Tags archives: tukang rantek

Tanen Tukang RantekMotion Blur In Photographyand a thing or two about it.

Tabi basa everyone! Today’s topic would be on the recent viral photographer that sparked a lot of discussion in local photographer community. However, it is impossible to not share bits of the information about the picture. To avoid triggering anyone, I won’t share the name of that particular photographer. What I want to emphasis here is the learnings.

What Happened?

On 19 June 2022, there was a photographer posted an artwork he called Motion Blur Photography in Malaysian Photographers Community (Official) Facebook Page. There was a lot of people commented on his artwork, among it includes people claiming his artwork induces vertigo, dizziness instead of breaking the rule.

The viral motion blur photography, inviting a lot of criticism.

All of photographers in MPC collectively agree that he was actually trying to imitate Olga Karlovac’s artwork as shown below. But her artwork is totally a different league. You can see Olga’s work in this snapshot below from her Instagram. It is something that we call Impressionist, with motion blur as its main creative method.

Olga Karlovac’s Impressionist Artwork

What’s The Issue Then?

The issue was with his attitude when he responds to the people who comments. He is not open to feedbacks. Not all feedbacks are being accepted openly by him, especially by those who said that his artwork needs more practice and compositioning in framing.

Some senior even commented that there were not rules broken because the one who posted it didn’t even know the rule though he claim that he is breaking the rules.

A lot of people can tell that he is struggling, but he fails to recognise that he needs a lot of work. Instead, he told others that photography is subjective. It is as wide as the ocean. But one senior has a good comeback to that. Because it is as wide as the ocean, a lot of people are drifting away.

How Does He Should Respond?

For me, when someone give honest feedbacks about my artwork, I will thank them, especially when they are my seniors or someone that I admire in photography. I admit that I have a long way to improve in photography. It is also one way for us to be

Let’s Talk About Motion Blur In Photography

In photography, motion blur is considered purposeful blurring of an object in motion in a photo to convey a story. It is widely accepted as a great way to capture movement in a photography.

It can be seen in street photography (a person running in the street), sports photography (player running across the field) or nature photography (bird in motion).

Here are the samples that I have taken:

Aseania Langkawi Dancers In Action. It actually an impressive fire show. But for this post, I only show the motion blur part. Look at the trails of flaming particles.

Offshore Running Man

How To Create Motion Blur?

For this, you will need to fully understand your gears. I don’t care what you are using because fundamentally, it is the same.

Let’s talk about the three main ways to create motion blur, i.e. via:

  1. Aperture Control – Amount of light entering the sensor (from 100% to 2%) – the smaller the aperture size, the less light will hit the sensor, then you can create motion. I usually will play with aperture smaller than f/5.6.
  2. Shutter Speed Control – Sensor’s duration of exposure to light. Use slower shutter speed. Less than 1/120.
  3. ISO Control – Sensitivity to light (e.g. from 100% (base ISO) to 40,000%). Use lower ISO numbers. Less sensitive = better motion blur.

There will be some school of thought that will tell you about intentional camera movement as well, such as spinning the camera, use zoom lens, use tele lens etc. Well, to each their own.

You can also create motion blur in photoshop if you wish to do so. It is possible.

THE GOLDEN RULE of motion blur

Firstly, master the rule of motion blur: anything that moves while the shutter is open will blur.

That’s all that you need to know. But there is a catch.

DANGERS IN MOTION BLUR

If you notice what I have written above, the motion blur should be purposeful. It is not really easy to create a purposeful motion blur, although in theory, it is very easy to create a motion blur. One has to be careful with what they are doing, and when they are doing motion blur. For me, the rule of thumb is to ensure the face of the subject is in focus. Other part of the body can be made blurry. Do refer to the offshore running man picture above.

FINAL WORD

However, whatever I have written here is not the absolute rule. There are literally tonnes of ways to create motion blur, with countless variation that you can pick from the sky. You can also create from the  It basically means that you and I appreciate different things in photography. Feel free to create your own version of motion blur. You can do it. Most importantly, have fun.

Your Tukang Rantek,
Claudius Weson
Follow me on Twitter & LinkedIn: claudiusweson.

Note:
1. Claudius is a freelance photographer based in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.
2. “Tukang Rantek” means “photographer” in Bidayuh Serian language.

POP-VAL’22 RESULTS

Tabi basa & greetings everyone! The long, awaited result is finally here. After online competition for almost two weeks, we finally saw a pattern. The winning of this competition is decided solely by online votes through Facebook and Instagram, where Instagram carries double the points compared to Facebook.

WINNER – PATRICIA & JAY

Facebook: 364 likes, Instagram: 264 likes. Total: 892 points.

Asal: Kpg Riih Mawang, Serian
Lafaz Cinta: Love always protects, trusts, hopes & perseveres.

FIRST RUNNER UP: MELVIN & CURAZON

Facebook: 295 likes, Instagram: 162 likes. Total: 619 points.

Place of Origin: Bintulu & Sibu
Lafaz Cinta: Anything is possible when you have the right person there to support you.

SECOND RUNNER UP: MAXTHEW & CLARESSA

Facebook: 179 likes. Instagram: 204 likes. Total: 584 points.

Place of Origin: Siburan & Serian
Love Declaration:

Lafaz Cinta: “Pepatah “”hanya mampu melihat tetapi tidak mampu memiliki”” menjadi permulaan kisah cinta kita. Mencintai seseorang dalam diam tanpa takut akan kehilangan kerana Tuhan telah menyiapkan yang terbaik bagi umat-Nya yang sabar dalam mencintai. Siapa sangka, tanpa disangka cinta tidak bertepuk sebelah tangan lalu Tuhan mempertemukan kita dan dipersatukan menjadi satu. 

“” Demikianlah mereka bukan lagi dua, melainkan satu. Kerana itu, apa yang telah dipersatukan Allah, tidak boleh diceraikan manusia “” _ Matthew 19:6

REWARDS

The winners will receive a crystal plaque. Please contact me & share your receiving address. The plaque is expected to be completed in one month plus time.

Special Photoshoot Session For The Winners

The offer is open and will be done at Miri. For other areas, I can only do it at Serian. Feel free to contact me about this.

THANK YOU VERY BAGEG / MAYUH-MAYUH

For the other couples, thank you very much for your participation. Your time and energy is truly appreciate because it makes this competition a meaningful one.

In the end, what matters most is that we have one another. Have a great weekend everyone!

Your Tukang Rantek,
Claudius (Del)

Follow Me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tukangrantek
Portrait: www.instagram.com/tukangrantek
Boudoir: www.instagram.com/boudoirbydel

Seahorse Boys & Mystic Gems Scout Outing

Tabi basa & greetings everyone! For today’s blog post, I’d like to feature the recent outing that Seahorse Boys had with Mystic Gems Scout Outing, led by Norbert Sirai at Miri, at spacious area somewhere near Parkcity Everly Hotel.

Front Row: Mira, Nana, Ros, Norbert, Boone & Sulaiman
Back Row: Clayri, Steve & Om Jay. Note: Rapheal left earlier.
Pre-Job Discussion / Toolbox Talk & Ice-breaking Session with Mystic Gems Scout. That’s me, still sporting red hair.

From Seahorse Boys, those that joined were Clayri, Om Jay, Rapheal Lutta, Steve Maggie & myself. From the MGS-side, we are joined by Norbert Sirai, Mira, Sulaiman, Rosita, Nana & Boone.

Clayri in action
Free Syle
Another Free Style
Break into couples.

CONTEMPORARY COSTUMES

Based on the words of Mystic Gems Scout, the costumes that was being used for this photoshoot is considered contemporary, inspired by Sarawakian costumes, and it has no intention whatsoever to disrespect anyone or any culture whatsoever.

If there is any offences, it is purely unintentional.

Also, these costumes

ENTER RICOH GR III

Ricoh GR III (28mm FF equivalent) & GR IIIx (40mm FF equivalent)

Usually, for my photoshoot, I will bring my DSLR because I don’t want to compromise on the image quality. However, for this photoshoot, since there is a request from Steve, asking me to bring my GR III, I decided to use my GR IIIs. instead for this photoshoot.

For close-up / portrait works, I used the 40mm GR IIIx and for wider-angled shots, i use GR III (28mm field-of-view equivalent). Both of these cameras were shot in RAW+, where it includes the JPEG files as well.

The images created by these GR III are superb, and its RAW files pack a punch. However, I tweak the final colour according to my taste, temperature and skin tones. I didn’t adjust the bokeh artifically using Photoshop as it takes a lot of time to go through the files one by one.

I just did the final adjustment using Capture One software because I like how it renders color.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GR III & MY GO-TO DSLR

Being so used to a camera where I can adjust everything without referring to the LCD screen, using GR III is another refreshing experience for me. The thing that I like most is the size, because I don’t have to lug my heavy gear, for now.

There are some compromises, but after using GR III for a while, it gets interesting. I start to appreciate its ease of use, though for more serious works, I will still use my DSLR.

Catch Me If You Can
Photo by Jay. Me trying to do panning.

GOOD BYE EASY-BOKEH

Being used to manual lenses that I can just twist to get a desired bokeh, for this one, I need to get very close to get a desired bokeh from my subjects. I can live without bokeh, no problem. By using this pocket-camera, it forces me to rely on the fundamentals, including lighting placement, leading line, composition and most importantly, the expression of the subject to create a flattering image.

After a bit of tweaking and contemplating over the images, here’s the final result.

THE FINAL RESULT

NORBERT & ROS

NORBERT SIRAI

ROS

NANA

SULAIMAN

BOONE

MIRA

OTHER SEAHORSE BOYS IMAGES

STEVE M MAGGIE

Steve likes to play with tones, which is obvious in his artwork below.

May be a closeup of 1 person
May be a closeup of 1 person and standingMay be a closeup of 1 person

CLAYRI

Clay is enjoying the session. More images will be coming soon.

May be an image of 1 person and outdoors

JAY POTRET – RAJA BOKEH

From what you can see, Jay is a huge fan of bokeh. You can see the effect of this beautiful medium-tele lens and its pleasing bokeh. It also created a flattering face-form for Nana.

May be an image of 1 person and outdoors
May be an image of 1 person and outdoors

LEARNINGS FROM USING RICOH GR III

Lesson 1: Reinforcing Photography Fundamentals

First and foremost, by using this camera, I helps me to reconnect back with the roots of photography that I have always passionate about. It forces me to think more, act more and experiment more because the high-end camera ends up pampering me too much that if I have a poor background, I just blow it all out using bokeh. Simple, right? But it doesn’t help me with mastering the fundamentals.

I should use it more often.

Lesson 2: Testing Colour Grading Skills

In terms of post-processing, there are a number of colour correction that I need to do because the final image is too reddish for my taste, but it’s no doubt still a good colour, and I will still choose GR III over other APS-C models. This is a matter of personal choice. Yours might be different, so let’s agree on this.

Lesson 3: Ricoh GR III Is A Good Alternative For Event Cameras

If you don’t need to emphasise on the portrait, but rather focus only on the moments, then Ricoh GR III is a good camera that you can use. All you need is a couple of extra battery because one of the known issue with GR III is its small battery capacity. Two should be sufficient.

In terms of ease of use, it is definitely good one for me. It is superlight (relative to my DSLR), and I can even pocket it easily without anyone noticing. You can be a stealth cameraman for the event.

With its matte-black finish, it is a design that I like. No wonder it is called Street Photography King (Sorry M & Q).

BONUS TOPIC: DON’T UNDERVALUE YOURSELF

Be proud of yourself and don’t let others disrespect you. Have courage to walk away if you feel you are being disrespected.

If there is something that I really appreciate, it is respecting one-self. If you don’t respect yourself, how do you expect others to respect you? For example; you know already that you have issue with alcohol & money, but you keep on doing it because it “feels good”. In the end, you’ll be having health issue & broke. Worse, you have the balls to blame others. That person definitely don’t command respect from anyone.

Same goes to photographers. A lot of peoples are aspiring to make a living out of their photography art. But when it comes to getting a paid job, that’s where their delaying gratification is being put to the test. Would you like to live with a small paid job from now until today? Or would you like to learn about photography fundamentals for the next 5-10 years, so that you can command a higher price the next decade?

Who doesn’t want an instant cash? But there is a limit to this. As a start, if that particular job is less than RM500 per hour or RM1500 per job, I won’t accept it because my time, energy and attention worth more than that. The struggle comes after shooting, where I need to do a lot to ensure the images created is worth their money.

When I first started this journey, people paid me RM300 for a day to day. When I think back about it, it is such a small pay, but it teaches me a lot of lesson; especially about knowing your worth and how to value yourself.

I want to deliver the best to those who appreciates my art, but if they don’t appreciate it as much and not willing to invest, then they are most welcomed to look for another photographer.

EPILOGUE

For me, the session has been a wonderful one. It is fun to meet and have a photoshoot with new peoples. Thank you to Norbert Sirai for his kindness, Mystic Gems Scout team for the wardrobe, Man, Nana, Mira, Ros & Boone for becoming our models and you, for reading this until the end.

Stay safe & take care!

Your Tukang Rantek, Claudius (Del)
Follow Me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tukangrantek
Portrait: www.instagram.com/tukangrantek
Boudoir: www.instagram.com/boudoirbydel

Abseiler’s Story: Conquering Fear of Height

Fastart Abseilers. From left: Kelly, Kevin & Harith.

Tabi basa & greetings everybody! Today I’d like to write about these brave souls that works as an abseiler. Abseiler is defined as a person who descends down a nearly vertical face by using doubled rope that is wrapped around the body & attached to high point. Most of the time, they deal with great heights & literally hanging out.

I took my chance to ask a few that I have met in person about their profession. They are trained & certified under IRATA (International Rope Access Trade Association) & internationally recognised. For beginners, Rope Access Level 1. For the experienced, they have Rope Access Level 2. Rope Access Level 3 is for supervisors.

Working at Height

When comparing IRATA and WAH, IRATA is internationally-recognised, while WAH is more local. In the work at height industry such as these, there are many regulations, laws & standard application such as FMA 1967 (Act 139), OSHA 1994 (Act 514) & DOSH Guidelines for the Prevention of Falls at Workplaces 2007.

To join this work at height industry, most important things is you have to be fit & has no fear of height, like what you’ll hear from these peoples: abseiler’s from Fastart & a lady on hiatus.

First one is Kevin Use’ Pahang, 26, from Long Apu, Baram. He has been working as abseiler for the past 3 years. His unforgettable experience is working rope-to-rope at 50m tower. The challenges as an abseiler is the fear of height, and a lot of things could go wrong. One wrong move, they would end up falling to the ground. Therefore, safety is their top priority. He hoped that this profession is not being regarded as lowly profession but as a profession that’s equal to the other. He also hoped that it can be extended across other industrial sector as well.

Second one is Mohd Harith Ugak Minggat, 31 from Sibu. He has been working as an abseiler for the past 5 years & have done lots, including changing flare tip, inspection at blasting tower, underside helideck, jacket leg & touch-up painting of crane’s boom. The challenge of working at height have him the fulfilment because he loves to hang at a high places. He hopes thay Rope Access technique is made more popular in oil & gas industry as well in TMM’s (projects, maintenance & construction).

Third one is Kelly Mutang, 39 from Lawas. He has been working as Blaster / Painter, BP team leader and BP supervisor. He is going to take his abseiling course & painting inspector next year. He loves the challenge that abseiling will grant him, though he also has to face the challenge of being far from his family.

Ain. Nang berani nya tok.

Last but not least, a rose among the thorn, Nurain binti Muhammad, 34 from Sibu. This happily-married lady worked offshore since 2011 and had worked with Oceancare, Velosi and lastly RIA Solution. The challenge of being a women abseiler is being understimated due to physical strength differences. But she proved that a woman also can perform as a professional abseiler & deliver their part to the hiring client, be it Operations or Maintenance team. She hoped that many more women will took up the challenge to be an abseiler because it is a good profession & break the stereotype of women being afraid of height.

I hope the story that I have written about these brave souls inspires you & broadens your career option, especially those who love to climb & enjoy the heights. Stay safe & take care!

Tukang Rantek,
Claudius

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The Story of Sikokok

Tabi basa, silamat brupagi, sramat isan-isan, slamat pagi & greetings everyone! Today I’d like to write about one of the stories from my childhood, which is about a bird callled “sikokok” (in Serian) or “Sikukuok” (in Bau). In English, it is called red-legged crake (Rallina fasciata).

It is a medium-large bird with size of 24cm in length. Its head, neck and breast red-brown, paler on throat. Its upper parts are grey-brown. Underparts and underwings are barred black and white. Its bill is green and its legs are red. But its most defining character is its red eye. 🔴A fiery-red eye, that tells us a lot about its true nature. It is like a ghost in disguise for Bidayuhs.👻

Bidayuh folklore revolves around our relationship with nature, with most of the spirits are manifested in physical world in apparition of animals. In this case, sikokok represents spirits that borders between life and death. It is also related to Bidayuh’s “pontianak”, despite its innocent look of a small bird.

The sound of sikokok represents a lot of thing. It could mean an impending death at a village. In a normal day, usually sikokok is silent. But when someone is about to die, especially back in the olden days where we were still practicing folk religion, sikokok’s sound from a distance at night means someone is about to pass away. We will gather at the person’s house at his or her final hour to give comfort to the family, as well as to be ready for anything, be it spiritual, or physical threat.

When I was a still a small boy, before I started my primary school, I like to sleep with my grandparents, a habit that seems to be followed by my nephew and niece. There is something so comforting with them around me as I fell asleep, especially when it comes to supernatural security. Usually I will wake up my late grandfather or grandma to accompany me for extra protection. But there was one time, I really want to go to the toilet. Suddenly, there was a sikokok’s sound from a distance.

Sikokok’s sound means an approaching omen, or something that might disturb us. There is a weird thing about its warning sound. If sikokok’s sound is getting louder, then that “thing” is moving further away. But if sikokok’s sound is getting further, that “thing” is getting nearer.

As for my case, at first, it’s getting louder, but then it became further away. It means, something is near. Then I saw a black figure seems to be walking around our house. There is no way that could have been anyone. It’s around 3am in the morning. So, I cancelled my wish to go to the toilet and stayed motionless on my bed to avoid getting unwanted attention and ended up wetting my bed. But that’s way better than being disturbed by that “thing”.

The next morning, I told my grandparents what happened, and coincidentally there was someone passed away on that night too, around 3am. So the “thing” that I saw is someone’s spirit roaming around for one last time before “it” left.

At the jungle, if we see someone, we are not allowed to called them by name. Instead, we will shout “wooo”. If they are human, they will reply by shouting “wooo”.

For many Bidayuhs, no matter where they are, “sikokok” plays a key role in our native story-telling as it is closely related to the afterlife and supernatural. It is sad that its story is not well-documented, and many of those who knew no longer alive.

👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻

TANEN SIKOKOK

Tabi basa ndug bala kende dangan silamat brupagi. Andu ti ku ira nulis pasal cirita de odog pidaan ndug aku wang ku lagi icek sani neh pasal manuk de odog taba ami sikokok de Kpg Pichin, Serian. Ganan ne ahi, Sikek, Sikekek, Sikukuk ato Sikukuok kuan Bi-Bau, pak kita bisi niju ndug manuk de indi ti.

Kai lagi manuk ti tantu bahas, Baak ne dangan koko’ ne nak bidaya mah kaler neh. Adeg dangan katap ne bihis-buda. Pak de kai buleh asat, bateh ne de pli kaler bidaya mung jawa apui. Kayuh kuan inya, mung mindu.

Tanen bala Bidayuh ti ahi ne pasal pimudip kita dangan tarun, ngin ahi bala kamang de dunia iti gayen ne mung bala pinatang. Dedeg sikokok ti, adeh inya manang ne nak tong kamang de nyaga pimudip dangan pingabus. Adeh lagi inya de manang ne “pontianak” Bidayuh mene pan riama ne mung manuk de icek. Ira ne maan toroi dari ato ngirantak turi kuan inya.

Angun sikokok ti ahi rati neh. Adeh inya manang ne pidaan pingabus de binua. De andu biasa, anyap angun kayuh ti. Pak wang adeh inya ira kabes, labih lagi sani neh wang ami lagi minan adat damba, angun sikokok de masu joho wang bingarum rati neh adeh inya ira kabes. Kita bigumpul bisindi duwah ramin inya de ira kabes tinan kita pirimpu asung bala nyahe, tangini pan kita ira sidiya asung kita dedeg kayuh de ira nantek kita, baik duwah kayuh de dapat dep tebek ne ato de anyap tanggah.

Wang ku lagi icek sani neh, sibayuh ku sikulah mangon, ku babar buus dangan bala tayung dangan turang babuk ku. Anak buah ku pan kelek ne buus dangan bala tayung babuk ne ngaya aku ngin pli lelek aku buus dangan bala neh. Lama neh wang ku ira kasing, garak ku tayung ato babuk ku ngancak ne nganted aku kasing. Aku mua maru tirawe sani neh. Pak adeh indi ngarum he, wang ku ira kasing, tipiya pli adeh angun sikokok. Mera tamang neh, tanan de rap ne nyap asung ku.

Angun sikokok ti rati neh adeh kayuh de nyinduk, ato adeh kayuh ira ngaco adep. De tusa neh, wang ne makin nyohon, makin joho ceh kayuh he. Pak wang ne makin retek, makin sinduk ceh kayuh he.

Balik ndug ciritu aku, angun de melen neh makin nyohon pli makin retek, rati neh kayuh he pli makin sinduk. Tebek ku adeh riama kayuh bihis de pinjan, mung kah ne panu de sapa ramin. Wang pkl 3 brupagi, anyap ceh inya pli gindong-gindong de awah. Kai ku jaji kasing. Biar ku kaset de amak masu ku napud kayuh he.

Andu dindi neh, ku pidaan dangan tayung babuk ku. Tantu lagi bala ne pidaan adeh inya kabus de binua ami ngarum he. Jaji kayuh de tebek ku he ihang inya de mbuh kabus ti, panu sibayuh ne tagan dunia iti.

De tarun, kan kita tebek bala dingan kita de plil joho, kai dep ngaba ganan neh, pak kita “wooo” ngaba neh. Kan nyahe neeh, saut ne balik minan “wooo”. Kan ne retek, aba nyiak neh. Tandah, bin ne ngajah adep maring.

Dedeg bala Bidayuh, dapih-dapih bala kita, baik de Bau, Padawan, Siburan ato Serian, sikokok/sikukuok/sekek ti ahi tanen neh ngin ne babar ngaban agah pingabus ato de kai tanggah. Pak mua lagi masi mikir ngin bala de puan cirita ti mbuh anyap.

p.s. cirita sikokok de ngade, ira madah buruh giradak wang ne pli biangun wang bingarum, nanda inya mbuh ira kabus ato adeh kayuh nyinduk.

Tukang Rantek,
Claudius

Picture Source: Wikipedia

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Note: Tukang Rantek means photographer in Bidayuh.

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Lesson From Cardock’s Issue

Tabi basa, silamat narang andu, selamat ngalih ari, sayu ngedau, selamat belua tau & celamat dau adak.

First and foremost I’d like to convey my deepest condolences to the family of the fallen solders at the 13 August Incident, where four of Malaysian Air Force died due to shooting incident that happened at Guard Post  of Handau Squadron 330 around 7.15am today, at Kota Samarahan.

Back to the issue that I’d like to talk about, I have received a screenshot from fellow PPPOU’21 participants about Cardock’s post, which exactly the thing that we don’t want to happen at Sarawak, the Land of Hornbill which consists of various ethnics and tribes. That’s why I am compelled to write about this.

Disclaimer: I am not hired or influenced by anyone to write this article. It is purely my own opinion.

WHAT HAPPENED?

For those who didn’t know, what happened was Cardock uploaded a picture with him and caption Kayan King and his concubines (original post: Raja Kayan dan Gundik-Gundik).

For those who wants to know about Kayan peoples, you can read about it here.  https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=495958447250617&id=495294393983689

EFFECT FROM THE POST

For those who knows Cardock, where he always do live video, they will know about his character, his conversation and that is part of his charm and charisma, making people likes to follow him and follow his adventure to promote Sarawak in the eyes of the world. Cardock also has his own fans that is called Cardock Clan.

Cikgu Emmet also wrote a good summary about Cardock and his accomplishments so far. You can read about it here. https://www.facebook.com/…/a.74617559…/4177085132339458/

However, as an effect of his post, a lot of peoples have spoken out to voice their opinions. Just like in the snapshots below, it actually begins at Miri Community, then a lot of other individuals that posted about this, including Nissie A that quotes Cardock’s LIVE with Durian Kimchi with regards to the insult of Iban’s Ngepan as well questioning why there was a silence from related Orang Ulu associations, and there was also Viviana’s post. That post was also shared at Pulau Borneo Tanah Dayak, where it was written there about the act where Cardock degrades the status of Kayan women.

Because of that Cardock changed the caption to “Cardock dan Mak-Mak Orang” (meaning, Cardock and Other People’s Mother) as well calling the peoples who doesn’t like his caption as “terlalu pembaris” and “tak boleh gurau” (meaning, can’t take jokes and too sensitive).

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL BRO? IT WAS A JOKE ANYWAY.

One man’s meat is another man’s poison. We can’t expect everyone to accept our joke, especially in Sarawak. What’s a joke for us will be an insult to everyone else.

I have experienced this first hand when I was starting with Pertandingan Personaliti Popular Orang Ulu 2021, where they claimed that I am not alert about Orang Ulu’s sensitivity. The seemingly harmless joke at my Google Form also was taken out of context (“mambang”, meaning spirit) and was formed in such a way I insulted Orang Ulu. I honour relationship above everything else. Therefore, I get in touch with OUNA’s president and apologise from him, written and verbal and did an open LIVE Facebook apology though a lot of people said that it was totally unnecessary because I didn’t do anything bad.

However, I lower down my ego because it is better to earn respect than to win and lose respect from Orang Ulu community, and Sarawak peoples in general. The key to Sarawak’s peace is respect. Even though such joke is normal and small matter for us, we can’t impose our standard to others. They can’t see our intention, but they can see our actions.

OBSERVATIONS:

From my observations on the comments and shares, here’s my summary:

1). Firstly, calling Kayan women as concubines. It is a joke for Cardock, but not many people can accept it. One wrong move, there will be a police report about this matter. It is not wise to call those mothers, grandmothers as your concubine. It as if you are stepping on their dignity.

2). Secondly, King of Kayan. For Kayans, the royals are called “Maren”, and their chief is called “Maren Uma”.  Not everyone can be a Maren because they have to follow the ancient ways and customs, what more to say about becoming Maren Uma. It is not easy. With respect to the traditional customs, the usage of “King of Kayan” should be avoided at all cost to respect the sensitivity of the Kayan peoples. It is a different story if you are making a joke with your close friends, but it is totally not suitable for public use.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

For your information as well, Cardock is half-Iban, where his mother is from Sibu and his father is a Malay from Perak. Because of this family ties, Cardock has an immense passion to promote Sarawak at the eye of the world. In short, whatever that happens, is like Sarawakian versus Sarawakians. This is something that makes me sad deep in my heart.

Cardock has helped to promote Sarawak to the eyes of the world by doing Live from one place to another, usually the place that prime media won’t cover all, and you won’t see it in mainstream media. Currently he is doing “Jelajah Sarawak” (Sarawak’s Adventure), indirectly helping the locals at Belaga or Balingian and everywhere else to extra exposure and ultimately more income.

Taking lessons from this matter, I sincerely hope all of us, be it normal peoples, Ybs, influencers etc to be alert and ensure that the content of your post is not breaching any people’s sensitivity so that we can live in peace with one another, be it at Sarawak or anywhere else in Malaysia for a greater good. Lest there will be another Durian Kimchi 2.0.

Take care and stay safe. Delta variant of COVID-19 is raging outside.

Tukang Rantek,
Claudius

Note: “Tukang Rantek” means photographer in Bidayuh language.

Follow me at: Tik Tok Instagram Facebook LinkTree

Malay Version:

PENGAJARAN DARIPADA ISU CARDOCK

Tabi basa, silamat Narang andu, selamat ngalih ari, sayu ngedau, selamat belua dau & celamat dau adak.

Terlebih dahulu saya ingin memberikan ucapan takziah buat keluarga askar-askar yang terkorban di dalam Peristiwa 13 Ogos, yang mana 4 orang anggota TUDM maut di dalam insiden tembakan yang berlaku jam 7.15 pagi tadi di Balai Pengawal Handau Skuadron 330, Kota Samarahan.

Berbalik kepada perkara yang saya ingin tulis, pada pagi ini, saya telah menerima tangkaplayar berkenaan post saudara Cardock daripada beberapa peserta PPPOU’21. Ianya merupakan salah satu daripada isu yang kita tidak mahu berlaku di Sarawak, Bumi Kenyalang yang terdiri daripada pelbagai etnik dan suku. Oleh sebab itu saya tergerak untuk memberikan ulasan saya akan hal ini.

Penafian: Saya tidak diupah oleh mana-mana pihak atau dipengaruhi oleh mana-mana individu untuk menulis artikel ini. Semua yang anda baca adalah pendapat saya sendiri.

APA YANG BERLAKU?

Bagi yang tidak tahu, apa yang berlaku adalah Cardock telah memuatnaik gambar dengan kapsyen “Raja Kayan dengan gundik-gundiknya” pada tiga hari yang lepas.

Bagi yang kurang arif akan Bahasa Malaysia, berikut adalah definisinya.

Definisi (Kamus Dewan Edisi Keempat):

Raja (King):

1. orang yg mengetuai dan memerintah sesuatu negara (bangsa), kepala negara (yg diwarisi).

2. kepala negeri, sultan: di Malaysia Barat lapan drpd ~-~nya bergelar sultan;

3. kepala suku (daerah): di Nusa Teng¬gara masih banyak ~;

Gundik (Concubine):

1. isteri yg bukan gahara, isteri tidak rasmi;

2. bini gelap;

Kata ganda bagi gundik adalah “gundik-candik”.

Kayan: salah satu daripada etnik di Sarawak.

Boleh baca sejarah orang Kayan di sini: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=495958447250617&id=495294393983689

Dalam Bahasa Inggeris, “Kayan King and his concubines”.

KESAN DARIPADA POST ITU

Bagi yang mengenali Cardock, yang mana dia selalu membuat Live dan biasa akan perwatakkannya, gurauan ini adalah biasa dan ianya adalah sebahagian daripada daya tarikan Cardock yang menyebabkan banyak orang tertarik untuk mengikuti pengembaraannya mempromosikan Sarawak di mata dunia. Cardock juga mempunyai kumpulan penyokongnnya yang tersendiri itu, Cardock Clan.

Cikgu Emmet telah membuat ringkasan yang padat tapi bermakna berkenaan Cardock. Anda boleh baca di sini: https://www.facebook.com/…/a.74617559…/4177085132339458/

Namun begitu, berikutan daripada post Cardock itu, beberapa orang telah bangkit kerana menyuarakan pendapat mereka. Seperti di dalam gambar di bawah, mula-mula sekali adalah di Miri Community, dan kemudiannya oleh berbanyak individu termasuk Nissie A yang memetik berkenaan Live Cardock dengan Durian Kimchi berkenaan isu penghinaan terhadap Ngepan Iban, serta mempersoalkan persatuan berkenaan yang memilih untuk berdiam dan juga post Vivianna dibawah. Post itu juga telah dikongsi di group Pulau Borneo Tanah Dayak, yang mana ditulis di sana perbuatan itu ibarat menghina saudara Kayan dan merendahkan martabat wanita Kayan.

Berikutan hal itu, saudara Cardock telah mengubah kapsyen kepada “Cardock dan Mak-Mak Orang” serta menggelarkan mereka yang tidak suka akan kapsyen tersebut sebagai “terlalu pembaris” dan “tak boleh gurau”.

APA MASALAHNYA BRO? GURAUAN JA PUN.

Apa yang menjadi gurauan bagi kita, mungkin adalah satu penghinaan bagi orang lain. Lebih-lebih lagi di Sarawak, yang mana sensitiviti kaum hendaklah dijaga.

Saya sendiri pun pernah mengalami akan hal ini, iaitu berkenaan dengan Pertandingan Personaliti Orang Ulu 2021. Saya dikatakan tidak menjaga sensitiviti Orang Ulu. Konteks lawa jenaka saya di GoogleForm berkenaan istilah “mambang” tidak diterima oleh sesetengah pihak. Disitu apa yang saya buat adalah berhubung dengan Presiden OUNA, dan meminta maaf daripada beliau dan membuat permohonan maaf secara terbuka melalui Facebook Live walaupun banyak yang mengatakan tidak perlu minta maaf kerana tiada yang salah yang saya buat.

Namun saya merendahkan diri saya kerana bagi saya, adalah lebih penting untuk menjaga hubungan baik sesama warga Sarawak daripada perkara yang lain. Kunci keamanan Sarawak adalah hormat-menghormati. Walaupun perkara itu adalah normal dan gurauan bagi kita, namun atas dasar hormat, kita tidak boleh memaksa orang lain untuk menerima gurauan kita. Orang tidak lihat niat kita, tapi orang lihat perbuatan kita.

Berdasarkan pemerhatian saya terhadap komen-komen dan post-post tersebut, ini adalah ringkasan isu ini:

1). Pertama, menggelar wanita-wanita Kayan di sana sebagai gundik-gundik. Gurauan bagi Cardock, tapi tidak semua orang boleh menerima gurauan ini. Silap haribukan, nanti ada report polis akan hal ini. Adalah tidak elok sekiranya anda menggelar ibu-ibu, makcik-makcik orang sebagai “gundik”. Seolah-olah merendahkan martabat wanita itu.

2). Keduanya, Raja Kayan. Untuk orang Kayan, golongan bangsawan akan digelar sebagai Maren, dan ketua mereka akan digelar Maren Uma. Tidak semua orang boleh mendapat gelaran Maren kerana ianya harus menurut lunas adat, apatah lagi menjadi Maren Uma. Atas dasar menghormati adat, maka penggunaan istilah “Raja Kayan” sewajarnya dijauhi bagi menjaga sensitiviti kaum. Mungkin bagi sahabat rapat, ianya tidak menjadi masalah, namun untuk penggunaan umum, ianya tidak sesuai. Nasihat ini saya berikan atas pengalaman peribadi saya.

HARAPAN UNTUK MASA HADAPAN:

Untuk pengetahuan anda semua, Cardock juga berketurunan Iban (daripada sebelah Ibunya). Bapa Cardock adalah orang Perak (rasanya). Disebabkan hubungan kekeluargaan itulah Cardock mempunyai semangat yang membara untuk mempromosikan Sarawak dimata dunia. Jadi, secara ringkasnya, hal ini adalah seperti perbalahan sesama orang Sarawak. Ternyata ini adalah satu perkara yang menyedihkan buat Sarawak secara amnya kerana “miak Sarawak bergaduh ngan miak Sarawak”.

Cardock telah membantu untuk mempromosikan Sarawak ke mata dunia dengan membuat live dari tempat-tempat yang ditidak mendapat liputan media masa, seperti Jelajah Sarawak yang sedang berjalan sekarang, secara tidak langsung memberikan publisiti dan membantu peniaga-peniaga tempatan kita, baik di Belaga, Balingian mahupun dimana-mana sahaja di dalam Sarawak.

Mengambil iktibar daripada perkara ini, saya juga berharap agar kita semua, baik rakyat marhaen, YB-YB, “influencer” dsb sentiasa peka dan pastikan isi kandungan post kita media sosial tidak melampau batas gurauan kita agar kita sentiasa menjaga adab, menjaga sensitiviti kaum lain baik di Sarawak atau di mana-mana dalam Malaysia demi kesejahteraan bersama. Jangan ada lagi Durian Kimchi versi 2.0.

Terlajak perahu boleh diundur, terlajak kata, buruk padahnya.

Jaga diri anda semua baik-baik. Varian Delta COVID-19 sedang mengganas.

Tukang Rantek,
Claudius

Life Is Not A Race

Tabi basa and greetings everyone! How was your day? I hope you are doing fine despite the ever-increasing case of COVID-19 now, especially when you are residing at Peninsular Malaysia. For Malaysians, that is always the struggle that we will not be able to get away from anytime soon. Let’s call it our war (Boku no Senshou). As of 11 Aug 2021, there is a huge number of COVID cases in Malaysia. At 1.3 million, it is approximately 4.0%, a figure that’s quite high, even higher than India’s case in terms of COVID-19 percentage. That is scary. Even worse, there are some local “treasonists” who has the balls to sell fake COVID-19 certificate to Malaysian citizens. Their business idea seems to be out of this world, risking general’s health in order to gain extra money. For as low as RM200 (47 USD), you put aside your integrity and gave others a false sense of security? That’s lunatic.

Latest COVID-19 case.
This is madness. Insider can help to adjust MySejahtera status for as low as RM200. Way to go, Treasonist.

Setting aside COVID-19 case in Malaysia, one of the thing that I want to talk about today is regarding life’s philosophy, where I always find it fascinating to be able to hear more inspirational words from other authors, especially that talks about improving lives.

One of it is definitely the notion that “Life Is Not A Race”.

Life Is Not a Race

One of the thing that I commonly see among my circle is that they are constantly thinking that life is a race. I find it sad to see man/woman with high potential for the future but jeopardise their potential by not doing what’s required. Most of the youngsters are trend-hoppers, jumping from one trend to another. I am guilty of this as well, because like it or not, peer pressure is always there.

But in my silence (I’m doing silent retreat), I realised that if we are not happy with what we are now, we cannot be happy with whatever we posses.

If we are not happy with our present, we’ll never find happiness in the future.

But why is this happening?

It could be probably due to the accumulation of disappointment that we receive up until now, as of the past is still haunting us. Call it a joke, it happens to some bloke. To be able to handle disappointment would be a superpower for many of us. We are not well-equipped to handle rejection, at least that’s what our brain wants to hear.

A lot of our problem stems from our inability to be still, mentally. You can be sitting quietly in an empty room for hours, but if your brain is still erratic, you can’t find peace.

It all boils down to your ability to the harsh reality of life, and not being overly optimistic because down along the line something undesirable will definitely happen.

According to the famous Murphy’s Law, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”.

Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

CAPT ED MURPHY

The law’s namesake was Capt. Ed Murphy, a development engineer from Wright Field Aircraft Lab (Source: Bloch, Arthur (1980 edition). Murphy’s Law, and Other Reasons Why Things Go WRONG,).

Because of this, things might happen no matter how good we are in preparing to avoid it. As long as there is percentage of probability, no matter how small, it might happen.

But so is happiness. But, then again, why is it so difficult to improve our lives?

For me, one of the way to improve lives is through Stoicism philosophy.

What is Stoic?

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of stoic are as follows:
1. Capitalized : a member of a school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium about 300 b.c. holding that the wise man should be free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and submissive to natural law.
2. one apparently or professedly indifferent to pleasure or pain

Synonyms: forbearing, long-suffering, patient, tolerant, uncomplaining
Antonyms: complaining, fed up, impatient, kvetching, kvetchy, protesting

I first heard about this philosophy from Eric Kim, a photographer from America. You can read more about his view of stoicism here.

Why Stoic?

When it comes to Stoicism, this person comes to mind – Ryan Holiday. He is the writer of Daily Stoic. You can follow him here (personal Instagram) or at his famous Daily Stoic Instagram account. From Daily Stoic page, you can get your daily dose of Stoicism where for me, it is a good daily reminder and it provides me with something to think about for the rest of the day.

Aspiring to be a stoic person.

In short, Stoicism teaches us that, before we try to control events, we have to control ourselves first. 

Yes, that’s right. Often we think that we are not in control of our lives, and we are living in an autopilot mode. That is actually not true. We are holding the flight stick of our life. Sometimes, we forgot, due to various reasons.

Our life is dynamic, and we are living in a turbulence. Our reality and our ideals are not aligned to one another. If we can calibrate our expectations to meet our reality, then we will be much happier with our lives. Sadly, that is not the case to most of us.

Our brain are wired to accept only the best but forgot that we are not a perfect being ourselves. It’s like boys expecting a perfect, Barbie-like spouse when they are not even close to look like Ken.

Having a passion in our life is important because we need to have a locus in our life. We need to identify it as early as we can so that we can leverage on time that we have. We can’t play short term gain because like Malcolm Gladwell said, we need to have at least spent 10,000hours of intensive practice to be a good in something, whatever it is. 10,000 hours, divided into 8 hours per day, is equivalent to 3.5 years. Or maybe more, depending on your commitment level. Some are better than the other, but that is dependent on their physical advantage. People will always use the word “talent” to someone who is better than the other, but little did we know, most of the time, it is down to their effort, or how bad they want it.

One of the most profound thing that I heard is “You can’t fix internal issues with external accomplishments”, a quote by Ryan Holiday, the writer of Daily Stoic. You can follow him at Instagram for more inspirational quotes.

Don’t Take Things Personally

Your value does not decrease just because someone’s unable to see your worth.

Usually we take things personally because of our ego and our desire to be right. Our brain is not wired to accept the fact that it is lacking in so many ways.

To deal with these, we need to look at their intention and try to understand where they are coming from, for example, deep down, they want to be right, or have something in mind for the whole day.

Improvement-wise, our negative beliefs, we take things personally because we know that we have some truth in it. Our childhood has an effect on this.

The account that engages the most with our limbic brain will have the most following. Don’t believe me? Have a look at those popular images at Tik Tok or Instagram. They are eerily having the same pattern. In social media, previously it was chronologically-arranged, and now it is done by using algorithm. Usually the minorities are being left out. That is why, if you want to pioneer something for a long run, don’t put your base in Social Media, It’s like building with sand as its foundation.

For your own good, learn to walk away when you think you are not being appreciated much. I wish I knew this when I was younger. 20s was a decade of experiment, and 30s is when you know what you want in life.

The Wise and Foolish Builder

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Matthew 7:24-27

If you want whatever that you are building last, do it on a solid foundation. Not temporary trend like Tik Tok or Vine, or even Facebook and Twitter. These things will evolve, and new form of platform will take place.

The best time to be invested is in something that will give you a return in the long term. Public speaking, writing ability, guitar-playing, singing, photography mastery – those are the things that will pay in the long run. Don’t play short term. Aim for long term. I had my time experimenting on mobile games such as Mobile Legend: Bang Bang and League of Legends: Wild Rift just to find out that those things are not suit for me. Firstly, they consume a lot of time, and with the right community, you are hooked by its promise of endless dopamine surge. But what does it cost you? Time, sleep, energy, death of a dream et cetera. Even the 15 seconds video of TikTok actually took a lot of time to prepare, don’t underestimate it.

In essence, time is gold.

Epilogue

From the stories that I have written here, from Life Is Not A Race, to Stoicism and finally Not Taking Things Personally, I hope I have given to you something to ponder upon and ultimately, improving your life.

Tukang Rantek,
Claudius

Note: “Tukang Rantek” means photographer in Bidayuh language.

Follow me at: Tik Tok Instagram Facebook LinkTree

BLESSED MOTHER’S DAY 2021

Tabi basa & Blessed Mother’s Day everyone! Today is a day dedicated to honour our mother, as well as motherhood in general and the influence of mothers in our society.

The journey to motherhood is never easy. From the day a woman is married and the day she knows that she is pregnant, she already starts to develop her motherhood instinct just as her body gradually changes to accommodate the little one, growing stage by stage through those three trimesters. It was never an easy journey. Anaemia, urinary tract infection, mood changes, morning sickness, vomiting, potential diabetes, frequent urination as bladder capacity reduced – these are among the thing every mother-to-be has to endure. Some might require IV fluids.

Good bye perfect body shape, hello oversized t-shirts. That was just the beginning. As the baby grows, fatigue increases, discomfort worsen for some. But this doesn’t compare to the joy they feel when the baby starts to move by the end of second trimester. Suddenly, the pain goes away, replaced by excitement. The once smooth, youthful skin is then replaced with stretch marks here and there. Baby delivery comes with an unimaginable pain, and life is put on the line. But no words can describe the joy that mothers experience after delivery. The feeling of holding that small, cute little one is bliss.

Being a mother is easily the hardest job in the world that comes without any instruction manual, handover note or documentation whatsoever. An average mother spends about 98hours a week, equivalent to 2.5 full time jobs doing parent-related thing. It is no surprise that most of the children are closer to their mothers than with their father because a mother is a good listener and empathise more.

A mother understand what a child does not say. She gave all that she has to us, and more. Don’t call your mother fat, ugly or not cool because she sacrificed her time, money and energy to raise you up to become a good and useful person in the future.

While we still have the opportunity, while she is still around on this world, always love and respect your mother. Don’t just simply reply “K” to her WhatsApp messages or ignore her phone call whenever her name appears on your phone display. You might think it trivial or useless because all she ask is how are you or have you eaten. Call her once in a while. Top-up her mobile. Videocall if you can. If there is opportunity, go back to meet her. Wish her birthday and pray for her good health. Take as much pictures and video as you can.

Cherish every moments, because one day, God will take her away from us. By that time, you will regret your actions and will beg for forgiveness at her grave, embracing her cold, hard tombstone. No amount of money or tears will bring her back or returning back the time that you lost, not even one second.

Therefore, love your mother, always. No matter what is your religion or race, may God bless your mothers. Happy Mother’s Day.

*************

Versi BM:

Tabi basa dan selamat hari Ibu buat semua! Hari ini adalah hari untuk memperingati jasa dan sumbangan ibu kita buat kita semua dan terhadap masyarakat kita.

Perjalanan untuk menjadi seorang ibu tidaklah mudah. Dari hari seorang wanita berkahwin dan mendapat tahu dia sedang mengandung, naluri keibuan dia mula terbentuk seiring dengan perubahan fizikal yang dia alami untuk menampung tumbesaran si kecil. Anemia, jangkitan saluran kencing, perubahaan mood, loya dan muntah-muntah, kerap kencing adalah antara perkara yang sering dihadapi oleh wanita yang mengandung. Ada yang memerlukan cecair IV.

Selamat tinggal buat bentuk badan yang langsing, selamat datang baju longgar dan baju saiz besar. Itu hanyalah permulaan. Semakin kandungan membesar, rasa letih dan ketidakselesaan semakin menjadi-jadi. Namun, apabila si kecil mula bergerak-gerak pada penghujung trimester kedua, ada antara wanita mengandung yang merasa gembira kerana ini tandanya si kecil adalah sihat. Rasa gembira meraja di hati, menggantikan rasa resah. Kulit remaja diganti dengan tanda-tanda regangan kulit di kebanyakan bahagian badan. Proses melahirkan anak pula disertai kesakitan yang tidak terungkapkan, nyawa ibarat di hujung tanduk. Namun, disitu kita lihat bahawa kaum Hawa ini sebenarnya adalah kuat. Kesakitan itu tetap mereka harungi demi melahirkan anak, tanda cinta dan kasih mereka, pelengkap keluarga yang diimpikan selama ini. Tangisan bayi sebaik sahaja keluar ibarat semboyan kemenangan di cuping telinga si ibu yang dibanjiri keringat. Rasa gembira ketika memegang si kecil di tangan adalah tidak terbayangkan.

Menjadi seorang ibu bukan satu kerja yang mudah. Kebanyakan masa ibu dihabiskan bersama anak-anak, dan sebab itulah anak-anak menjadi lebih rapat dengan ibu berbanding dengan bapa. Anak-anak juga biasanya mampu bertutur di dalam bahasa ibunda.

Si ibu memahami apa yang si anak tidak luahkan. Dia memberi segalanya bagi memastikan kebajikan kita terjaga, dan menjadi pelindung ketika kita tertindas. Oleh sebab itu, janganlah memanggil si ibu gemuk, hodoh ataupun tidak hebat kerana mereka mengorbankan segalanya bagi membesarkan kita, termasuk impian dan harapan mereka.

Sementara kita masih ada peluang, sayangilah dan hormatilah ibu kita. Jangan hanya membalas “K” apabila mereka menghantar pesanan ringkas melalui WhatsApp, atau mengabaikan panggilan telefon apabila nama ibu kita tertera di kaca skrin telefon. Mungkin kamu fikir ianya hanyalah panggilan picisan kerana biasanya si ibu akan bertanya soalan seperti sudah makan atau apa khabar, tidak menarik seperti perbualan kita dengan buah hati kita. Sekali sekala, hubungilah ibu kita. Videocall pun boleh. Sekiranya ada peluang, balik kampung untuk berjumpa dengan dia. Ucapkan selamat hari jadi dan berdoalah agar dia dikurniakan kesihatan yang baik.

Hargai setiap saat yang ada kerana suatu hari nanti, Tuhan akan mengambil dia daripada kita. Pada masa itu, kamu akan menyesali setiap perbuatan kamu dan akan memohon kemaafan di kubur dia sambil memeluk batu nisan yang sejuk dan keras. Seandainya kamu kumpul semua intan berlian dan harta karun di dunia ini, atau menangis sekolam air mata darah sekalipun, kamu tidak akan dapat mengambil balik masa-masa yang telah lepas, walau saat.

Oleh itu, sayangilah ibu anda selalu. Tidak kisah anda beragama atau berbangsa apa, semoga Tuhan memberkati ibu kita semua. Selamat Hari Ibu.

Follow me for more stories: Facebook & Instagram

Tukang Rantek,

Claudius

Claudius is a Miri-based Boudoir & Portrait Photographer, from Kpg Piching, Serian.

“Tukang Rantek” means photographer in Piching dialect.

Sarawak Beauty: Indu Dara Iban

Tabi basa everyone! Sarawak is a land full of majestic land and beautiful peoples. Gawai is just one month away. Despite no formal celebration due to Covid, it is important for us to remember the spirit of Gawai. Therefore, today I’m pleased to present to the story about Iban peoples of Sarawak. In general, Iban is part of a bigger Dayak groups of Borneo, and is known world-wide for its beauty.

I always wonder what does Iban means. So I asked my KML room-mate, Gibson anak Entuni from Betong, he said, Iban means “people”. Just like other Borneo tribes, Iban has their own story. Thanks to Iban historian, Benedict Sandin (1918-1982), oral Iban stories are well-documented. In fact, it is so elaborate and it consists of a lot of stories, different realms (human/Iban world, raised world & God’s), most of Iban folklore centres around Keling, Head of Panggau Libau longhouse, the mythical home of the demi-gods. Just like Norse/Greek mythology, Iban has their own story too. In fact, the battle of the gods often change the landscape of the jungle. Just imagine if it is made into a movie by Hollywood – the whole Iban “ensera” / story. That would be awesome.

While Keling represents an ideal Iban man; handsome, powerful, brave, resourceful & intelligent; his wife, Kumang represents an ideal Iban woman; beautiful, graceful, and good at everything, including her expertise in weaving “pua kumbu”, one of Iban identity. Pua Kumbu is a traditional patterned multicolored ceremonial cotton cloth and are considered to be sacred objects. Pua Kumbu is used for rituals by Iban people, including birth, coming of age, and death. Disrespecting Pua Kumbu means you are disrespecting Iban peoples. Not everyone can weave Pua Kumbu because one has to be well-trained not only in technique but in spirit as it is an art taught by the God, Singalang Burong.

Kumang is also is also a title given to Iban’s beauty queen. Datin Senorita Linang is the first Iban maiden to be crowned Kumang Gawai Dayak for three consecutive years — 1966, 1967 and 1968. The younger generations would recognise Malaysia’s Miss Universe 2020, Francisca Luhong, who is of Iban-Kayan descent.

Beautiful in Iban is called “bajik”. To describe Iban’s beauty, here’s the best sentence for it: Indu Dara Iban tau ngaga Bujang Berani enda ulih enseput enggau manah, enda tekesapka mata enggau tau buntau malam ari. Meaning, Iban maiden’s beauty can make bachelors and young man think about her all the time, until they became sleepless. “Punggung chengkik baka biola ngasuh runding Bujang nyau mawa”, where it means their beauty makes bachelor lose their minds. Most of Iban girls complexion ranges from fair-skinned to medium-toned.

Their beauty even attracts the Westerners, especially from England because Sarawak was one of British colony after handed over by the last White Rajah. It is not uncommon to see non-Iban guys attracted to Iban women. Even from the young age, Iban women are taught to dress and behave well especially in front of the others because they carry the name of their family. It is normal for us to see Iban woman knows how to cook where cooking are considered to be the basic life skills and part of traditional Iban woman identity.

In general, most of the Iban women are soft-spoken and gentle, especially to guests. As described by Jenarino Jeraki’s in his song, “iya semina tuchum lelegup” (meaning, she only smiles). During Gawai, usually there will be a line of Iban girls waiting for guys in a long line before entering the long house. It’s an Iban tradition where the ladies will serve the men with drinks, especially “tuak” and “langkau” (a distilled tuak). In Iban custom, girls usually will wait for the guys to make the first move, example during joget. Guy has to be a gentlemen to invite them to joget. Behind their gentleness, Iban women are brave & resourceful, just like Kumang. Being gentle and soft-spoken doesn’t mean you can take advantage of them.

Iban women’s beauty has been a source of inspiration of love song creation, such as Flora by Jerry Kamit, Tuchum Lelegup by Jenarino Jeraki or even sadder toned, heartbreak songs such as “Kumang Seari” & “Sinu” by Masterpiece or hopeful song such as “Ngarapka Nuan Nikal Pulai”. The most famous of all, known nation-wide, Bekikis Bulu Betis by Iban music industry legend, Andrewson Ngalai, is a song about a guy who will do everything to win the maiden, including putting his life on the line.

During Iban’s engagement ceremony, “Melah Pinang”, the most important question is to ask whether you are willing to “nguai” Similar to Bidayuh, for many Ibans, this question is a big deal, especially if you are living in the same area & same village. In the olden days, it means you will move to a different longhouse and be part of a different community. You However, as observed in many Iban peoples, marrying other non-Ibans, it doesn’t carry a heavier weight anymore because it is much easier to access one place to another, though usually the married couples will take turn to celebrate Gawai at each side, just to be fair and square and avoid problems with both sides. Afterall, marriage is like bridging two families, and most of the times, bridging two village / long houses. You become an ambassador of your area to your respective spouses’ people.

During Gawai, all of the Iban ladies will be dressed in their finest signature pua kumbu traditional costumes, which includes these accessories, Sugu Tinggi (headgear), Tali Mulung, Rawai/Rawai Tinggi (plays a similar role to corset), Tumpa Bentuk, Buah Pauh (usually held in hand, with Perecha cloth in other hand), Gerunchung, Sementing Buchai, Lampit, Sementing Ringgit, Selampai & Tango/Marik Empang (circular bead accessory covering shoulder & chest).
Due to evolution of local fashion and identity, different Iban area has a different costume. Each of their own unique style.

Although there are so many ngepan variations, it can be divided into few main groups based on its similarities and areas. Types of ngepan Iban are as follows:

1. Ngepan Rajang (Signature dress made from beads called “Baju Ujan”, with headgear called “Dunjung Marik”. It is often called the most unique Ngepan)

2. Ngepan Saratok (signature Sugu Tinggi Ensuga decorated with colour paper)

3. Ngepan Saribas (wearing Rawai Tinggi)

4. Ngepan Batang Ai (without Marik Empang)

5. Ngepan Skrang (without Marik Empang)

6. Ngepan Kumang (usually seen at Kumang Gawai competition).

The common fashion trend in Iban’s beautiful ngepan is that its accessories are made with silver, which showcases the wealth & status of its bearer.

During headhunting days, Iban warriors are known for their military might, fearsome warriors, allowing them to explore more Sarawak areas & secure more territories. Their naval military is second to none in Sarawak water region, thus earning them the title “Sea Dayak”. They even stood up against British when they began to colonise Sarawak, with the most famous chief of them all – Rentap, who led fearless Iban warriors to fight against them. It took two White Rajahs to bring him down. His legacy has continued to live on in every Malaysians’ hearts. His battle cry, “Agi Hidup, Agi Ngelaban” (As long as I live, I will fight) still lives on until today as it’s the motto for the Malaysian Royal Ranger Regiment. Iban Trackers, elite soldiers played a key role in Malayan Emergency (Darurat). The late Sergeant Dato’ Awang anak Raweng was awarded a George Cross, the civilian equivalent of Britain’s highest military award, and the late Temenggong Datuk Kanang anak Langkau was awarded the nation’s two highest awards Sri Pahlawan Perkasa (SP) and the Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB), who is also the most decorated war hero of Malaysia. Sir Gerald Templer mentioned “The Ibans are the world’s best jungle trackers I have come across. They served the country admirably and I have much respect for them.”

Iban peoples are the biggest ethnic in Sarawak. Iban peoples are divided into few major groups based on their traditional distribution:

1. Sebuyau Ibans- around Lundu and Samarahan region

2. Remun Ibans – Serian division, including Balai Ringin & Simunjan.

3. Balau Ibans – Simanggang / Sri Aman

4. Saribas Ibans – Betong, Saratok & parts of Sarikei

5. Batang Ai Ibans – Lubok Antu, they are considered original Iban by anthropologist

6. Undup Ibans – Undup area

7. Rajang / Bilak Sedik Ibans – From Sarikei to Miri, Rajang River Sibu, Kapit, Belaga, Kanowit, Song, Sarikei, Bintangor & Miri.

As for their dialects, these are the main ones:

1. Saribas dialect – considered formal / “standard” dialect, taught in school, spoken around Betong and Saratok.

2. Balau, Sebuyau, Ulu Ai, and Rejang dialects, there are some variation but it is intelligible without any problem.

3. Remun dialect – Serian, Balai Ringin & Simunjan area. Iban Remun is different from the other Iban language. It is not surprising to hear them can speak Bidayuh Bukar-Sadong, considered difficult Bidayuh language, since they are living near Bidayuh area.

Note: At major cities such as Miri & Bintulu, there is a mix of Iban peoples due to people’s movement in search of a better life.

Despite their language differences, Iban people will be able to speak Iban with one another using a commonly spoken dialect, which is Iban Rajang. Iban pop-culture is not only enjoyed by Ibans, but also other peoples. Who doesn’t know Bekikis Bulu Betis? Indi duweh taruh… ooo haa.

********(Versi Iban)
Tabi basa semua! Sarawak tanah ti kaya enggau hasil bumi enggau suku bangsa ti kaya ngau pemajik sereta pemanah bangsa sida. Saritu aku diberi peluang beberitaka Bangsa Iban ti diau di Sarawak. Bangsa, salah satu bangsa Dayak ti pemadu besai ba Borneo, enggau pegari ba mata dunia enggau pemanah sereta pemajik bangsa tuk.
Aku selalu tertanya nama reti Iban. Jadi aku nanya bakih aku ianya Gibson anak Entuni, iya madah Iban tuk siti bansa ba Borneo ti bisi cherita sida kediri empu. Meri besai pengaga ati agai Benedict Sandin (1918-1982) laban udah ngaga siti dokumentari enggau manah sereta ulih nyadika rujukan agai generasi kemaya ari. Enggai bula, mayuh cherita enggau jurai ti nyengkaum semua beza (world, raised world & God’s), mayuh cerita ti udah dirungkai ari cherita penduduk Iban ba Keling, rumah panjai Ketua Panggau Libau, enggau cherita ari peturun alam ke siti da.
Kelimpah Keling nyadi siku laki Iban ti rumpas, sigat, kuat berdengah, berani, sereta pintar, lalu bini ia digelar Indu Iban Kumang ti bajik, anggun sereta manah dalam semua pemaik ia nyak nenun ” pua kumbu”, entara salah sitik ke tanda urang Iban. Pua Kumbu ari kain kapas berwarna-warni bercurak tradisional enggau disemak baka utai tuchi. Pua Kumbu dikena raban maya bisi pengerami urang Iban maya nyambut ari pengada, tuai serta pemati. Enda bebasa ke Pua Kumbu, bereti enda bebasa ke urang Iban. Enda semua urang nemu nenun Pua Kumbu tu laban utai tu dilatih enggau likun kelimpah ari teknik tang mega semangat urang seni empu peturun Dewa, Singalang Burong.
Kumang mega siti gelar ti diberi agi siku kumang ti bajik ianya Datin Senorita Linang, siku indu bangsa Iban ti keterubah digelar Kumang Gawai Dayak tiga taun bejurut — 1966, 1967 enggau 1968. Generasi kemaya ari ti ngangkat Malaysia ke mata dunya enggau Miss Universe 2020 ianya Fransisca Luhong, siku dara penatai ari bangsa Iban-Kayan ti berulih gelar Miss Universe tahun 2020.
Baka jaku kitai Iban, “bajik” tauka “lawa” madah ka reti pemajik. Baka munyi jaku urang: Indu Dara Iban tau ngaga Bujang Beranni enda ulih enseput enggau manah, enda kekesapka mata enggau tau buntau malam ari. Reti iyaaa, indu dara iban tau ngasuh urang ke biak tauka bujang meruan ingat ke enda lenyau enda ulih tinduk. “Punggung chengkik baka biola ngasuh runding Bujang nyau mawa” mai reti pemajik sida indu dara Iban ngasuh runding sida ke biak bujang nyau mawa tauka lenyau runding. Mayuh indu dara Iban berempu ke mua ti burak tauka celum mai pengerindu.
Pemajik sida mega ngari ke ati sida ari sebelah Barat lebih agi ari menua kitai Sarawak kala dipegai British sebedau Rajah megai Sarawak ngasuh Sarawak pulai agai kitai. Pemadas sereta pemajik indu Dara Iban mega tau narit ati urang bukai ke ukai bangsa Iban. Utai tu tau dipeda biasa aja agi kitai iban. Sebedau di beri nama indu Dara Iban, anak indu deka diajar bekena perengka Iban. Seda iya deka diajar bala indai tauka bala inik sida ti bisi penemu bekena ka perengka tuk. Indu Dara Iban mega belajar ngetan ke adat lebih agi bala temuai ti datai laban sida deka maik nama apai indai maya sida mantai ke diri di mua bala mayuh. Indu Dara Iban mega bisi penemu ngintu pemakai diri tauka pemakai sida sebilik. Nyadi pemandai sida ngintu pemakai diri enggau bekena ka perengka Iban endang udah nyadi ba sida Indu Dara Iban.
Indu Iban sigi pandai sereta landik enggau di temu lembut budi basa lebih agi ngagai bala apai indai tauka bala temuai. Munyi ko leka lagu Jenarino Jeraki, “Iya… Lelegup” (reti semina mantai tuchum manis).
Maya pengerami besai baka Gawai Dayak, kitai tau meda rintai bala indu Iban nganti penatai temuai sebedau sida tama ke rumah panjai. Dalam adat kitai Iban, bala indu Iban nganti penatai temuai laban deka besadung utai irup baka “tuak'” enggau “langkau”. Sida indu Iban mega nganti sida ke biak bujang mai indu tuk bertanda. Sida ke biak bujang deka nunjuk pemadas sebedau mai indu Iban bertanda. Belakang pemaik enggau lembut budi basa sida ke indu Iban, sida mega bisi nyimpan pemerani enggau akal pikir baka Kumang. Taja Indu Dara Iban tu lembut budi basa, ukai reti kitai tau ngayah sereta medis ke ati indu dara
Pemajik indu iban suah nyadi inspirasi kena ngaga lagu pengerindu baka Flora gaga Jerry Kamit, “Tuchum Lelegup” gaga Jenarino Jeraki tauka lagu-lagu ti nyinuka ati baka “Kumang Seari” & “Sinu” gaga Masterpiece enggau lagu pengarap baka “Ngarapka Nuan Nikal Pulai”. Lagu ti pemadu tampak ba keliling menua ianya “Bekikis bulu betis” digaga siku penanyi Industri Muzik Iban, Andrewson Ngalai, lagu pasal siku laki ti sanggup ngaga macham utai laban deka ngulihka indu nyak lalu naruh idup ya empu ba baris.
Maya upacara minang adat Iban ianya “Melah Pinang”, saut tanya ti paling penting ianya “nuan udah sedia deka nguai?”. Sama baka sida Bidayuh, dalam pemayuh Iban, saut tanya tu siti penanggul ti besai nambahka agi enti nuan sigi diau ba menua ti sebaka. Suba, tu meri reti nuan deka berpindah ngagai rumah panjai urang bukai lalu begulai sama enggau sida sebilik.
Pia mega, mayuh dipeda sida urang Iban enti jadi enggau urang ukai Iban laban ia udah enda berat agi deka nusui siti endur ngagai siti endur. Laban selalu ia melaki bini ti udah melah pinang besilik nyambut gawai enggau sama sebilik laban deka sekunsi ngambika nadai penanggul antara dua belah.
Kelimpah ari nyak, kebuah pengawa melah pinang tok laban deka ngerapitka kaul sama sebilik serta selalu ia deka pegulaika dua rumah panjai. Nuan nyadi pengaruh ti besai ba menua diri empu kena seduai melaki bini.
Lebuh Gawai, semua indu Iban bekena ke pekayan sida ianya Ngepan Indu Iban termasuk bekenaka perengka baka Sugu Tinggi, Tali Mulung, Rawai, Tumpa Bentuk, Buah Pauh, Gerunchung, Sementing Buchai, Lampit, Sementing Ringgit, Selampai enggau Tango.
Laban ke bisi evolusi dalam pisin ngau identiti, bepun ari nya Iban bisi mayuh bengkah curak pekayan. Aku mantai ke bengkah pekayan Iban ba baruh tu:
1. Ngepan Rajang (Tuk siti pekayan ti jarang dipeda kemaya ari tuk. Pekayan khas ari manik-manik ti disebut “Baju Ujan”, enggau penutup kepala ti disebut “Dunjung Marik”2. Ngepan Saratok (Perengka Sugu Tinggi Ensuga dirias enggau kertas warna)3. Ngepan Saribas (enda bekena ka Marik Empang, tang ngayanka bahu sida)4. Ngepan Batang Ai (enda bekena ka Marik Empang)5. Ngepan Skrang (enda bekena ka Marik Empang)6. Ngepan Kumang (suah dipeda maya pekit Kumang Gawai)
Nyadi bangsa ti besai ba Sarawak, ngau penambah dalam generasi, bangsa Iban bisi ditemu dalam bengkah dialek:
1. Dialek Saribas – formal / “standard” dialect, dipelajar ba sekul, mayuh dikena ba Betong enggau Saratok.2. Dialek Balau, Sebuyau, Ulu Ai, Rejang3. Dialek Remun – Serian, Balai Ringin & Simunjan. Iban Remun berbeza enggau jaku bangsa Iban ti bukai. Sida ya ulih bejaku Bidayuh Bukar-Sadong laban ke diau ba kawasan ti semak enggau bangsa Bidayuh
Tajapan sida ngena bangsa ti berlainan, Bangsa Iban ulih bejaku ngau pangan diri ngena bahasa Iban sida kediri empu.
Dikelala buah ari langgu,Dikelala daun ari kayu,Dikelala bangsa ari penyiru,Dikelala bansa ari leka jaku.

Tabi basa everyone! Sarawak adalah merupakan tempat yang cantik dengan orang yang cantik. Pada hari ini, saya ingin bercerita berkenaan suku Iban dari Sarawak. Secara umumnya, Iban adalah sebahagian daripada kumpulan Dayak di Borneo, dan terkenal dengan kecantikkannya.

Saya sering tertanya-tanya, apakah maksud “Iban”. Menurut rakan saya, Gibson anak Entuni, maksud Iban adalah manusia. Seperti suku kaum di Sarawak, Iban juga mempunyai cerita mereka yang tersendiri. Hasil usaha sejarawan Iban, Benedict Sandin (1918-1982), banyak cerita lisan Iban telah didokumenkan agar tidak hilang ditelan zaman. Kebanyakan cerita Iban berkisar tentang Keling, Tuai Rumah Panggau Libau, dunia orang separa-dewa.

Keling adalah idola lelaki Iban, tampan berani, gagah dan pintar. Isteri beliau, Kumang, adalah idola wanita Iban, lemah lembut, cantik dan mahir di dalam serba-serbi termasuk mahir dalam menenun “pua kumbu”. Pua Kumbu adalah kain tradisional orang Iban dan dianggap suci. Ianya digunapakai di dalam kebanyakan adat istiadat Iban dan wajar dihormati. Tidak semua orang boleh menenun pua kumbu kerana ianya melibatkan kemahiran jasmani serta penghayatan secara spiritual.

Kumang juga merupakan gelaran yang diberi kepada ratu cantik Iban. Datin Senorita Linang merupakan wanita Iban pertama yang dinobatkan Kumang Gawai Dayak sebanyak tiga kali berturut-turut, 1966, 1967 & 1968. Kepada generasi muda, mereka lebih mengenali Miss Universe 2020, Francisca Luhong, yang mana beliau adalah berketurunan Iban-Kayan.

Cantik di dalam bahasa Iban adalah “bajik”. Untuk menggambarkan kecantikan gadis Iban, “Indu Dara Iban tau ngaga Bujang Berani enda ulih enseput enggau manah, enda tekesapka mata enggau tau buntau malam ari”. Maksudnya, kecantinkannya menjadikan si teruna makan tak kenyang, mandi tak basah, tidur tak lena. Kebanyakan warna kulit gadis Iban adalah putih ke kuning langsat, dan sesetanganya berkulit hitam manis.

Kecantikan mereka juga menarik minat warga Barat, terutamanya dari England kerana Sarawak adalah menjadi tanah jajahan British selepas dipindah milik oleh Rajah Putih. Tidak hairan juga melihat banyak kahwin campur di masa kini. Dari umur yang muda, wanita Iban diajar untuk berpakaian dan berperilaku sopan terutamanya dihadapan tetamu kerana mereka membawa nama baik keluarga. Memasak adalah merupakan kemahiran asas mereka.

Secara umumnya, wanita Iban adalah bertutur dengan nada yang lembut. Seperti lagu Jenarino Jeraki, mereka tersenyum manis apabila ditanya (semina tuchum lelegup). Semasa hari Gawai, mereka akan berbaris di dalam barisan yang panjang, dan dihadapan “bilik” mereka bagi menyambut tetamu. Ianya merupakan adat Iban untuk menghidang tetamu yang datang dengan air tuak / langkau (air tuak yang disuling). Seperti suku Dayak yang lain, kaum lelaki juga harus menjadi pemimpin dan memulakan langkah pertama. Disebalik kelembutan mereka, mereka juga adalah berani bersuara dan melindungi diri mereka sekiranya perlu.

Kecantikan wanita Iban juga menjadi sumber inspirasi untuk penciptaan lagu seperti lagu Flora oleh Jerry Kamit, Tuchum Lelegup oleh Jenarino Jeraki dan sedih, seperti “Kumang Seari” & “Sinu” oleh Masterpiece dan berpengharapan seperti “Ngarapka Nuan Nikal Pulai”. Yang paling terkenal adalah, Bekikis Bulu Betis oleh Andrewson Ngalai, lagenda muzik Iban, dan ianya adalah lagu berkenaan lelaki yang sanggup melakukan apa sahaja demi mendapatkan gadis idaman.

Semasa upacara pertunangan Iban, “Melah Pinang”, soalan yang paling penting akan ditanya adalah, siapa yang akan “nguai”, yang bermaksud pergi. Sama seperti Bidayuh, untuk generasi yang terdahulu, soalan ini membawa berat tersendiri terutama yang tinggal di kawasan yang agak jauh, walaupun sedaerah. Pada zaman dahulu, ia bermaksd pihak yang ‘nguai’ akan pindah ke rumah panjang pasangan hidupnya. Oleh kerana berlakunya kahwin campur, soalan ini tidak membawa maksud yang berat seperti dulu kerana sekarang adalah lebih mudah untuk berpindah randah. Lebih senang bagi warga Iban yang kahwin orang bukan Dayak kerana mereka hanya perlu ke tempat Iban untuk menyambut Gawai. Bagi sesama Dayak pula, seperti Iban dan Bidayuh, adalah penting bagi mereka untuk menjaga hati kedua-dua belah pihak kerana perkahwinan adalah jambatan yang menghubungkan kedua-dua buah keluarga.

Pada hari Gawai, wanita-wanita Iban akan dihiasi dengan pakaian ngepa merka yang terbaik, dan dihiasi oleh Sugu Tinggi (hiasan kepala), Tali Mulung, Rawai/Rawai Tinggi (korset Iban), Tumpa Bentuk, Buah Pauh (dipegang oleh si cantik termasuk dengan Perecha), Gerunchung (loceng kaki), Sementing Buchai, Lampit, Sementing Ringgit, Selampai & Tango/Marik Empang (hiasan dada).

Evolusi fesyen menyebabkan lain tempat mempunyai lain pakaian dan keunikannya tersendiri. Antara jenis-jenis ngepan yang biasa adalah:

1. Ngepan Rajang (baju manik yang digelar “Baju Ujan”, dengan hiasan kepala bergelar “Dunjung Marik”. Ngepan ini jarang sekali dilihat)

2. Ngepan Saratok (Sugu Tinggi Ensuga dihiasi dengan kertas warna)

3. Ngepan Saribas (menggunakan Rawai Tinggi)

4. Ngepan Batang Ai (Tanpa Marik Empang)

5. Ngepan Skrang (tanpa Marik Empang)

6. Ngepan Kumang (biasanya dilihat pada pertantdingan Kumang Gawai)

Pola pemakaian ngepan melambangkan status si pemakai, kerana aksesori ngepan asli diperbuat daripada perak asli, dan ianya adalah tidak murah. Untuk bagi si gadis yang mempunyai ngepan yang diperturunkan daripada nenek moyang mereka.

Semasa zaman memburu kepala, pahlawan Iban digeruni oleh kekuatan tentera mereka, membolehkan mereka meneroka Sarawak dan melindungi lebih banyak kawasan. Kekuatan maritim mereka tiada tandingan pada masa itu, yang menyebabkan mereka digelar Dayak Laut. Mereka juga bediri melawan penjajah dari British. Tokoh Iban yang terkenal adalah Rentap yang berjuang di kawasan Saribas. Laungan beliau “agi idup, agi ngelaban” (selagi aku hidup, selagi itu aku berjuang”) meupakan slogan yang melambangkan semangat juang suku Iban, dan ianya juga diambil menjadi motto Rejimen Renjer Diraja Malaysia. Iban trackers/Penjejak Iban juga memainkan peranan penting di dalam zaman Darurat Malaya. Mendiang Sarjan Dato’ Awang anak Raweng telah dianugerahkan George Cross, pingat tertinggi untuk rakyat jelata daripada British, dan mendiang Temenggong Datuk Kanang anak Langkau telah dianugerahkan dua pingat tertinggi di Malaysia, iaitu Sri Pahlawan Perkasa (SP) dan Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB), dan merupakan wira perang Malaysia yang mempunyai anugerah terbanyak. Sir Gerald Templer menyifatkan Iban tracker adalah penjejak terbaik dunia yang pernah saya jumpa. Mereka terlah berkhidmat dengan unggul dan saya amat menghormati mereka.

Etnik Iban juga merupakan etnik terbanyak di Sarawak. Mereka boleh dibahagikan kepada kumpulan utama mereka berdasarkan pecahan-pecahan kawasan tradisional mereka:

1. Iban Sebuyau – kawasan Lundu and Samarahan

2. Iban Remun – Serian termasuk Balai Ringin & Simunjan.

3. Iban Balau – Simanggang / Sri Aman

4. Iban Saribas – Betong, Saratok & sebahagian daripada Sarikei

5. Iban Batang Ai – Lubok Antu,

6. Iban Undup – kawasan Undup

7. Iban Rajang / Bilak Sedik – Dari Sarikei ke Miri, Rajang, Sibu, Kapit, Belaga, Kanowit, Song, Sarikei, Bintangor & Miri

Untuk dialek utama mereka:

1. Saribas – dianggap formal / “standard” diajar di sekolah dan penulisan formal, digunapakai di Betong dan Saratok.

2. Balau, Sebuyau, Ulu Ai, and Rejang dialects, terdapat beberapa variasi namun tiada masalah untuk bercakap Iban sesama diri mereka

3. Remun dialect – Serian, Balai Ringin & Simunjan area. Iban Remun berbeza sedikit daripada Iban lain, dan boleh menggunakan bahasa Bidayuh Bukar-Sadong kerena tinggal berdekatan dengan kawasan Bidayuh. Contoh ayat: Tengok: Kalau bahasa Iban lain, “meda”. Iban Remun pula “Ngilau”.

Tiada: Nadai, dalam Remun, “Entai”

Tidak tahu: Enda nemu, dalam Remun, “endau badak”

Nota Penulis: Di bandar-bandar utama seperti Miri, terdapat campuran Iban kerana pergerakan demi mencari kehidupan yang lebih baik.

Walaupun terdapat perbezaan bahasa, orang Iban tiada masalah bertutur dengan orang Iban yang lain, tidak seperti orang Bidayuh yang mempunyai dialek-dialek yang jauh berbeza. Seni muzik Iban juga tidak hanya dinikmati oleh orang Iban, namun masyarakat Sarawak yang lainnya. Siapa tidak tahu lagu Bekikis Bulu Betis? Indi duweh taruh…. Ooo haaa.

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Tukang Rantek,Claudius

Claudius is a Miri-based Boudoir & Portrait Photographer, from Kpg Piching, Serian. “Tukang Rantek” means photographer in Piching dialect.

Special Thanks to these contributors:
1. Veronica Andreana (for the proper Iban translation)
2. Veeky Leonora (veekyleonora.blogspot.com) Kumang Saribas
3. Martin Dinil & Dr Mary Chalang
4. Stevie Sebol, Elyenner M. Mau & Sandine Bennidect – Ngepan Rajang
5. Vivianna Jimbun
6. Divabiz Ambassadorz team: Priscilla Nissie, Michellyn Subang, Saira Natasha, Mariani, Angelyna Luwa
7. Miri Models: Angelia Vanessa, Meyna Sebuang, Agnes Berangan, Minda Ranggong
8. Liza Acham
9. Joana Rochelle
10. Jennifer Munai
11. Eunice & Naddy

Sarawak Beauty: Dayung Bidayuh

Tabi basa everyone! Sarawak is a land full of majestic land and beautiful peoples. For today’s story, I proudly present my work on capturing Bidayuh beauties. Bidayuh means people of the land, where “dayuh” means land, and “bi-” (pronounced as “bee”) is a prefix meaning “belonging to”. Bidayuh peoples can be found at Kuching & Serian Division, though work nowadays bring Bidayuh everywhere, including offshore.

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