This was my first experience seeing the Ibans bush skills in the jungle. We have walked a good 3 hours to our campsite, along one of the local Iban’s usual hunting grounds. With our packs down on the ground, our guides started [...]]]>

Our Iban guides with the parangs on their waist ready to setup camp

This was my first experience seeing the Ibans bush skills in the jungle. We have walked a good 3 hours to our campsite, along one of the local Iban’s usual hunting grounds. With our packs down on the ground, our guides started to scan the area for a good spot to build shelter and kitchen areas. The chief guide then gathered the rest of the guides…murmurs a few words and they all disappears.

From a distance, we could hear chopping and crashing towering bamboo bowing down to the ground. One by one the guides came back to the camp area with materials to build shelter. Some had logs for fire, bamboo for shelter, Y shaped branches for erecting supports, leaves for cooking and tree vines for cordage. All in a matter of minutes.

Two freshly cut pieces of wood became the pot resting place

Rice cooking got on first

Bamboo of course was the main material used. Guide Sabang expertly cut sections of the bamboo to cook rice and meat inside for our dinner. He then washes them in the stream to rid off the hairy and itchy tiny hairs on the bamboo using a leaf to rub them off.

Guide Sabang preparing bamboo for cooking food

After done chopping wood for fire, guide Noeng makes a wooden spatula for food prep use

While the kitchen was on the way, a few of the guides started to clear a small area to build a raised platform for sleeping. Bamboo and Y shaped wood was fetched for this purpose while guide Ujin harvested some jungle vines to use as cordage. Strangely, when I first say him stripping the bark off the vine, my initial thought was he will be using the bark for cordage. Instead, it is the inner part of the vine that he is after. With the barks stripped, Ujin used a stone to separate the inner fibers.

The guides took little time in what seems like child play to clear the area for shelter building

The jungle shelter in the making

Ujin stripped the outer bark of the vine. It is the inner part that he is after

Strips of vines that Ujin retrieved from the vine

There were a total of 7 outsiders. Myself and Vincent brought our own hammocks and we were already putting up our hammocks as shelter building by the Ibans got on the way. It was an elevated sleeping platform for the visitors. Rather elaborate for a two nights stay but I guess they wanted us to be as comfortable as we can.

None of the Iban guides were sitting around resting. Everyone was busy with something. It was like watching a play. Everyone was doing their own things, all different from the other yet they were in sync in terms of what the final outcome needs to be.

One of the guides tended to the fish and rice cooking in the bamboo

It is true that bamboo has many uses. The Iban knows this very well. From cooking to shelter building, they also prepared us some ‘jungle’ cups. The outer green shell of the bamboo were removed to avoid getting the small hairy hairs into our drinks.

Modern and local style...cups made from bamboo sections

We were given one cup each but there was one particular cup that no one ones and it kept coming around. The guides brought with them a few bottles of what looks like crystal clear water. But this is no ordinary drinking water. It is the famous Langkau. A local favorite brew. I noticed my friend Jan’s face lit up whenever the small ‘cup’ was passed around.

Guide Isa pouring Langkau into the special bamboo cup that kept making its round that evening

It was the first day of our jungle trip in Batang Ai. So far, the experience has been nothing short of amazing. And while we visitors retreated to the comforts of our inflatable mats, sleeping bags and hammocks, we can hear from a distance the chatters of our Iban guide. What are they up to I wonder.

A face net or face veil (some people call it Shemagh) can be used to make a simple trap for river prawns. There are several methods to catch river prawns with a net like this. During a trip to test out my minimum kit , I decided [...]]]>

Some of the river prawn caught and cooked

A face net or face veil (some people call it Shemagh) can be used to make a simple trap for river prawns. There are several methods to catch river prawns with a net like this. During a trip to test out my minimum kit , I decided to try making a prawn trap similar to the bigger ones used on rice field waterways.

The face net is something useful. I like them because they dry fast and very handy when walking out in the open. Use them to cover your head and face and you get a very effective shade and sun blocker. Not to mention, they can also be used to cover the face when sleeping in the jungle without a mosquito net.

I used all materials I can find around with me to make this trap. The face net was spread out on four corners using bamboo pieces. The tip of the bamboo pieces we tied to the corners of the face net with rubber bands and other cordage I found lying around.

Bamboo pieces tied to the corners of the face veil

River prawns are almost nocturnal (I think). During day time, it is almost impossible to see them roaming around on the river bed. At night however, I noticed there were many picking up on food bits  at the spot where I cleaned by billy.  To lure them into the trap, I used some pieces of bread wrapped in gauze from my First Aid Kit. The ‘bait sachets’ were then tied towards the middle of the trap.

I made the entire trap in the wee hours of the morning. Before sunrise. I wanted to try out the trap as well as have the prawns for breakfast. With a rock to weigh down the net in the middle, I gently place the trap inside the river.

The trap with a rock to weigh down the middle in the river

Less than 5 minutes later, I was already collecting enough prawns to fill my bamboo container. It worked better than I imagined! I could have caught more but factually, I am not in a survival situation, hence no need to deplete the river of the prawns. For a simple trap like that and the amount of prawns I caught, I’d day I am a happy camper.

One of the catches in the trap

Well, this river prawn trap worked but I doubt if I can ever get enough for a meal. Then again, in a survival situation…we can’t be choosers rite?

It is amazing how the Bidayuhs in Semban, Sarawak make use of bamboo in their daily life. Its been known that bamboo has a thousand and one uses. I have seen bamboo being used to start fire, cook food, obtain water, [...]]]>

The Bidayuhs in Semban is really resourceful with the natural materials found around them

It is amazing how the Bidayuhs in Semban, Sarawak make use of bamboo in their daily life. Its been known that bamboo has a thousand and one uses. I have seen bamboo being used to start fire, cook food, obtain water, carvings, weapon, traps and so much more. But during this second trip to Semban, I learn new uses of bamboo.

I told myself during my first visit that I need to get back to Semban if there’s a chance. There’s simply too much to see, learn and experience. During this second visit, I have taken the opportunity to look closer at a few local bushcraft skills. Right at the start of the trail, bamboo seems to be the main working material. The suspension bridge has been repaired/ refurbished with new and stronger pieces. Much sturdier and ‘good looking’ compared to when I first went on it.

The bridge is sturdier and stronger with new pieces of bamboos installed

Further along the trail in a distance a few local farmers taking shelter in a hut. The hut as it turns out is being built mostly from bamboo. I approached them and started to chat. While chatting (the usual stuff about what are the planting etc), I noted that the hut has a really unique roofing. They are made entirely of bamboo!

Note the roof of the hut is made entirely of bamboo

The bamboos used for the roofing are quite large. They are split into halves, then the inside notches removed. Overlapping the bamboos on each other, they provide both shelter from the sun and rain as well!

How the bamboo pieces are arranged to shelter the occupants from the elements

Ijok cordage used to bind the bamboo pieces to build the hut

I like this simple hut a lot because it really is ‘original’. Even the binding is still made with Ijok. A traditionally cordage made from palm fibers. Wait for our next write up on bamboo and its many uses!

‘E’kak’ is a container, made of bamboo is used by the Bidayuhs in Semban to keep their smoked food (game meat usually) for months, at times up to more than a year. Here, local guide Glen lets me have a closer look at the ‘E’kak’.

This bamboo food container is [...]]]>

E’kak stacked together with split bamboos

‘E’kak’ is a container, made of bamboo is used by the Bidayuhs in Semban to keep their smoked food (game meat usually) for months, at times up to more than a year. Here, local guide Glen lets me have a closer look at the ‘E’kak’.

This bamboo food container is stacked together with an entire rack of dry split bamboo, ready for use as fire wood in the kitchen inside Glen’s house. Below the rack is actually the fire place. This design of stacking firewood above a fire seems to be quite common in Borneo. The first time I seen this was in one of the villages in Miri. Not only is it convenient (just take from above to feed the fire below) but it is also a very effective way to be efficient. The heat from the fire below helps to dry and keep dry the wood above.

Now, I found out that the design also helps to keep the E’kak dry and the constant smoking probably make it unattractive to ants etc that would otherwise finish the food. The bamboo used for this purpose is rather large in diameter. The open end is plugged with either another bamboo or by using a ‘cork’ like wood that is shaped to fit the main piece.

Two E’kak, both using different style of lid

It seems that most of the meats stored in the E’kak are rather ‘dry’ meat. Meaning they are not fatty kind of meat. That way, the smoked meat will last longer. Meat in E’kak can last up to a year or even more and villagers usually use them to make soup. So…I decided to take a peek into one of the E’kak to see what in there.

Some of the ‘items’ inside the bamboo made E’kak

Glen with a piece of meat from one of the E'kak

Would love to see for myself how the food is dried and then kept in the E’kak for future use but my visit to Semban for the second time is only for a few days. Visit to Semban never cease to amaze me.

Traditional crafts and utensils like plant leaves for food wrapping, palm fronds as food basket and bamboo platters are all still part of everyday life in the Bidayuh village of Semban, Sarawak. Each time I visit this beautiful place, I am amazed at the [...]]]>

The variety of hand woven baskets for a variety of tasks

Traditional crafts and utensils like plant leaves for food wrapping, palm fronds as food basket and bamboo platters are all still part of everyday life in the Bidayuh village of Semban, Sarawak. Each time I visit this beautiful place, I am amazed at the resourcefulness, determination and practicality of the people. In a way, I think they are masters of bushcrafting in their own right.

It was my second trip to Semban and I took time to visit other houses in the village. Glen’s house was particularly interesting. It was here that I discovered the many ‘everyday’ crafts that are still in use. It started off with dinner. Among the many plastic bowls and plates, a peculiar brown card-board like material in the shape of a miniature boat caught my eye. In it were our vegetables for the night.

'Pokok' being used to serve food

These ‘bowls’ were made of the fronds of the Sago palm. They are known as ‘Pokok’ locally. They are amazingly rigid, takes heaps of food and was used on many occasions during my visit there. It is free, chemical free and 100% recyclable.

A closer look at ‘Pokok’

'Pokok' being used to hold BBQ

Other food container I saw used at Glen’s house includes one made of bamboo. Something straight from some posh restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.

Bamboo used to serve food

Glen’s sister in law keeping an eye on Pansuh, a special dish cooked in bamboo

A pair of tongs made from bamboo

To top it all, I was fortunate this time around when our ‘tapau’ (take-away) rice to the waterfall hike was actually packed in leaves. The leaves, broad and long is cleaned and blanched and used to pack rice neatly for eating several hours later. Rice packed in the morning and can still be eaten for dinner the same dinner! These pack away rice is called ‘Mors Spit‘.

Leaf wrapped rice, also known as ‘Mors Spit’ by the locals in Semban

Preparing 'Mors Spit' or rice wrapped in leaf for take away

The villagers of Semban, Sarawak make their own artificial bee hive/ nest from natural materials found in the jungles around them. Placed under their wooden houses and huts, the bees in return provide their ‘landlords’ with honey and hard work pollinating the flowering plants in [...]]]>

It’s a win-win relationship between villagers and bees in Semban

The villagers of Semban, Sarawak make their own artificial bee hive/ nest from natural materials found in the jungles around them. Placed under their wooden houses and huts, the bees in return provide their ‘landlords’ with honey and hard work pollinating the flowering plants in the farm.

This is another version of artificial bee hive hung underneath the house

The bee ‘containers’ can be found hung underneath some shade all around the village. I find it ironic because normally people would prefer these sorts of thing far from their house (in case the bees decide to go on a stinging rampage). But perhaps because honey is hard to come by and because of this, it is only natural that owners wants to keep their precious ‘sweets’ close to them.

Another ‘Bleh teh’ hanging underneath a villager’s house

I saw one of these bee containers in the making when I visited Glen’s vegetable plot early one morning. I was busy listening to him explaining and demonstrating the bamboo mouse trap when my eyes caught a block of hollowed tree trunk seating beside the hut. I was curious.

A ‘Bleh-teh' in the making

Glen is making a ‘Bleh teh’ utilizing a tree trunk. The tree is called ‘Nong’ in Bidayuh language. It’s a rather soft wood type of wood and Glen is in the process of hollowing the block of wood. I did not have the opportunity to see the entire process but only the ‘hollowing’ of the block of wood. What amazes me is that it is done not using any metal tool but just a piece of bamboo. This is the traditional way a ‘Bleh teh’ is made. I wondered for some time why he traditionally they did not just use a metal instrument and the only reason I can think of is because in the olden days, metal is scarce and one would try to do everything with as minimal use of metal as possible.

Glen preparing bamboo which he will then use to hollow the block of ‘Nong’ wood

I will upload a video I took of Glen demonstrating part of the ‘Bel-teh’ man made bee hive soon.

Many [...]]]> Here is a video of a traditional furnace which belongs to the Bidayuhs in Semban Sarawak. Local guide and villager Glen and his father was kind enough to setup the furnace just to demonstrate how their old furnace works. The feathers on the ‘plungers’ are not from chickens but from a particular type of raptor.

Many apologies for the poor sound recording.

Some of the old tools that belong to the Bidayuh villagers in Semban are so old; they date back generations to the time of Rajah Brooke. During our visit there, we got to see traditional Bidayuh [...]]]>

The fibers from Ijok palm tree has been used as cordage for generations and is still being used today

Some of the old tools that belong to the Bidayuh villagers in Semban are so old; they date back generations to the time of Rajah Brooke. During our visit there, we got to see traditional Bidayuh sugarcane crusher, old hunting weapons, hand powered forge and even an old rifle.

I reckon I can spend a few more days just discovering the tools used by the Bidayuh in Semban. As the guides shared with me the details of each tool, I became more and more immersed in its beauty and ingenuity.

The fibers of the Ijok palm tree for example has been used for generations as cordage to bind things together. It is one of the villager’s main cordage and it can be seen holding together bridges, houses and even floorings.

Sagen holding a coil of Ijok cordage ready for use

This is the best photo I got of an Ijok palm

Next to Ijok palm, there’s of course the Terap tree where the inner barks are also used for cordage. Thought commonly used by the Orang Asal in Peninsula, the Bidayuh seems to prefer the Ijok cordage for general rough use. Nevertheless, coils of harvested Terap and its application can be seen around the village

Coils of Terap bark ready for use - Pic by Meun

The carrying straps on this basket (hung upside down from the roof) is made of Terap fibers

This rolled up mat was made primarily using Terap fibers and rattan

A visit to guide Glen’s house is probably one which is filled most with “waaaaa…” and “wow…wow…wow”. Glen and his father were very kind in showing us some of the stuff stored in their store shed. The items include a traditional rice pounder or known as ‘Lisung’ locally (to remove the husk), hunting weapons, a blow pipe and a hand powered forge.

The rice pounder has not seen much use since the rice mill machine was brought up to the village

A close-up picture

Glen holding his blowpipe

The metal piece at the tip of the blowpipe helps steady it during use

The ‘cork’ like texture of this inner palm core is used to make blow darts

Three different types of hunting spears for different game

Now, I have heard about the hand powered forge but I never imagined I would have the good fortune of seeing one at Semban village. Being a blade enthusiasts, I have always wondered how traditional forges look like. This forge belongs to Glen’s family too. Though they no longer forge their own blades (most are bought from nearby towns now), they still know how to use it. “If we have good metal, we will fire up the forge again for sure” says Glen.

I will compile a video on this soon!

We went to a few locations to look at some of the old tools. One that stood out old but probably not traditional is an old rifle. The owner believes that it dates back to the time of the White Raja (James Brooke) and the rifle has been handed down in his family for generations. The owner wasn’t sure if the riffle can still fire.

The old rifle believed to be from the Brooke’s era- Pic by Meun

There are also cool Bidayuh kitchen tools. One such tool is the sugarcane crusher or ‘Erk’tes’ as locals calls it. I reckon this tool must be important to the Bidayuh since it is needed to make the good tasting Tepui (alcoholic drink).

The wooden sugarcane crusher or ‘Erk’tes’ (in Bidayuh)

To use the sugarcane crusher, a wooden piece is inserted into the hole on the statue and sugarcane is placed in between. The wooden piece (not in the picture) is then used to crush the sugarcane, forcing the liquid out, flowing along the beak like funnel. The sugarcane juice will then be collected using a container (not in the picture). And to store Tepui, the Bidayuh uses a gourd like container so that they can be carried around.

The gourd liquid container

I would love to have more time to explore and learn more about the Bidayuhs of Semban and their life. The tools they shared with me on this visit was an eye opener. Their tools are symbols ingenuity and adaptability, something that I think is the missing ingredient in today’s society.

Other posts/ videos on Semban:

• Part I- A visit to Semban, the village above the clouds
• Part II- The hanging bamboo bridges of Semban
• Part III- The long walk up to Semban
• Part IV- The waterfalls at Semban
• Part V1- The Bidayuh’s traditional cutting tools
• Part V2- The kitchen and bamboo blades of the Bidayuhs in Semban
• Part VI- Traditional bamboo smoking pipe and great food
• Part VII- Sunrise and morning walk around Semban
• Part VIII- Old tools used by the Bidayuhs in Semban
• Part IX- Ladies of the rings in Semban
• Video- The bidayuh’s hill paddy
• Video- The home made wooden pack that carries EVERTHING up Semban!
• Video- Bidayuh’s traditional furnace
• Video- Bidayuh’s traditional blades

We were ready to head back when some of the Kenip villagers asked us to join them for lunch. This ‘detour’ gave me a firsthand experience with the Semai’s hill rice, blow pipe and traditional fire starter.

It is impolite to decline so we made our way to [...]]]>

‘No nails’ step ladder into the villager’s hut

We were ready to head back when some of the Kenip villagers asked us to join them for lunch. This ‘detour’ gave me a firsthand experience with the Semai’s hill rice, blow pipe and traditional fire starter.

It is impolite to decline so we made our way to the hut. Already, the hut was buzzing with activity. I took small, careful steps climbing up the stairs. The last thing I wanna do is to break parts of the hut.

Inside the hut, we were followed with curious eyes. We took pictures of them and shared it with them, a sure way to put smiles on their faces. The stale rather vacuum stage suddenly came to life with laughter and giggles all around.

Semai children enjoying pictures- pic by Jan

As the atmosphere warmed up, we were handed a plate of cooked hill rice. The rice tastes a bit sweeter than the normal rice I am used to but I like it. I can get used to this I told myself. On one side of the house, I noticed sacks of unprocessed hill padi. I can imagine that it is really hard work to plant, harvest and process the padi.

My first taste of Semai hill rice

Sacks of unhusked hill rice waiting to be processed

As we were enjoying the rice and the company of the Semai children, Pak Dollah stood and reached out to the shelves in the hut for what looks like a long piece of wood. Turns out it is the hut owner’s blowpipe. This is a genuine Semai blowpipe, still in use for hunting. It was more than a hunting tool to me. It is a work of art! The entire length of the blowpipe is at least 3m. It is made from Temian bamboo and has intricate carvings on it. What a wonderful piece of art!

The carvings on the blowpipe

The hole in the mouthpiece is covered to prevent insects like spiders from entering

The joint of two pieces of Temiang bamboo

Pak Dollah then dismantled the blowpipe into two. He removed the smaller diameter piece from the ‘outer’ shell. The outer larger diameter Temiang bamboo gives the inner piece (where the dart actually travels in) more rigidity and protection.

The inner piece of blowpipe and the outer one

I also noticed a blowpipe dart container hanging on the wall of the hut

I was even more curious now. I wonder how much of their traditional knowledge and skill still remains. So, I asked one of the men in the hut if he knows how his people started fire before the introduction of matches and lighters.

“Tak tahu la…ada peninggalan datuk tapi saya tak tau guna”- “I don’t know but I have something that has been passed down to me but I have not used it before”. Soon, he took out two pieces of object from a bag. Turns out it’s a piece of metal and a piece of rock, possibly river rock. He showed us how the two pieces are held. I guess it is the percussion method, striking the two pieces together to produce sparks that will then be caught in some sort of tinder which will eventually grow to a fire.

The two pieces, one metal and one stone to start a fire, possible?

This is how it is done

It a shame we did not have the tinder, otherwise we would be able to try striking the two pieces together. Something of a heirloom, I sincerely hope he will not sell or trade the two pieces together. He said he will try to get it going again and when he is successful, he will send word for me. Now THAT is a good reason to come back.

Continue reading previous parts…

Part I – A visit to Semai’s village at Pos Betau

Part II – The remote Kampung Kenip

Part III – The walk to Kenip Falls

Part IV – The waterfalls at Kenip

‘Saya pernah ajar dia orang sekali, lepas tu dia orang try buat sendiri, tak jadi!’ This was what Tok Ali said to me, referring to the attempts by some tourist guides who tried to demonstrate the use of fire pistons after just one lesson from him. Tok Ali [...]]]>

Tok Ali’s fire piston, handed through generations

‘Saya pernah ajar dia orang sekali, lepas tu dia orang try buat sendiri, tak jadi!’ This was what Tok Ali said to me, referring to the attempts by some tourist guides who tried to demonstrate the use of fire pistons after just one lesson from him. Tok Ali then came and sat with us, holding with him a plastic bag that contains his fire piston.

A local Orang Asal in Endau Rompin directed us to Tok Ali. A rustic and mysterious man, Tok Ali is both a traditional bomoh (medicine man) and a knowledgeable herbalist. As we sat in his house, we can’t help but notice the many interesting things around. There’s a blow pipe, bundles of dried tree leaves and roots, strips of tree barks hanging on the wall and a boring looking aquarium.

Surprisingly, the tinder Tok Ali used is almost identical like the one used by the Semelais. The tinder consists of fibers from a type of fishtail palm, mixed with crushed charred tapioca leaves. As he prepares the fire piston (FP) for a demonstration, we can’t help but notice that he us using wax from a candle to ‘lubricate’ the terap ‘o-ring’. Semelais uses water to swell the seals of their FPs and according to Tok Ali, he believes back then; his people may have used fish oil instead. A few seconds later, Tok Ali already got the first amber going.

The smoldering tinder on Tok Ali’s fire piston

Tok Ali knows how to make FPs but not really keen on making them. It takes too much time and work. He made the one in the picture above from a type of hard wood. I took a look at the piece and noticed that the tolerance between the piston shaft and the hole is quite big but it is still able to work. Impressive really.

There were some kids watching us. Tok Ali’s grandsons and nephews. One of them seems to be very familiar with the FP. Perhaps he is Tok Ali’s protege. He asked for the fire piston and lighted his cigarette with it. As much as we are impressed with his skill in using the FP, we are equally surprised that he is already smoking at such an age!

The boy lighting his cigarette using Tok Ali’s fire piston

To be continued…