Riddles of the Dusuns While engaged in husking rice, the Dusun of North Borneo will enliven their work by proposing riddles to each other: 1. It creeps and its path is invisible. (a boat) 2. Digging all day and it digs nothing out. (a paddle) 3. Planted in the morning
All Creatures #81 Betta on Banka A study on three species of Siamese Fighting Fish on the island of Banka in Indonesia indicates they grow longer faster than they gain weight. They also are also genetically very closely related. This information will provide a basis for further studies on the
Chinese Migration to Sabah before World War II The Chinese can date their presence in Sabah to the Han Dynasty(206 BCE to 220 CE). At the time, they were limited to trade missions and travel to the South Seas. There is no evidence of any early Chinese settlements. However, some
Pirates of Southwest Kalimatan The sea people were foreign migrants who established their communities along the coast. Their ethnic background was varied and considerably mixed. Among these was an important group called the Orang Laut, who settled in Kampong Palembang in Karimata Besar. Karimata Besar is an island in the
The History of Pontianak and Sukadana from ~1770-1820 We go to the east coast of Borneo Island and take a look at some of the history there. Riau was connected to the India-Sino-Southeast Asian trade network, also called the Maritime Silk Road. Through various ports, this network connected India, China
King of Borneo Many references in Southeast Asian history refer to the “King of Borneo”, but who was he? Prior to the arrival of James Brooke, one of the White Sultans of Sarawak in 1840, there was no group of people called “Malays”. The people were arranged by others according
All Creatures Great and Small #80 Nasopharynx Cancer Nasopharyngeal cancer, a malignancy associated with the Bidayuh of Sarawak, is strongly linked to the Epstein-Barr virus. The virus is associated with initiating and progression of the tumor. Epstein-Barr virus also stops the immune system from attacking the tumour. International Medical Journal,
This article was very difficult for me to translate from geological English to regular English. It seems like I was looking up every other word. Anyway, here is my attempt to explain the geology of the slice of hills just to the south of Kuching. Karst The swampy coastal plain
How to Spot Old Blue and White Porcelain Because of the countless fakes on the market, it’s important to know what signs might indicate genuine age. Keep in mind: only an expert or laboratory test can confirm authenticity, but these tips can help you decide whether your piece is worth
This essay was originally published in 2001 but was just reprinted in a book in 2026 at the ridiculous price of $149. Dr Brandon Jones was the author and his ideas on animal migration back and forth between Sumatra, Borneo and other parts of Southeast Asia during the last two
Colonies in Sabah Balambangan One of the earliest attempts to establish a foreign settlement in Sabah took place on Balambangan Island, off the northern tip of Borneo. The idea came from Alexander Dalrymple, a British official working for the East India Company. In the early 1760s, he made agreements with
All Creatures #79 Sea Snails These sea snails live in the water along the coast of Sarawak, from the coastal areas to the deep oceans. They occur in large quantities and serve as food for commercial fish, seabirds, and whales. The piece is a comprehensive essay on the snail species