Learning from the Penans in Mulu

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/12/7/sarawak/12424502&sec=sarawak

By Constance Vanessa Victor

Friday December 7, 2012

Off we go: The participating communities all set to embark on their journey to Long Iman, Mulu.

 

KUCHING: A “Traditional Knowledge (TK) Documentation Workshop 2012” was held recently in a Penan village at Long Iman, Mulu, 45 minutes by boat up the Tutoh River (towards the Melinau River), just outside the boundary of Gunung Mulu National Park.

One of the reasons the 31-door settlement was chosen was the villagers’ vast knowledge of the forest and its rich resources.

Organised by the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), the workshop targets the state’s indigenous communities that have participated in the centre’s documentation programme.

Held annually, the workshop functions as a platform where participating communities come together and report on the progress of the project within their respective communities.

The workshop is also aimed at reinforcing the awareness of the community’s representatives of the importance of conserving their traditional knowledge and biological resources, and emphasising the communities’ capacity in documenting their traditional knowledge of useful plants.

This year, an additional component was added to the workshop – the communities were also introduced to how they can identify components in developing homestay programme incorporating conservation of their traditional knowledge.

Taking note: The participating communities preparing for their group presentation.

 

An officer from the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, Joachim Paggang Jabong, introduced the basics of establishing a village homestay programme, while Jeffrey Simun from Mulu National Park spoke on ecotourism and cultural activities that could be incorporated into such programmes.

The community representatives also heard from an operator of a successful community homestay programme, Dawson Ringin, of Kampung Annah Rais near Kuching.

The 36 participating communities came from all over the state - Kampung Semadang (Padawan), Kampung Kiding (Penrissen), Kampung Duyoh Jagoi (Bau), Rumah Changgai (Sg. Tekalit Song), Rumah Joseph Melayu (Balingian), Rumah Skatap (Betong), Long Iman (Mulu), Batu Bungan (Mulu), Palungan (Bario), Pa’ukat (Bario), Long Pelutan (Julau), Ba’Kelalan (Bario), Long Kerabangan (Lawas), Long Telingan (Lawas), Kampung Jebungan (Mukah), Kampung Jemoreng (Matu), Long Ikang (Marudi), Rumah Ajan (Merapok), and Kampung Sual (Simunjan).

The participants were of various ethnic groups such as Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Orang Ulu and Penan.

Deputy Undersecretary for Biodiversity and Forest Management in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, K Nagulendran, officiated at the opening of the workshop.

For Nagulendran, the function would hold special memories as it was the first time that he participated in the workshop in Sarawak.

In his opening address, he stated that the workshop was crucial as it allowed communities to be fully involved in activities and share their experiences with other participants.

Interactive: Mr K. Nagulendran (third from the right) and the participants carrying out the activities during the Traditional Knowledge Documentation Workshop 2012

 

He also commended SBC for organising the workshop in a participating village as it enabled the different communities to carry out hands-on activities and also exposed them to the importance of documenting useful plants.

Carrying out such a workshop within a community also enabled the participation of the younger generation.

He called for similar workshops to be held in other participating villages as well.

Throughout the three-day workshop, the participants were exposed to the components of documenting useful traditional plants found at Long Iman.

They were also tasked to identify elements needed to establish a homestay programme that incorporates traditional knowledge.

Most of the participants found the workshop informative and beneficial.

A first-timer in the workshop, Ketua Kampung Ajan Renang from the Iban community of Rumah Ajan in Lawas, found the workshop an eye-opener and felt that similar workshops should be conducted yearly.

According to Ajan, he had learned a lot from the workshop as he was able to share useful experiences on documenting traditional knowledge with the other participants.

“I will encourage the younger generation in my community to participate in the programme which is facilitated by the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre”, he said.

Meanwhile, Denny Sebom from Rumah Joseph Melayu at Sungai Chenanun Tepus in Balingian observed that traditional knowledge had always been handed down verbally and through observations of practices.

He agreed that proper documentation is vital in order to preserve such knowledge which is very much an integral part of a community’s heritage, other than potentially holding leads to new discoveries in pharmaceutical development and other uses.

Like Ajan, Denny felt that the younger generation should play an active role and pledged to encourage teenagers in his village to come on board the programme, particularly during school holidays.

Raymond Lejau from Long Iman reported that his community had been actively participating in collecting, documenting and propagating plants that they use for food, materials and medicine, since they were introduced to the programme in 2003.

The Long Iman community has established an Interpretative Centre and a garden of useful plants. The documentation committee collects a minimal entrance fee of RM5 per person from tourists who wish to visit the garden. A part of the collection is used to maintain the garden, while the rest is put aside as emergency fund.

The garden also serves the community as an educational centre for their younger generation and acts as their “green pharmacy”.

The green pharmacy cuts down on the time needed to locate and gather plants from the forest when needed. This effort also helps the community to conserve these plants.

According to Raymond, “it is still a long process for the community to document the useful plants as there are still many more plants that were traditionally used by the Penans in the forest of Long Iman”.

Since the inception of the documentation programme in 2001, there are now 13 indigenous communities in 58 locations throughout the state involved in documenting their traditional knowledge.

Those who wish to know more about the programme can call Sarawak Biodiversity Centre on 082-610 610 or send email to biosar@sbc.org.my. — Article contributed by Sarawak Biodiversity Centre

 

 

Natives threaten army with court injunction

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/12/07/natives-threaten-army-with-court-injunction/

Joseph Tawie | December 7, 2012 

KUCHING: Angry villagers in Ba’Kelalan have threatened the Malaysian Royal Army Engineers Regiment with a court injunction if they persist in building the Ba’kelalan-Bario road.

 The construction of the RM40 million road connecting Ba Kelalan to Bario in Sarawak, at the cost of an essential water catchment area has angered local villagers.

“If need be, we will apply for a court injunction to stop the army contractors from proceeding with the road construction,” said Baru Bian, a lawyer and Ba’Kelalan assemblyman.

Bian said that he had written to the chief of the Armed Forces that the villagers did not want the road (Ba’Kelalan-Bario road) as it passes Sungai Muda, which is a water catchment area.

The villagers have instead proposed that road be built from Belingi-Lepo Bunga-Bario. This would then safeguard the catchment area.

“The villagers have objected to the road being built through Sungai Muda as it would affect the water catchment area at Sungai Muda,” he said.

Bian, who is Sarawak PKR chief, said he was disappointed with army’s reply that only a few people were against the road construction while the majority of the villagers were for it.

“The folks in Ba Kelalan wants to protect Sungai Muda because its destruction would affect the lives of about 2,000 villagers from Punan Kelalan, Long Muda, Long Kumap, Long Langai, Long Lemutut, Buduk Nur, and SK Ba’Kelalan, an international award winning school,” he said.

In the letter, the army also said that the few people who rejected the road were the supporters of the Bian and that it reflected a very bad image.

“I have submitted a list of 152 villagers who are against the construction, and I will be calling for a big meeting in Ba’Kelalan on Dec 16, 2012,” said Bian.

“If the army still persists in carrying out the construction, we will apply for an injunction. It is  typical  of the BN mentality to blame the problem on the opposition.”

What about NCR rights?

On the reason given by the army that it is a ‘security road’ having its strategic importance to the forward operation base along the border to Lapo Bunga Cam, Bian said that it appeared that the army refused to listen to the people.

“Are they are serving the people or are they serving their own interest?” he asked.
He also questioned whether the road was properly planned as there was no EIA report and did not appear to involve the state authorities.

“And what about the native customary rights land of the people? Have they been excised out? My suspicion is that the project is improperly done and I urge the army to listen to the people,” he said.
Last month the villagers set up a blockade at Pa’Patar and Arur Lutut which is near the water catchment area called Sungai Muda.

The villagers claimed that contractors had already cleared about a kilometre stretch of the jungle despite their disagreement to have the road built through Sungai Muda.

The villagers told reporters last month that the army had explained to them that they opted for the Sungai Muda route because it is 20km shorter than the Belingi-Lepo Bunga-Bario route, and thus would incur less cost.

The villagers, however, did not buy that story because the Belingi-Lepo Bunga-Bario route is already there and merely needed small improvements, such as culverts.

The construction of the RM42 million Ba Kelalan-Bario Road started on Oct 1 and is expected to be completed by Sept 2014.

Defence minister Ahmad Zaidi Hamidi said army would implement the project under the Blue Ocean Strategy, and the road was a continuation of the 75km Long Luping-Ba Kelalan Road which was completed in September last year.

Tribal Scoops: Traditional Kelabit offering

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2012/11/15/tribal-scoops-traditional-kelabit-offering/

Dave Avran | November 15, 2012 

 

We found the staff to be friendly and attentive while the food was awesome. This restaurant is definitely on the shortlist for the frigglive annual awards.

FOOD REVIEW

 

Sarawak in general is chock full of intriguing and great ethnic cuisine experiences and Kuching’s Tribal Scoops is a gem of a find introduced to us by Kuching socialite Gracie Geikie.

Nestled just next to Tune Hotel at the Taman Sri Sarawak complex and facing the Kuching Hilton, it celebrates the unique food, farming, forest and cultural heritage of the Bario Highlands – one of the last surviving intact traditionally farmed and forested highland watersheds in Sarawak and East Malaysia.

In order to fully appreciate the Tribal Scoops dining experience, a little history and geography lesson is in order. Bario is a village located in the centre of the Kelabit Highlands in the north east of Sarawak, very close to the international border with Indonesian Kalimantan, and 3280 feet above sea level. It is the main settlement in the Kelabit Highlands.

The Kelabit, at approximately 6,000 people, is one of the smallest ethnic groups in Sarawak. Like many other indigenous communities in Sarawak, the Kelabit live in longhouses in the Bario Highlands. It is estimated that only 1,200 Kelabit are still living in the highlands.

The community’s main economic activity is agriculture, mainly growing Bario rice. The cool climate at an average 20℃ enables the residents to cultivate citrus fruits besides rice. Bario is also famous for its high-potash salt and the refreshing, juicy Bario pineapple.



A chat with Tribal Scoops’s owner, Esther Balan-Gala, revealed that as she was unable to find readily available traditional Kelabit food anywhere in the city, she decided to open Tribal Scoops Restaurant to cater to that craving.

Her aim is to promote authentic ethnic food which is healthy and organic yet affordable, while also promoting Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage through the unique and authentic products being sold in her outlet, including Kek Lapis, ethnic headbands, Bario Highland salt and cinnamon, ethnic artworks and crafts, CDs of ethnic Sarawak music and recipe books.

This charitable lady reveals her soft side by allotting space on the walls to showcase artworks by talented but handicapped local artists, and never fails to encourage her customers to support them.

With that rather long introduction, let’s get down to the business of food. We opted for the buffet line instead of Ala Carte, and came face to face with Nubaq Layag which is mashed rice, either red or white, wrapped in a fragrant Isip leaf.

Before we could inquire, Esther explained that in the old days when people went to the farm, they didn’t have plates. So they used leaves for plates and even scoops for soup. We also use bamboo to bake fish and meats, and use them as serving dishes, cups and spoons, she said.



Next up, the Manuk Pansuh which is chicken cooked in bamboo had the wafting aromas of ginger, tapioca leaves and lemongrass, and was seasoned with organic Bario Highland Salt and had the distinct flavor of bamboo. This dish is also known as Pansoh locally.

More tapioca leaves were to be found in the savory Udung Ubih, which was stir- fried with tangy lemongrass.

Tribal Scoops boasts many other ethnic cuisines which are a must-try, such as A’beng (deboned fish), Pa’uh Ab’pa (jungle fern) fish cooked with Dayak brinjal, cucumber and black fungus soup, Labo Senutuq (shredded beef/serunding style beef), stir-fried bamboo shoots, bunga kantan salad and many more delicious dishes all cooked using organic ingredients and flavored with local herbs and spices as well as the mineral-rich Highland organic salt.

Esther stressed that they don’t use MSG in their cooking, their greens are all organic, and that all meat and fish at Tribal Scoops are obtained from Halal suppliers. No pork or lard is used in their cooking.



We found the staff to be friendly and attentive while the food was awesome. This restaurant is definitely on the shortlist for the frigglive annual awards.

Tribal Scoops offers free Wifi, and caters for private functions and events. They can also arrange for activities like rice wrapping demonstrations where participants will learn to wrap their own rice.

Tribal Scoops Restaurant and Snack Bar is located at No.10, 1st Floor, Block H, Jalan Borneo, Taman Sri Sarawak. Tel: 082-234873.

You can also find more at their website. Or their Facebook.

[photo credit: Veronica Ng]

Villagers set up blockades to halt Ba Kelalan-Bario Road project

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/11/12/villagers-set-up-blockades-to-halt-ba-kelalan-bario-road-project/#ixzz2BzoqQHYp

Posted on November 12, 2012, Monday

BLOCKADE: Ba’ Kelalan folks set up a blockade near Sungai Muda.

BA KELALAN: Cheesed off for being kept in the dark by the government and their elected representatives, about 20 villagers in Ba Kelalan set up blockades last Thursday to thwart construction of the Ba Kelalan-Bario Road before it destroys their water catchment area.

The blockade was erected at Pa’ Patar and Arur Lutut, which is near the water catchment area called Sungai Muda.

Villager Paren Padan claimed that the contractors had already cleared about a kilometre stretch of the jungle despite the villagers’ strong disagreement to have the road built through Sungai Muda.

“During a meeting which was held when Lawas MP Dato Henry (Sum Agong) came here, we agreed that the road be built through Belingi-Lepo Bunga-Bario because it would not affect our water catchment area in Sungai Muda.

“However, since then we have not received any more information or official word from the government, Henry nor Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian,” he claimed.

Paren added that his people sincerely hoped that the government would build the road through Belingi-Lepo Bunga-Bario, and urged their elected representatives to keep them updated on the latest happenings.

Construction of the RM42 million Ba Kelalan-Bario Road started on Oct 1 and is expected to be completed by Sept 2014.

According to a Bernama report in September, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zaidi Hamidi said heavy machinery from the Royal Army Engineers Regiment were already in Ba Kelalan to implement the project.

Ahmad Zaidi was quoted as saying that the project came under the Blue Ocean Strategy, and was a continuation of the 75km Long Luping-Ba Kelalan Road which was completed in September last year. That project, like the Ba  Kelalan-Bario Road project, is also a Jiwa Murni project.

The folks in Ba Kelalan are all out to protect Sungai Muda because its destruction would affect the lives of about 2,000 villagers from Punan Kelalan, Long Muda, Long Kumap, Long Langai, Long Lemutut, Buduk Nur and SK Bakelalan – an international award winning school.

Villagers told reporters last month that the Royal Army Engineers Regiment had explained to them that they opted for the Sungai Muda route because it is 20km shorter than the Belingi-Lepo Bunga-Bario route, and thus would incur less cost.

The villagers, however, did not buy that story because the Belingi-Lepo Bunga-Bario route already exist and merely needed small improvements, such as culverts.

Heart of Borneo forests a prized heritage – Kurup

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/11/08/heart-of-borneo-forests-a-prized-heritage-kurup/

Posted on November 8, 2012, Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: The conservation of the Heart of Borneo (HoB) forests is a matter of major local, national, regional and international concern because of the diversity of their unique array of plants and animals.

Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia Minister Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Kurup said at the closing ceremony of the International Conference on Heart of Borneo +5 and Beyond: “Shaping and nurturing Sabah’s future together” at Sutera Harbour Resort near here yesterday that the forests at HoB were also of critical value to the people and countries of Borneo as prized natural heritage and for the goods and services that they provide.

“Hence, the HoB areas must be effectively managed on the basis of sustainable land use planning and implementation with regard to the balance of ecosystem, socio-cultural, economic and political aspects within the respective nations,” he said.

Kurup said the country recognised the importance of HoB initiative, which was in harmony with existing policies, plans and programmes pertaining to sustainable development, land use and conservation, both at state and national levels.

“The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia views HoB as a significant initiative that will directly contribute towards the betterment in forest management and conservation,” he said.
He also assured of the federal government’s support.

“Malaysia reiterates the importance that this initiative be continued to be placed within the government’s sustainable development framework and policy,” he said.

Kurup said the HoB initiative is a conservation and sustainable development programme aimed at conserving and managing three countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

He added that during the signing of the HoB Declaration almost five years ago, the three governments had recognised and committed to a set of measures and actions to ensure the sustainability of our efforts in managing and conserving a large tract of area that cradled the three countries, and which signified a practical and real effort by the HoB countries for the benefit of the future.

‘Include social component in EIA study’

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/10/27/include-social-component-in-eia-study/

Posted on October 27, 2012, Saturday

KUCHING: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study on the Ba Kelalan-Bario road project should include a social component to document and identify cultural and historical sites.

Former Ba Kelalan assemblyman Datuk Nelson Balang Rining said the area surrounding the project was a former settlement of the Lun Bawang and Kelabit communities.

“Features like Batu Sinuped Perupun, Batu Nangan, Batu Barut, Beliau and Abang are found in the area apart from burial sites and old ruins of long houses. There is a request for the relevant agency to couduct such study,” he said when contacted yesterday.

On Oct 23, Balang who is also Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party secretary-general also responded to complaints of locals that the road project would affect the water sources of six villages and a primary school in the area.

The locals said destruction of the water catchment area at Sungai Muda would contaminate their drinking water, and water used for their paddy fields and livestock.

Balang pointed out then that the EIA study must be done as soon as possible and before the government proceed with the construction work. The EIA study should be conducted to make sure the area was not adversely affected.

Construction of the RM42 million Ba Kelalan-Bario road started on Oct 1 and is expected to be completed by September 2014.

The Royal Army Engineers Regiment is already in Ba Kelalan to carry out the project under the Blue Ocean Strategy – an extension of the army’s Jiwa Murni programme. About 2,000 villagers from Punan Kelalan, Long Muda, Long Kumap, Long Langai, Long Lemutut, Buduk Nur and an international award-winning school SK Ba kelalan will be affected by the project.

Current assemblyman Baru Bian claimed that the EIA study had not been conducted yet, so called on the government to listen to the needs of Ba Kelalan folks.

He added that since there was no extinguishment of NCR land status in the area, the (road) route did not have to be fixed and could be modified according to the people’s wish.

Baru who is State Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief, said they were not against development but want the road to benefit the people, not the contractors.

He went on to say that the villagers did not even mind sub-standard roads as long as one of their main water catchment areas in Sungai Muda was not destroyed.

“We have sub-standard roads from Lawas to Ba Kelalan but we don’t mind as long there’s a road. I want to make it clear that the people do not want their water catchment area and jungle destroyed because it is the source of their livelihood,” Baru said.

On the road

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/10/21/248759/

by Chang Yi. Posted on October 21, 2012, Sunday


Penan mothers and early childhood learning 

THE tebung (hollow wood drum) of Bario sounds the wake-up call at 5.30am like clockwork everyday. And indeed it is the clock of the Highlands.

FOR A BETTER FUTURE: A Penan mother walking her child to school in the early hours of the morning.

The beautiful rainforest sound resonates through the forest, rousing the late wakers among the fauna as well as the little children of Bario Asal and the surrounding villages.

The tebung (at least one in each Highland village) also belts out the same wake-up call in the other settlements although not all at 5.30am like Bario. For example, at Pa Adang (a Penan settlement) in the upper reaches of the Lawas valley, the wake-up call is at 6am.

Usually, by this time, many Penan mothers from Aral Dalan will be walking along the lonely path to Bario Asal where their children attend pre-school and primary classes. They walk for one hour (from six to seven) and surprisingly – to many urbanites – will arrive at school fresh and happy. This is a feat not many city people can easily fathom.

After placing their children safely at school, the Penan mothers walk for another hour home. Their next journey (on foot) to Bario is at 11am to pick up their children. After that, it’s another hour’s walk home. Walking long distances is part of Penan life from time immemorial.

Pre-school education in Sarawak and Malaysia in general provides a simple meal cooked by the teachers and teaching assistants. Hence, the Penan mothers do not have to bring lunch packs to their children. Most of the Penan children are underweight. Some even look just three years old – not five!

According to medical doctors serving in Sarawak, Penan children may be small due to various factors like lack of proper nutrition and good healthcare. Genetically, the Penans are small in stature and very fine-boned.

In the early mornings at the Bario Highlands, the temperatures can be as cool as 23 degrees celcius or lower. And it used to be even lower when luxuriant tall trees covered the mountains and no roads were known to the Penans.

The Penan mothers and children who walk to Bario, wear wind breakers or warm woollen clothes. And some of the children are so used to being barefooted that they don’t necessarily wear shoes (most cannot afford shoes anyway).

WAITING FOR MUM: A Penan boy waiting for his mother to pick him up from school.

The mothers I met said they were from Aral Dalan, a Kelabit village now giving them generous space and shelter. Some of these Penans are actually building their huts near the National Park of Pulong Tau. Being nomadic in the past, they cannot say exactly where their original settlement was because they were free to roam and hunt a long time ago.

So far, upon settling down, they are co-existing well with their Kelabit neighbours in Aral Dalan and Bario Asal.

The state government and its various agencies have long been finding ways to identify suitable areas for the Penans, “locate” them and “resettle” them like at Batu Bungan in the Baram.

Geographically, the Penans used to be known or classified as nomadic tribes who moved from place to place in the north eastern parts of Sarawak and the upper reaches of the Limbang and Lawas Rivers. Further south, they were found in the Kelabit Highlands and the Belaga region or the upper Rajang.

Last nomadic tribes

Today, some remnant groups are known to be the last of the nomadic tribes of Sarawak. Several groups have settled down and are receiving good education. About 100 Penans have obtained diplomas and degrees since the formation of Malaysia while one or two are already millionaires.

Bario is a special case because more than 20 Penan families have settled at Aral Dalan, a village about one hour from Bario. According to some villagers, the Penans have moved to this part because their children can attend school at neaby Bario. Besides, the environment near the National Park of Pulong Tau also seems most viable to their lifestyle.

Young Penan parents are sending their children to pre-primary and primary schools in Bario. Moreover, many are fairly comfortable with the kind Kelabits who share the same religious beliefs.

The Penan parents also like the primary school teachers from all parts of the state – Kapit and Sibu, for example. According to a little Penan boy, these teachers are not only caring but can also teach very well.

PART TIME JOB: This Penan girl is working temporarily for the primary school in Bario.

For the very first time, they are interacting and having good social life in school. Furthermore, they can broaden their outlook by participating in everyday learning in the classrooms with children from the other communities such as Malays and even Bidayuhs (children from the Army Camp at Bario).

Several children at the Bario Primary School are of mixed parentage – Kelabit-Chinese and Lun-Bawang-Kelabit.

It is from their primary school experience that the Penan children are able to have a wider world view.

One young Penan girl, now working temporarily at the primary school, said she hoped to get a permanent job with the government. This, she added, would give her and her family a steady income.
She is looking forward to the day when she either goes for further studies or gets a permanent job with the government. She is not afraid to leave Bario for other parts of the world.

THUMBS-UP: These two Penan children walk long distances everyday to attend pre-school in Bario.

According to a professional in Marudi, many of the myths about the Penans are not being debunked. He noted that with better government facilities being provided in the remote areas, more and more Penans are settling down.

Penan parents now realise the importance of keeping their children in school throughout the whole school year as opposed to the common perception that Penan parents will take their children out of school during the fruit season.

Perhaps, this is still being done by some Penan parents in the remotest parts of the state but it is very rare because of changes to their lifestyle, good advice from the community leaders and better educational facilities provided by the government in the interior.

More and more Penans want their children to be educated and get permanent jobs as teachers and government servants after leaving school.

As one Penan mother puts it: That’s why I’m willing to walk four hours everyday to send my two children to school. It’s their future. It’s also my future.

PhD student gives talk on role of design in cultures

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/10/18/phd-student-gives-talk-on-role-of-design-in-cultures/

 Posted on October 18, 2012, Thursday

TRANSFERRING KNOWLEDGE: Reitsma showing the beadwork piece she made while carrying out her PhD project in Pa’Lungan.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Museum Department yesterday organised a Heritage Talk where speaker Lizette Reitsma spoke on the topic of ‘Preserving Traditional Knowledge’ through her PhD project, which aims to explore the role of design interventions as modes of oral history transfer between younger people of indigenous communities.

The PhD student at the School of Design at Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, who has an interest in designing for cultures, said that the project would take a design-led approach, aimed at carrying out research through designs.

The project, she said, can be as valuable for the communities as for the research and was also aimed at building an empathic relationship with the participants of the research, in order to fully be able to design for their needs, wishes and fantasies.

In view of this, Reitsma visited three different communities in Sarawak, namely Ba’kelalan, Long Lamai and Pa’Lungan, in order to explore their ideas on the proposed project.

“Several design objects were used during these visits in order to get to know the community as well as to explore the possibilities,” she said.

“Two of the three communities namely the Penan community in Long Lamai and the Kelabit community in Pa’Lungan seemed very enthusiastic about the project where I documented some of the activities that included photo taking by the communities and transferring of knowledge from one generation to another such as knitting and beading.”

She added that the project was also aimed at discovering whether the communities saw the project as beneficial for themselves.

Whispering Hope

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/10/14/whispering-hope/

by Chang Yi. Posted on October 14, 2012, Sunday


A YOUNG Kelabit girl cried for days when she could not further her education in Marudi. Elsewhere, the Bario Government Secondary School had been set up and she was to join the first Form 1 batch in the new school with the rest of her Bario Primary 6 peers.

NEW HOPE: Rokiah with the Penan children she met while they were walking to the school.

She felt as if her dream of joining older relatives in Marudi and Miri were dashed. However, three years later, upon completion of her Form 3 in Bario, she moved further afield – to study at St Teresa’s School in Kuching.

Her life from thence would be fairytale-like. And dearest to her heart, she was able to help her family in ways she never dreamed of. Instead of becoming a doctor herself, she married a doctor and not only brought up all her younger siblings but put them through college and university. Now, after bringing up her own two children it is time for her to do something for her community in the Bario Highlands.

This is the story of a Bario-born Kelabit lady, PDNR Datin Pearl Jai Mohan (PJK) and District Extension chairman (2012-2013) of Inner Wheel District 330. In West Malaysia, she is often mistaken for a North Indian lady because of her name and their unfamiliarity with the Kelabit ethnic group.

Recently, she and her friends went to Bario to carry out an Inner Wheel Whispering Hope project. They donated six large boxes of materials, including pencil cases and other items, to the Bario Primary School students.The excess luggage (for the donation) charged by MAS was RM300.

Headmistress Dora Tigang was delighted to host a special morning assembly to welcome the three Inner Wheel members – Pearl herself, Rokiah Abdul from the Kota Kinabalu branch and Florence Enau, president of Sarawak Inner Wheel. In Bario, they were joined by Inner Wheeler Joanna Joy.

CARING GESTURE: The Inner Wheel members handing over presents for the students of Bario Primary School to headmistress Dora.

The morning assembly gave the ladies the opportunity to speak from their hearts to the children.
Pearl told her own story of how she aimed high and how she has been able to give back to her beloved homeland.

Why was she giving pencils, for instance? When she was in primary school, she had to be creative in using pencils down to the last centimetre by using the stalk of ‘resam’ to extend her pencil. She had blisters in her little finger because she was writing with short pencils. Nowadays, she values pencils more than ever.

The disciplined primary school children, all sitting cross legged on the floor of the wooden Astaka (open assembly hall), were awestruck by her gracious presence and her short but effective speech.

Rokiah advised the students to study hard so that they could become pilots and doctors. She advised them to stay healthy and be active.

TEA BREAK: Having afternoon tea with Marilyn, sister of popular Kelabit doctor Dr Roland Mattu whose children are working in KL.

Florence, who spoke in English, advised them to learn English and go far, saying anyone could do this if they worked and studied hard and believed in themselves.

According to Dora, the children were very good in both Bahasa Malaysia and English because they and their parents were very enthusiastic about learning English. Tourists who come to Bario also help to open the minds of the people to the outside world.

At the end of the assembly, the students showed their appreciation in the Bario student way – clap clap clap clap … muah muah muah muah.

Still barefoot

“Many of the Penan students are still not wearing shoes,” remarked the observant Pearl.

She was already thinking of how to send school shoes to them.

The Penan students, in particular at the primary school level, are boarders. School mothers or student hostel administrators look after them and give them a good boarding programme of food and accommodation.

Food is prepared by a local Kelabit cook in the employ of the Sarawak government who has worked here for six years. By 11 o’clock, he has already prepared a balanced meal of curry chicken and a local vegetable with fragrant rice. Rice is fresh from the farm whenever parents bring extra rice to share.

Lovely children

The ladies also visited the pre-school department and met the lovely little Penan and Kelabit children – almost all of them undersized and dressed in a variety of clothing.

The favourite garb was long pants with an overly long dress and a sweat shirt on top. Pink is definitely the ‘in’ colour for the girls and blue of various shades for the boys. The pre-school teachers see to their snacks and the cleanliness of the classroom. There are 28 of them. Many of these Penan kids have walked one hour with their mothers to the school and they do that for more than 200 days a year!

In a separate project, the Miri Inner Wheel Club, headed by Florence, made a special charity drive and collected items to be donated to the Penans in the village of Arul Dalan. Home essentials like kettles and cooking pots are very much needed by the Penans who live in Arul Dalan, a newly set up Penan settlement about one hour’s walking distance from Bario Asal. Other donations include baby clothes and even a parang. A great essential is canvas which the Penan villagers appreciate.

The Penan children need more clothes and perhaps even special tuition to help them master their lessons in the primary school.

The Penan pre-schoolers have to walk one hour to school and one hour back. Their mothers walk one hour to bring them to school, then one hour back to their homes to do their chores. After that, they walk another one hour to school again, then one more hour to bring their children back home.

It is no wonder these Penan women are pencil-slim. They walk four hours a day just to make sure their children are safe in school and are back home in time to be with the family. Many modern city women don’t do so much on their treadmills!

Pearl and her friends are definitely thinking of more ways in which the Inner wheelers can help. They might see another project coming to Bario in November.

Sarawak Highland Folk Music Festival expects a big crowd

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/10/09/sarawak-highland-folk-music-festival-expects-a-big-crowd/

by Jenifer Laeng, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on October 9, 2012, Tuesday

COMMITTEE MEETING: Dennis (seated, centre), Penan chief Temenggong Datuk Hasan Sui (seated, third right) in a photo call with the organising committee after their meeting at the Resident Office yesterday.

MIRI: The second Sarawak Highland Folk Music Festival which will be held from Nov 9 to 11 this year in Long Bedian, Tutoh Apoh, is expected to draw thousands and also foreign media coverage.

The organiser’s president Dennis Ngau said the festival, held first in 2003, would be a grand event that would not only attract tourists to Long Bedian and other villages in Tutoh Apoh, but would also be used as a platform to introduce traditional music to the younger generation.

“Apart from that, this festival will also be used as a medium to promote unity among the people and also the use of traditional music instruments, especially among the young,” Dennis, who is also Telang Usan assemblyman, said after the organiser’s meeting at the Resident Office here yesterday.

This years’ festival will see various traditional music instruments such as Sape, Satung, Tung But, Sanang, Tawak, Jatung Lutang, Atui and Oreng being used in performances.

“So far, we have about 12 ethnic groups that have confirmed their participation,” Dennis said.

They comprise Petipun Penan Sarawak, Federation of Miri Chinese Association (Long Lama), Dayak Bidayuh National Association Miri (DBNA), Miri Kadayan Association, Sarawak Bisaya Association, Sarawak Kayan Association, Sarawak National Kenyah Association, Miri Rurum Kelabit, Sarawak Lakiput Association, Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Marudi) and Miri Berawan Association.

“If there is anyone or any associations who want to perform during this festival and have yet to register, they are urged to come forward and submit their applications before the deadline on Oct 15,” he said.

The festival is a joint effort between Ministry of Tourism and Long Bedian Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK).

Bario woman elevated as High Court judge

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/09/29/bario-woman-elevated-as-high-court-judge/

by Khabil Kiram. Posted on September 29, 2012, Saturday

Supang and her husband, Geoffry William Mariner.

SANDAKAN: Former Judicial Commissioner Supang Lian, whose humble beginning started in the far-flung village of Paq Umur in Bario, Sarawak, was yesterday elevated to a High Court judge and will return to serve in her native Sarawak as High Court judge in Sibu effective mid-October to replace Justice Datuk Yew Jen Kie.

“Who would have dreamt that an indigenous girl from the rainforest of Borneo from an ethnic group barely 5,000 in number could possibly become a High Court judge?

“One thing is certain and it says a lot for our nation … that the people with a background like mine are given that opportunity,” said Supang in her speech during her elevation ceremony.

She attributes her success to her late father, who imbued her with a strong sense of independence and self-belief.

“My father was among the first Kelabit from the highland to have obtained some form of formal education and at a young age he was recruited into the British Constabulary Force and was stationed mainly in Kuching.

“When we grew up, he spoke of the world far and beyond the mountains and as was then possible in the longhouse setting, he nourished us with a greater latitude to find our own ways in life, for he believed in us and inspired us to reach for the stars,” she said.

Supang also expressed her fondness for Sabah, averring that Sabahans are welcoming, unassuming and friendly, leading her to the discovery “that everyone here can sing and dance.”

She expressed tremendous thankfulness for the position of trust bestowed upon her as well as gratitude to a long list of people, including her Irish husband, Geoffry William Mariner and her other family members, fellow judges and members of the legal fraternity.

FORMADAT’s Trans-boundary Annual Meeting in Bario plants a future for a Sustainable Homeland in the Heart of Borneo

 http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/borneo_forests/news/?206207/FORMADATs-Trans-boundary-Annual-Meeting-in-Bario-plants-a-future-for-a-Sustainable-Homeland-in-the-Heart-of-Borneo

Posted on 18 September 2012

 On the July 25th 2012 in Bario, Miri, YBhg Pemanca Philip Lakai, Paramount Chief of the Kelabit officiated the 7th FORMADAT Trans-boundary Annual Meeting. 

 

FORMADAT is an Alliance of the Indigenous Peoples of the Highlands of Borneo. The alliance is a trans-boundary, grass-roots initiative started by the indigenous peoples in the Highlands in the Heart of Borneo (HoB), which include the Lun Dayeh/ Lun Bawang, Sa’ban and Kelabit. 

 

This year, the meeting was organised in conjunction with Bario’s annual Slow Food Festival, where FORMADAT celebrated with their local members its vision and heritage for their homeland. 

 

Mr. Lewi Gala Paru, Head of Indonesia FORMADAT outlined the vision for a sustainable future for Borneo. “We, the Indigenous People of the Highlands in the HoB, who share a common heritage and a common land as the Lun Dayeh, Kelabit, Lun Bawang, and Sa’ban people, come together in the Alliance of the Indigenous People of the Highlands of Borneo (FORMADAT) to: increase awareness and understanding about the highland communities, build local capacity and encourage sustainable development in the HoB”.

 

The highlands of Borneo comprise the Malaysian sub districts of Bario, Ba’kelalan and Long Semadoh in Sarawak, Long Pasia in Sabah, and the Indonesian sub districts of Krayan and Krayan Selatan in East Kalimantan. This area constitutes one geographical, environmental and cultural land in The Heart of Borneo, which is one of the few remaining places in South East Asia that still holds huge tracts of tropical rainforest. 

 

Penghulu George Sigar, Head of Malaysia FORMADAT, said: “We established FORMADAT in October 2004 as an indigenous organization to facilitate and share information, as well as to discuss common issues and strategies with regard to the future of the highlands. Our missions are to create awareness and understanding about the highland communities, maintain our cultural traditions, build local capacity and encourage sustainable development in the Highlands in the HoB, by protecting our natural resources and traditional knowledge. Our organization has been registered in Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia, and Kalimantan in Indonesia. WWF-Malaysia and WWF-Indonesia has been our partner in helping us on conservation, livelihood and capacity building. We look forward to welcome more partnerships with the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia and other organization to support our initiatives towards achieving our sustainable conservation goals in the HoB”.

In conjunction with WWF-Malaysia and WWF-Indonesia in Bario, FORMADAT planted trees as part of the conservation activities. This year’s tree planting program was leaded by Y.B Dato Henry Sum Agong, Lawas Parliamentarian, and YBhg Datu Ose Murang, Deputy State Secretary of Sarawak.

 

Launched last year by YB Senator Dato Sri Idris Jala, the tree planting program has planted more than 3,000 local species trees such as Meranti, Agatis and many more.

 

Cr. John Tarawe, FORMADAT Coordinator in the Kelabit highland stated: “We, the FORMADAT, are actively promoting awareness on conservation and global warming. In some of our small ways, we promote tree planting and we hope the rest of the world will also do the same. And if everybody do the same, we believe that we’ll have a friendlier planet. We hope to promote ‘one visitor, one tree’ to all the areas in the Heart of Borneo. We love our homeland and want to sustain it”.

 

Dr Henry Chan, WWF-Malaysia’s Head of Conservation for Sarawak Programme said: “The tree planting activity symbolises a continuation of life. As the seedling mature and bear fruit, I hope FORMADAT will also be able to help the members achieve a sustainable future”.

Highlanders gather at trans-boundary meeting

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07/28/highlanders-gather-at-trans-boundary-meeting/

Posted on July 28, 2012, Saturday

FOR YOU: George Sigar (left) presents a Formadat publication to Pemanca Philip while Pak Lewi looks on.

KUCHING: Kelabit paramount chief Pemanca Philip Lakai officiated at the seventh Formadat Trans-boundary Annual Meeting in Bario recently.

‘Formadat’ stands for ‘Alliance of the Indigenous People of the Highlands of Borneo’.

“It is a trans-boundary, grassroots initiative started by indigenous people in the highlands in the Heart of Borneo – the Lun Dayeh/Lun Bawang, Sa’ban and Kelabit,” said a press release issued.

This year the meeting was organised in conjunction with Bario’s annual Slow Food Festival where Formadat celebrated with members its vision and heritage for their homeland.

Head of Indonesia Formadat, Pak Lewi Gala outlined a vision for the sustainable future of Borneo.

He said: “We Lun Dayeh, Kelabit, Lun Bawang and Sa’ban, the indigenous people of the highlands in the Heart of Borneo, share a common heritage and common land.

“We come together in Formadat to increase awareness and understanding of the highland communities, build local capacity, and encourage sustainable development in the Heart of Borneo.”

The highlands of Borneo comprise the Malaysian sub districts of Bario, Ba’ Kelalan and Long Semadoh in Sarawak, Long Pasia in Sabah, and the Indonesian sub-districts of Krayan and Krayan Selatan in East Kalimantan.

This area constitutes a geographical, environmental and cultural land in the Heart of Borneo, one of the few remaining places in Southeast Asia that still holds huge tracts of tropical rainforests.

According to the head of Malaysia Formadat, Penghulu George Sigar from Ba’ Kelalan, they established Formadat in October 2004 as an indigenous organisation to facilitate and share information, as well as discuss common issues and strategies regarding the future of the highlands.

“Our mission is to create awareness and understanding of the highland communities, maintain our cultural traditions, build local capacity, and encourage sustainable development in the highlands in the Heart of Borneo by protecting our natural resources and traditional knowledge.

“Our organisation has been registered in Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan. WWF-Malaysia and WWF-Indonesia have been our partners in helping us on conservation, livelihood and capacity building,” he said.

He said they looked forward to welcome more partnerships with the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia, and other organisations to support their initiative for achieving sustainable conservation in the Heart of Borneo.

Reconsider appeal for extra rural flights — Abang Johari

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/06/24/reconsider-appeal-for-extra-rural-flights-abang-johari/

Posted on June 24, 2012, Sunday

MIRI: MASwings Rural Air Service (RAS) should reconsider the appeal for additional flights to rural areas, especially during festive seasons.

Tourism  Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg said sufficient flights were vital to complement government efforts to promote tourism in rural areas like Bario highlands, Ba Kelalan and Mulu.

“The state-level ministry will collaborate with the Tourism Ministry at the federal level to discuss and look into this matter,” he said when officiating at a food sales to raise funds for Bario Nukenen Festival 2012 at Miri Civic Centre yesterday.

At the moment, MASwings’ 19-seater Twin Otter DHC-6 aircraft has only one daily flight to Bario.
“We hope flight regularity can be added, especially during the festive season or other big events such as cultural festivals. We were made to understand that a flight that carries 19 or less passengers at one time is insufficient,” he said.

Abang Johari said his ministry was also planning to hold discussions with Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) and MASwings to come up with connecting flights to the three main attractions in the northern region: Bario, Ba Kelalan and Mulu National Park.

“We can come up with highland packages and through these, tourists will not only get to visit Brunei, but experience the beauty and hospitality of the three places,” he added.

According to him, Mulu is well known for its unique caves and limestone while Bario had breathtaking mountain views, and Ba Kelalan famous for its hotsprings in Merarap.

Touching on the upcoming Bario Nukenen Festival 2012, Abang Johari praised the effort of Rurum Kelabit Sarawak (RKS) for its commitment in organising the annual festival for the seventh year.

He urged Kelabit residents in Bario to continue producing a variety of products from the highlands, and be more creative to add value to the tourism sector.

“Bario folks are lucky as they have beautiful culture and breathtaking environment. Most importantly, Bario folks must make efforts to highlight and promote their uniqueness to the outside world,” he said.

At the function, Abang Johari announced a RM15,000 sponsorship for Bario Nukenen Festival 2012 while RM5,000 came from the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB).

The fundraising sales yesterday targetted to raise RM40,000 from the festival to be held from July 26 to 28.

Also present at yesterday’s event were Tourism Assistant Minister Datuk Talip Zulpilip; Semariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau; Miri  mayor Lawrence Lai; Political Secretary to the Minister of Energy, Green  Technology and Water, Datuk Sebastian Ting; Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis; RKS president Gerawat Gala and organising chairlady for the fundraising food sales, Councillor Kijan Toynbee.

Kelabits bemoan idle windmills in Bario highland

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/06/23/kelabits-bemoan-idle-windmills-in-bario-highland/

by Philip Kiew, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 23, 2012, Saturday

STILL WAITING: Arur Dalan Longhouse in Kubaan.

BARIO: Bario is also known as Land of the Winds but windmills built in the Kelabit Highlands four years ago have become a white elephant as they are not spinning to produce electricity.

The storage area has been broken into and some of the equipment damaged.

Folk of Arur Dalan Kubaan and Aru Dalan Pa’Tik longhouses rejoiced in 2009 when the four windmills were completed, including a storage facility where the batteries and equipment were kept.

After that, they waited for the windmills to spin so light could be brought to their longhouses.

“They waited for a month then month after month but nothing happened. It is now year 2012, four years after the construction was completed but the windmills are yet to spin,” said Sagau Batubala of Bario.

FOLLOW UP, PLEASE: Arur Dalan Longhouse chief Leju Ibuh @ Maran Ayu @ Mada’ Karuh asking those responsible for the failed windmill project to come back to Bario to enlighten the people.

Village chief of Arur Dalan Kubaan longhouse, Leju Ibuh @ Maran Ayu @ Mada’ Karuh wants anwers, saying those responsible for the project left four years ago without leaving a contact number or address.

Arur wants the authority to enlighten the villagers on what had happened to the project, which was part of the government rural electrification initiative under the alternative power supply programme of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.

This windmill project is the second white elephant after the failure of a mini-hydro dam built in Bario by the government a decade ago.

Longhouses are still dependent on kerosene lamps for light although those with generators can only afford to turn them on for a few hours a night, reverting to kerosene lamps when the fuel sourced from Miri runs out. Night activities in these longhouses are limited and folks tend to go to bed early.

Windmill and solar system to produce electricity to light up longhouses in Bario were considered feasible projects by the authorities.

The only bright spark in Bario is a micro-hydro project for Bario Asal Longhouse, which is sufficient to power basic equipment in the electrification drive of the Kelabit highlands.

The community feels that Bario has plenty of streams and rivers for micro-hydro power stations, which should be pursued more aggressively with the aid of combined funds for solar and windmill power generation projects.

The people in Bario look forward to a reasonable capacity that can provide electricity round the clock to spur the development of cottage industries.

Unesco plans to preserve Kelabit and Bidayuh under programme

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/6/9/nation/11448659&sec=nation

Saturday June 9, 2012

SIBU: Unesco is working to preserve the Kelabit and Bidayuh languages in Sarawak.
State Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said the organisation was undertaking the two projects under its “Endangered Languages” programme.

The two languages were selected because they belonged to minority indigenous communities.
“Not many Bidayuh and Kelabit speak their language in its pure form these days.

“This is especially so in inter-racial marriages where the families opt to speak Bahasa Malaysia or English at home,” she told reporters after opening the National Early Childhood Intervention Conference here, last night.

Fatimah said other minority native groups in the state also risked losing their languages if no effort was taken to preserve and promote them.

She said many of the Kelabit had migrated to towns or urban areas and, in their new environment, the tendency was for them to speak only a little of the original language.

She noted that the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) in Kampung Bunuk, Kuching, was taking concrete steps to preserve the Bidayuh language by getting trained teachers to teach preschoolers to write and speak in the language at a nursery.

The Unesco website states that about half of more than the 6,000 languages spoken today across the globe will disappear by the end of this century if nothing is done to protect them.

Bernama

 

 

There is no Heart of Borneo without its people

http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/indonesia/news/?204628/There-is-no-Heart-of-Borneo-without-its-people

Posted on 08 May 2012  

 

“For us, we are rich and prosperous people. We are not lacking. We plant for rice, we harvest fruits, we take fish from the river, we build our home from forest wood, our medicine comes from forest herbs. We live from the forest. If the forest is gone, so are we.” 
Anye Apui, Customary Chief of Hulu Bahau in Malinau, East Kalimantan

The Heart of Borneo Forum in Jakarta, April 18-20, was aimed at bringing together key stakeholders – including governments, the private sector and civil society – to discuss progress and possibilities in the transition to a green economy in the Heart of Borneo.

The Indigenous communities, with their traditions, knowledge and local wisdom, have been supportive of the Heart of Borneo Initiative, initiating trans-boundary grassroots support and action for the sustainable development of the Highlands. These communities are rich in experience that can contribute significantly to how the community can become involved in the sustainable development of this trans-boundary initiative.

Community involvement in the Forum highlighted the important role civil society can play in moving the green economy from a concept and set of plans to reality.

“We are the heartbeat of the Heart of Borneo. We are the ones you are talking about. Those plans you’re making will affect our life, because we live there,” John Tarawe from Bario, Sarawak-Malaysia, said when he spoke at a session titled Delivering a Sustainable Future for the Heart of Borneo.

Community leaders from the Forum of the Indigenous People of the Highlands of Borneo (FORMADAT), from both the Malaysia and Indonesia sides, joined the stage with representatives from the governments of Borneo. They outlined their vision for a sustainable future for Borneo.

“We, the Indigenous People of the Highlands in the Heart of Borneo who share a common heritage and a common land as the Lun Dayeh, Kelabit, Lun Bawang, and Sa’ban people, come together in the Alliance of the Indigenous People of the Highlands of Borneo (FORMADAT) to: increase awareness and understanding about the highland communities, build local capacity, and encourage sustainable development in the Heart of Borneo.”

During the event, WWF along with the community leaders launched the Human Heart of Borneo, a publication that speaks for the indigenous Borneo people, celebrating their culture and their role in conserving the forests of Borneo. The publication hopes to enable those outside the area to learn, feel and become attached to it – with that, support for the preservation of Borneo culture and nature can be built.