Driving Sarawak Countryside.

Sarikei is a town probably the fifth biggest town after Kuching,Miri,Sibu and Bintulu.The landmark of Sarikei Town is Pineapple.

Betong, Sarawak

Betong is a town and administrative district of the Betong Division in Sarawak, Malaysia, lying in the Saribas area. It was formerly placed under the district of Sri Aman.

I reach Sibu Lanang Bridge at about 12:00 noon.

Who said Sibu doesn't have toll???I need to pay Rm3.00 one trip for small car to use this 1.22km Sibu Lanang Road Bridge.

It was a tiring journey from Kuching to Sibu.I drive my compact 850cc car and the driving started at about 6:00 am .The weather was fine and cloudy giving me wonderful scenery of the country side and rural mountain area of Sarawak.From Kuching to Sibu is about 445 KM and the only dual carriage way(as seen in the above photo)is from Kuching to Serian and Serian all the way to Sibu is single carriage way.

Even thou tiring a trip by land sure giving me a valuable experience in knowing Sarawak(my own place)better.The culture,lifestyle and geographical.Each small town I passed introduce me to the different lifestyle and culture of local people of Sarawak and the town itself.

A few more photos that I snap during my trip to Sibu will be publish on my next post.

Sarawak Malay Gendang

Lovely day ...this Sunday so let's capture the culture and art of the Malay community of Sarawak. So lovely day in Kuching.

The Sarawak Malay community has many cultural activities which are based on custom and culture.Beside its famouse folklore stories,traditional song and games.The community is also known for traditional art which is called B E R G E N D A N G.

Bergendang is a culture and art that is treasured and handed down in the Sarawak Malay community from generation to generation.This activity has its own uniqueness and is an enjoyable past time for old and younger generation in public places.At old time women take their place behind a batik curtain which is put up to separate men from women.They sit where they feel comfortable.
Two or three women will be beating the drums and at the same time they berpantun.They are called tukang pantun or SEH gendang.
A man who plays the violin or accordian will play with the Seh gendang during berpantun or bermukun.

Meanwhile,a group of men will sit outside the curtain,But they will leave some space for dancing or berjoget aka as bertandak in the middle near the certain.They will bertandak with their own partner.

To fulfill the hot request,the tourist joined the dance .
They are so excited with the beat of the drum(gendang) and rhythm of violin.
Free for all Joget...young and old are welcome.So you think you can't dance.

Oh yes....the two pictures above is the training session for paddlers of coming event in Kuching Sarawak.End of July or begining of August is the best time to visit Kuching.The coming annual Sarawak Regatta 2008,Kuching festival and 45th annivesary of Sarawak forming Malaysia will be held on 1-3 of August 2008.

http://www.sarawakregatta.com/

Visiting Bidayuh Gawai Carnival.

GAWAI CARNIVAL 2008 from 21st June-29th June .

This unique event organised by REDEEMS aka The Association of Research and Development of Singai.The carnival held at REDEEMS Centre,Jalan Apar-Segong,Singai Bau.

"Kaya Adat Asar Ke Joman Bauh"(Bring forth Cultures & Traditions to the Modern Era).




Welcome..Please come in.
Handicraft belonging to the Bidayuh tribes from as far a Lundu and Serian.
Ibuk..that how I address her..and She introduce me to her two beautiful daughter.
& capture the Bidayuh beauty.
I really believe that there is a story behind every photo and every one has their own tale of life to tell.Like the young Bidayuh boy here he have his own story to tell.

He is not a members of Lelong.com.my......but Leong Dot Com.
She's beautiful...
The kid enjoy the event.
I'm not a photographer by anymeans but I would say a good photographer is one that captures as the moment is happening. That not me in the picture..just one of our fellow photographer at the event.
I capture whatever I see as I see it.Modern Bidayuh girl at the carnival.

REDEEMS Centre. The Barok.
Sale of handicrafts products.

The maiden of Bidayuh.

Blow pipe games.
Throughout the nine (9) days event,many activities will take place.Sport and games will be organized.

Fresh fruit on sale.

The co-sponsor.

Celcom and Mitsubishi is the co-sponsor.
The collection from the long house.
Many activities to take place.
WiFi,3G no problem ..here and the service provider is ready to serve you with your gadget.
Or try this dragon fruits juice.

I would to Congratulation to the organiser(REDEEMS) for the successfull of organising such a colourfull of the Bidayuh culture.

To all my Bidayuh friends Selamat Onu Gawia Nudu Suo Suo Dep Ingan.

Enjoy the show......

Gawai Dayak Open House Celebrations 2008.

Dayaks display cultural heritge at open house.
I'm not an official photographer for the even and I'm not allowed to enter the main Vip's section.
Most of the photo below are shoot with my Zuiko lens 70-300mm f4.0-5.6.I'm seating together with the crowd.It was a night of grandeur as the Dayaks showcase their cultural heritage through performances by many ethnic groups in Sarawak.
Themed of the event are"Unity Through Culture and Trdition" or "Perpaduan(Segulai Sajalai)Melalui Kebudayaan".
The Chief Minister of Sarawak .So we are in Sarawak must realise that when we are united and the government stable,we can pursue greater development and prosperity.Bla..bla..bla....the speech last about an hour.
Datuk Shafie Apdal.....the speech last 45 mins ...
The 5,000 capacity Stadium perpaduan at Petra Jaya in Kuching packed in the crowd.

Opening ceremonies by VVIP's.I am sure they can can do the winnowing of padi ...as this is where their come from before become VIP's.

Cultral trope which took to the stage with their traditional dance.

PAK LAH..........The speech last about 45 mins or more.....he stayed on until the closing of the event.

The highlight of the event was a musical drama title "Panglima Kulow"which depicted a Bidayuh warrior o the same name who protected his people at Bung Bratak settlement in the old days.
The Kelabit bamboo band from the Baram region in Northern Sarawak.
The VVIP's.
More than 10 Penan girls dressed in traditional attire came all the way from Suai,Bintulu to join the others in performing before the audience.