURSE TO THE SOUTH..You are the CHOSEN ONE..Two thumb up!!
Superb Efforts Comrade,
Your extent of dedication must have exceed all those who have similar devotion to mother nature and heritage. It is effort of this rare kind, that we need to nurture onto our next generation to follow, and you have made all of your kins PROUD, that I am sure of. Amazing!
From Sabah with love,
Jerome
Tabi Punggal GNMawar,
Terima kasih ngagai nuan laban nuan siko ari bangsa kitai ti ulih serta udah ngatur berita asal kitai diwebsite. Website nuan cukup manah serta amat beguna dikena raban kita bangsa ti masih besekula lalu mega dikena bala menyadi kitai as a resource centre enti sida bisi ngagai research. Keep it up Punggal. Semina siti Punggal, uji meh, giga meh sekeda gambar lama kitai Iban baka keruntuk pala, duku ilang kita kelia ngambika utai bisi dipeda belama sampai ke icit kitai jemah ila lalu upload ke web tu.
Aku diau di Miri. My office phone 085461748.
my name is wiey and im one of film student at UNIMAS.Thanks god i found this website….introduce my self.im iban from miri and this is my final year and as usual need to finish my thesis and project.For my thesis i make a research about documentary in film study. From the thesis i want to introduce our culture to the world through the documentary itself that i will make.i really hope i can get any help and guide from anybody here that know about pua kumbu.the history of it,how to make the pua kumbu,where the exactly place i can go to know more and who the person i can meet?i really hope u guys can help me through all of this.to the author GNMawar how can i contact with you cause you maybe one of my source.really hope can interview you.
ngagai bala raban iban ke bukai ke bisi maklumat tentang pua kumbu aku ngarap kita ulih berkunsi ke penemu engau aku.ngarap ke bansa iban majak mansang nda tinggal ba belakang.
wiey,
About Pua Kumbu, you can try to contact Mr. Vernon Kedit in Kuching. He is the most expert on that subject. If you have face book, you may search for him there.
thanks tuai, ulih ku nemu ka?nuan diau ba area kuching o still at miri area? cause if possible aku ka interview tuai mega selain org ke expert tentang pua kumbu nya empu.can i have ur office phone num? meri besai terima kasih laban udah mujur ke pengawa aku tok.
Hai,
I just found ur website.. get to know u..
I am a frelancer producer, got an assgmnt to produce, the documentaries wth FINAS. stil running the proposal for the budget from FINAS.
Im going to producing about th ethnicity of Sarawak. Im ntrestd to making some of the Iban cultures n heritages as my topic
eg. the long house, finding kumang, biyau and sampi, the pua kumbu, the tattoo and the warrior.. and so on…
So, i very like to contacting u to do some research and hire u as one of my subject… i have to submit the proposal bf4 tiz 14okt 2010. If u dnt mind, could i have ur phone no plz? Whatever it is, do let me know b email me ya… (if u interestd, ill emailing u the list).
thank u Mr.
Regards.
Saiem Muslim,
You may contact me via my E-mail gnmawar@gmail.com
Statement:
After Bakak was released from the Baram prison in about 1935 he returned to live at Pakan in the Julau River. From Julau he visited his relatives in the Paku once every few months till his last visit in 1955. Most of his lifetime was spent at Pakan. He died of old age at Matop, Paku in 1955, aged about 81 years.
Tabi aya greg..
aku tu uchu merom anak ijau. Merom tu tadi di iru Bakak (asu rangka). Ia beridup enggau aki aku sekumbang di pakan. Niang aya aku ( Penghulu Bakak Anak Merom) ngangkat ka Bakak (Asu rangka). Ia diau ba bilik tuai kami sebedau ia mulai kediri ke paku taun 1955.
Nyadi anak Merom tu tadi bisi 3 iko . Ketuai ia niang Penghulu Bakak Merom, kedua ex-counselor Manggie Merom enggau ketiga Melepong Merom( Pharmacy Anex Clinic Columbia Asia Miri) . Semua sida tu ba pakan sarikei.
Aku ngarap ka nuan ngerintai ke cerita Bakak Asu Rangka panjai agi..
Enti ka nemu cerita panjai agi tau email ngagai aku. laban Bakak (Asu Rangka) bisi dua iti bilik. siti di pakan enggau siti agi di Matop Paku( Nampung Bilik Bakak di matop ianya Febian Sultan). Febian Sultan( Apai Ricky Bakak) tu udah retired di saratok.
Leonard,
Tau nuan meri aku jerita Aki Manang Bakak Asu Rangka ngagai aku. Rindu amai kami Paku ka jerita iya.
Tabi unggal GNMawar,
Utai ke digaga nuan ditu tau bendar dikena bala kitai ke rebak baru ngingatka asal penatai aki ini diri. Aku empu ada lalu besai ba menua Po-ai (disebut nuan Puak Ai dalam jerita pemindah Iban tu) ianya peturun Iban ke dikumbai Dau. Puas bendar aku udah mansik asal Iban Dau tang nadai mayuh ia ke bisi ditulis urang menya. Sekurang-kurang ia nuan bisi nyeritaka mimit ditu asal menua ke disebut Dau.
Aku minta, enti nuan bisi maya lepa udah tu ila, nulis dalam ke agi pemindah Iban Dau laban nuan bisi pengelandik ke enda tau enda dipekunsika enggau bala anembiak rebak baru ngambika sida pan tau nemu jerita lama.
Terima kasih unggal. Nuan tau ngiga aku ngena address aku dibaruh ditu.
Nya aja ari aku ti bendar,
ELVIS AK. DIDIT
Deputy Resident (Development) Limbang Division
Level 6, Limbang Plaza
98700 LIMBANG
Tel: 085-202104
Fax: 085-216005
Hp: 013-8169192
Elvis,
Tq laban udah nemuai ngagai ruai aku tu. Pun jerita pasal pemindah bansa Iban Dau udah bisi ditulis ditu. Aku arap ka bala menyadi kitai tau nampong jerita nya enggau silik agi sereta ka ujung agi. Aku rindu bendar ka jerita penatai bansa Iban Dau. Aku mega gaga ati ninga sida udah bisi Association kadiri empu. Ari association nya, sida tau ngerembai ka jerita lama sida enggau main asal ke bukai.
GN Mawan,
I am from Penampang/Putatan. My great great grand mother is mentioned in your Iban Migration part 4. She was Mentri Babu (not a he) who has been associated with your ancestor in jars barter trading. I think that jar “guchi” is still around and being kept by one of my relatives. Her actual name is “SI LIMPAI”. She was appointed Mentri Babu by the Sultan of Brunei back then. She passed away in 1901.
That barter trading took place somtimes in 1867; it is very heartening to know that once upon a time our ancestors were friends and bussiness associates.
Bye and thank you for a chance to peep in the past.
3rd Aug.2010
Pengawa ke baka tu tau di terus ke bala rebak baru diatu. Anang takut bejako enggau bejurai ke semua utai ngena jako kitai Iban empu. Aku semampai nyukong semua pengawa ti tau mai pemansang dalam jako sereta adat kitai bansa. Terus ke aya pengawa nuan tu laban kami bisi mantu ari belakang nuan. Awak ke petara meri pemujor ngagai nuan belama.
uncle…ku deka nanya….laban tu kerja kurss kami….kami d asuh ngaga pasal “perayaan tradisi kaum”aku milh ari gawai…dtu aku deka nnya mimit…
nama kebuah ktai ngermika ari gawai???
asal usul perayaan????
upacara khusus dalam perayaan????
pantang larang,peraturan amalan sampingan???
aku bc nanya enggau ini aku..tang aku deka nanya ngau uncle mega……
bus,
Nuan tau macha enggau research pasal macham2 gawai kitai Iban ba article aku ditu. Ari nya nuan nemu kebuah kitai Iban begawai.
GNM,
Udah dua ari dua malam aku macha blog nuan tu. Tabi ka nuan laban ka ngembuan jerita enggau maioh article ke bukai. Sapa principal nuan ba SMK Debak suba? Aku skula meh suba ari 1973-75.Manah endar pengawa nuan tu Keep up the Good job. Aku tu orang Bebuling Atas enti kala ninga rumah panjai nya tang diatu aku diau di Terengganu.
TQ Banta. Maya aku di SMK Saribas, Debak menya, headmaster aku nya Mr. Mather Mak & Mr. Jacob Imang. Rgds.
Aya George,
Dah lama endar aku bayam website nuan tu.Aku chukup rindu lalu enda leju ngebak siti-siti articles nuan.Tak nyau asai ke agi mit menya asai ati,maia ke macha ensera,jerita enggau meda semua raban enggau keresa lama kitai Iban ke di bantai nuan ditu. Agi ke menya sangka aku ketawa bala niang aki kitai sida Benedict Sandin,niang Micheal Buma,niang aki sribu lagu (Niang Dunging) enti utai munyi tu dibantai ke.Kebuah aku munyinya laban utai ke dipansik nuan tu endang ke tating kain sida besari-sari,pengidup sida,ukai utai dilakon ka,ke buah mulut di tanah,dirumah.Gaya idup sida aki kelia.it’s just a piece of cake for them.TANG Aya Mawar,aku ari kaki sampai ke punjong pala,muji nuan laban nuan udah ngena pemandai ICT nuan ulih nengkebang ruai tu enggau dalam.Ukai nyamai-nyamai ngaga utai ke bakatu.Meri puji ke nuan ketegal nuan udah bangat puh sereta liat ati ngerintai utai ngemanjai-manjai tu ambi ke bisi di peda orang ke rebak dudi.Sangka aku nuan tu Aya,tau duduk sama panggau enggau sida Keling Gerasi Nading,Bujang Berani Kempang,sida Bunga Nuing manok Biring di sabong Mali Lenggang.sama-sama tau ajih kita tu aya.Besai meh Petara ngarong nuan.Tuai meh nuan tu di sepuh sida Bunsu Seregindi di ai Karangan Pinggai.Idup meh kitai Iban ti bakatu.Selamat Hari Gawai Dayak Gayu ko Sempitu,gerai ko Sempandai,nadai apa,nadai nama,gayu guru gerai nyamai,awak ka bansa kitai sama raja sama kaya,sama-sama belanda ngagai adan puting Malaysia.
Thanks for your work. As an Iban who was adopted by American missionaries working in Kapit, it is wonderful to find a website where I can learn more about my heritage and culture. Even though my adoptive parents still speak Iban to me from time to time, I am afraid I am losing my connection to my past. Unfortunately over 30yrs in the USA has left my ability to read and understand Iban in a poor state. Are there any websites that sell Iban-English dictionaries or simple Iban language books for an “old” beginner like myself? There are a few others like myself who were adopted by American families back in the 1960s. I will pass along this website to them.
Tabi basa ngagai nuan aya,lalu meri besai terima kasih laban udah ngaga website tu.website tu cukup berguna kena kitai ngingat ka penatai asal kitai.Lalu dikena kitai ngingat ka main asal kitai.Aya..aku bisi endar ati deka nemu cerita pasal peturun bangsa SERU.mayuh agi turun bangsa seru tu ba saratok.tang diatu bangsa tu kira udah pupus laban belaki bebini,masuk iban enggau melayu.Arap aya ulih mansik cerita pasal bangsa seru tu.(betimulok@yahoo.com)
Tahniah…..Tahniah……Tahniah.
Website yang saudara usahakan ini amat bagus dan banyak ilmu yang diperoleh.
Keebetulan saya sedang mencari maklumat tentang puisi tradisional Iban. Bila membca web site saudara ternyata banyak membantu saya dalam membuat penyelidikan.
Saya editor di DBP. Jika saya ingin memohon izin untuk mendapatkan bahan tentang “leka main” bagaimana untuk saya hubungi saudara.
Salam hormat
rohani ya.
DBP, K.L
rohani,
E-mail saya : gnmawar@gmail.com
Regards.
Selamat lemai Aya,
Meri tabi puji sereta pengagga ati ngaggai nuan ti udah naka ulih ngagga web site tu.Laban….
1)Web Site nan tu meh ka endur aku ref tentang adat,tusut bansa kitai,…. kelimpah ari ti betanya ngaggai apai(11 taun tuai ari nuan) & indai aku.Udah pincin gawa perintah 3 taun tu ti udah.
2)Endur kitai iban beteladan leboh ka bejaku iban.Kitai iban diatu balat ngena jaku bansa bukai maya ka bejaku didinga aku.Ambi ka banding:Kemisi/Pemisi nyadi Cuti,Pengari nyadi Wakil,Bah nyadi Banjir,Moa nyadi Depan,Panggal nyadi Bantal,Uras nyadi Sampah,Nebah nyadi ‘Mutar/Masang ka aku lagu dia DJ’,Nandu nyadi Ngulang,Terubah nyadi Mula2,Endur nyadi Tempat,Belulang/Sementing nyadi Tali Pinggang,Buah Sabun nyadi Sawit(dituju ka kau nggai iban kitai ari Saratok & Betong),Pantis nyadi Bocor,Keremping/Kempi nyadi Kemek,Aka nyadi kakak/Abang……maioh agi ti enda ulih sebut aku ditu.Enti tak baka perengka lama tau disimpan urang ba Muzium jaku kitai iban ti enda/lama enda dikenanya.Really sad about it.
3)Limpang ke bukai…..Aya uji ngasoh urang nyelak bup ensera kitai iban ti dikarang niang Aya nuan Mr Benidict,Apai nuan enggau pengarang bukai tauka tusoi ba web site nuan tu nya baru ia.Agi mit menya rindu amat maca ensera iban ti dikarang sida nya.Ia ka agi di kingat ka aku ensera Engkratong Ayam Raja(Keling ti bebali jai gamal udah ka kena balut getah nyelutong enti nda salah ingat aku) ti di karang niang apai nuan.Ensera bukai baka Tupai Miai,Kumang Ngigga Lintum,Limau Senaman,Aji Bulan,Jelu Nubai,Sebeginnda Bujang,Watt Lamba,Telajan,Tekura seduai Tuntung,Apai Saloi & Apai seumang-umang,…….MAIOH AGI(enda ingat sapa ti ngarang enseranya).Lak ka sida anak,telesak jemah ila ‘nemu bansa diri’ leboh ti maca bup ensera ,leka main & adat iban.
Nya aja dulu.Arap ka nuan terus mujur serta bulih sukung ari semua bansa kelebih agi ari bansa kitai iban lalu enda mudah mantul ngapa(Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban).Terima Kasih.
Ari aku,
Umang Atak.
TQ Umang. Bup ensera enggau bup bukai aku agi dalam process.
Tabi Aya,
Cukup manah….!!! Thanks aya..
tabi basa…
aku tulih ke semua utai digiga aku ditu…
tq. aku nyukung pegawa manah ke baka tu
Congrats uncle,
I enjoy reading the old stories you’ve written. 10 taun diau ba semenanjung it’s really a relieve to finally got the chance to have learn and study more about iban culture and grassroots. keep up the good work. I’ll tell my other dayak/iban friends here about your side so that they also will keep connected to their roots.
Thanks.
Endu
Tabi besai Aya ,
Meri besai terima kasih gai nuan uncle laban udah ngemujur
ka wedsite tok.
aku student ari unimas deka nanya aya pasal alat lama muzik
kitai iban ka di kumbai ‘Telunyang’ laban aku ka ngaga
research senentang enggau alat muzik tok. Enti aya bc nemu
tentang alat muzik tok, minta tolong aya mh madah ka ku
tentang alat muzik tok.
terima kasih.
jang watt,
aku enda kala meda alat musik tu. Enti bala bisi penemu, tauka gambar pasal alat tu, tau bekunsi enggau kami ditu. Rgds.
Gnmawar,
terima kasih laban nuan udah nubuh ka website tu. terubah endar, aku minta ampun enti bc utai ti di tulis aku salah spelling ia. Aku arap ka semua utai ti deka digaga nuan ( ka ngaga bup ngena jaku Iban ) nya mujur. aku ngaku diri enda entu nemu / silik dalam mayuh macam hal adat enggau asal kitai. Enggau gaga ati, aku minta nuan ulih madah ka kami semak bup nuan nya udah siap ila.
terima kasih
Hi
I am a student in England and am currently doing a dissertation on Iban, since I am from Sarawak and I wish to learn more about the culture. Your informations are seriously elaborative, but I fail to find how long have the Ibans lived in Borneo. Could you tell me since which century and where you got the source from? Thanks!
The Dayaks of Borneo could have been discovered first by the Spanish between 13th & 14th Century. We could have dwelled in Borneo much earlier than that. Oral tradition told us that our cultures and religion developed and influenced by Budhist philosophy and was later influenced by Hindu religion. There are some similarities in the rituals performed.
Tabi basa ke nuan aya..,
Dulu aku minta ampun engka leka sepil enggau leka jaku ke di kena aku ditu enda entu betul…
Aku rindu amat ninga ke pantun bulan ke selalu di keluar ke radio kitai online radio setiap pagi..,
Aku ka nanya nuan aya.. Enti nyema ulih… Dini aku ulih download Pantun Bulan nya dalam format mp3..?
MANAH AMAT BLOG NUAN TU AYA.ENTI ULIH MUPUK MEH NUAN NAMBAH KA ISI DALAM BLOG NUAN TU.NYDI AKU ARAP KA BALA BUKAI,SAPA SAPA KA BISI BUAH PENEMU TAU BEKUNSI ENGGAU AYA KITAI TU,NGAMBIKA PENEMU ULIH DIKUNSI KITAI SEMUA.LALU ARAP KA PEMESAI PEMESAI KITAI IBAN ULIH MERI BANTUAN ARI SEGI KEWANGAN KA NGAMBIKA AYA KITAI TU ULIH NGAGA BUP
Tabi aya,
Minta ampun aya angka ilap peda mata aku maya ke meda sukut2 ke kemisi ba blog nuan tu,aya. Nadai dipeda ayan perengka dikena iban betabuh. Sereta bansa2 tabuh ti dikembuan bansa iban ari menya.
Rindu ke sukut nuan tu, aya. Pengawa nuan endang disukung.
Tabi basa,aya.
davina,
Peda nuan ba article “Early Iban way of life”. Dia bisi nyebut pasal gendang kitai Iban.
dl ku meri tabi basa agai nn aya….blog ke dikemaju ke nn tok ndang ckup manah n aku nyokong 100% semua tok….myuh amt penemu lm ke nda ditemu km ke rebak br diatu bc diayan ke ba blog tok….tp sayau kan nda semua kitai iban nemu ngna teknologi it baka ke diatu, myuh ga dah nemu lbn kitai iban ndang udah ulih nitih ke pemaju dunya….
keni nda cara kitai ka mempromosi ke semua utai di dlm blog tok agai org2 ke lebih agi bgsa kitai nda nemu ngna komputer….salah satu ia diatu kan majalah kitai iban ke dah maju baka pegari…nya ckup manah….
diatu ku minta semua kitai ke bc maca komen tok sama bela besaup berunding keni ka ngiga jalai mempromosi ke utai2 lm kitai iban tok ngmbi ke sng ditemu kitai semua…..aram meh semua kitai ngemaju ke bgsa kitai iban….pengwa lm nda tau ditinggal keh tajapan dah mayuh pengarap diatu…..
Unggal GNMawar,
Tabi basa sereta jaku pengaga ati ngagai nuan !
Taja aku enda ngelala batang tubuh nuan, chukup temegah meda bekau jari nuan ba blog tu. Semua pekara ti dibantai nuan ditu chukup ngerindu ati sereta mai buah penemu. Baka tu baru ngena chara ngumbai diri dekat ngangkatka bansa Iban. Ukai semina jaku ti kuchah-kuchah. Aku laun bendar nemu blog nuan laban ka jauh ari arus IT. Semadi meh ipar aku ka diau di England madah bisi website pasal cherita Apai Saloi. Diatu lebuh ka lepa pengawa diri ( aku tu pengajar di menua Betong ), aku semampai muka website nuan tu.
Nya alai sekali agi meri besai terima kasih ka pengiruh enggau pengepuh nuan begumpulka pesaka lama kitai tu.
Siti sadang penemu aku, kati ti semua article nuan tu ditusun nyadi bup ? Pelaba aku mayuh bala ulih macha. Bala kitai ti di menua ulu ukai kena pansa pemansang IT. Agi jauh.
Ngarapka nuan semampai mujur negi ka bansa kitai kelimpah ti mujur ba batang pengawa nuan empu.
Cun amat blog nuan tu. Gaya pegulai enggau ensera kitai ukai semina patut diperturun enggau dijaga, lebih penting agi kitai patut spread culture kitai nya tadi. Keep up the good work.
p.s. Aku suba kala meh sekula ba SMK Saribas enggau SRB St Christopher Debak lebih kurang taun 1994 – 1999 suba. Ari primary 4 – form 3.
besai terima kasih laban udah published laman web kena kitai sesama iban serta bangsa bukai berkongsi ke penemu pasal asal usul serta adat kitai iban. baka ke diatu ba sekula dah bisi blajar ke subjek Bahasa iban, bisi pemanah ia enti bala nembiak ke ngambi subjek nya blajar ke pasal sejarah iban. awak ke sida nemu asal serta adat diri kena lebih ngemaju ke diri ba dunia zaman diatu. enda maioh nembiak iban rebak diatu nemu tusut ripih peturun diri empu. baka aku empu pan enda entu nemu tusut asal aki inik semadi bisi blog ke di gaga beketu muka “perasaan ingin tahu” asal usul diri. bisi pemandai tang enda nemu asal diri, nadai meh guna.
trima kasih,
sama ngemaju ke bangsa diri!
i’m proud to read this site…wish to improve my Bhs Iban …this is d best…
Aku mega ngarap ka nuan ulih ngaga buku,nya manah agi di bacha enti leboh nadai internet di menua ulu.Tang enti di nengeri nadai gawa tu suggestion aku ka bala ti nadai access internet tau ka nadai note book,thanks.(Saratokian)
Aku berasai gaga ati leboh ti macha utai ti udah di pansut nuan ba website nuan tu,kebuah pia ari asal kitai Iban pen bisi mega nuan nulis serta cherita ti enda kala di temu ke aku ke ngelamatu tu pen nyau ga aku nemu.Nya alai taja kami tu diau di Semenanjung Malaysia aku amat rindu bendar macha article ti udah di beri nuan ba website nuan.Baka nya mega spelling nuan endang manah atur enda baka surat bukai ti di bacha aku,maioh spelling ti di pegulai ka sida nya alai ka tusah macha nya enggau betul.Ngarap ka nuan maju dalam pengawa nuan serta ngarap ka petara ngena nuan enggau manah,terima kasih, Saratokian.
Manah amat utai ke bisi di bantai nuan dalam web nuan tu aya. Nyadi aku ka nemu enti sema baka pengap, pantun, ramban sereta main bukai ti bisi ngena ‘tune’ ulih di seretai ke sekali dalam format baka MP3 kini ngambika kami anembiak rebak baru nemu bakani munyi siti2 utai tu, laban enti semina macha aja tang enda nemu bakani gaya ke betul enggai nyadi ga pelaba aku.. Enda pia.. terima kasih amat2..
eburaql,
Nadai recording studio kena ngerja semua utai nya. Nadai duit kena ngaji orang mengap, bepantun, etc. Rnda mudah ngeja semua utai bakatu. Nganti perintah BN nulong ila kini.
Wow! This is stupendous work Gregory … heartiest congratulations! Must try to catch up with you in the office one of these days, hoping you can help with suggestions on further reading on the cultural aspects of Iban ( and other natives) life … birds, animal augury etc. Maybe invite you for a public speaking engagement!
kind regards, Nazeri
Nazeri Abghani,
It’s all hard work researching and preserving all those data. Thanks for your interest.
Wow ! Well done Uncle GNMawar. What a good job you’ve done and hope you keep up your effort in preserve and share all historical Iban Cultural Heritage, History and Tradition.
Laban kemaya ari nyau makin lenyau penemu ngau Adat Asal kitai Iban. Aku mpai abis Srwk ndur aku bjalai tang bisi siti dua menua ti udah di lawa aku, endang nyau ka lengis penemu ngau Adat Asal kitai Iban.(semina ngintu Hari Gawai ngau Hari Krismas aja). Nya alai pngawa nuan tu ndang patut dipuji lalu patut di pajakka ngau bebendar agi . Ngambi ka Penemu ngau Adat Asal kitai Iban enda lenyau.
Aku tak munyi ke pandai bjaku tang ngereja ya aku nda ulih. Nya alai aku ka meransang nuan laban maioh kitai bisi ati ka ngaga utai ke baka tu tang enda mujur. Ukai nama, lbn maioh penanggul baka masa, duit ngau komitmen ti bukai.Nangka ke diatu nuan siku aja meh ti mujur ba pngawa tu.
Nyadi aku ka suggest ngagai nuan,
1) Kena nambah ka bahan dlm website nuan tu manah nuan minta bala pemaca mega meri nuan bahan ti kemisi sida.(baka-lekamain, ensera ngau biau)
2) Tambahka mega ngau gambar lama. (baka-keresa lama, pakaian lama ngau rengka tabuh Iban)
3) Publish dalam bup mega. (baka ensera, adat lama ngau leka main)
Ngarap ke Petara Sengalang Burung merekat nuan ngau pengawa nuan ngambi ke mujur agi. You’re our hero. Tabik spring ngagai nuan.
Nya aja ari aku.
Awayne@Org Pakan.
Tahniah Apai,
Maioh nembiak rebak baru enda nemu tusut asal diri empu..Ulih Apai nerangaka tusut kami di area Engkranji, Banting, Munggu Sawa di Batang Strap.
Thank U apai.
“Selamat Hari Gawai 2009″
Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai”
“Enda Iban Lenyau di Dunya”
Tabi Unggal Gregory,
Enggau ati ti gaga aku meri besai terimakasih ke nuan ti udah balat amat kiruh berpansik sereta bergiga ke cherita enggau main asal adat kitai Iban sereta jako kitai Iban ia ke betul,reti ko aku nya tadi ukai jako anembiak baru diatu ke ngena jako campur,dikumbai jako orang putih ukai ga nya.Nyengala di kumbai jako Iban ukai ga.Arap ke nuan nerus ke pengawa tu lalu enti ulih dicetak ke ba bup sereta dijual.Kelimpah ari Benedite Sandin enggau Andrew Ijau lama udah kitai Iban nadai bup cerita ke diri empu.Ia ke temu aku diatu,nuan enggau Thomas Tegong Laka ke ditemu bisi pengelandik ke baka tu.Laban penatai aku sigi ari rumah panjai,dia aku bisi nemu mengamit jako tuai,leka main kena bergagai maya ke berbuti ngirup.Dipeda aku bala kaban ke enggau nyau rangap rangap kedua ninga.
Aku pen sama enggau nuan gawa ditu STC( Sabah Hub Project ) baru masuk kira ke 5 taun ke udah.Arap ke nuan mujur dalam semoa pengawa lalu nerus ke pengawa berpansik ke main asal Iban taja pen uadh pincin ila.
Nya Aja.Terima Kasih.
Charles Nsali
Charles Duan Nsali,
Thanks punggal. Nyau limpang ari ka ngerja “project” aku ka ngerja article aku ditu. Agi maioh article bukai deka dipublish ditu, tang bedau da-edit aku manah agi. Bala ari Kementerian Pendidikan pan bisi encourage aku ngaga bup dikena belajar ka jako iban. Agi dalam process magang-magang. Pedis amai ngena sepil jaku baru, enda asai ka ngena jako asal.
semadi ke mda pgawa nuan aya..nyadi aku tu bisi ga udah nyau orang kja ke tasik.last year ba qatar din..lalu bdau agi ga nurun tu. tusah pgawa putus bka tu..ti sema bisi puang aya..nyadi leaderman ke atau rigger .tau ga di e-mail ka aku ngena tu..ajai_359@yahoo.com.my.
bujang lubok antu,
Diatu Company Sapura Crest di Miri bisi ngiga orang kerja contract sabelah tasik di Miri & sabah.
Aku sempat ga meda gambar nuan ba web tu ,nuan agi masih sigat taja pan umur udah menjangkau setengah abad agi handsome.Aku kala betemu enggau igat chunggat brapa taun ti udah di Bintulu, pia mega aku bisi betemu enggau Christopher di Bintulu mega , aku arap enti umur panjai ulih betemu enggau kawan lama, taja pan bepuloh taun tang dama bala kitai ti begulai di Pusa kelia sigi masih ingat belama.
Luke
Luke,
Nama berita nuan dia? Dini endor pendiau nuan. Rindu amai matis bala anak laut main ball di Pusa menya – kasam paya. Orang ni bini nuan? Berapa iko anak-uchu nuan. Nama berita sida Unjah, Lily, Vincent etc. Arap ka nuan selalu nemuai ngagai aku ditu tauka berandau enggau aku ngena e-mail aku gnmawar@gmail.com
Selamat betemu baru ngagai nuan unggal , lama endar aku nadai muka page nuan laban ti selalu kiroh enggau orang mdapasal orang ti bepilih brapa minggu ti udah.Aku betrima kasih ngagai Tuhan ketegal pemurah ati iya ti mri peluang ngagai tua betemu barutaja pan enda betemu mua tang ba cara ti bukai.Aku tu meh ke di sebut nuan Ulok
Ha…samina meda bala cowboy ba rodeo aja ! By the way, bisi dik nguji ngena a few software/programs e.g. http://www.ancestry.com, to fix your “Tusut”. I think if we can encourage bala readers dik input their portions , we will have good database and that can help us to find our root/ancestor or who are our relatives. I’m planning to do just that ba rumah panjai kami ba Niah once aku pulai ka menua ila. Somebody need to start somewhere before sida ke tuai (main source of information/tust) take it to their grave.
How’s life in Shell Miri these days ?
arap ke iban mujur meh.
ulih nuan ngiga ke aku tulisan original basa iban.laban aku agi sekul primary bisi belajar nulis tulisan iban.diato nda ingat agi.lama udah aku ngiga alu ga nda tetemu.
Iban Texas,
Thanks bakih… bisi enggau orang nyabong kita di Texas dia?
Bakieh,
“Good job” munyi ko jako orang ba menua tu. Thanks for collecting/compiling all these – some of the stories, adat were taught to me when I was very young by bala sida Aki/Ini. I only remember a glimpse of their stories!
I hope we can pass some of this knowledge to our children !
selamat bekelala ngagai nuan aya.
aku tu orang generasi ka ada taun 70-an nya alai aku ari mit sigi diau di menua pesisir nya alai bisi sekeda leka main ka bc dlm blog tu ka kala dinga aku. lama dah aku ngiga orang ka ulih ngaga utai baka tu. sekurang-kurangnya penemu kitai iban nda mati nengali ari parai nengali lemai. tahniah. siti utai ka tanya aku, ulih ka nuan ngaga siti program ceramah or begelumu bala maioh awak kami ulih ngau. ia ungkup ngetan ka tradisi kitai iban nda kira iban bagi ke 2 atau iban batang rajang kelebih agi nembiak rebak baru.
siti cadangan aku ia nya bekaul pantang
(tattoo) kitai iban munya… tq.
Infact, I did not have my uncle’s surat tusut but my late father’s note book, which he used circa 1949- 1952. The tusut I compiled was taken from that. Ila aku pulai ke Lubau aku mesti belajar ke tusut diri empu.
GN, You certainly have piqued my interest in my ancestry. Bendar aku ka nusut diri empu but I think there’s some missing link there. Enti enda salah (I’ll verify it) I am the 21st descendant of SB ( Can NOT be), uchu Ajie. Allow me to do such (Subject to further research and verifications):
Sb X Endu Sudan = Ajie X Endu Anggo = Idah X Ulup Jengga + Maling X Nunjan = Enggo X Likan = Jegera X Enchana = Manggi X Chendan = Kerebau X Manyi = Tama X Nisi = Gendup X Uyur = Rinya X Enchana = Mawar X Lema = Galau X Chandu = Imbau X Judi = Muday X Likan……………….?????? SeduX Randong = Chela X Mai = Mala X Chundang = Liang X Mengan = Ijut X Manai = Chundang X Endia = ME ME ME!! Please help in the missing links.
KL,
Uji nuan nymbong tusut baroh tu ngagai tuboh nuan. Tusut tu diambi ari Dayang Laing enggau Bunsu Ribut.
10.21 Tama x Manyi (f) = Kerbau
11.21 Kerbau x Nisi (f) = Gendup
12.21 Gendup x Ujor = Rinya (f), Mawar Biak “Ragai Ngerang”, Melling, Eddie, Ranti
13.212 Mawar Biak “Ragai Ngerang”* x Lena (f) = Gallau
14.212 Gallau x Chandu (f)* = Imban, Ladang (f), Sulau
15.2121 Imban x Nati (f) = Chelengga (f)
16.2121 Chelengga (f) x Bali = Sangkan
KL,
Arap ka nuan ulih meri aku tusut nuan ngambi ka aku ulih nampil ka nya ditu. Maia lantang, enti nuan bisi di Miri, tua tau berandau ngirup kupi.
Greg,
Bravo and congrats on your intensive and extensive work on Iban migrations and etc etc. Dah lama aku ngiga publications pasal kitai Iban but always in vain, semadi ga maia pk ba Batang Ai nyau mai aku tepajoh ngagai website nuan. I envy (and admire you) for knowing your tusut. My late uncle was very good at geneology but sadly nobody inherited his skills, though I still keep his ‘surat tusut’. I live in KL but selalu ke Miri (bisi rumah di Tmn Bayshore), hope to meet you in person someday.
Leticia Ranchye Joseph,
TQ ka jako nuan. At least kita rebak baru bisi appreciation ka cultural heritage bansa diri empu, enggai ka kita malu enti bangsa orang bukai nanya kita.
Ayak,
I guess this is the 1st website ever i’ve explored that have everything i need…( My appologies, iban ku nda berapa manah, bajaku nemu, ka nulis nda nemu)
Aku iban ari Simanggang, agi belajar ba UiTM Shah Alam.
We Iban are very unique, but there’s no preservation on the history of iban, adat2 iban, ensera. Kami tu new generation, nda nemu sekali cerita lama iban, adat2 iban, leka jaku iban. Even we are not very fluent in iban.
I fully support your effort and this website.
Thanks a million for this..
Meri tabi basa ke nuan uncle, aku tu siku ari penyanyi kitai Iban meri puji ti tinggi ke nuan laban ti udah nengkebang karang dalam jaku Iban ba laman web tu. Enti ulih aku deka nemu enggau silik agi dini asal nuan kebendar iya lalu enti ulih deka betemu enggau nuan sekali, ngambika ulih bekunsi penemu enggau nuan. Terima kasih…
Max,
Nuan tau e-mail ngagai aku enti deka bekunsi penemu enggau aku. Arap ka nuan mujur dalam pengawa belagu. TQ
boleh tak terangkan serba sedikit tentang perbezaan antara Iban Undup dgn Iban dari daerah lain di sarawak? contohnya dari segi kepercayaan, adat istiadat, perayaan, makanan dan sebagainya.
momoe,
Tiada banyak perbezaan dari segi kebudayaan dan kepercayaan kerana asal usul mereka adalah sama. Perbezaan mungkin dalam cara pertuturan kerana mengikut “slank” sesuatu daerah. Tetapi bahasa nya tetap sama Bahasa Iban.
kumang engrabun mas,
TQ….. enti bisi utai ditambah ka diru, tau anjong kitu. Ila aku ngadu ka iya manah agi.
tabi basa ngau nuan Ayak Mawar!!… suah ga aku sangkai ba “ruai sedandang remang, beripih engkerumung mas,
alai bepeda ti seruran menang, dipilih orang ti ngabas”!!… manah sereta chukup pengerindu ati aku tetemu ka ruai tu! bisi mega perengka ditu diambi aku ka penemu maia ti berandau @ betusut jako ngau bala kaban!!! Well Done & All The Best!!
Uchu Bajat
Ng Pek, Rimbas!!
asnah58,
Hasnah, I still remember dan masih simpan photo kenangan.My e-mail chunggat@hotmail.com.
Kirim salam to X class mate yang lain.
jumpa lagi
Hugh
Minta nuan mansik mesej aku ba “Linggir Mali Lebu”.
Terima kasih.
Slogan Lengka ke Laya aram beripih .
asnah58,
Memang dia ia lah adik saya. Tq.
gnmawar
blog yang anda tulis sungguh menarik mengenai sejarah orang iban.Kebanyakan pelajar pelajar memang tercari cari article ini. Saya hanya terjumpa disini. You are the great. Eh saya nak tanya sikit saya ada classmate nama nya Hugh chunggat mawar semasa menuntut di STAR Kuching 1977-1978.Is it yr brother.
Keep up the good work
Great site u have in here. Keep it up. I’ll tell indai Sendie (Tara) about it.
Tabi basa ngagai aya GNMawar,
Sebedau nya aku meri selamat taun baru 2009 lalu ngajih ka website tok ulih dikerembai ka agi ba taun baru tok. Piak gak aku ngajih ka aya gerai nyamai gayu guru lantang senang mega.
Aku meri besai terima kasih laban website tok meri maioh penerang ngagai aku enggau bala bukai kelebih agi ba pasal adat enggau basa kitai iban. Pengawa ti baka tu endang patut disokong bala kitai laban ngambi ka bala nembiak rebak dudi ulih macha serta nemu ensera tuai enggau leka main asal.
Ingat aku suba, maia agi biak, enti deka ninga ensera diak meh semina ini tauka aki (orang tuai) aja ti ulih nusi. diatu aku berasai balat gaga (bangga) laban ulih penerang ti maioh ba website tok.
“Maju meh kitai sereta enggau Technologi Diatu”
Conguratulations…
Sincerely,
H.E.M
Samuel,
TQ laban nemu beguna ka website aku tu. Arap ka nuan mujur dalam research nuan lalu bulih utai ka deka ati nuan.
Tedwin,
TQ ka jako nuan. Amat munyi ko nuan, Niang Dendan nya pangkat aki aku. Indai aku endang berasal ari Stambak Ulu.
Tabi basa ngagai nuan Mr GMawar,
Terubah ia aku meri besai pengaga ati serta meri “congratulation” laban pemendar serta peransing nuan ngaga website ti dipeda aku amat berguna ba nembiak rebak baru..Nyadi manah ga aku madah ka diri aku..Nama aku Samuel Sila Mathew Unjah ari menua pelilih Saratok.Diatu benung belajar ba Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris ( suba SITC) ngambi Bachelor education of History..
Lebuh aku muka website tu ati aku amat gaga laban mayuh amt fakta serta sumber ka ulih dikena kami ke benung belajar sejarah..Kemaya tu aku benung ngaga research sejarah kitai iban ari segi sosial enggau politik ia. ka nyadi tesis aku ila lebuh aku meda ia nya meh gaga ku meda bc utai ke ulih alai aku reference…
Ngarap ka website tu selalu mujur selalu awkka bansa iban rebak baru sama nemu penatai serta sejarah bansa kitai empu..mupuk aku dulu
“Aram Berubah”
http://www.sila-silagerasibansa.blogspot.com
Anak Saratok
Ngarap website tu majak ngerembai
Dear Brother,
Am so proud of your work. Very rare indeed for an Iban of this generation to have painstakingly researched and catalogued the “TUSUT” and the rest of them all.
Looks like you are related to those folks in Stambak, Seruai and of course,Paku. Are you related to side Kemkek and niang aki Beliau Dendan of Stambak ulu?
Regards.
Kudos to you!!
manah endar website nuan tu… Arap ke maioh agi kitai bansa rindu ke pengawa bakatu.
Keep it up!
Joe,
TQ ka udah ngerembai ka leka biau aku nya ba w/s nuan. Manah amai iya diengkah ka nuan dia. Macham2 ga randau kita dia neh. Regards.
Tabi basa unggal,
Aku gaga amat meda bisi kitai iban ke begaga ke tusun serta adat enggau pengawa kitai iban, enti enda dijaga lupus meh utai tu ila. Senang ke banding, orang ke bepantang rekong, dini bisi agi diatu. Pia mega unggal, aku bisi nginjau leka biau ari website nuan tu diengkah aku bak blog aku, manah amat leka biau piringnya. Setiap iti website aku ke bisi diengkah aku leka biau, aku bisi nulis nama nuan enggau website nuan sekali, ngambi orang ke macha blog, tauka w/s aku nemu dini endor source ia, sapa author ia, datai meh ke blog aku bak http://ibox4daffiliate.blogspot.com, ukai blog jako iban tang blog jako ribai, website enggau blog jako iban aku bnong dlm construction. engka bulan 12/2008 tu tembu ia, nya aja. terimakasih ke source ti manah bakatu,
dikirum ke:
joe–|>rantau jempai-nanga nunyau- entabai julau
Semalau,
Nyadi rumah aku ditu. Ruai nuan dia pan manah mega. Bisi endar endor bejurai ka maioh macham pekara. Lama2 pan maioh ga temuai niki ila…. endang sigi baka kitai Iban di rumah panjai …. tiap2 iko temuai endang diasoh lalu ngagai ruai kitai.
Nyadi rumah nuan unggal? Manah amai ga riris jalai ti udah dirintis nuan tu unggal, aku tu, nyau bebegah madah ka diri, baru deka enggau urah nguji ngeruh ai, pia ku juluk ati tudah diri. Nya alai, enti sema bisi ari, tau ga nguji lalu ngagai ruai aku, enti nyema enda nyengala, enda nyengenda, minta ampun amai aku wai. Tak meransang diri meh tudah diri, munyi ka leka jaku kitai, jamah lubah… Nyema penimpang, enda manah dipeda, tau ga madah, ngica ka tau diseruri, ngaga ia manah agi, au… tak mintak ajar me aku tu ungal.
Nadai ga nyengala bebatang iga ga randau kami diruai aku dia, semua temuai dilalu ka magang, baik ka iban, baik ka ribai, bela tau datai magang. Ke diatu empai maiuh urang datai ngagai ruai aku. Enti kita bisi ati, tau ga datai ngagai http://semalaukekucau.blogspot.com
Anang malu, lalu ke ruai aku
Luke,
Amai ga kitai Iban nadai maioh di Pusa maya nya, tang aku enda tentu ingat ka nama siko-siko kitai. Semina da kingat ka aku bala sida Eling, Christopher, Unjah, Ullok, bala sida Vincent/Lily, enggau bala sida Pengajar Muja, Pengajar Stewart Charlie (Apai Ricky). Rindu amai ngiga ketam maya nya suba.
Tabi Luke,
Uji tambah ke ujong agi pasal nuan ngagai chunggat@hotmail.com nyangka aku ulih mulai ka pengingat.
Regards
Unggal Nyanggau,
Manah endar utai ti di tulis nuan ba web nuan tu, aku baru tetemu ke website nuan.Sebedau aku nulis maioh, aku minta ampun nyangka jako tau ko spelling aku ditu bisi enda betul .Taun 1967 semasa nuan di pusa aku bisi begulai enggau seduai Igat Cunggat, tang kitai beserara ba 1968.Aku arap ko nuan nguji ngingat ko dama aku di atas nya. Aku cukup rindu macha web ti di gaga nuan, lalu aku arap ko nuan ulih terus nulis maia nuan ti bisi peluang trima kasih.
Kevin,
The proto-Iban do not have any recorded belief of how this world was created. There are tales of how the heavenly brothers created the earth, sky, water, day and night, and human to inhibit the earth. The Iban believed that humankind shared this world with all living things (plants/animals) and spirits (demons, dwarfs, spirits of the dead, spirits of living things, etc, who are ordinarily unseen or living in unseen realm). The “Gods” domain is in the sky. We believe in God of War, God of Health, God of Agriculture, God of Wealth, God who created human, God who owns land, etc. Refer to my article on “Adat Iban” and “Origin of Adat Iban Part 1-6” for more info on Iban beliefs.
The Iban religious beliefs and rituals were largely influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism. There are some similarities in religious practices. There is also a Minangkabau influence in our literary skill and cultural pratices.
Like the theory of evolution, Iban beliefs evolves throughout the ages. Maybe evolution is God’s tool he used to create this world into habitable state.
Hello,
I am a university student doing research on the story of creations as seen by different cultures. I looked through your site and could not find the story of the Ibans. I would greatly appreciate any help in finding the original Iban belief on how the world was created. Thanks!
rawaikumang,
Suah agi kitai meri orang makai, maioh agi ga berkat beri Petara.
“mansa/nemuai” baru, ukai ku ngachau (sebarang utai tanya) sereta ukai beduan betanya ka penerang senentang pengawa Nikah dalam Adat kitai Iban tu. Tang saut nuan nya Ayak Mawar bisi ka “terabai” maia aku ti betanya, nusoi sereta sama ngau ngatur dalam pengawa tu ila…….!!!
…diatur lebih ari sekali & nyau bentara ka taun ngaga pengerami baru. Nyangka tak nadai kala pengawa ka baka tu ti udah… Ngachau laban pengawa pengerami 2 @ 3 kali nikah tu… nya baru ya berentak haha – it’s funs @ amused!
terima kasih!
Johnny anak Chuat,
Tusut nya maioh dalam collection aku datai ari sources ari menoa Batang Ai, Skrang enggau Saribas Area. Tang bedau dipublish aku ditu laban aku agi nyidi pechah tusut sida tu. Nganti aku udah “nabor” ka tusut nya ba blog aku tu ila awak ka nerima feedback ari bala maioh. Dia bala maioh tau nyidi tusut diri empu lalu mechah ka tusut nya jauh agi.
Jerita pasal orang Lemanak bisi disebut dalam article “Early Iban Migration Part 3”. Bala Iban ari Lemanak selalu tasah pendiau laban penyarut Orang Batang Ai (Penghulu Ngumbang & Bantin) enggau orang Skrang. Laban sida diau di antara menoa Skrang enggau Batang Ai, sida selalu nyadi “Victim” (kena empit) penyarut nya. Maioh sida iya lalu pindah ka Roban enggau Kanowit/Julau.
rawaikumang,
Nadai aku nemu pemali orang nya nikah dua kali. Maioh kitai Iban enti udah nikah ba Gereja sida mega ngerja pengawa Melah Pinang ba rumah panjai sida iya empu.
Nyadi pengawa melah pinang tu pengawa lantang lalu dikerja kitai enggau pengelantang ati kitai. Utai ti mali dalam pengawa tu ba adat kitai Iban enti kitai jadi salah. Kalimpah ari nya, pengawa tu nadai pemali bukai.
Salah munyi jako, enti jai mimpi tauka jai burong pan, kitai Iban endang bisi jalai nabar ka utai tu (biau enggau manok ba kaki tangga).
Tabi basa nuju nuan Ayak Mawar,
enggau peluang sekali tu aku deka nanya sereta minta buah runding nuan ba senentang Adat Kitai Iban dlm pengawa melaki bebini… baka tu ka tanya ya:
1. tau ka enda urang ka udah jadi melaki bini, ti udah ditikah tang ukai di rumah panjai ngaga pengerami tikah baru?
: maia pengerami ke dulu apai/indai lelaki enda ulih datai…. Lalu diatu (after 2 years) sida deka ngaga/meda pengerami tikah di rumah panjai ba adat kitai Iban.
2. ba dalam pengerami ka baka tu…. nadai nya pemali kini?
** Setawak Emas, Tajau Menaga,
Saut Nuan Ayak, Sigi “Berega”!!
terima kasih!
Manah blog nuan unggal, suah ga kitau tang enda ninggalka bekau jari. Blog nuan chukup manah awakka bisi ditampung nembiak ke dudi. Ngumpul data beguna ke awak, ukai bisi begaji, tang kitai rindu meda asil jari kitai ditemu tauka nyadi pengingat serea malin sida ke dudi.
Ka nanya aja, kelimpah ari nampung niang Bennedict Sandin sereta pansik ba tusut menua kita empu, kati bisi nuan nemu tusut tauka jerita ari menua tunga ke Lemanak & Batang Ai/Engkari?
Enti bisi, emel aku unggal.
tabi basa ngagai nuan GNMawar,
manah amat pengawa ti di gaga nuan tu. aku nyukong penoh ke pengawa tu. ngarap tau betemu mua enggau nuan dudi ari ila.
Nadai adat nadai meh bangsa , nadai rita nadai meh cerita,
pia meh pegidup kitai iban kelia. Raja berani sigi di sagi enda mudah tumbang enda mudah rebah. Sapa nampung sapa nebas jalai udah repa nadai urang nebas, lenyau adat lenyau meh temadun..berunding meh bala kita..ia ke dapat tau angkat ia lepi anang enda ngiring,ia ke buta anang enda meda ia merinsa sama nyerakat mantu..
chukup meh semua utai ba ruai nn tu tuai….
tang sayau tudah aku tu laun nemu..
ila meh aku mai berita mai kaban belaya sama nemuai kitu…
chukup manah utai dibai nn aku nda nyangka negalamatu bisi udah ruai baka tu… aku ke kalat2 ngiga ruai tauka penemu senentang adat kitai bansa….
i really2 appreciate ur informative website…..
god bless u…..
lama amat aku udah enda ngelawa ruai nuan tu taui. Kebuah pia laban rindang berandau enggau org ba ruai baru kami pengajar ENGKABANG. NET. Tau nuan meda nama ke bisi dia lalu meri jaku tangkan.
rawaikumang,
manah meh nya enti bisi utai ditinggal ka ditu … sulat tandok rusa nya manah amai ngambi ka kaul nyadi rapat nyentok ka jemah ila …. selilap daun buan nya ngasoh pendiau chelap-lindap baka ayong panchar bulan….TQ.
uuuttttt… bisi kita dia Ayak Mawar?
keterubah ya aku meri besai terima kasih ulih sama bekungsi/mereti ka penemu enggau dalam agi dlm blog nuan tu & pengaga ati meda pemanah sereta tusut pengawa, adat, ensera (my Iban Film fantasy…) sereta main kitai Iban ti bukai!!!… penemu@pemansang ka baka tu meh ti niki ke Bansa sereta nyadi ka “reta” ti chukup beguna…..!!! Well Done!!!
*Enti bisi meda, “sulat tanduk rusa, selilap daun buan, ketanda kami bisi mansa ukai beduan….”
TLBPP,
Manah amai enti deka publish book kitai Iban, ngambi ka bisi dibacha bala anembiak rebak baru. Arap ka pengawa nya ditulis enggau manah, lebih-lebih agi enti kitai nusoi jerita aki-ini orang bukai, enggai ka salah tusoi. Arap ka pengawa kita mujor. TQ.
tabi unggal Gregory. manah amat pengawa nuan ka baka tu peda aku. nyadi aku tu mega siku ari kitai bansa ti rindu ka pengawa baka tu. Aku mega maioh koleksi baka nuan. tang utainya semina disimpan aja. ukai ketegal rangka tang aku nadai nemu nyalur ka utai bakatu. diatu aku semina nemu ka ngaga utai tu nyadi ka koleksi ba rumah aja. niat ka begiga ka publisher bedau ulih. laban ba runding aku, manah agi utai tu digaga ka buku. kati enda pia laban maioh kitai rumah panjai semina nemu begiga ka buku tang ukai macha ba internet munyi ka jaku kemaia ari. nya alai aku nguji enggau orang ngeruh ai masuk SIWA- pesatuan penulis kitai Iban ba Sarawak ti diketuai ka En Harry Usup Umbar. Ari jalai ka bakanya utai tu enda lenyau pia aja. Terima kasih laban ngangkat ka pengawa ka bakatu.
bungai nuing,
Nadai salah enti bisi orang deka besaup ngmansang pengawa tu chara professional agi.
Meri besai terima kasih ngagai nuan Gregory.
Penemu nuan ti dibantai bak ‘RUAI” tu amat manah sereta beguna ngagai bansa kitai Iban. Nya alai pengawa bakatu patut amat dipejalaika kalebih agi maia diatu dikumbai orang ‘GLOBALISATION’. Tu awaka bansa kitai Iban kalebih agi sida rebak baru tau mereti sereta ngambi penemu ngambika pengawa asal enggau jako bansa kitai enda tinggal enda lenyau. Aku tu siko pengajar ti balat amat deka bejuraika penemu main asal sereta jako bansa kitai. Nya alai, aku bisi bendar pengarap ka nuan Kaban, ulih bejuraika ka penemu pasal mgemansang ka pengawa ti manah bakatu. Nyadi utai ti deka ditanya ka aku ditu ianya, enti ulih kitai ngaga siti komiti penyanding penemu( Protem komiti) dikena kitai ngemansang ka pengawa tu. Laban siti ari tuju nya, awaka utai tu tau dikena nyadi ka “materials” bansa kitai dikena ngaga pengawa pelajar. Enda milih sida ka agi sekula tauka sida ka deka belajar luar tauka nyadi ka penemu dikena nyatup pemansang dunya kemaia haritu. Aku enda ngumbai komiti bukai tauka gerempung bansa kitai nadai numbuh ka pengawa bakatu, tang aku pengarap bendar ati enti bisi komiti tauka gerempung ti ko aku tu dikena nyukung sereta ngansah enggau ngerebaika maiuh agi pekara pasal kitai bansa awaka iya nyadi ka lalau, tenggau sereta tungkat adat nembiak bansa kitai. Enti nuan bisi penemu sam enggau enggi aku nya, aku meri besai terima kasih nggagai nuan enti ulih berandau pasal pekaranya enggau aku. Terima kasih Kaban.
Eddy,
Thanks for your comment. I know your father, grand-pa, uncle Richard well. We used to share the same hobby …. he! he! he! and we always meet in Betong during Gawai. We also work in the same Company too. Hope you know your root and appreciate them.
Dear Mr. Mawan,
It brings me great pleasure to know that i have a great length of family tree which i probably don’t know much about before this. I’m really honoured to know that i play a part of it. I am eddy the eldest son of Edward koh. I was previously attached with Malaysia Airlines for 11++yrs holding my last position as a leading steward, then i got myself fully certifed as a safety officer form NIOSH in june 07. Later on, i embark on a great adventure to join the National Airline of the United Arad Emirates “Etihad Airways” where i currently holding the position as a Cabin Mgr. I am currently based in Abu Dhabi and it has been a year since i came here now.
I’ll be in Miri on the 25th sept to attend my cousin’s wedding, Vernon Roger Carroll. Probably you would know him.
Nevertheless, I hope to catch up with you someday and probably a meet up for a cup of coffee.
Best Wishes.
Regards,
Eddy Shawn koh
Lyze,
Pajakka pengawa ke digaga nuan nya. Ko aku, enti udah bisi nya ila, nyamai bendar bala nembiak sekula kelebih agi nembiak Iban, bekenaka komputer. Tu siti ari chara sida belajarka sistem jaku sereta atur sepil jaku Iban ke udah diperambu sereta dikemendarka Opis Pelajar dlm taun 2006 suba. Nuan tau betanya ngagai bala pengajar ke ngajar Jaku Iban pasal pekara tu. Aku tau dikira nuan siku ari orang ke nyukung lalu enti ulih nulung nuan.
Teruska, enti enda kitai, sapa? enti enda diatu kemaya?
chgtmwr
terima kasih ngagai nuan mega laban bekunsi penemu enggau aku..aku ngarap utai ke deka digaga tu ila nyadi meh…penemu ari bala kita sigi endang diterima aku magang,laban penemu tu meh ulih dikena aku nerus ke utai ke deka digaga aku tu ila…
aku pan baru tetemu ke website uncle tu,gaga amat ati laban uncle tu ngemansang ke adat kitai iban ngena IT..ngarap ke kitai sama ngemansang ke bansa kitai iban ngena maioh agi chara nitih ke penemu ke ditemu kitai siko-siko mega…
lyze
Aku slalu rembus ba ruai tu.Kadang2 enti bisi awak ulih bemalam tang suah agi pulai hari enti maioh pengawa diri empu.Ngenang pengawa nuan nya, manah bendar ba penemu aku laban ulih nampong serta pemangsang jako kitai Iban ke ujong ka agi tambah agi ngena teknoloji baru serba canggih.Anang puntul tengah jalai lalu enti ulih anang ngelaung ka jako asal kitai Iban. Jako bansa bukai nadai salah dikena ENTI nadai ba jako (dictionary) Iban. Maioh penulis kitai Iban (ba maioh majalah serta surat khabar) ngemasuk ka jako Melayu tauka Jako English taja pan kitai Iban bisi jako nya.Ba penemu aku utai tu salah laban dudi hari ila kitai nyau bejako Melayu-English ukai jako Iban agi.
Pajak ka meh pejalai nuan….
uncle gnmawar enggau unggal rasit,
keterubah ia,terima kasih laban deka bekunsi penemu enggau aku..diatu aku benung ngaga dokumentasi projek tentang perkara nya laban aku mega ngasai ke pengawa nya bedau digaga urang bukai mega kelimpah ari leka jaku bansa bukai..ngarap ke semua pengawa nya deka nyadi lalu ngemansang ke leka jaku iban baka leka jaku bansa bukai mega..
aku ngarap ke penemu bukai ari bala kita ulih nulung aku maya projek tu deka digaga belabuh ari taun siti nyin ila…
terima kasih ngagai seduai…
uncle gnmawar enggau unggal rasit,
keterubah ia,terima kasih laban deka bekunsi penemu enggau aku..diatu aku benung ngaga dokumentasi projek tentang perkara nya.ngarap ke semua pengawa nya deka nyadi lalu ngemansang ke leka jaku iban baka leka jaku bansa bukai..
Unggal GN, enggau lyze,
Aku teperansang ninga penalok anembiak kitai Iban ngagai pengawa enggau pendiau kitai. enti kitai enda ngemeran ke pengawa tu, urang bukai tentu enda. bisi urang bukai deka tang enda dedicated tauka devoted baka kitai ke beempu bansa.
Ba pengawa lyze ti deka mansik jako Iban dalam ict, nya manah amat. aku besetuju bendar. dalam word processor, kelebih agi MSWord, perengka (Tools) baka Auto Correct enggau Thesaurus endang udah nyangkung jako menyadi kitai bansa Melayu, tang nadai jako Iban. Lyze, dua tiga iti dictionary jako iban endang patut ke kereban nuan (engka nuan deka bebandingka sistem sepil). Aku setuju bendar enggau penemu Unc GNMawar nuan tu ke minta siti copy assignment nuan nya (enti nuan ulih, meri iya soft- enggau hard-copy) ngambika bisi ke kereban iya ngemansangka blog tu ke guna kitai semua. Keep up the good work.
lyze,
Enti nuan bisi ngaga project nya, aku deka ngena iya awak ka aku nyamai nulis article aku. Diatu aku nadai udah nemu orang bisi develop utai baka nya, kalimpah ari dalam english. Nadai takut salah sepil agi. Go on with your idea. Idea nya tau nulong anembiak skula ngecheck sepil Iban nitih ka sistem sepil Iban. Nya baru nyamai ngaga assignment.
ello Uncle gnmawar,
nama rita nuan uncle?..aku tu benung belajar ba unimas,fakulti IT..diatu ku benung ngaga research final year project tentang ‘iban word prediction algorithm’..apply into word processor…chunto ia enti naip ‘ma’…alu pansut makai,mandi,manduk etc…maya naip dalam microsoft word…project tu ila digaga ngena software JAVA..aku deka nanya uncle,bisi ke enda benda ke ka digaga aku tu udah digaga bala bansa kitai iban..lalu mega deka nanya penemu uncle chara ke bukai kena ngemaju ke bahasa Iban ngena teknologi baka komputer…
sebedau nya,congrats agi uncle laban ngaga web tu ngambi ulih bekunsi penemu ngau bala bukai mega..
tQ
Yi Ying,
Sorry, I don’t have any article about traditional Iban clothes. You may check out my article on “Nama Buah Pua Kumbu Iban” meaning, The Name of Iban Woven Blancket (clothes). Its an Iban-English illustration table.
Hello there,
Im Yi Ying, a student of USM.Im currently doing an assignment regurding about traditional Iban clothes.Mind giving me the details of these clothes and possibly some pictures of them too. Thanks alot.
Warmest regards,
Yi Ying
Greg
Unggal nice to hear u are still up and running. i am writing all the way from Bangkok and am always amazed at how of all people you could gather all our fast extinct Iban heritage into this unique masterpiece website. You are my hero.
You deserve a rest. Come to Kuching this weekend for our St Thomas Reunion. Its been 33 years since we parted ways and I bet the Iban of the world will be there ready to salute the hero for the day. What u say?
gnmawar,
I know this guy Andrew, my long lost friend. I hope to get in touch with him sometimes. I thank you so much for all the enormous writings. I really enjoyed reading them.I came across your website when i surfed the latest happenings in my cousin’s web. I wondered at how you managed to trace your origins. Congratulations, byex
ml joel sabrina,
This is the product of years of research, compiling, writing and re-writing. Enjoy your reading.
aya gnmawar, terubah congratulation laban udah ngaga blog untuk bacha kitai iban. bangsa iban bagi aku bangsa yang paling unik pernah aku temu. aku baka bala kitai menyadi iban bukai, ‘bejalai’ lalu agi ‘bejalai’. aku taja ukai ari darah iban, tapi aku banga jadi bansa iban. arap kitai ngetan ka menoa kitai ari ‘dijajah’ lalu aku sentiasa macha blog nuan. good job and god bless.
Unc Greg,
Tiap hari kami dani deka nurun ke sekula, selalu ninga aki dunging kitai ‘pantun bulan’. Kami alit ati laban intro pantun iya selalu nyebut munyi tu – “bulan satu kitai dayak iya nya bulan enam urang putih”. Ulih bala kitai ditu ngerintaika nama bulan kitai dayak enggau enggi urang putih, lalu ‘tafsiran’ semoa bulan enggi kitai nya? Ambi ke banding, bulan MAY = bulan DUA BELAS taun kitai (tafsiran iya = bulan RERAK, lalu ‘implikasi’ iya ba pengidup & pendiau kitai). Kira ke kurang lebih baka penemu ‘fengshui’ enggi bansa Cina / penemu ‘falak’ enggi urang Arab. Terima kasih.
Hi Gregory,
I’m very impressed with your work about Iban.I always curious to know more about Iban culture,anyway I’m a mixture of Melanau-Iban.My late father used to work in S’wak Museum probably you’ve heard about him (Tuton Kaboy).
Anyway,with your expertise you should be part of the trainers who teaches future tourist guides in S’wak. I myself came across some of the licensed tourist guide have no indepth information about Iban culture,etc…and with these problem I’m afraid that they eventually send the wrong message/information about the Iban way of life and their culture especially headhunting,cock-fighting etc.
But most importantly that you have contributed very much about Iban and I would like to thank you very much coz now I know where to look for pertaining Iban culture etc..
Regards and Selamat Gawai Dayak Gayu Guru Gerai Nyawai ka kitai serumah.
Shirley,
TQ and Selamat Ngintu Hari Gawai Dayak 2008 ngagai kita sabilik. Enti bisi rembus ka menoa, anang enda lalu ngagai kami di Kerangan Pinggai dia.
dear uncle nyanggau,
such a very creative website!!put some more pictures about our culture.selamat hari gawai.gayu guru gerai nyamai.
Punggal,
Manah amat website nuan ditu.Baru tepeda ke saharitu.Semina aku tekenyit laban bala aku bisi nama ba sentang tusut ke ditulis nuan ba web.Nya meh,sayau pemandai enggau pengelandik aki aku Guang ak Pelima nadai bisi disambung bala agik.tudah tuai selalu diambi orang betusut leboh beguna kategal iya paling ingat ke tusut ari kelia.selalu tebacha ke tulis iya kediri empu ba selepak bub pasal tusut kaban belayan.diatu tudah kelalu tuai,gayu diau di rumah panjai kami din Ng Pek,Ulu Rimbas..nadai nemu orang agik.bakanya gak lenyau meh penemu tusut iya nya.sigi amat baka tulis nuan diak:Guang `gajah mendam`ngipak ke iya amat.
sekula ba St christopher debak nuan suba neh?sama meh kitai kala ngasai diau ba boarding sekula diak.nuan sangka aku biak agi ari apai aku,maybe sama rebak enggau aya aku.
ok,semina ka madah congrats for a good job and efforts here in ur web.
Tabi,
Beremas
Hello,
I’m thoroughly impressed and entertained. Rarely have I come across local literary stuff that is both authorative, provocative and insightful. May well be the beginning of Sarawakian cultural renaissance? Thanks very much for sharing.
Igat Bond,
Good luck in your thesis though I do not know what is Jimmy’s specialty or knowledge about Keling of Panggau Libau. I hope you choose a good literary text to study on.
Hello there,
I am an Iban student doing a tertiary education in a local university right now. First and foremost, thank you for this website that provides me with lots of information, especially on the traditional Iban adat and beliefs.
Actually, now I am still collecting materials for my thesis and I am planning to apply a critical theory on Iban Literature in English. Based on Jimmy Donald’s Keling of the Raised World, I plan to view Iban’s Traditional beliefs on headhunting and shamanism using existentialism theory.
Hope that you will be able to support me as so far… as far as I concern… nobody has ever do this topic. So, this will be a pioneer project for me to start reading Iban literary text and apply critical theory.
Peace.
CD/Chgtmwr,
Anang kelalu bekira ka duit meh kitai enti deka nulong bansa diri empu. Duit tu ulih digiga enti kitai rajin begiga. Tang nama ti manah pedis di gaga enti ngira penguntong ka diri empu aja. Enti enda ulih bekunsi penyamai idup enggau bansa diri empu, biar penemu aja di kunsi ka, ngicha tau mai pengidup ti maju, menyana enggau mansang ngagai bansa diri.
Paul Langgang,
Terima Kasih ka jako nuan. Article aku ditu enda salah dikena nyadi ka “bahan” bala kita di Betong dia. Arap ka sida rindu ka penemu ti di publish aku ditu lalu arap ka anembiak maju dalam pelajar sida.
Note: sistem sepil aku ditu enda nitih ka sistem sepil Iban ka dikena Kementerian Pelajaran. Nya alai enti anembiak deka beguna ka penemu ditu, sida enda tau enda nyalin ka artikel tu ngena sistem sepil ka dikena dalam sekula. TQ
Manah amai kerja nuan unggal. Congrats! Aku diatu Principal ba SMK St. Augustine, benong ka nambah ka ‘the historical facts’ sekolah tu. Pelaba ka aku maioh penemu nuan ti tau dikunsi enggau staff sekolah tu. Arap ka olih ninga ari nuan. Cheers.
58 CD,
Aku setuju ka runding nuan nya pasal nyimpan dalam CD. Money matter is not as important as keeping the heritage. Maioh bendar cerita tuai kitai Iban ka endang patut masuk dalam State History kelebih agi the migration of Iban / Dayak brengkah ari 300 tahun tauka lebih agi. Cerita sida ROSLI Doby ka baru 50-70 tahun balat bendar bangsa orang ngemesai ka. Why not cerita tuai-tuai kitai Iban baka Temenggong Koh, Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana, Linggir ‘Mali Lebu’, Rentap di sama taraf enggau orang baka sida Rosli Doby….ba kitai Iban enti mantap ari belakang ukai tentu tak hero….enti kamaia hari tu dikumbai gangster pasar.
Pasal spell jako Iban – never mind the new spelling as long as the message is delivered.Betul pan spelling (nitih ka spell baru) enti message enda nyentok / nadai reti, nadai meh guna.
Jang,
Thanks for keping our family trees alive. This is pure iban literature our children should treasure. Aku ingat maia kitai agi mit dalam taun 60han & 70ha menya nunga api kelita ninga ke cerita orang ke tuai, tauka macha surat ensera, but those were the thing of the past>>>>>>>> and that’s exactly what the government of the day after the departure of Datuk Kalong from the CM post.
Semua bup cerita iban di tunu oleh Borneo Literature Bureau right after the nationalisation of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka…..And now two geneartions has past who do not have a clue of our rich heritage which is very difficult revive without sufficient books in the school libraries.
Jang……why not make millions by printing/publishing all your goods efforts for the benefit of the new generations of iban.
Nama guna gawa shell agi enti bup udah laku, diatu maioh jalai ngelaku ka bup cerita iban.
Diatu sekeda sekula bisi ngajar bahasa iban, enda nemu nama bup di kena sida.
By putting your stuff in the web will not reach the targeted readers. Enti ba bup cerita, nyamai di bacha.
Ni leka pantun kitai iban deh unggal
Cheers agai nuan, I have a feeling may heve met you several times but where? Hehe laban maioh amai orang enggau betemu lalu kitai semina berandau seleka dua.
Yep menya aku bak MLNG dia, maia nya amioh betemu sereta enggau bala Shell pia mega udah badu dia pen agi begulai ke Lutong kia gawa.
Maybe you could ring the bell… Cheers again rindu macha utai di bantai ke nuan, very informative. Menya bisi ninga jerita keda tang udah kelalu lama nadai ninga agi…
Thanks William…. I’ll contact you if I’m onshore.
Hi Gregory,
I hope you remember me, your Bidayuh classmate in St. Thomas in the good old days. I am working in Kuching. I got your email address from Andrew Nanang, and some info about your website from Margaret Nichol. So I googled your site and got here.
We had a big reunion dinner in August 2007, and a small dinner with Andrew, Margaret, Dayang, and a few guys who stayed in the old boarding house on 04/01/2008. I was looking forward to meet you. It has been a very long 32 years since we last saw each other. I will be in Miri from 09-11 Januray 2008. I hope we can meet up. My phone no. is 019-xxxxxxx. Please contact me if you are free.
I am very impressed with what you have done here, documenting your culture and traditions. Keep it up.
Cheers.
William Nyigor
Just curious..GNMAWAR…I was from St.Thomas. I know a few boarders at St.thomas in 1976-1977? Many of them were rugby players. I also remember the names mentioned in this site – Andrew Nanang, Margaret Nichol. There are my senior at St.Thomas.
Thanks for the insightful information on this web. You have enriched the lives of many Iban, like me. Reading thru your web, made me really proud of my Iban cultural heritage. I sincerely appreciated the hardwork that you have done to maintain this web. Keep up your good work. I do hope that efforts are being made to document and publish your work, for our future generation. Warm regards.
Mag,
Thanks. I was in that same batch with Andrew & Margaret. William Nyigor was my classmate.
Terima Kasih Aiyu,
Nganti aku udal ngumpul ensera lama, nya baru aku publish ditu.
Wai GNMawar..
Tambahka agi enggau ensera ti bukai.Mayuhka tau meh.Laban mayuh ensera enda temu aku.
Descendant dato godam saribas,
Saya berharap benar keturunan Abang Godam boleh membuat penyelidikan tentang sejarah mereka.
Kedatangan Abg Godam ke Saribas semasa zaman pemerintahan Sultan Nasrudin (Sultan Brunei ke-15)..sekitar 1690-1710.
Keturunan Abang Gudam,
Boleh saaudara memberi nama2 keturunan Abang Gudam sampai ka generasi sekarang.
tabi Ayak mawar,
early iban migration Part 11 . satu cerita yang amat perlu diselidik dengan cara mendalam.
di penghijrah orang melayu ke batang air saribas ada cerita nya tersendiri.
Ada beberapa persoalan perlu kita buktikan
1) kira-kira dalam tahun berapa kah berlaku peristiwa kedatangan Abg Godam dan temenggong kadir di saribas?
2) Ada tak simpan sasilah abg godam hingga ke laksamana amir, abg apong dll?
Tq ATP,
I agree with you, our past histories are full of brutal encounter… but still need to be told especiall from our own view point.
Terima kasih Mujong laban udah nemuai ngagai ruai aku ditu. Arap ka nuan udah mereti ka bansa kami Iban di Sarawak. Aku arap ka sapa orang nemu jerita Mujong Bujang Berani tauka jerita lama bukai, ulih bekunsi ka jerita lama sida dalam website tu.
Tabi BN Nawar,
Aku suba ngajar ba Kapit. area Ng Mujong. Dia tu udah pulai menua empu…semenanjung. Bangsa aku Laut…ko sida ibannya..
Aku bisi macha bup ke cherita Mujong Bujang Berani. Arap nuan oleh publish ceritanya ba
website tu.
terima kasiah.
Hi GN,
Like others, I am very impressed with your work, and it also happens that I am also rekaya Dana descendant from Padeh. Yes, killings done in those days were definitely abhorrent(for whatever reasons they were), but true stories need to be told, at least to the best of our knowledge and without prejudice.
Keep up the good work, btw, do you have ’13 bengkah mimpi’, I think it was written by your grandfather? I do not see it in your stories list.
Cheers,
ok..tq
Ray,
Check it out on my article entitled Early Iban Migration – Part 2 under sub title Malays and Ibans in the Saribas. There is no mention on the Abang Kadir’s attack on the Paku. I’ll dig it out if I can get to the source.
Dear brother
Do you have the infro about ..Tha attack of Rejang people to Paku. Where the war chief of Rejang nama Abang Kadir attack paku. During the war Abg Kadir was shoot by Abg Hashim the malay chief of Saribas combine with the iban who defect paku. Abg Kadir was shoot at the right leg and fracture to his leg. from the story from mouth to mouth by the people of paku saribas. until now the bulet is still keep by the Rejang people..
This pantun is very famlier to malay of saribas.
Abang Kadir Ngalah paku.
Tembak Abang Hashim bertalu-lalu
nak mansang takut ke peluru.
nak undur takut malu..
Ok please respond.
Dear brother,
I might think that Benedict sandin is your relative?. or your father. during my school time i had read a book that had writen by Mr Benedict . i cant remember what is the topic. in that book they was a capter of “The malay origin of Saribas”. until now it pass many years already i cant found that book anymore.
My question is…
do you kept is book ?. if this book is with can you pun it in this web. we share the infor.
tq brother
merry chrismas to you and family.
Library,
E-mail me on gnmawar@pd.jaring.my and I will give you my contact number.
Dear Sir,
Can I’ve your contact no?I’m doing a program on Sarawak for Pustaka and having you to be in the program would mean sharing your favourite stories with more people.
Hope to hear from you.
Thanks Ray……His father was an Iban chief named Uyut. Laksamana Amir, Abang Gudam, Abang Apong were all his followers who guide them when they raid coastal areas because the Saribas Malays know the route to Brunei, Sabah as well as to Malaya, Sumatra and Java.
TQ for your web..
I also from spaoh saribas brother..
i just i want to comfirm from you about linggir ‘mali lebu’
who was his father??.
the story i heard that his father was malay ..name laksamana amir. dan mother was iban ..is that true??.
i am very interested about the story of saribas. my family tree is from Abang Godam.
TQ Aiyu …. sampi gawai burong, gawai sakit, gawai umai, gawai pangkong tiang, gawai tajau, gawai dayak … etc bisi udah di publish aku ditu.
tabi GNMawar
aku ka nemu mayuh agi sampi gawai ti bukai.arap ka nuan ulih ngiga tauka nambahka nya dalam web tu.
terima kasih.
TQ Dara Cherira. Taja nemuai enda lama, tang anang buai batu.
TQ Amok… arap ka sama2 nemu beguna ka kareban utai ti ditulis ditu. Sakurang2 iya kitai nemu miau piring enggau nyampi enti leboh ngintu Gawai. Enti bisi utai deka ditambah ka ditu, tau meri aku. Kita ari Saratok maioh bendar jerita lama.
Greg, arap ka nuan agi ingat, kitai sama-sama ba RPR batu 6 suba, kami menyanak di Labuan diatu. Terubah aku nemu nuan bisi website suba, laban dipadah Jelian Menari ngena email ngagai aku.
Utai ke di adu nuan ba website endang patut dipuji bala kitai Iban. Chukup manah, chukup meri penemu. Maju meh kitai Iban enti orang maioh bisi ngembuan pengeran enggau pengangkun ka bansa baka nuan. Aku ngarap ke nuan semampai ulih nampong ngiga penemu ti disimpan dalam website. Nuan tu meh patut diberi tanda pemandai kedikumbai ‘Doctorate’ laban pemaioh enggau pemanah info ke ulih di rintai nuan ba website.Info nya endang tau nyadi ke pelajar/reference orang ke kurang penemu ba culture/tradition/adat kitai Iban. Aku rindu amat macha utai kedikarang/keditusun nuan laban dia aku bisi endur belajar ke utai ke amat maioh enda ditemu aku.
MR. GNMawar.
GOOD JOB!!!
congratulation….!!!
Cheers..n keep in touch
Timmy Ujang,
Not yet….I’d like to.
hello,
Have you ever read this book ” The Bornean Tell thier legend”?
Terima kasih ka cerita, biau serta sampi ka kanatai ka nuan dalam website to.
Aku amat temegah ati laban ulih explore utai bakanya ba website nuan to. Nti kitai ka nanya sidak ka tuai diau di rumah panjai din nyangka utai ka baka to tusah amat kitai ka ulih laban ka terubah nyangka sidak udah nadai, kedua siti-siti rumah panjai nadai tentu bisi orang tuai ka tau amat tentang utai to.
Aku rindo amat ulih meda semua utai ti d publish nuan dalam website to. Nyangka nuan ulih ka nda ngiga tau ka nemu genteran pantun kitai menua(pantun iban) aku rindo amat ninga pantun iban. Nti ulih tau ga selit-selit ka mimit dalam site to.
Thanks
Davis,
Yes….I know both of them. Thanks for your response.
From London, it’s very good to see your excellent website, especially with positive comment from a good friend Colonel Dunstan Nyaring. Do you know Sigai Melina, also at St Augustine and originally from Rh Batu Lintang in Ulu Layar? I guess he’s in the same line of business in Miri.
Good luck in all your endeavours.
You are welcome Shahron. I’ll be happy to assist or advise where required.
Mungkin suatu hari nanti kita akan berjumpa. Sementara itu, teruskan apa yang saudara lakukan sekarang. Setakat ini saya masih dalam proses mengumpul bahan & bajet untuk dokumentari ini. Maklumlah, bukan mudah untuk mencari sumber kewangan untuk tujuan sebegini. Kalau genre popular/hiburan lainlah….
Shahron
Rentap bukanlah pewira Iban yang pertama atau terakhir menentang penjajah. Penentangan terhadap penjajah-penjajah bermula lebih lima ratus tahun awal lagi oleh Ketua masyarakat Iban dan mereka berjaya menentang penalukan atau jajahan bangsa lain. Sejarah masyarakat Iban adalah lebih dalam daripada apa yang pernah di baca masyarakat umum.
Apa khabar?
Walaupun bukan berketurunan Iban, saya amat tertarik dengan kisah Rentap. Ketika mencari bahan mengenai Rentaplah saya terjumpa laman saudara. Menarik dan informatif cuma agak malag kerana saya tidak dapat memahami bahasa Iban. Bagaimanapun, apa yang saudara lakukan amatlah berharga buat warisan generasi akan datang.
Pinta saya cuma satu. Setakat ini saya tidak dapat menbaca@mengetahui mengenai perjuangan Rentap menentang penjajah secara detail. Andai tidak keberatan, saya memohon agar saudara dapat mencadangkan buku atau individu yang dapat membantu saya dalam soal ini kerana saya berminat untuk membuat dokumentari mengenai pejuang-pejuang negara ini.
Sekian & salam hormat.
Shahron Nizan
013 206 3001
Wilson Nai,
Arap ka nuan mujur dalam pelajar & pengawa nuan.
Tabi aya,
Amat berasai temegah ati aku nyadi anak iban labn utai ti digaga aya tu…nt aya nadai nerang ka utai baka tu ba website tentu nembiak rebak baru enda ngelala leka main bansa diri empu,laban ke udah tinggang pemansang main moden ke bukai….
Tambah ka nya mega nt bc utai baka tu tentu lebih senang kami ka ngaga keja ti besangkut paut ngau adat bansa kitai kelama…Ngena peluang tu aku ngucap ka Syabas enggau tahniah ka nuan aya..
Nadai jaku bukai…terima kasih lalu majak mansang ka mua agi…idup iban!!
ari aku,
wilson nai(politeknik kuching sarawak)
Keterubah meri tabi basa ngagai penulis web tu ianya Gregory Nyanggau. Nuan udah mantai ka semua penemu nuan ba asal bansa Iban kelia. Manah amat pengawa tu, dikena nuan meri penerang pasal bansa Iban. Diatu mayuh urang ngaga pansik ba anthropology bansa Iban. Sida tu ukai bansa Iban, tang sida ia bansa urang putih tauka bansa ribai ka udah merintah kitai dulu kelia. Endang udah maya kitai ka bansa Iban patut ngaga pansik ba tusun bagi penemu pasal siti bansa. Penemu tu mai urang ngelala bansa kitai. Tambah mega mayuh bansa bukai belajar ka cara bejaku, idup, serta mayuh ka bukai pasal bansa kitai dikena sida ngaga tesis (thesis) dalam anthropolgy. Angka ke diatu bedau aku tetemu ka pansik anthropology bansa kitai digaga bala urang ke landik ba menua kitai di Malaysia ditu. Diatu engka udah bisi tang nadai mayuh pelaba aku. Laban bansa kitai ngembuan adat asal tauka budaya ke unik enti dibanding enggau bansa dayak ke diau ba kampung Amazon din, taja pan sama diau ba dalam kampung. Nya aja meh dulu penemu aku. Enti agi bisi, ila mantai ka baru. Ngelak ka urang bukai mega meh mantai ka penemu diri.
Manah amat pengawa nuan mantai website tu. Laban website tu ngerembai ka penemu urang mayuh dalam bansa Iban. Tang mayuh agi utai ke tau disengkaum dalam website tu. Kenyau ari suba bansa Iban endang udah dipansik ulih bala profesor ari menua bukai. Nyalai patut amat web baka tu digaga. Awak ka nuan terus enggau mayuh info berita. Diatu patut kitai mansik serta nengkebang cerita pasal bansa Iban, laban kitai diatu mayuh urang ke landik ba pasal anthropology bansa kitai.
Thanks Juspine.
Tabi Tuai,
Sehari tu aku ngelawa baru ngagai ruai nuan. Ukai aku ta luba-luba mantaika pemandai diri, ukai ga aku changka ngerusai abi jari sida aki. Tang ka empikil mimit ba ruai nuan tu Tuai, ninggalka anak penemu ti dikemisi aku ulih aku nyambil beduruk enggau sida Aya Padang ke datai ari Paya Rebuh ke bali nama Kuala Lumpur. Enda besai penemu tu aya semina mesai igi jawa. Baka tu ku iya, nitihka Atur Sepil Iban ti baru semua leka jaku ti ngundan urup ‘u’ enda tau ditulis enggau ‘o’, kelimpah ari leka jaku injau. Ambi ke banding, ‘burung’ enda tau disepil ‘burong’, ‘langkung’ ukai ‘langkong’. Tang enti iya jaku injau baka ‘roh’ tauka ‘bol’ kitai mengkang nyepil iya ‘roh’ tauka ‘bol’ laban iya jaku injau. Aku ngarapka enti nuan nulis kedudi hari ila Aya nuan ulih ngena sistem sepil ti baru tu, awakka kami ba sekula nyamai bekenaka kereban nuan tu. Besai endar guna kereban ba ruai nuan tu ngagai bala nembiak kitai. Kelebih agi 2008 ila laban Jaku Iban keterubah iya dipasukka dalam peresa SPM. TERIMA KASIH.
Thanks Regina. That’s an impact technology have.
Hello Uncle Nyanggau,
What a small world, thanks to technology and the Intenet. I was surfing for all the Ibans “leka jako biau” and came across your blog. Thank you for posting and sharing all these information with us, especially people like me who know few about our “main asal”. Cheer!
You are welcome Melissa. Use it anytime you want.
aku ka meri terima kasih ngagai nuan laban articles nuan tuk maioh nulung ku nembu asignment aku. aku pun thankful laban macha articles tuk meri ku lebih penemu bansa kitai. i would like to appologize if my iban languange and spelling is terrible. but thank you so much coz this articles taught me a lot on iban’s culture and our tradition and heritage.
Thanks Fahmi for using my articles. Good luck in your assignment.
ermm i’m very pleased to thank u becoz ur article help me alot to complet my assignment.im student in u n have to make some research in subject ethnic relation..we have to take that subject no matter what cos we r..
Thanks Sudan.
Glad to know that its very useful to people. Good luck in your research.
GMawar,
Congrats for very informative website. as a journalist and freelance, your info really helps my research. keep a good work! terus mansang !
Thanks Padang.
Arap ka kita ulih publish & distribute bupnya or park it somewhere in your Kementerian website so that it can be easily accessible to people. My only comment on the new spelling system is the use of words which denotes numbers, e.g. sabuah (rather than sebuah), sarumah (rather than serumah), sakayu (rather than sekayu), sabangkong (rather than sebangkong), sarakup (rather than serakup), etc. The rest of the spelling I use is based on how our local iban traditionally pronounced the words e.g. Tarang (terang), kareban (kereban), balakang (belakang), barumah (berumah), etc.
Having said so, I will comply to the new spelling if my publication is for academic purposes. Currently, my priority is to preserve as much data as possible on our Iban traditions, cultures and history. I also would like to preserve the traditional way we Iban pronounce those words …. this explains why the spelling does not jive with the new spelling system …. with due respect to all the accredited Iban language expert out there.
Cheers & keep on communicating with me.
GNMawar
Jaku Puji Terima Kasih Ngagai Nuan Menyadi.
Aku andal sereta gaga meda semua karang ti ditulis nuan ba w/s tu. Semina aku deka madah, diatu udah diatur sempekat berurus lalu negapka sistem jaku Iban kena 01.12.2006. Bup ti di kumbai ‘Sistem Jaku Iban di Sekula’ deka dikeluarka Opis Pelajar Malaysia enda lama agi. Bup tu ngundan sistem sepil enggau jalai jaku Iban (grammar). Sempekat tu udah ditanggam antara mayuh bengkah institiusyen ti bisi nganjung wakil kitai Iban nyengkaum Opis Sapit Kepala Menteri Sarawak, Majlis Adat Istiadat, Yayasan Tun Jugah, Unimas, UiTM, Institut Pematih Pengajar Batu Lintang, IP Rajang Bintangor, IP Sarawak Miri … begulai enggau Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia.
Nya alai kena ngalus lalu empelas karang nuan tu aku ngasaika patut bendar nuan nitihka sistem sepil enggau jalai jaku ti baru tu. Pemacha rebak baru tentu rindu sereta gagit ngena kereban ti udah digaga nuan enti dibali nitihka bup tu.
Ngarapka nuan enggau kita sebilik gerai nyamai lalu lantang belama
Padang anak Luna
Unit Bahasa Etnik
Pusat Perkembangan Kurikulum
Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia.
Tel: 03-88842096
Tabi aya,
Congratulation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! laban nuan udah engkebang ka website tu. Aku rindu amat macha utai ka di adu nuan alam tu. Enti ulih nuan nambah ka maioh agik jerita lama enggau leka main ( pantun,renong, entelah enggau jako sempama). Ngambi kami ka rebak baru ulih belajar ka penemu lama iban.
terima kasih aya
Thanka Uncle DNA….nyamai kita udah retire neh!!!
well done .your late old man would have been very happy at what you done to share this invaluable knowledge ‘some of the contents have authotincated several .rumored opnion.which have been held long since’i am of the opinion that you know more than that you have made known.go on. thanks and regards
manah amai utai di gaga d aya.Mayuh amai utai ti tau dipelajar ka aku ba utai ka digaga d.Ngelama tu aku nadai nemu pasal utai ti bakanya.Enti nyema d bisi ari/puang,arap ka ulih meri mayuh agi utai ti enda di temu aku ngelama tu bakani bejalai ka pengawa gawai siti-siti..
Thanks Mugan. You’re always welcome to use the materials in this weblog. God bless you too & your children.
GNM,
Terima kasih laban bisi portal/web sites ka bisi nyimpan culture kitai Iban. Ila enti aku bisi betemu enggau pengajar bukai tauka ka lebuh meeting aku deka promote ka websites tu ngagai sida. Kati ulih bala bukai meri penemu kitu baka leka main, ensera etc ? Ngambi ka bela bekunsi.
uncle please help!
ulih uncle reply email aku ( calvin_elizabeth@yahoo.com) ti dianjung kau ngagai email uncle gregory.mawar@shell.com.
I AM REALLY AMAZED WITH YOUR EFFORT PERTAINING TO IBAN CULTURAL HERITAGE. I MAY USE SOME OF THE OLD STORIES OF APAI SALOI IN YOUR W/SITE TO SHARE WITH MY CHILDREN (BISI 4) TO PICKUP IBAN SHORT STORY AND ITS VOCAB. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. PLS SHARE HOW YOU COME OUT WITH COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY TREE? GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.