Tembawai Kanyuk TV series premiers today
By Gabriel Lihan KUCHING: A multi-racial film crew made up of Sarawakians has invested heart and soul into producing the first Iban situational comedy television show. It isn’t every day that the Ibans, or Sarawakians for that matter, have their stories magnified on Malaysian TV screens, and so it comes as no surprise that the […]
Iban music has come of age
SIBU: The Iban music industry is now booming with a variety of genres thus demonstrating it is able to hold its own in the musical industry of the country. Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang said, in the last 20 years, the music industry in Sarawak, especially Iban songs, has experienced encouraging development. “Iban songs that […]
Fascinating Lubuk and their names
To be haunted is to glimpse a truth that might best be hidden. —– James Herbert, English horror writer Most pools or lubuk (sometimes spelled lubok) of rivers were named after certain regional terrains, items or happenings/incidents accordingly. These pertain to river sections or stretches that are in close proximity to dwellings of the Iban […]
HDC financing lightens longhouse construction
SIMANGGANG: Loan financing from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has made it easier for the Iban community in the area to build new longhouses. Assistant Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis said each family/door is given a loan facility up to RM30,000. “Today I had a chance to visit the […]
Iban’s deity – given curing skills
Shamanism is the oldest form of communicating and healing. It probably resides in all of us. — Amy Hardie, film producer In the late 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, I came across a number of special individuals who were eminent for their special skills. Thanks to their expertise, they were contributors to the wellbeing and […]
Ibans want Tellian incumbent to be renominated as candidate
MUKAH: The Ibans, especially those living in rural areas in Tellian constituency, still need development and they want a stable government led by the current Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to continue ruling the state so that they could enjoy continuity in development. They want Tellian incumbent Yussibnosh Balo to be renominated as GPS candidate to […]
Tabuan Dayak — bastion of Dayak pride
In the enclave, the strong and the physically perfect survived, but if you were strong, you protected the weak until they had an opportunity to grow into their own power. — Ann Aguirre, American author Long before Sarawak became independent, landless Dayaks from the interior flocked to the wetlands of Tabuan Dayak in search of […]
Keeping alive an Iban traditional drum art
BY PENERANGAN KUCHING: To ensure that an Iban traditional art is not lost to time, several individuals set up an association called Persatuan Gendang Pampat Serta Main Asal Iban Kuching (PGPSMAIK). Founded in 2019, the association has 32 members, including Donald Bada (chairman), Kunyu Mugang (deputy), Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu (patron) and Nicholl Ragai […]
Changing with time but amiability intact
Hospitality knows no gender or race. — Danny Meyer, entrepreneur Most Iban children are taught to be polite and hospitable to visitors, including guests at festivals and events, funerals included. I was no exception and in fact looked forward to occasions where the virtue of hospitability could be exemplified. As such, from an early age, […]
Ibans in Nanga Jagau welcome Abang Johari
KUCHING: The Iban community in Nanga Jagau, Ngemah Kanowit await Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who visits the resettlement area today. His visit to the area will be highly appreciated and welcomed by the local folks. Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing conveyed his appreciation to Abang […]
