Camping with the Ibans of Batang Ai, Borneo

[bandel4]

Hi everyone...

In June, I organized a group of like minded friends (6 in total) to a jungle camping trip with the Ibans of Batang Ai. We planned the trip so that we stayed at least a night at the long house and 2 nights camping out in the jungle.
Here are some pictures from the trip:

There are many long houses still at Batang Ai area. A man made dam, the long houses today exists on what used to be hill tops. The long houses here still do not have supplied electricity (mostly run on generator) and the villagers still hunt and work the land for livelihood.
We visited a few long houses.

Inside one of the long houses.

Some of the 'older' folks still bare the tatoos (or 'pantang' as they called it).


What really surprised me was that most of the long houses there still make and use their own parang! Because they rely heavily on farming and hunting, they each village have their own forge and parang makers.

Parangs are an EVERYDAY tool for these folks. Each 'pintu' (door) would probably have at least 4 to 7 pieces of parangs for their daily work.

Some of the WIP parangs.

One of the parangs that has been tempered.

Looks very much like Ray Mear's parang. Or should I say Mr Mear's parang looks remarkably like the Iban's Candong? He...he...he...


Some of the older and family heritage blades:

Will upload more pictures soon.

 

[mountainm]

Fascinating stuff, thanks for sharing.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Brilliant post matey, would love to see more of the parangs and how they make them but mostly the long house and life around it! Thank you,

 

[bandel4]

Thanks guys...as promised...more pics.

Arriving at the long house, we were greeted by some of the elder folks.

Well, it was a really 'merry' night. The entire long house was up, preparing a feast, complete with 'Langkau' and 'Tuak'. The 'tanjok' was where it all happened.

The night was followed with some ceremony, including the Ngajat dance. To be honest, I was so thrilled I totally forgot to take pictures of those moments!
Prior to coming over to the long house, we were advised by our local guide to buy gifts for the families there. After we have passed all the 'gifts' to the Tuai Rumah (chief), he went along and divided all the things we bought into 10 equal piles. He did this in front of everyone. Obviously, there were 10 families in that long house and everyone got equal share, including the chief himself.

Yes, farming and hunting is still their main livelihood. Because they are surrounded by water, it is only natural that they fish as well. They have nets and reels but they also make their own spear guns.

And some animals were kept around the long house...pets or dinner, I am not sure

Southey...I will post more pics on parang making soon.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Thank you very much Bandel

 

[rik_uk3]

Cracking stuff mate :You_Rock_

 

[bandel4]

I have compiled and uploaded a video onto Youtube, the 'Parang' section of our trip there.
Have a watch on the link to the video below


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSHWw_sF7Vo

 

[the interceptor boy]

cheers bandel 14 very informative.someone should do a group buy of the parangs. I am sure their is a market and someone will come along to help.

 

[bandel4]

cheers bandel 14 very informative.someone should do a group buy of the parangs. I am sure their is a market and someone will come along to help.

Thank you for that. Yes, I have commissioned the first piece and will upload pics when I get them. These are genuinely hand made in the village itself. I have requested that they re-learn some of the bindings and knots and apply them into the parang. If I can get enough people interested to support, this would hopefully give them a reason to continue the skill and art. At the moment, they just cannot care much of the 'old' ways because much of their time is too focused on making ends meet.
With this parang project, maybe the monies they receive can supplement their income, make them realize there is value in their 'old' ways and hopefully encourage them to revive it.

 

[BOD]

...

After we have passed all the 'gifts' to the Tuai Rumah (chief), he went along and divided all the things we bought into 10 equal piles. He did this in front of everyone. Obviously, there were 10 families in that long house and everyone got equal share, including the chief himself.
...

That's one reason why the Iban are many travellers favourite tribe - democratic and egalitarian- unlike the coastal Malays or some of the up country peoples - ridden with hierachy, aristocracy and corruption.

 

[bandel4]

That's one reason why the Iban are many travellers favourite tribe - democratic and egalitarian- unlike the coastal Malays or some of the up country peoples - ridden with hierachy, aristocracy and corruption.

Ha ha ha...you are right Bod. You know Malaysia too well!

Here are some pictures of the forge workshop that I did not post in the Youtube video.

The belian water 'log' for tempering

The hand powered blower

Two villagers working at the shed.