Trip to Semban Village-The Sun Rising..

Technorati Tags: Adventure,Jungle Trekking

For those who have been to a remote part Sarawak, experienced culture much different and diverse to their own, and felt the joys of the simple life, I think you will all agree that no matter how intriguing the destination, the journey there was the highlight. Nothing less than amazing was the journey to Semban Village,the village above the cloud. That night we were informed that those who wished to see the sun rise would need to wake up at 5’oclock in the morning and take 1750 steps to the top of a nearby hill.

Sunset view from the village of Semban

At 5am,we woke up and ascending to the summit of a hill to see the sunrise.I personally had to do battle with the forces  to haul myself up that morning. I dragged myself up and reached for my head torch, It was still dark  outside.

 Deckson & Linda enjoy the view

The sun rising over Semban’s beautiful landscape . It is one of those moments where you would just be still and wonder how beautiful the world we live in. Clouds can be seen covering the lower reaches of the valley and as the sun rise; its colour of powdery white, almost like cotton wool stretched over the tree tops. For a moment when the sun finally made its appearance, there were just silence among us, only the sound of birds and cameras clicking away.

 

 

The view is spectacular!!!

The “Sun Rising” over Semban’s beautiful landscape it is the one of those moment where you would just be still and wonder how beautiful the world we live in. Clouds can be seen covering the lower reaches of the valley and as the sun rise its colour of powdery white, almost like cotton wool stretched over the tree tops.

 

The air was very fresh and the view was amazing although the sun was blocked out by clouds.

We spend almost 45 minutes at the summit watching sunrise while enjoying fresh hot black coffee.It was early,and having walked for nearly six hours the previous day this was not a walk in the park.  Yes, my dear friends there was more uphill hiking involved. At the summit , soon enough it started to get light and we were looking at the valley below, shrouded in a thick blanket of cloud.  In amongst those clouds was, the village in the clouds.  The early morning hike was most definitely worth the effort. How beautiful the world we live in........

After the sunrise, as we make our way back to the village, we pass by a pepper farm. The villagers of Semban do plant, harvest and process pepper as a livelihood. Both white and black pepper seeds actually comes from the same tree, the only difference is that making white pepper is more tedious and time consuming.

As we walk closer to the village, we started seeing people busy going about their businesses. Some were on their way to the farm while others were busy processing their harvest. The adults were very friendly, greeting us as we meet them.

The village of Semban, located in the upper Penrissen near Kuching is one of the few Bidayuh villages spared from the flooding of the Bengoh Dam. Dubbed ‘the village above the clouds’, Kg Semban is home to the 7 last known surviving women who still wear copper rings coiled around their arms and forearms, a practice that will cease to exist with their passing. This visit to Semban will uncover the beauty of the people, their culture and way of life while we immerse ourselves in their natural, rustic environment.

Among the highlights at Kampung Semban:-

• Crossing bamboo suspension bridges
• Cultural performances by the ladies of the rings
• Traditional parang forging demonstration
• Visit to villagers’ farms and vegetable garden plots
• Stay with local families and sample home- cooked food
• Village tour
• Sunrise watch
• Waterfall hike

Trip to Semban Village-Day One (part 2)..

Technorati Tags: Villages,Jungle Trekking

  

Two hours later after climbing up to one of the mountain  we reached the first 'Rest Hut' at the summit and we meet few villagers there.Oh No !!! its going to rain.

One of the villagers ,she pregnant for seven month, the mother and child have to walk for 3 to 4 hours in the jungle to get to the clinic. I would not prefer to talk about this...What came in my mind is hopefully the mother and child is healthy and in good shape otherwise I am just talking rubbish here about politic in Sarawak.

Semban village view........

 

This is our village stay the home of Mr Sagen Aden...in the photo is STB Tourist Co-ordinator   Mr Deckson . 

 

I would prefer to call this as undiscovered BEAUTY  in our own backyard.The trip to Semban Village is great for individuals who are nature loving,adventure and outdoor obsessed explorer who are constantly hunting for new and untouched location in Sarawak.Beside the beauty of nature that I see around the village ,there are seven women in Semban who still maintain the tradition of wearing brass rings around their ankles and wrists,a unique and illusive cultural practice.In general I would say Semban Village is blessed with lust natural beauty.I come to Semban Village fully sponsored by Sarawak Tourism Board and It is our hope that tourist or local nature,adventure lover are encouraged to visit the villagers and unknown attraction found in Sarawak through the various outdoor activities which lead to a healthy lifestyle.According to our local eco-guide SAGEN ADEN Semban villages had been visited by tourists from Finland,Russia,France and United State.

The Sarawak Bloggers Community led by Cyrildason and the team will be looking into new exciting ways to enhance Sarawak as the ultimate travel destination by doing every tiny bit to promote tourism for our lovely SARAWAK.

Think Adventure,think Sarawak.

 

Sarawak Malay Culture: Bergendang,Bermukun or Nopeng.

Technorati Tags: Culture

When the drum beat, rhythmic dance begins, the poem by women drummers(Si-Gendang) with the male dancer(Nopeng).

 

This Malay culture commonly known as 'burmukun'.
''There is a saying that this show, bermukun or nopeng  are usually held in wedding ceremonies and welcomed the arrival of dignitaries at the villages.
bermukun only involves two people or a pair of men dancing (berjoget) in front of woman drummer who is call si-gendang.

In old days women dancer is not justified at all,but after entering the modern era.people began to be given the opportunity to expand the culture of bermukun and we can see women also dance (bertandak).

I have my own experience attending this bermukun that was during year 70's and those day i found the youth dancing(bertandak) simultaneously.This function normally held in a Malay village house and the dance floor is limited causing the situation looks crowded.If you want to join the bertandak you must have the ability to reply and respond the poem from si-gendang to cut the line of other dancer (Nopeng).
The nearby village youth will join the ceremony and this will last till dawn..well,you know those days there is no restriction.The best part is when the organiser(tenant of the house)will serve you coffee or tea and the cookies 'Roti Keben' and  'roti krekers' type of salted crackers...
However this culture bermukun in the Sarawak village progressively lost in time and people this day at the wedding feast they prefer mini concert or karaoke.

To day if you want to experience the 'berjoget' come to Kuching waterfront and join them every first Saturday and Sunday of every month.

Hadrah is one of the Sarawak Malay Culture.

One more piece of good NEWS today: Firefly Airline is increasing their frequencies to KLIA-KK and KLIA-KUCHING routes to a total of six flights a day and seven flights a day respectively! Check it out at fireflyz.com.my now.

Kuching is a cosmopolitan city,and this is reflected in the faces on the streets.Kuching is home from people from virtually all of Sarawak's 26-plus ethnic groups.Sarawak is a unique and enjoyable tourism destination,and Kuching is the ideal base from which to go exploring.This rich and varied cultural heritage also make Kuching a great place to visit.One of the Kuching Malay Culture is  HADRAH.

The colourful attire and fashions worn by the people while performing hadrah. The performance of hadrah had indeed enlivened the celebration .

 

 

In the past,hadrah was only performs  during weddings,but now it is performed in open and public events,to greet honoured guest.
In a Malay weeding ceremony hadrah is played as the background music.Hadrah is played by some young and old people  and each player holds kompang.