The Magical Attractions of Kumang’s Bathing Place

"Kumang gathered her silky long hair to the right and gently squeezed water out of the thick strand. She just finished her bath by the Kayan River. She looked up to the sky for a home she could not see. Panggau Libau longhouse was situated on the first layer of the sky, just above where …

Mount Santubong: A Tale of Two Princesses

In conjunction with National Storytelling Week 2021 (31 January - 6 February), here is a popular folklore from Sarawak, Borneo. The Legend of Mount Santubong Mount Santubong is one of the most famous tourist attraction places in Sarawak. Located 35 kilometer from Kuching City, and reachable in a 45 minutes drive, facing the South China …

Betong Gawai Parade 2019: Celebrating the Existence of Dayak Ethnic

My family and I went to Betong to see the Gawai Parade on 4th May, 2019. It was the first time we had the chance to see how it was like. Before I began describing the parade, I had better explain a few things. The history of 'Gawai Dayak' 'Gawai Dayak' first started in Sarawak, …

RUMAH PANJANG MATOP: The Longhouse Where Tindin Lived

This post is a detour from the Tusut Sampurai Series series that have been posted before this. When I found out that MATOP is the longhouse where Tindin and his followers lived after they had settled down in Paku area, I felt compelled to write about the longhouse. And, of course, for the sake of …

Lambir Hill National Park

Lulong smiled. She kind of liked this girl and pitied her for having such a family. “Why not? When we manage to get out of here, you should come to our place.” “Where do you live actually? I know it’s somewhere in the sky, like us. First layer, right?” “Yes. We dwell at the upper …

Mulu Caves

From the very beginning when I started working on TROPAWS Series, I have made up my mind that I wanted to highlight the many Parks and Wildlife Sanctuary in Borneo. Therefore, if you have read all TROPAWS's volumes and you wondered why the Panggau Warriors only had their adventures in the designated conserved land that men …

Mulu Park’s Bat Exodus: A Natural Wonder

Silence filled the air. For a few seconds, even the trees and the animals of the forest stopped making their usual sound as if they, too, took time to digest what they just heard about Tutong’s son.  The whooshing roar of millions of pairs of wings heard from a great distance broke the silence. They …

Gomantong Caves

“Are you trying to call our King a coward? Of course he will come alone. He’s not afraid of you!” Guang was offended. “Now, speak! When do you want the meeting be?” “Let’s see…” Laja tried to think of the best time to confront Apai Ribai. His heart demanded a meeting a soon as possible, …

Ulu Temburong National Park

Ulu Tinting, like any other longhouses, was built on stilts. Unlike any other longhouses, the stilts were taller than the canopies of forest trees. From where he was standing, Bedindang could only see uneven green canopies under his feet, without any sight of the forest ground. He was standing on top of a wooden staircase …

The Remnants of the Iban Demi-Gods on Borneo Island

In today’s world Panggau Warriors are said to be the Iban cultural heroes although the propriety of myth and legend dictates that they are acknowledged as gods (or some prefer to call them 'demi-gods'). Regardless of the individual preference as to treat them either as historical or mythical characters, it is recorded that the stories of …