(NUR FATMA
FILZATUNNAFSI BINTI ISMAIL)
(29DUP17F1017)
(29DUP17F1017)
CULTURE IN THE LAND OF HORNBILLS (SARAWAK)
What do you know about culture in Sarawak? Not many Malaysian
knows Sarawak’s culture where there are various cultures according to their
ethnic groups. Before that, I will give a fact about Sarawak. Sarawak is the largest among 13 other states
in Malaysia. Sarawak is located in northwest Borneo Island and bordered by
Malaysian state of Sabah. The capital city of Sarawak is
Kuching which is the largest city in Sarawak. Another cities in Sarawak are
Miri, Sibu and Bintulu. Sungai Rajang is the longest river in Malaysia which is
also located in Sarawak. As you know, James Brooke is the first colonist in
Sarawak. On 16 September 1963, Sarawak and Sabah officially join Malaysia. Tun
Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Bin Mahmud is the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak.
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| Flag (Resources: Wikipedia) |
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| Coat Of Arms Of Sarawak (Resources: Wikipedia) |
ETHNIC
GROUP IN SARAWAK
There are many ethnic groups in Sarawak such as Iban, Malay,
Chinese, Melanau, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu. Each ethnic has its own unique culture.
Such as in marriage, food, cloth, dancing and language. The culture in Sarawak
is one of the attractions that attracted many people to travel to Sarawak. Notable
dishes in the state include Sarawak laksa, kolok mee, and ayam pansuh. The state
is also known for its Sarawak layer cake dessert. Are
you interested to know more about culture in Sarawak? If you are interested
let’s continue. In the same time you can learn the interesting languages of
every ethnic.
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| Mee Kolok (Sources: Pinterest.com) |
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| Sarawak Laksa (Sources: goodyfoodies) |
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| Sarawak Layer Cake |
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| Ayam Pansuh (Sources: Sarawak Gourmet) |
1. MELAYU SARAWAK
Melayu Sarawak is the second largest ethnic in Sarawak. The ethnic Malay of Sarawak is pretty much similar to the Peninsula of Malaysia with the exception of some local dialects commonly associated in Sarawak. There are 3 origins of the Malays in Sarawak: -
Melayu Sarawak is the second largest ethnic in Sarawak. The ethnic Malay of Sarawak is pretty much similar to the Peninsula of Malaysia with the exception of some local dialects commonly associated in Sarawak. There are 3 origins of the Malays in Sarawak: -
1)
Originating from Sumatra and Malaya.
The Malays in Sarawak live in coastal areas. They are
believed to have come from Sumatra (and some other sources also mention the
Malay Peninsula). They started coming to Sarawak from the 15th century.
2) Bruneian
Malay Bride (Sultanate of Brunei).
According to another source, the Malays who live in
areas close to Brunei as in the Miri Division are from the Malay descent of
Brunei. The descendants of this group used the title of Abang (for men) and
Dayang (for women)
3)
Originated from the Dayak people
Who embraced Islam and adapted the customs, culture and way of life of the Malays and the Malay language in everyday life.This group refers to the Malays who live in other parts of Sarawak. The ancestors of these people can be said to be Dayaks who are assimilated to be the Malays willingly after converting to Islam.
They speak using their own language. For example ‘Kitak apa khabar tek?’ means How Are You?. ‘Boleh nolong kamek sik?’ means Can You Help Me?. ‘Kamek’ for I and ‘Kitak’ for You.
Who embraced Islam and adapted the customs, culture and way of life of the Malays and the Malay language in everyday life.This group refers to the Malays who live in other parts of Sarawak. The ancestors of these people can be said to be Dayaks who are assimilated to be the Malays willingly after converting to Islam.
They speak using their own language. For example ‘Kitak apa khabar tek?’ means How Are You?. ‘Boleh nolong kamek sik?’ means Can You Help Me?. ‘Kamek’ for I and ‘Kitak’ for You.
2. IBAN
Iban also known as Sea Dayaks. Christian is the most majority of religion for Iban. Most of the Iban people still live in long house called Rumah Panjai. They speak Iban language among them. For example ‘Nuan’ means You. ‘Nama berita’ means How Are You. ‘Nuan/Di ari dini’ is mean Where Are You From?. They also have their own festival such as Rice Harvesting Festival (Gawai Dayak), Bird Festival (Gawai Burong), Spirit Festival (Gawai Antu). But the main festival for the Iban is Gawai Dayak on 1st and 2nd Jun every year. For food, they will serve Tuak which is originally made of rice, is a wine used to serve guests. Ngajat is their traditional dance. Iban men and women have different styles of ngajat. The ngajat involves a lot of precise body-turning movements. The ngajat for men is more aggressive and depicts a man going to war, or a bird flying (as a respect to the Iban god of war, Singalang Burong). The women’s form of ngajat consists of soft, graceful movements with very precise body turns. Each ngajat is accompanied by the taboh or the body. There are many type of Ngajat such as Ngajat Induk (female dance), Ngajat Bebunoh (hand combat dance normally between two male dancers), Ngajat Lesong (rice mortar dance), Ngajat Ngalu Temuai (welcoming dance-by a group of females). Their traditional food is Sarang Semut, Daun Jabang Goreng, Pansoh (wild meat, fish or vegetable cooked in wild bamboo containers over fire) , Penganan and Daun Jabang Pansoh.
Iban also known as Sea Dayaks. Christian is the most majority of religion for Iban. Most of the Iban people still live in long house called Rumah Panjai. They speak Iban language among them. For example ‘Nuan’ means You. ‘Nama berita’ means How Are You. ‘Nuan/Di ari dini’ is mean Where Are You From?. They also have their own festival such as Rice Harvesting Festival (Gawai Dayak), Bird Festival (Gawai Burong), Spirit Festival (Gawai Antu). But the main festival for the Iban is Gawai Dayak on 1st and 2nd Jun every year. For food, they will serve Tuak which is originally made of rice, is a wine used to serve guests. Ngajat is their traditional dance. Iban men and women have different styles of ngajat. The ngajat involves a lot of precise body-turning movements. The ngajat for men is more aggressive and depicts a man going to war, or a bird flying (as a respect to the Iban god of war, Singalang Burong). The women’s form of ngajat consists of soft, graceful movements with very precise body turns. Each ngajat is accompanied by the taboh or the body. There are many type of Ngajat such as Ngajat Induk (female dance), Ngajat Bebunoh (hand combat dance normally between two male dancers), Ngajat Lesong (rice mortar dance), Ngajat Ngalu Temuai (welcoming dance-by a group of females). Their traditional food is Sarang Semut, Daun Jabang Goreng, Pansoh (wild meat, fish or vegetable cooked in wild bamboo containers over fire) , Penganan and Daun Jabang Pansoh.
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| Long House (Rumah Panjai) |
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| Traditional Dance: Ngajat |
3. MELANAU
Melanau or A-Likou
(meaning River People). Islam is the most majority of religion for Melanau. In
2010, Melanau is the fifth largest ethnics group in Sarawak. Melanau are considered among the earliest settlers in
Sarawak. They used to live
in tall stilt and long houses. The name Melanau was not used by the Melanau to
refer to themselves until recently. They call themselves A-Likou meaning 'people of the river'. They speak
in Melanau language. This language are according by region such as Melanau Oya,
Mukah, Matu-Daro, Bintulu and others . This is an example of language by
Malanau Matu-Daro.’Ko’ means I. ‘Wak No En Mo?’ means What Are You Doing?. ‘Lo Ko Gidu’
means Wait For Me There. Most
Melanau have a 'Bin' (son of) and 'Binti' (daughter of) in their names similar
to the Malays. Their traditional food is Umai (a dish of sliced raw fish with a mixture of onions, chillies,
salt and lime juice). Next Linut/Ambuyat
(a sticky ingredients made from sago starch). What is interesting about this
ethnic group is that they have their own calendar which is Melanau Calendar. Kaul celebrations are celebrated by the Melanau
people in March / April each year in Pengejin month (month of the spirits)
according to the Melanau calendar. This festival is held to entertain the
marines who control the sea. There is a culture still practiced by the Melanau
community in particular involving the death of family members. However, the
practice varies according to district and village.
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| Melanau House |
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| Kaul Festival |
4. BIDAYUH
Bidayuh is the collective name for several indigenous groups found in southern Sarawak that are broadly similar in language and culture. The second largest Dayak ethnic group in Sarawak after the Iban. Originally from West Kalimantan, the Bidayuhs speak a number of different but related dialects.Typical of the Sarawak indigenous groups, the Bidayuhs are well-known for their hospitality, and are reputed to be the best makers of tuak, or rice wine.
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| Traditional Cloth (Men) |
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| Traditional Cloth (Women) |
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| Bidayuh House |
5. ORANG ULU
The phrase Orang Ulu means "remote or upriver people” is an ethnic designation politically coined to group together roughly 27 very small but ethnically diverse tribal groups that live upriver in Sarawak's vast interior. With a population ranging from less than 300 persons to over 25,000 persons, such groups include the major Kayan and Kenyah tribes. The Orang Ulu are artistic people with longhouses elaborately decorated with murals and woodcarvings. They are also well-known for their intricate beadwork detailed tattoos.
The phrase Orang Ulu means "remote or upriver people” is an ethnic designation politically coined to group together roughly 27 very small but ethnically diverse tribal groups that live upriver in Sarawak's vast interior. With a population ranging from less than 300 persons to over 25,000 persons, such groups include the major Kayan and Kenyah tribes. The Orang Ulu are artistic people with longhouses elaborately decorated with murals and woodcarvings. They are also well-known for their intricate beadwork detailed tattoos.
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| Orang Ulu House |
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| Traditional Cloth |
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| Another Culture of Orang Ulu |
CONCLUSION
Culture has great importance. Culture is the identity of the nation, without culture the society is impossible. All races have their own culture. Sometimes you know the culture of every race. Sometimes you need to study for yourself. As you can see, in Sarawak there are too many unique cultures. For your own experience, you can go to Sarawak to learn more about the culture there. The saying goes, far beyond the scenery. At the same time you get new experiences that people may not feel. Moreover, although there are many races in Sarawak but harmonies are always there.
Culture has great importance. Culture is the identity of the nation, without culture the society is impossible. All races have their own culture. Sometimes you know the culture of every race. Sometimes you need to study for yourself. As you can see, in Sarawak there are too many unique cultures. For your own experience, you can go to Sarawak to learn more about the culture there. The saying goes, far beyond the scenery. At the same time you get new experiences that people may not feel. Moreover, although there are many races in Sarawak but harmonies are always there.
