Semban Village-Culture & Forest.

It was going to be my first and like all first times, you just don't know what to expect. But after hiking through the secondary forest, rubber and cocoa orchards I can safely say that it was one memorable experience. The walk along the narrow jungle treks and under the canopy of trees and bamboos, the familiar vegetation and smell and the sound of the river and the waterfall . The place in its entirety is beautiful and so are its people. It felt just like home the village call 'Kampong Semban'.I learnt a lot of interesting things about the Semban Villagers , their culture and their traditions!  You may remember that the people of Semban are in the process of being relocated, which will inevitably result in the loss of many of their existing way of life.  Yet we did find out about many of their rather interesting and sometimes curious traditions and this post I would like to share some of the more memorable ones.

The hospitality of the Bidayuhs in Semban is overwhelming. They shared with us the beautiful produce of their land, made sure we saw and experience all the things we wanted to and even had the doors of their home open for us to visit and take picture .  We totally enjoyed our visit to their village. It was also my first encounter with the Bidayuh’s traditional bamboo smoke pipe.Hookah, a traditional water pipe for smoking tobacco. Made from bamboo, the pipe is half filled with water and the smoke passes through the water before being inhaled by the smoker.They plant they own tobacco leaf.

It was by chance that we stumbled upon a Bidayuh lady, seated comfortably slicing tobacco leaves. The tobacco leaves, harvested from the nearby farm was folded carefully and sliced finely for drying.

Jungle trekking to the biggest and highest Tapang Tree in the village.The tapang tree (aka Mengaris, Honey Bee Tree,Tualang) is a majestic emergent tree of the Southeast Asia rainforests best know for the disk shaped honeycombs which hang from its horizontal branches. Towering above the canopy the tapang can reach 250 feet, or the 30 stories in height.

Mr Sagen also explain on plants along the path to Tapang Tree.

and the history of old part of Semban Village....

Next to Ijok palm, there’s of course the Terap tree where the inner barks are also used for cordage. The Bidayuh seems to prefer the Ijok cordage for general rough use. Nevertheless, coils of harvested Terap and its application can be seen around the village.The ijok is a very useful plant to the villagers in Semban  besides providing an excellent alcoholic drink and gula (sugar) Ijok  its fibers for example has been used for generations as cordage to bind things together. It is so strong that  the villager’s use it to hold together bridges, houses and even floorings. It is useful in mat making too.

The Bidayuh Ring Ladies in Semban, Sarawak

Technorati Tags: Tribe,Culture

 

Get close to the people here who are from the Bidayuh Rasong ethnic and you can feel their warm hospitality towards you. Don’t forget to meet the Ladies of The Ring and the bamboo musician in the village. Take picture with them. There are only a few of them left because some were already get off the brass rings because of the rings sometimes hurting them and it needs a lot job to clean the brass everyday.I was here last week, hosted by Sarawak Tourism Board and the trip was fun indeed, I went together with Jawlinda and Deckson.We stay with Sagen family (Semban Village stay 014-8808123).Sarawak Bloggers Community are happy to play their role to promote Sarawak as Tourist Destination.

Group photo with Bidayuh Ring Ladies

 

Seems that there are only 5 Bidayuh elder women left in Semban village who are still wearing the copper rings. Many years ago, according to Sagen, many women would still be wearing them but slowly things changed and many of the younger generations prefer bracelets and anklets. Things didn’t look promising for the tradition of wearing the rings when even school teachers begin to ban students from wearing them.

 

I didn’t know that Bidayuh women wore copper rings on their arms and legs as a sign or beauty and status until I saw it for myself in Semban. Our guide Sagen did mention it but I never thought much of the rings back then. Now that I have seen them myself, I have to agree that they are most beautiful and in its own way very majestic. The sad thing is that there are only 5 of the women left who are still wearing the rings.

The bamboo musician

I am not all that sure if the rings are made of copper or brass. But an old newspaper cutting in Sagen’s house stated that the rings were actually made of yellow copper. Called Rasung and Ruyang where believed to be obtained from foreign traders 100 years ago and wearers back then are considered to be ‘somebody’. Wearing the rings is more of a personal choice. While they signify beauty and status, the wearer is subjected to physical pain, often having to grow up with atrophied limbs The Bidayuh women came to meet us in their finest. They seem very proud of the rings they are wearing and their clothes have been beautifully decorated with beads of all kind. One thing I also notice is that they go everywhere with their chewing kit, known as ’Lonok’.

  

For someone to wear those rings since the age of 12, and still did everything anyone else did (they still work on their farms even with the rings on!), I would say that these women are really a respectable lot. As the lure of big cities and the prospect of an easier life vacuums away the younger generation from the village, the practice of wearing copper Rasung and Ruyang will soon be a thing of the past. A sad end to such beauty and charm of the Bidayuh’s in Semban.

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 Two (part 2)..

 

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Technorati Tags: adventure,Nature,Waterfall

Last Tuesday, the 22nd March 2011, I was invited by Sarawak Tourism Board for a mountain and jungle trekker to a 4-days/3-night adventure to Kampung Semban  and took up the physical challenge of relentless hours of jungle trekking into the Borneo rainforest.I join Deckson of STB and Jawlinda from Sarawak Bloggers Community.After spending a few minutes at Susukng, we made our way to the next waterfall. It’s not really far from Susukng but already the heat from the walk to the falls has started taking its toll. I personally can’t wait to get myself into the water…need to cool down the body.

 

The area of this waterfall looks like something from a theme park. The cascades look like they were formed by huge ‘strategically’ positioned concrete boulders. In the picture above, if you look closely, there is another waterfall towards the back. And that is not all to it…just a few meters downstream, a beautiful vertical drop reveals itself.

 

 

 Jawlinda calls this a curtain drop, much like the ones she seen in movies where you can go behind the ‘curtain’ into a secret entrance.

 

AQUA Massage in the forest spa.

Mr Sagen & MR Deckson...both give double thumb-up,,mean the waterfall pressure good for body massage.....I like and they shouted "The waterfall was such a blessing on this particular hot day".

It's the moisture and mist from the waterfall. You can access and get close to the waterfall but the moisture would be disastrous to my camera, that's why I couldn't get anywhere near it with our camera.

Let me tell you what will happen to this waterfall in near future:

In recent time, Kampung Semban ('kampung' translated as village in our local dialect) and its surrounding areas including its neighbouring villages have been in the limelight for the wrong reasons. The predominantly Bidayuh Semban village along with three others will eventually make way for the state of Sarawak’s controversial water reservoir project known as Bengoh Dam Project which is due to be completed in the year 2011.

Food always taste good when you are enjoying yourself,while I enjoy exploring my camera lens looking for beautiful scenery.Deckson & Linda  really enjoyed the Bidayuh’s cooking and hospitality and so do I.

Deckson show me the king of fruits...Durian.

The walks to the waterfalls at Semban weren't as tough as I expected but the heat of the day really burnt us.Ha,ha..by the time we got back to the village,we were all exhausted ,in a matter of minutes Sagen offer us barley porridge and durian.What a way to finish a beautiful visit to Semban's two most imposing waterfall.

To be continue...............

Thank You.

 

 

 

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Trip to Semban Village-Day Two (part 1)..

Technorati Tags: Adventure,Jungle Trekking

On day two we are suppose to go for trekking to the summit for sunrise viewing point .It's still raining outside so we skip this trip and hopefully can make it on day three. So to-day trial is heading to waterfall.After breakfast,trekking start to most imposing waterfall 'Susukng' (higest) and the 'Pent'(beautiful) waterfall.According to Mr Sagen ,Semban region have 13 waterfall but the 'Susukng' and 'Pent' is the most imposing waterfall .

My entry here is kind of photojournalist ..more photos then a story .

Heading to waterfall is more then an hour walk and we have to be careful as the trial is still wet .I suggest you buy cheap rubber shoes commonly wear by the local here and its cost you only Rm6.00.Travel light with drinking water recommended (by me).

On our way to the waterfall trial we are being brief of various wild plants,flowers and herb that are found in Semban jungle or I would say its kind of Semban village botanic experience.We even found a kind of local bamboo trap as Semban villagers are expert for hunting wild animal for meat.

This is 'SUSUKNG" the highest waterfall in this region... the word 'susu-kng' mean highest .I can't go closer to the waterfall ,because the surrounding rock is still wet and very slippery and dangerous too..

According to our guide no swimming at this waterfall ...Dangerous...yes, of course at your own risk.

The highest waterfall  'SUSIKNG'..

 

Semban not only interesting because of the seven women .Living surrounded by forests and high mountain itself is exciting to explore. Continue their way of life in everyday life is not easy as I thought, especially for those of us living in the cities.
Imagine, a trip to get to the village if by land is about six to eight hours. Do not dream to go by 4WD or by boat because there was no way. Only a small path that exploited the people using machetes and placed bamboo ladder climbing into the village with the mediator Bengoh, the location closest to the main road...oh my,,I can't forget this..My story is not edited or censor ..My story is my own experience and what i see.

Kampung Seban is a small village of no more than 30 houses with a population of approx 200 people at 3000ft or circa 1000 meters above sea level in the jungles of Borneo, reached only by helicopter ( in extreme emergency) or approx. 5 hours of trekking.If you are purely nature lover,adventures or extreme kind of people ..I would say this is the place.For more info kindly contact Mr Deckson Bundak ,Sarawak Tourism Board Tourist Co-ordinator at

+6 082-410944

+6 082-256301

vic-kuching@sarawaktourism.com

www.sarawaktourism.com 

My story is not ending yet..more photos and my Semban village experience on Part 2.I know some of you maybe interest to see the mysterious of the seven ladies with ring..just watch out.

Thank You.

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.