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Category: Iban

Rebuilding Brunei Oilfields

Rebuilding the Seria Oil Fields in Brunei by Serdevi Menon There was a time when the Dayaks(Menon spelling) went to work in the oil fields. This was usually the time between the planting and harvesting of the rice crop. It could also have been the time when a young man

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September 22, 2024 No Comments

Second Sultan Part two

Here is the second part of the second Sultan Tengah of Borneo. The essay explains the origin of gula Melaka, the formation of different silats and the organization of the Malay and Iban armies.

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May 6, 2024 No Comments

The Second Sultan of Santubong Part One

We now proceed with the Second Sultan of Santubong according to our Dukun who recited the story to us. Below, please find the first part of his epic journey. His visit to Kedah is corroborated with an oral history from Kedah.

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April 29, 2024 No Comments

Islam and Santubong

Menu Home Posts Gallery Keris Wood Art Sarawak River Valley About Us Islam and Santubong We now reach a point in history where Islam is introduced and accepted by the rulers of Santubong. The lifestyle change must have been sudden and abrupt from a leisurely existence to one of strict

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April 14, 2024 No Comments

Cannibalism in Borneo

Menu Home Posts Gallery Keris (Gallery) Sarawak River Valley About Us Cannibalism in Borneo Cannibalism and Borneo The Iban or Dyaks began their conquest of Borneo from the Kapuas River and pushed north into the hinterland. Unfortunately, there were already tribes of people living in the areas they wished to

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November 26, 2023 No Comments

Healing in the Iban World

Menu Home Posts Gallery Keris (Gallery) Sarawak River Valley About Us Healing in the Iban World The Pelian Ritual In Sebauh District, Bintulu, Sarawak The Pelian ritual was performed by a shaman and was the only way to cure disease among the Iban. This was before the advent of modern

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October 23, 2023 No Comments

An Iban Tale

Menu Home Posts Gallery Keris (Gallery) Sarawak River Valley About Us An Iban Tale A Bizarre Iban Tale. This story was found in the Sarawak Gazette and included a mixture of Iban and English. I have edited and organized the tale, so it makes sense to the reader.  In the

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September 6, 2023 No Comments

Genetics and Borneo

Who are You? Tom McLaughlin I have been researching the origins of the people of Sarawak for about ten years now. It has been fun but frustrating.   These are my opinions from the research: The Malays came from Taiwan. These people were the indigenous residents and not the current Chinese

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March 22, 2023 No Comments

Non Moslem Kingdoms

Dayak Kings Among Malay Sultans The Kingdom of Ulu Are appears to have been the only non-Islam kingdom in West Kalimatan. Although the Sultan of the kingdom lacked taxing authority, his rule was recognized by many groups in the area. According to several elders, the King of Ulu Are was

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March 11, 2023 No Comments

Iban Cockfight

Cockfighting by Entika Glumbang In the good old days, cock-fighting was carried out on a regional basis in that a few long houses would join together against another team which, consisted of several other longhouses. It was like a game of football (soccer to the Americans). Earning money was never

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January 8, 2023 No Comments
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