» Locals

Yau Kee chicken in bread at Kampar-Sungai Perak kayaking trip part I

Keong — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:21:53 +0000

The herbal chicken

Its been a while since we been kayaking anywhere. So, with plans made as early as two months before, we headed to Sungai Perak for a kayaking adventure.On the way there, we decided to stop and try the famous Kampar ‘Chicken in Bread’ at a restaurant called Yau Kee. How did we [...]

Jungle trap markers by Orang Asal in Perak

Keong — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 01:45:54 +0000

Spot the trap marker

Every wondered how jungle traps, when set are marked to warn others? There are a few Orang Asal villages I have visited that still uses traps as means to hunt game. While some traps like snares are less harmful to human beings, there are other traps that inflicts some serious injuries. [...]

Beautiful Orang Asal homes in Perak

Keong — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:51:57 +0000

Hand woven attap made of palm fronds

There are some really beautiful and almost undiscovered Orang Asal homes in Perak. Good friend Jan invited me for an exploration trip to a region around near Ipoh to look for a waterfall. I skipped work and went with Jan. It was all worth it. Not only did [...]

A visit to Semelai rice field; (Final) of a kenduri trip

Keong — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:13:08 +0000

The rice field after harvest

We had the good fortune of visiting a working Semelai (hill) rice field. Though all the rice stalks have been harvested, some burnt…there were still many things to see and learn here. Even the hut that is poised on the fringe of the rice field was interesting enough. It is [...]

Rice harvest feast with the Semelais; Part I

Keong — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:37:41 +0000

One of the Semelai women cooking up a dish for the kenduri

This is my first ever rice harvest feast (kenduri) experience. Good friend Pak Abu told me about an invitation by a Semelai we mutually know to attend his kenduri to celebrate the good harvest of his hill rice. Besides good makan, we also [...]

Home made wood packs of the Bidayuhs (Borneo)

Keong — Wed, 19 May 2010 22:54:38 +0000

Here is a video I have compiled on the wood packs hand made used by the Bidayuhs in Semban near Kuching. This pack consists of common materials, wood, rattan, nails, cordage and sometimes tree bark as straps. What’s more amazing is that the locals carry loads of up to 30kgs at times up the hill [...]

The hill rice of the Bidayuhs

Keong — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:30:32 +0000

I wished I had more time to stay in Semban and see the entire process of how the Bidayuh’s plant and process their hill rice. Rice, being the staple for generations has been planted and processed entirely at the village. With the introduction of machinery, work on rice processing has gotten a bit easier.

Bidayuh women in Semban still wearing copper rings! ; Part IX

Keong — Sat, 08 May 2010 02:45:27 +0000

A coil of copper ring belonging to Sagen’s late grandmother- pic by Meun

I didn’t know that Bidayuh women wore copper rings on their arms and legs as a sign or beauty and status until I saw it for myself in Semban. Our guide Danny did mention it but I never thought much of the [...]

Sunrise and morning walk around Semban village; Part VII

Keong — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:51:23 +0000

Wake up at 5am to hike up a steep hill just to see the sun rise is not my usual cup

The 5am hike to see watch the sun rise is a must says Danny Voon, our guide to Semban. Having arrived the previous day, we were still recovering from the sore body but the [...]

Smoking Bidayuh’s traditional bamboo pipe & feasting on local food; Part VI

Keong — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:50:06 +0000

Never felt more at home in a stranger’s house

The hospitality of the Bidayuhs in Semban is overwhelming. They shared with us the bountiful produce of their land, made sure we saw & experience all the things we wanted to and even had the doors of their home open for us to spend the nights. [...]