Just a speck of dust
With a lot of push and sacrifices, not to mention going through lows and highs, a person might achieve some degree of success in his or her chosen pursuit, career…
Author Archives: Valentine Tawie Salok
Getting to know true scourge of drugs
Only those who are affected in one way or the other would know the true scourge of drugs, especially if it involves abuse or addiction. An addict may think that…
High praise for Iban language and bards
Iban bards ‘lemambang’ are known for their special sing-song incantation skills. They are a popular group among the Iban tribe, especially those still practising paganism. The most revered of these…
Miraculous healings by Iban shamans
“Don’t ever underestimate our local shaman or faith healer ‘manang’,” said a good friend and cousin Datuk August Buma, who retired three years ago as Sarawak’s director of Labour. He…
Iban leader’s failed skyward journey
At Ketapang close to the tributary of Kayung River in West Kalimantan of old, there lived an Iban leader called Beji. According to stories from our forebears, Beji and his…
Art exhibitions, ‘bad omen’ jinx
Diana used to tell me she had a travel jinx, something I only really started to believe when the plane door fell off. – Neil Gaiman, English author of short…
Frequent blackouts irk Betong residents
SARATOK: Residents of Betong are seeing red over frequent blackouts in the division especially at longhouses in Saratok, Roban, Pusa, and Debak. These residents are certainly displeased by the power…
‘Langkau’ addiction a great concern
As a result of “chap langkau” (locally brewed alcoholic drink) Abuk (not his real name), an elderly grandfather, slipped and hurt both legs when coming out of a bus. This…
Poser over illegitimate longhouse chiefs
Duplication never works for anybody. – Dulquer Salmaan, Indian film actor My encounter with a good friend and former school teacher Penghulu Wilson Alli at a Saratok coffee shop led…
Inventively naming kids the Iban way
Have you heard of fancy names such as Helikopta, Engkabang, Bilun and Jipun? These are products of inventive, sometimes humorous Iban parents when it comes to naming their kids at…