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Author: Tom02

Tortoise and the Mouse Deer

The Tortoise and Mouse DeerTranslated by A.C. HaddonThe tortoise and the mouse deer agreed to steal from a neighbouring garden the fruit known as ‘buah mah”(rambutan in Malay). The mouse deer suggested that the tortoise should climb the tree whilst he would pick up the fruit. The tortoise did so

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January 20, 2021 No Comments

Head Hunter Song

This song was translated by the Right Reverend Galvin from the Kenyah people. It was published in the The Sarawak Museum Journal July-December 1962. He states the song is only part of a longer dirge. Head-Hunting Song Up with you! Shout along the length of the house Away and summon

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January 20, 2021 No Comments

This and That # 3

Jelly Fish Processing There are three tools used by the fisherman. The seledok is a long handled scoop net. The penchangkok is like a rake with two sharp prongs on the edge of a long wooden pole while the belat is a long drift net. The season is from mid

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January 20, 2021 No Comments

Love Potions and Sea Cows

Along the coast of Sarawak there were dugong or sea cows. In Malay, they were called sea women. They are extinct or nearly extinct. These animals were thought to be the source of mermaid stories among the Malay fishermen. The Tears of the Mermaid or Minyak Senyongyong are considered to

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January 20, 2021 No Comments

The Rebellion in Sabah

The Rundum Rebellion of 1915 in SabahNorth Borneo was secured via a number of concessions from the Brunei and Sulu Sultanates. To the company, the bottom line was profit driven on how to make North Borneo profitable to its London shareholders. The emphasis on increasing revenue was the full scale

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January 20, 2021 No Comments

Mat Salleh Rebellion in Sabah

The Mat Salleh Rebellion in SabahMat Salleh was a proud and war like pengeran who lived with a following of warlike Bajous up the Sugut River on the East coast of North Borneo. His father was Datu Balu, a chief in that part of the Sugut while his mother was

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January 20, 2021 No Comments

The History of The Chinese in Sarawak

The Chinese in Borneo and SarawakThis long article tells of the Chinese migrations into Borneo and examines the historians positions. I will chronicle highlights some of the major events.The history begins with the Chou Dynasty in 300 B.C. where a historian noted the similarities between the designs on the Dayak

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January 20, 2021 No Comments

Sarawak: American View

An American Describes Sarawak HistoryThe article was written by an American Robert Pringle who also wrote Rajahs and Rebels at the same time. One must be cautious of the bias. The early years of the Brooke State (James) were endlessly tumultuous. The White Rajah succeeded in obtaining Crown Appointments and

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January 20, 2021 No Comments

Baketan, Bisayah, Siteng

Baketan, Bisayah, Siteng There are two papers in the Journal written by Benedict Sandin describing some of the people of north Sarawak. Another history by Tuton Kaboy reports on the Siteng People. The Bisayah of Limbang A quarrel over the fathers estate caused one man to leave the Philippines. He

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January 20, 2021 No Comments

The Ibans of Saribas

The History of the People of Bangkit , Paku, SaribasNote: The houses mentioned in this article are called longhouses. They are built on stilts where each section is like a townhouse with a family living in each one.They share a common porck or verandah.There are several ancient people who lived

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January 20, 2021 1 Comment
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