VOICES FROM A LONGHOUSE (Part I)

In The Beginning...

This will be a series of posting dedicated to unravel the mysterious Iban - being part and proud of it! Now, when I mentioned the term "Iban", does it rings a bell to you guys? For sure it's not something I've coined out of boredom. If not, then you are on the right track! This posting will discuss about the past, present and the future of Ibans in a different perspective as seen from a student's point of view.

Before going further, I just wanna make it crystal clear that we (The Ibans) are not identical as to what depicted in here @ here. Never in our minds did this kind of thing ever happened nowadays unless you are talking about some silly, low-class, unscholastic advertisement like those stated above.

(before)

It can't be denied that for centuries, Ibans were renowned for practising headhunting and tribal/territorial expansion. A long time ago, being a very strong and successful warring tribe, the Ibans were a very feared tribe in Borneo and often referred to as Sea Dayak by the then British Colonial. Mind you, things change and the changes are prominent! Now, the days of headhunting and piracy are long gone and it has come the modern era of globalization and technology for the Ibans.

(after)

I believed that our inception to be part of Malaysia is no coincidence. The Ibans are struggling to be as developed as other races and to be a contributor in achieving the Vision 2020 playing their role hoping to be part of a just society. They are involving themselves in all sort of business and occupation; from street hawkers to international business maker, from blue collar bread winner to professional employee.

As can be observed in any culture in the olden days, where the age of technology is beyond reach; yes, anybody can fool and be fooled - anyone can perform a trick of becoming a witchdoctor whose after a series of promising dance was able to appease The Rain God to pour down water, mesmerizing the other in follies. But, let me tell you, this is not me being a witchdoctor whatsoever convincing you, the readers without proof. Click here for more reliable search - at least, wikipedia is something people look up to as far as further information is to be concerned.

To be continued...

Suba selalu sida niang aki madah ngagai aku; agi enchelak agi bebatak! Retinya, if there's a will, there's always a way. Ba runding aku siku, tu meh siti ari chara ia kitai mandang ke pemeran diri ke bansa. Mayuh orang semina bejaku aja, tang nadai ngereja pengawa ti patut digaga. Kenu ko orang "patung nyaut, tang kaki enda engkebut"