The Legendary of Puteri Santubong and Puteri Sejinjang
Puteri Santubong and Puteri Sejinjang is synonymous with the state. Become a legend since time immemorial. Sarawak Land of the Hornbills famous as the home of the Hornbill.
Princess Sejinjang and PrincessSantubong the two daughters of Heaven. Heaven hath sent his father the king said to the two daughters of the earth to settle disputes the two villages. But before they descend to earth, his father advised in the event of a dispute both the princess and they will curse their abode in heaven and earth. Originally the two princesses was a cousin. When a decline in both the princess to Earth. The villagers were stunned to see a bright light like the sun down in the two villages. Beauty and femininity evident both strands of the princess's face.
Princess Santubong settled in a village Blue Beach and teaching weave fabric while Princess Sejinjang in the village of Sand Yellow teach sorting rice husk with aluk. With these skills both villages become safer without conflict. During this conflict occurs because the system of exchange of goods between villages are not equivalent to the goods carried.
Prosperity in both villages is not sustainable. The presence of Prince Serapi came to see the greatness and beauty of both the princess. Serapi want to know the prince came to the two-ornamental jeweled princess before the Prince Serapi. Both the princess were very impressed and captivated by the helter Prince Serapi, a well-built and evident integrity, as well as Prince Serapi already captivated by the beauty and the beauty of both the princess.
Every day after that meeting. Princess Santubong and Sejinjang expressed a desire to meet each other's hearts. But otherwise is the same passion that is both loving Prince Serapi. Since they had been enemies and bercemburuan each other. With magic princess they both fought for days without stopping. Sejinjang said that she was more beautiful, and more graceful Santubong he said. Sejinjang angrily reached aluk, then the swing in cheek Puteri Santubong that now we can see the curve in the mountains. Only last strength belida Santubong stabbed in the head Sejinjang. Finally both the princess fell down in pain. Then the lightning continued to connect and thunders rolled, and bright light from the sky lift both daughters. The curse continued to make Puteri Santubong fairyland into a mountain while Sejinjang Monkey Island is fragmented. Prince Serapi return sadness disappeared in a mountain now known as Mount Merapi.
This story is just a legend make the country full of hidden meanings for reflection and learn together.
Thus was born the legend of Princess Sejenjang Puteri Santubong and we hear even today.
Puteri Santubong, Puteri Sejinjang,
Penjaga gunung Negeri Sarawak,
Manis sik ada dapat dilawan,
Anak dak Dewa turun kayangan.
Oh……
Santubong puteri bertenun kain malam,
Oh……
Sejinjang puteri menumbuk padi siang.
Satu hari nya dua kelahi,
Beranuk anuk sik renti-renti,
Seorang madah dirik bagus agik,
Seorang sik ngalah walau sampai ke mati.
Udah lejuk nya duak kelahi,
Lalu bertukuk nya duak puteri,
Sejinjang mengayun aluk ke pipi,
Tebik Santubong sampai gituk ari.
Tapi Santubong membalas juak,
Lalu ditikam batang belidak,
Sampei terkena Sejinjang kepala,
Lalu bertabor jadi Pulo Kera.
Kisah Santubong, kisah Sejinjang,
Asal berkawan jadi musuhan,
Kinik tuk tinggal jadi kenangan,
Pakei ingatan sepanjang zaman.
The small town of song,
just over 2 hours from sibu by express boat, is the jumping off point for visiting Iban longhouses on the Katibas river.
The katibas is served by twice daily express boats (times vary), and it is normally possible to get an invite to visit a longhouse from one of your fellow passengers.
Alternatively, the capitol Hotel can usually arrange a guide.
Please not that many of the traditional wooden longhouses in the area are being relplace by modern concrete structuresm so check with the Song District Offive for the lates situation, Tell; 777221.
Accommodation ;
Capital Hotel, 8 song bazaar, Tel: 777264
Katibas Inn, 7 song bazaar, Tel: 777323
Mesra Inn, 31 song shoplot, Tel: 7777777
Sukaramai Inn, 44-45 song new town, Tel : 777686
To be continue.., i'll tell the whole story about katibas river..
First stop on the Rajang, only an hour from Sibu, it's a small riverside town of Kanowit.
This is the furthest point on the Rajang currently accessible by road ( From Durin ), as well as by express boat, and makes a good alternative jumping-off point for visitors who want to spend an extra hour in bed before catching the express boat upriver.
The town centre is formed by three streets of 1930's Chinese Shophouses near the waterfront,
The main landmark is Fort Emma, a 19th Century Brooke Era wooden fort.
Kanowit is virtually untouristed, so don't expect any flashy seafood restaurant, the best cooking they have is done by chinese people from their coffee shops, so just stick your head into the kitchen and ask what they've got.
For adventurous travellers, these coffee shops are also fertile ground for making friends and getting an invitation to one of the longhouses on the nearby Rumah Benjamin Angki Longhouse.
there is also a Homestay Programme at the nearby Rumah Benjamin Angki longhouse.
Accommodation ;
- Harbour View Hotel.
- Kanowit Hotel.
I am sure, most of us heard of Keling, the hero of Panggau Libau, and Kumang, his wife from Gellong.
I am sure too, a lot of us have this question popped off our brain, who are these people of "Panggau- Gelong"? Gods or what huh!!
No, they weren't Gods, but people with special power, above ordinary human like you and me, or i can simply put them this way "Angles."
Intermediate between humankind and the Angles in the sky is a third major category of supernatural, the people of Panggau.
Their domain is said to lie between the visible world and the sky. Thus in myth and ritual liturgy, those who journey to visit the Gods and Goddesses frequently pass through the Panggau and Gelong world to make their way to the homes of the Angle.
They possess supernatural powers and are believe to be capable of metamorphosis. Being great mythical heroes, they are credited with exemplary physical ability, beauty, creativity, skill in craftsmanship and other attributes of humankind.
The patrons of women weavers and male warriors. Their prowess is the subject of vast oral epic literature and acts in ways that further human purposes and this makes them the invisible intermediaries.
During major "Gawai festival", they represent the gawai sponsor in inviting, welcoming and entertain the Gods and Goddesses whom the human bards have called down from sky to bless and participate, unseen, in the ritual of the Gawai festival.
Introducion :
Sibu is the largest port and commercial centre in the Rejang Basin and the gateway to Central Sarawak. Located at the confluence of the Rejang and Igan Rivers, approximately 130km from the South China Sea, Sibu is a thriving modern town with vibrant centre and a bustling, crowded waterfront.
To visitors, Sibu feels more down to earth than relaxed uching. There is still something of the pioneer style about the town, and its people are direct, plain speaking and assertively friendly. Of course, their smiles may be partly due to the belief that Sibu has more millionares per capita than any other city in Borneo.
The mighty Rejang River, almost a mile (1600km) wide, is the dominant feature of the town, and a room with a river view is highly recommended for vibrant impressions of waterfront life. The river view is a source of constant activity, with large ocean going vessels manoevring delicately between speeding express boats, battered river launches and tiny sampans, and Rejang sunsets can be truly spectacular.
Sibu is not only a fascinating town in its own right, with its excellent road, air and river transport links it is also the ideal jumping off point for exploring the whole Rejang Basin, from the coastal town of Mukah to the furthest reaches of the upper Rejang, over 600km upriver.
People :
The resident of sibu are predominantly Ibans, Melanau and Orang Ulu, also Foochow Chinese, originating from the Fuzhou region of southern China, and the town is often referred to as New Fuzhou. However Sibu's ethnic mix is as varied as anywhere else in Borneo, with smaller proportions of other Chinese dialect group.
History :
Until the begining 19th century, Sibu was a sleepy trading settleement in the lower Rejang area, named for the rambutan fruits (buah sibau in the Iban Language) that grew locally. The only significant population was a Melanau village at nearby Kampung Nangka. Sibu's transformation began in 1901 with the arrival of Foochow settlers from Southern China, led by the Reverend Wong Nai Siong. Rev. Wong was a Methodist missionary who sought to find a safe haven for his followers, who were subject to religious persecution in China. Rev. Wong petitioned Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak, who gladly offerred land in the Lower Rejang area in order to develop Sarawak's aagriculture. The first batch of 72 pioneers arrived in 1901, and by 1903 Christian Foochow had made their homes in Sibu. They were later followed by a sizeable groups of Henghuas and Cantonese during the 1st World War period.
The early Chinese settlers planned to cultivate rice, but soon found that the soil was unsuitable for profitable rice farming and turned their attention to pepper, rubber and gambier (a sticky resin formely used in place of rubber).
Despite famine, fever success.
They were capably led by the determined rev. Wong, who was ably assisted by the Hoovers, an American missionary couple who played a major role in the development of Methodism in Sarawak.
By the mid 1920s Sibu began to have the appearance of a fully fledged town.
However disaster struck in 1928, when a major fire destroyed almost all of sibu's predominantly wooden buildings.The hardy settlers simply picked up their tools and built the town all over again, but Sibu was once more severely damaged by second World War, hundreds of local people were killed, not only by the bombing but also by savage Japanese repression of the local Chinese community, who were firm supporters of Chinese Independence and the Nationlist Government of Chian Kai Shek.
Sibu's recovery began in the early 1950s, with the advent of the mechanised logging. The town became the principal centre for the timber industry in Sarawak, and huge fortunes were by enterprising loggers. From the 1960s to the late 1980s Sibu boomed along with the timber trade, and downstream industries such as sawmilling, plywood manufacturing and even shipbuilding were established.
From the early 1990s onwards, the timber industry in Sibu began a gradual decline as more sustainable logging practices were introduced and timber quotas imposed. However the town continued to grow thanks to its strategic importance as the major port and commercial centre for the entire Rejang Besin.
to be continue......
Longhouse are the traditional dwellings of the natives.
These are communal dweillings and many families live in the same longhouse and share their tasks together.
A stay at the longhouse offers a chance to experience this interesting way of life.
Visitors can stay with the Iban and Bidayuh ethnic groups at the following places.
Iban Longhouse tours: Batang Ai, Lemanak and Skrang.
The Iban longhouse tour at Batang Ai is a unique experience to be cherished.
Lemanak River is about four hours' drive from Kuching capital city of Sarawak Kingdom.
Visitors will get an opportunity to journey upstream along the river on wooden longboat, before arriving at the longhouse where many interesting activities await.
Be awed by a blowpipe demostration, see how rise is cooked in bamboo tubes and watch a traditional native dances.
Batang Ai is the site of the 24,040ha Batang Ai National Park.
It is home to the endangered gibbons, orang utans and hornbills.
Just outside the park is the five stars Hilton longhouse Resort, offering longhouse style accommodation with all the trapping of modernity.
Annah Rais Longhouse: Padawan
Live in a Bidayuh longhouse with the locals, savour the local delights and experience their traditional lifestyle.
A trip to the Annah Rais longhouse offers great nature based activities and cultural shows.
Annah Rais Longhouse is situated about 60km or 1hour30minutes drive from Kuching.
Trips mus be pre-arranged.
What you Must do when visit Iban and Bidayu Longhouse:
- Let's try our rice wine "Ai Tuak".
- Trek to a hot spring of waterfall.
- Try a 'waterfall massage'
- Learn how to cook rice and chicken with bamboo tube.
- Go for Bamboo rafting.
- Enjoy a cultural performance.
- Try your skills with a blowpipe.
- See how rice is harvested.
- Try by yoursefl at playing the traditional instruments.
- Savour local fruits and food.
- Learn how to catch the fish with net, bamboo trap and more.
- Join a group of hunting.
- Camping and survive in the jungle.
Mini Info about Ibans :
- formerly known as Sea Dayaks.
- 30% of Sarawak's populations Iban.
- Population 600,00 ( Sarawak only )
- In ancient times they were a strong warring tribe.
- They were branded the pioneers of headhunting.
“The world’s diverse languages should be spoken, celebrated, and preserved…… If nothing is done, these languages and their cultures will die; the result will be an unprecedented loss of linguistic and cultural diversity over the course of this century. But what actually is lost – not only to scholars but also to the world as a whole? Since every language has within it a unique world view and culture, when it dies, we lose something which can never be replaced – among other things, of course, traditional knowledge, history and wisdom“….
Sheldon Shaeffer, The Director of UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education
This portal is themed “The House of Sengalang Burong“, and it is dedicated in honor of Aki Lang Sengalang Burong, the Iban God of War and all the people of “Tansang Kenyalang“. According to the tales and legend of the Iban people of Borneo, Tansang Kenyalang (which literally means “Hornbill’s nest”) is the abode of Bidok Linggar Natar Disenggal Gumbang Besabong, Aki Jugu Menaul Tuntong, Aki Lang Sengalang Burong, which is located in the dome of the sky (datai ari salepai langit landai, baka bingkai gelong tibang). He takes the shape of a Brahminy Kite (or haliastur indus as pictured above) in his earthly appearance to man. He was the eldest of the seven siblings, five boys (Sengalang Burong, Menjaya Raja Manang, Selampandai, Gangga Ganggai or Anda Mara and Raja Sempulang Gana) and two girls (Bhiku Bunsu Petara and Ini Inee), born to a fable hero, Raja Jembu.
Aki Lang Sengalang Burong is also known by his praise name as “Earth Tremor that shakes the land and causes a full moon to fell down. Second name isMangkok Berambing, which gave drink to demon Nising who collapsed and became unconcious (Rentap Tanah Belinggang Menoa, Sedan-Sedan Naban Ka Bulan Tanggar Peranama. Kedua bali nama Bejulok Mangkok Berambing, Kena numi Nising ke luput enda ngeleda)”.
In true Iban tradition, visitors are welcomed with true Iban hospitality. As your host, our ever-popular bard, Lemambang Sampang Gading, has been tasked, on behalf of Sengalang Burong and the people of Tansang Kenyalang, to welcome you by waving a rooster above your head and pray:
“I wave this rooster above your head, Praying to God and the holy spirits, To grant all of us good health, happiness and peace. If your omen is bad, this rooster will make it good. If it is good, this rooster will make it better still.”
“Aku miau kai manok tu, minta ngagai Petara, ngasoh kitai gerai nyamai lantang senang. Enti burong kita jai, manok tu ngasoh iya manah. Enti burong kita manah, manok tu ngasoh iya manah agi.”
As you proceed to my house, you’ll be served “Ai Aus“ to quench your thirst, followed by “Ai Untong“ as our gratitude for your presence and “Ai Basu“ to cleanse your soul, ease your worried mind and to make yourself feels comfortable in our humble home. The drinks you’re served with are made from the best rice grains selected from this year harvest and prepared by our most skillful maidens. If you come to attend a major festival to my longhouse, I would have my team of Raja Berani (most trusted and senior warriors) to performngerandang jalai dance to secure the path you are walking in. Then I command my Bujang Berani (junior and tested warriors) to perform the ngelalau dance to build a spiritual fence around you to protect your soul from straying away so that you may fully enjoy the auspicious occasion. Then I would, once again, wave a rooster above your head to bless you for your well being. I will then serve you with our “Ai Basa“, served by skillful and beautiful maidens to convey my respect and gratitude for your presence in our humble home.
These are just a tip of the Iban hospitality and this goes to show a true Iban people have a lot of respect for people and would avoid words that could cause disrespect for people or invoke the wrath of God. We Iban people believe that every living thing have spirit of their own and deserved to be treated with respect. Even the enemy skull hanging above our heads are fully respected and ceremoniously brought to the greatest Iban bird festival, praised (timang) by our bards and displayed as prized possession. Our ancestor Bejie learned a fatal lesson when he ignored the termites and honey bear to his Tangga BejieProject Kick-off meeting.
Visitors to my simple home is expected to show respect and proper conduct to the house owner and everything therein, no matter how humble they may look. The practice of humility, politeness and respect is always appreciated in an Iban longhouse. I welcome any comment, either critique or appreciation, in good faith. It will be appreciated to keep the house in order and better. No one is perfect and there can never be any perfect answer.
This cyber portal serves as a window to the Iban world. Here you may learn, discuss and have better understanding of the Iban Cultural Heritage. As one of the major ethnic tribe in the island of Borneo and very well known brutal headhunters of the past, the Ibans are culturally and socially often misunderstood people as being backward and uncivilized. A peek into our cultural heritage and history will give a better understanding of how our society have survived, developed and functioned. Readers must understand that there are many more areas of Iban cultural heritage, language, traditions and histories that still needed to be researched on and explored. The information you find here is not an absolute reference material for academic pursuit. Other source of published material, journals, research or studies is required for further cross-references and analysis. Any contributors to this website is very much welcomed and appreciated.
-sources from ( Andrea Ak Nyaring ) thank you for the info.
