SABAH and SARAWAK Fest.

Happy Kaamatan( Harvest Festival),to all Sabahan and Happy Gawai to all Sarawakian in Malaysia.
 The Sabah fest is an immensely popular cultural event that is held in the state’s capital city, Kota Kinabalu, in early May every year. This event is usually held as a prelude to the statewide harvest festival, the Pesta Kaamatan, celebrated during the first week of May.
 Gawai Dayak is a harvest festival celebrated by the Sarawak state's indigenous people, particularly the Ibans and Bidayuhs, in their traditional costumes. Ceremonial offerings of various local traditional delicacies and 'tuak' (home-made rice wine) are made to the gods of rice and prosperity. This unique festivity is a 'must-see' occasion for local and foreign tourists alike.
Visit SABAH Tourism Board & SARAWAK Tourism Board for more info.

Citizens of Sibu #2.

This photo snap  at about 05:45 AM.This is Sibu central market,it's give the town a colourful character.It's can be best described as top tourist spot in town.The activities here begin as early as dawn 04:00AM.

This kind of unique in Sibu Town.The VCD/DVD business open as early as 06:00AM.

Another unique scenario in Sibu is the Boat Express Terminal...not BUS Express terminal.

Dedicated government officer on duty & The lonely trishaw.

These three wheeled vehicle locally known as BECA, we can see many of them parked outside the cinema during 60's & 70's.But  now we only see few of them in Sibu Town .

My World Tuesday-A Day Trip to Annah Rais Village.

For virtual tour to other part of the world just visit the home page

HERE

 

Annah Rais belong to the Bidayuh tribe with over 80 families living in the long house.My research is that it had a written history of 175 years and unwritten of 500 years with 8 generation of Bidayuh who lived here.

Annah Rais Village is not far from the Sarawak/Kalimatan Indonesia border as I can see our Malaysian Immigration & Custom office is located there.

A Bidayuh maiden will serve  you a welcome drink  with  their local rice wine "TUAK".

Enter the Village & the long house.

 

Traditionally,the long house is one unit where many families occupy their own space in the divided only by manimal bamboo partition

 

The Head House.............

 

The Skull.........

Just don't miss the HEAD HOUSE...this is must visit house if you are at Annah Rais Longhouse .Perhaps 100 or more years ago head hunting was a common practice.They say the more head you collected meaning you are the most powerful person.

The villagers use traditional sugar cane crush to make sugar cane juice.

Annah Rais Village Hot Spring........

After the long house tour I went to the hot spring which is another 5 minutes drive from the village and followed by 3 to minutes walking through the jungle.

If you have chance to visit Sarawak , don't miss this little adventure ..just e mail me at uncleawang at G mail dot 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.