Longing for Iban oldies
I listen to both oldies and contemporary stations. I enjoy listening to current stuff because there’s an energy to it that’s inspiring. – Carole King, American singer-songwriter Many radio listeners of Iban programmes are urging for more song segments featuring veteran retro singers. They yearn for these soothing, at times inspiring oldies. While spending about […]
EP’s perennially inspiring songs
And if there’s any hope for America, it lies in a revolution, and if there’s any hope for a revolution in America, it lies in getting Elvis Presley to become Che Guevara. – Phil Ochs, American singer-songwriter Friday last week would have been our revered idol The King’s 86th birthday. And despite having left […]
Elvis turns 86, forever the king
Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity. – Elvis Presley Most music enthusiasts would empathise with Elvis through his music and his death. But ardent fans and wannabes would gladly connect to their late idol with his birthday. And […]
Inevitable, sickening hospitals
The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease. –William Osler, Canadian physician and founding professor of John Hopkins Hospital. Some may say life begins and ends in hospitals. However, I was not privileged to come to this world there when backwardness of the early 50s left longhouse […]
Contest to seek justice
Truth never damages a cause that is just. – Mahatma Gandhi, anti-colonial nationalist Disputes, especially pertaining to land ownerships among the Ibans of old were usually settled by a contest called “kalam ai”. This literally means “submerging in water”. Many districts in the state decades ago still resorted to this method of settling disputes, including […]
Only sketches, no painting
The painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through. – Jackson Pollock, American painter Scores of interesting sketches are accumulating in my drawer but the inspiration to paint has yet to come. Laziness remains the culprit, a typical quandary of many artists. Any motivation is long overdue. My last […]
A matchless figure
The life of one we love is never lost. Its influence goes on through all the lives it ever touched. – Katie Ashley, author The article that paid tribute to my late friend, Benedict Sandin Attat in this tabloid on his 102nd birthday was certainly enthralling. Nevertheless, entitled ‘Late Iban historian immortalised’, it missed some […]
Iban lingo gets due recognition
Language shapes the way we think, and determines what we can think about. – Benjamin Lee Whorf, American linguist It is heartening to note that Iban language (jaku Iban) has been given due recognition. Starting from January 2007, it has been taught in Sarawak schools as a subject called ‘Bahasa Iban’ and as an examination […]
Weird shamans and mysterious healings
Shamanism is a kind of universal spiritual practice with indigenous cultures around the world, and one important element of it is taking care of spirits. – Daniel Pinchbeck, American author There were some interesting cases pertaining to the fast disappearing unique group of Iban traditional faith healers or shamans. Known as manangs, some of them […]
Two similar, familiar and endeared places
Nostalgia is a powerful feeling; it can drown out anything. – Terrence Malick, American film director There are some striking similarities between Sibu and Penang’s George Town, locally known as Tanjung. Having spent two years as a student in Sibu (1973-74) and subsequently four years in Penang as Universiti Sains Malaysia undergraduate, both have become […]
