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Sample Melanau famous exotic food Lelamas!

MUKAH: The famous exotic food among the Melanau community is not only the reed caterpillar or better known as Si’et among the community here, but another type of edible leaf caterpillar called ‘Lelamas’. It is a type of exotic food that is also very popular in among the Melanau community either in Mukah or in […]

Sekiu oil Matu’s best kept secret

HIDDEN in the Melanau heartland, deep in the shadow of forests along the narrow coastal belt of Sarawak, lies the lonely town of Matu – quiet, calm and serene. The first thing one would notice immediately are the stilt houses in Matu which is a common sight in the area. Despite being a small town, […]

How about some sushi, sago worm sushi?

KUCHING: Ulat Mulong, traditionally a Melanau delicacy in Sarawak, has grown into somewhat of a niche dish on the dinner table. If you have the stomach for it – ulat mulong for the uninitiated, is basically the humble sago worm which is often served fried – then a new twist to this dish may be […]

Mukah abounds with delicious fresh fish

MUKAH: Despite the current fasting month (Ramadan), fishermen in Mukah are still going out to sea when the weather is good. Mukah is famous for its delicious fresh fish. This coastal town, which serves as the capital and the administrative centre of the Mukah Division since March 1, 2002, often experiences bountiful harvest from the […]

Discovery of giant pillars raises questions

BY AINI SELIKANG SEBUYAU: The discovery of giant pillars, believed to be remnants of the Rumah Melanau structure, has raised questions among the public. Located in Sangki, about 5km from Sebuyau, these pillars are taller and bigger than the Rumah Melanau which still exists in Matu. According to Kampung Badong village head Haslimi Hassan, the […]

Melanaus used to live in longhouses

KUCHING: Longhouses are often synonymous with the Iban but a lot of people are not aware of the fact that the Melanau once lived in longhouses too. Dr Jeniri Amir, Melanau Historical and Culture researcher as well as author of the book ‘Masyarakat Melanau di Sarawak’, said that the Melanau community used to live in […]

Rituals behind moving a kelidieng

Hundreds of years ago when the Melanau nobles from Mukah died, the bodies would be placed in a burial pole known as the kelidieng or jerunei. Moving the kelidieng has never been an easy task as it requires a Shaman to perform specific ritual ceremony. “In the past, the Melanaus would drill two or three […]

Replant nyatoh to restore forest ecosystem

MUKAH: Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo suggested that certain timber species such as ‘nyatoh’ need to be replanted here to replenish the stock and restore the forest ecosystem while providing a habitat for edible worms – lelamas. The tree (benyatok in Melanau) itself has dual benefits – provides a habitat for lelamas, a Melanau exotic food […]

Melanau artefact moved to museum

KUCHING: A specific ritual ceremony has been held to move the kelidieng (burial pole) of Kampung Sungai Ud, Dalat from its storage location in Sekama to the new Borneo Cultures Museum. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah officiated at the ceremony on Saturday (Sept 26), whereby Penghulu Yasa Tanbik led a […]

Keeping Melanau art of weaving alive

MUKAH: The art of weaving is in danger of disappearing if appropriate steps are not taken to ensure its survival. Edmund Salman Tuna, who is in his 50s, and his team are among the few in Kampung Seri Tellian (Tellian Tengah) and Kampung Tellian Daya (Tellian Ulu) here, trying to keep the Melanau art of […]