Sarawakians were once encouraged to catch sharks commercially

Culture

by Patricia Hului - June 17, 2019June 17, 2019

In the 21st century, the idea and thought of encouraging a shark industry here in Sarawak would anger the public, especially environmentalists and conservationists. However 80 years ago, Sarawakians were welcome to catch sharks

The letter banning Anthony Brooke from entering into Sarawak

Culture

by Patricia Hului - June 13, 2019June 10, 2019

In 1946, the third White Rajah Vyner Brooke ceded Sarawak to the British Colonial Office. Rajah Muda Of Sarawak Anthony Brooke, the designated heir, initially opposed the cession along with a majority members of

How the Bornean rhinoceros was hunted to extinction in Sarawak

Culture

by Patricia Hului - June 11, 2019June 11, 2019

In the beginning of 20th century, the Bornean rhinoceros was common in Sarawak. Also known as the Eastern Sumatran rhinoceros or Eastern hairy rhinoceros, it was one of the three subspecies of Sumatran rhinoceros.

A headhunting story told through ngajat in 1871

Culture

by Patricia Hului - June 10, 2019June 10, 2019

The ngajat is a traditional Iban dance in Borneo. It is traditionally performed as a welcoming dance, before and after a war or headhunting trip and to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Just like the

Looking back at Simanggang peace making ceremony in 1920

Culture

by Patricia Hului - June 7, 2019June 7, 2019

After decades of tribal wars between the Ibans in Ulu Ai and the Skrang, Layar and Lemanak, they finally made peace in 1920. To mark the peaceful agreement between these parties, a peace making

What you need to know about the Battle of Tarakan during World War II

Culture

by Patricia Hului - June 6, 2019June 6, 2019

The Battle of Tarakan refers to different actions which happened during World War II on Tarakan island, off the northeast coast of Borneo. The first battle of Tarakan happened on Jan 11-12, 1942 when

What you need to know about the Kedang Expedition 1886

Culture

by Patricia Hului - June 5, 2019June 5, 2019

When second White Rajah, Charles Brooke visited Simanggang in June 1885, the Iban chiefs there complained to him that the Lemanak and Skrang peoples were constantly being attacked by those living near the Kedang

The betrayal of Pengiran Muda Hashim and his family

Culture

by Patricia Hului - June 4, 2019June 4, 2019

Pengiran Muda Hashim (also known as Raja Muda Hashim) has famously gone down in history as the man who sought the backing of James Brooke and his schooner, the Royalist, to fight against rebels

What you should know about Ligitan and Sipidan dispute

Culture

by Patricia Hului - June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

The Ligitan and Sipadan dispute was all over media headlines during the late 90s and early 00s in Malaysia. It was a territorial dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia over islands in the Celebes Sea,

50 things you would understand if you spent your childhood in a longhouse

Culture

by Patricia Hului - May 30, 2019May 30, 2019

Here in Sarawak, we have the blessings of still maintaining most of our cultural traditions including our traditional house, the longhouse. Honestly, it is sad to see some communities letting go their longhouses and