RACES IBAN

The Ibans comprise the largest percentage (almost 30%) of Sarawak's population. Iban is native to Sarawak and Sarawak has the highest number of Ibans in Borneo. Formerly reputed to be the most formidable headhunters on the island of Borneo, the Ibans of today are a generous, hospitable and placid people.

Because of their history as pirates and fishermen, Ibans were conventionally referred to as the "Sea Dayaks". The early Iban settlers migrated from Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo south of Sarawak, via the Kapuas River. They crossed over the Kelingkang range and set up home in the river valleys of Batang Ai, the Skrang River, Saribas, and the Rajang River. The Ibans dwell in longhouses, stilted structures with a large number of rooms housing a whole community of families.

An Iban longhouse may still display head trophies or antu pala. These suspended heads mark tribal victories and were a source of honour. The Dayak Iban ceased practising headhunting in the 1930s.

The Ibans are renowned for their Pua Kumbu (traditional Iban weavings), silver craft, wooden carvings and bead work.

Iban tattoos, which were originally symbols of bravery among Iban warriors, have become amongst the most distinctive in the world. The Ibans are also famous for a sweet rice wine called tuak, which is served during big celebrations and festive occasions.

The large majority of Ibans practise Christianity. However, like most other ethnic groups in Sarawak, they still observe many of their traditional rituals and beliefs. Sarawak Iban celebrates colourful festivals such as the generic Gawai Dayak (harvest festival) which is to be held by all Dayak tribes including Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu regardless of religion, Gawai Umai (Rice Farm Festival) such as Gawai Batu (Whetstone Festival), Gawai Ngalihka Tanah (Soil-Churning Festival), Gawai Benih (Seed Festival), Gawai Ngemali Umai (Farm-Healing Festival), Gawai Matah (Harvest-Starting Festival) and Gawai Basimpan (PAddy Safekeeping Festival), Gawai Kenyalang (Hornbill Festival), Gawai Burong with nine stages (Bird Festival), Gawai Tuah with three stages (Luck Festival), Gawai Tajau (Jar Festival), Gawai Pangkong Tiang (House Post Banging Festival), Gawai Sakit (Healing Festival), Gawai Antu (festival of the dead), Gawai Batambah Bulu (Hair-Adding Festival) and Gawai Nanga Langit (Sky-Staircasing Festival).

It is interesting to note that due to the natural culture of bajalai (sojurn) among Ibans mainly in search of jobs, there is a thriving Iban population of between 30,000 and 40,000 in Johor, found mostly in the area between Pasir Gudang and Masai on the eastern end of the Johor Bahru metropolitan area. Sizeable Iban communities are also present in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, likewise seeking employment. Most will return home during the Gawai Dayak.

RACES BIDAYUH

Bidayuh is the collective name for several indigenous groups found in southern Sarawak and northern West Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo, that are broadly similar in language and culture (see also issues below). The name "Bidayuh" means 'inhabitants of land'. Originally from the western part of Borneo, the collective nameLand Dayak was first 

used during the period of Rajah James Brooke, the White Raja of Sarawak. They constitute one of the main indigenous groups in Sarawak & West Kalimantan and live in towns and villages around Kuching and Samarahan in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, while in West Kalimantan they are mainly concentrated in the northern Sanggau Regency. In Sarawak, most of Bidayuh population are found within 40 km of the geographical area known as Greater Kuching, within the Kuching and Samarahan division. They are the second largest Dayak ethnic group in Sarawak after the Iban and one of the major Dayak tribes in West Kalimantan.

The Bidayuh have a musical heritage consisting of various types of agung ensembles - ensembles composed of large hanging, suspended or held, bossed/knobbed gongs which act as drone without any accompanying melodic instrument

Religion & beliefs:

Bidayuhs are traditionally animist, and vestiges of these beliefs still remain. The British colonial times (known as the Brooke family era) saw the arrival of Christian missionaries, bringing education and modern medicine, the similar process were also taken place in Dutch Borneo in the Dutch controlled side. The great majority of Bidayuh are now Christians, majority of them being Roman Catholic.

Most Bidayuh villages have either a Roman Catholic or Anglican church or a mosque but few villages are Muslims -- rarely more than one or the village would tend to split. The Biatah people, who live in the Kuching area, are Anglican, while the people of the Bau area are Catholic.

Now some renown church also being establish in some villages such as SIB (Sidang Injil Borneo) also called as Borneo Evangelical Church, Baptist Church, Assemblies Of God church and other churches as SDA, Latter Rain.

The Bidayuh of Bau have a unique tradition of hanging the bodies of the dead on trees and leaving them to rot away. The skeletons are left on trees as a reminder of the dead. The tradition is rarely done nowadays.

PESTA BENAK,SRI AMAN

A tidal phenomenon in which the incomin' tide forms
a wave (or waves) of water against the direction of the current,is known as Tidal Bore or Benak in Sarawak. It occurs in relatively few locations worldwide, usually in areas with a large tidal range, typically more than 6 metres, between high and low water. It is a phenomenon that has never been truly understood, althouh the mechanism of its passage and size are fairly predictable.

The main key features of a tidal bore are the intense tubulance and turbulent mixing generated during bore propagation. A tidal bore creates a powerful roar that combines the sounds by turbulence in the bore front and whelpsthat can be heard far away.

Tidal bore or benak phenomenon in Malaysia can only be seen at Batang Lupar, Batang Sadong, Batang Samarahan and Batang Saribas in the state of Sarawak. Sri Aman is situated about 194 km by road from Kuching City. The unique phenomenon of tidal bore occurs in Batang Lupar. Batang Lupar flows from the Klinkang Range to South China Sea with river length of 275 km.

Home to a crocodile a.k.a Bujang Senang

'Bujang Senang' or 'Happy Bachelor' was the name for a huge crocodile that grew to 19 feet and 4 inches. The crocodile is notorious as a man-eating 'monster'. It had a well-formed and worn canines on its huge jaw. 'Bujang Senang' was well known back in 1993, when it went on its killing rampage around the Sri Aman area. The Batang Lupar River, which flows through Sri Aman, still conjures up fearsome images, as it was home to this legendary killer. It was struck down by a shotgun shell in Sg. Pelaban in Lingga Batang Lupar at Sri Aman.

PESTA NANAS SARIKEI (PINEAPPLE FESTIVAL)

Sarikei is known as "fruits basket of Sarawak"and one of the main supplier for vegetables and fruits for Central Region. One of the famous fruits is Sarikei Pineapple. It is for this reason Pineapple Festival was held annually in Sarikei town. During the festival, there are various activities organise by the organiser such as pineapple display competition, pineapple cooking competition, pineapple fashion show and many more. This will be an ideal time to visit Sarikei where you can experiences and sample the sweet and juicy pineapple fruits



There are many species that are popular in Sarikei pineapple. Nana pound, Honey Pineapple, Pineapple Josapin, Pineapple Mustard. Among other areas in Sarikei pineapple penegluaran is an agricultural area, Sg Sawang, Middle Drain, River One, Sg Sageng and surrounding peat. Until now has been associated with the name pineapple Sarikei other products of agriculture such as pepper and rubber.

LAYER CAKE

Sarawak layer cake is a cake / pastry popular in Sarawak. These cakes are very popular during celebrations in Sarawak eg Eid, Christmas, Gawai Dayak, and do not miss the Chinese New Year. This cake has dozens of patterns or pattern and each type has its own unique name created by people who first created the pattern or pattern cake. Prices also depend on the large cake, patterns and difficulty making the cake. So the bigger, the more the pattern, the more difficult to make the cake, the more expensive the price of the cake.

For example: type layer cake 'roll' with the usual pattern, size 8 "x 8" x 4 ", 3.5 kg priced at RM198.00 each. (Price based on one layer cake seller)


Here are some of the types and names layer cake

(i) Type Roll

                                                                  

Kipas

                                                         Batik jawa

                                                      

Kristal

                                                      Bintik-bintik

(ii) Normal type

                                                          Aiskrim Anika

Tulip

         Pua Kumba

                  Ketupat

MANOK PANSOH

Pansoh Manok in which chicken is a type of food cooked in bamboo. This food is traditional food of the Iban community. Supplying the same manner as provided in the peninsula bamboo cylinder.

'Manok' bermaksudd chicken and 'Pansoh' means cooked in bamboo. In the Iban language, known as 'Manuk Pansuh' or 'Manuk Lulun'. Due to this method of cooking originated from the Iban community, then other ingredients other poultry such as pork and fish prepared in the same manner.

FOODS TRADITION SARAWAK

Sarawak is popularly known as the Land of the Hornbill is located on the island of Borneo, which is the largest state in Malaysia. Uniquely Sarawak comprising people of different ethnic Malay, Melanau, Iban, Kayan, Bidayuh, Kenyah and other comprising of about 30 ethnic groups.

As a state with racial and ethnic variations, of course there is a wide diversity of cultures that punctuate the State. For example, customs, traditional games, costumes, crafts, traditional food and so on. Although each ethnic group has its own culture, but it will be one and have an inalienable right to all the people of Sarawak.For example, the Melanau traditional food, the most popular of Umai is favored by all ethnic groups in Sarawak.

At this time, we will share about 10 Popular Traditional Food Sarawak is certainly no stranger to the people of the Land of Hornbills. There is certainly the variety of foods that symbolize Sarawak.

UMAI

Among the Melanau traditional food-based raw fresh fish such as fish blond, black pomfret fish, shark or fish terubuk and prawn. Yet more enjoyable and tasty fish should provide umai with blonde. Huh! Den saliva scrumptious delight umai reminisce.
Umai is not eaten raw, mixed with ingredients such as onion, onion, chilli, lime, ginger and materials other side. Mix these ingredients especially lemon and ginger that 'cook' umai.
Do not be afraid to feel. Wrong-wrong day all must feel wanted again. Try it, do not feel lost hangpa noooo ... Umai, a simple dish and easy to prepare. Best eaten with sago or rice...

The first time anyone new to eat will definitely want more .... try that .. surely good ...