Looking back at a punitive expedition to upper Batang Lupar in 1875

Culture

by Patricia Hului - March 19, 2020March 19, 2020

Headhunting was rampant in 19th century Sarawak. In an effort to control the death toll brought on by headhunting, the-then Brooke government sent out punitive expeditions to suppress this activity. Here is an account

5 things you should know about the old customs of Iban divorce

Culture

by Patricia Hului - March 12, 2020March 12, 2020

Many of Sarawakians’ old customs are no longer practiced mainly because they have been replaced with a more uniform judiciary laws. Some proceedings in the olden days did not rely on justice or what

Cultural similarities between Naga people of India and Myanmar regions, and the people of Borneo

Culture

by Patricia Hului - March 6, 2020March 6, 2020

The Naga people are tribes who live in northeastern India and northwestern Myanmar. They make the majority of the population in the Indian state of Nagaland and Naga Self-Administered zone of Myanmar. The Naga

Mandi Rumah, an old Iban housewarming ceremony

Culture

by Patricia Hului - March 5, 2020March 5, 2020

An example of an Iban Longhouse. Dusun Kedungkang, an Iban longhouse located near Danau Sentarum, West Kalimantan. Different cultures have different housewarming traditions as people embark on the next step of their lives, which is

The story of Apai Saloi being a glutton over smoked deer meat

Culture

by Patricia Hului - March 2, 2020March 2, 2020

Here is an Iban legend of comedic hero Apai Saloi being a glutton over smoked deer meat: One day, Apai Saloi took his wife and children to stay at their farm hut. There, he went

How were executions carried out during Brooke’s time in Sarawak?

Culture

by Patricia Hului - February 28, 2020February 28, 2020

Execution of criminals has been used by almost all societies in the world. If you've watched Braveheart you'll know that there were many painful and cruel methods of carrying out an execution throughout history.

How Raja Simpulang Gana became the Iban God of Agriculture

Culture

by Patricia Hului - February 26, 2020February 26, 2020

Who said only the Greek or Germanic peoples had interesting mythology? Here in Sarawak, we too have plenty of intriguing stories of deities and gods. Before we know how Raja Simpulang Gana became the God

How did the name of Sarawak’s capital get changed to Kuching?

Culture

by Patricia Hului - February 25, 2020March 1, 2020

In the olden days, Sarawak's capital was also known as 'Sarawak'. Kuching view. Credits: Pixabay. Why did the second White Rajah, Charles Brooke decide to change Sarawak's capital name to Kuching on Aug 12, 1872? Abang

Tungu Rubi, a Bidayuh reconciliation ceremony

Culture

by Patricia Hului - February 24, 2020February 24, 2020

Tungu Rubi is a traditional ceremony organised to reconcile two parties who are in dispute. Here is an example of how a Tungu Rubi took place in 1953 at Kampung Tapuh in Serian as

The legend of the safflower and the celestial princess of Lingga mountain

Culture

by Patricia Hului - February 21, 2020February 21, 2020

If you are not familiar with the legend of a swan maiden, it is a mythical creature who shape-shifts from human to swan form. The basic story line of this legend is that the