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Iban

This article was taken from the wikipedia:

The Ibans are a branch of the Dayak peoples of Borneo. In Malaysia, most Ibans are located in Sarawak, a small portion in Sabah and some in west Malaysia. They were formerly known during the colonial period by the British as Sea Dayaks. Ibans were renowned for practising headhunting and tribal/territorial expansion and had a fearsome reputation as a strong and successful warring tribe in ancient times.

Since the arrival of Europeans and the subsequent colonisation of the area, headhunting gradually faded out of practice although many tribal customs, practices and language continue. The Iban population is concentrated in Sarawak, Brunei, and in the West Kalimantan region of Indonesia. They live in longhouses called rumah panjai[1].

Nowadays, most of the Iban longhouses are equipped with modern facilities such as electricity and water supply and other facilities such as (tar sealed) roads, telephone lines and the internet. Younger Ibans are mostly found in urban areas and visit their hometowns during the holidays. The Ibans today are becoming increasingly urbanised while retaining most of their traditional heritage and culture.

Total population are 600,000 (Sarawak only)
Regions with significant populations are Sarawak, Brunei & West Kalimantan
Language is Iban
Religion is  Christianity
Related Ethnic Groups are Kantu, Mualang, Semberuang, Bugau & Sebaru'
  
Iban History

The origin of the name is a mystery, although many theories exist. During the British colonial era, the Ibans were called Sea Dayaks. Some believe that the word Iban was an ancient original Iban word for people or man. The modern-day Iban word for people or man is mensia, a totally modified Malay loan word of the same meaning (manusia) of Sanskrit Root.

The Ibans were the original inhabitants of Borneo Island. Like the other Dayak tribes, they were originally farmers, hunters, and gatherers. Not much is known about Iban people before the arrival of the Western expeditions to Asia. Nothing was ever recorded by any voyagers about them. The History of the migration of Iban people trace back to China where historians believe that the original Iban people migrated from Yunnan, a province in rural China.

The Ibans were unfortunately branded for being pioneers of headhunting. Headhunting among the Ibans is believed to have started when the lands occupied by the Ibans became over-populated. In those days, before the arrival of western civilization, intruding on lands belonging to other tribes resulted in death. Confrontation was the only way of survival.

In those days, the way of war was the only way that any Dayak tribe could achieve prosperity and fortune. Dayak warfare was brutal and bloody, to the point of ethnic cleansing. Many extinct tribes, such as the Seru and Bliun, are believed to have been assimilated or wiped out by the Ibans. Tribes like the Bukitan, who were the original inhabitants of Saribas, are believed to have been assimilated or forced northwards as far as Bintulu by the Ibans. The Ukits were also believed to have been nearly wiped out by the Ibans.

The Ibans started moving to areas in what is today's Sarawak around the 15th century. After an initial phase of colonising and settling the river valleys, displacing or absorbing the local tribes, a phase of internecine warfare began. Local leaders were forced to resist the tax collectors of the sultans of Brunei. At the same time, Malay influence was felt, and Iban leaders began to be known by Malay titles such as Datu (Datuk), Orang Kaya, Nakhoda and "Panglima". The other titles of Dayaks are Tuai Rumah, Tuai Menoa, Tuai Burong, Tuai Bumai, Manang, Lemambang and more modern titles include Pengulu, Pengarah and Temenggung.

In later years, the Iban encountered the Bajau and Illanun, coming in galleys from the Philippines. These were seafaring tribes who came plundering throughout Borneo. However, the Ibans feared no tribe, and fought the Bajaus and Illanuns. One famous Iban legendary figure is known as UnggangLebor Menoa from Entanak, near modern-day Betong, fought and defeated the Bajaus and Illanuns. It is likely that the Ibans learned seafaring skills from the Bajau and the Illanun, using these skills to plunder other tribes living in coastal areas, such as the Melanaus and the Selakos. This is evident with the existence of the seldom-used Iban boat with sail, called the bandung. This may also be one of the reasons James Brooke, who arrived in Sarawak around 1838, called the Ibans Sea Dayaks. For more than a century, the Ibans were known as Sea Dayaks to Westerners.
  
Religion, Culture and Festivals

The Ibans were traditionally animist, although the majority are now Christian, many continue to observe both Christian and traditional ceremonies, particularly during marriages or festivals. The majority of Iban people have changed their traditional name to a Hebrew based "Christian name" such as David, Christopher, Janet, Sona, or Joseph but a minority still maintain their traditional Iban name.

The longhouse of Iban Dayaks are constructed in such a way to act as an accomodation and a religious place of worship. The first item to erected during the longhouse building is the tiang pemun (the main post) from which pun ramu (the bottom of the wooden house parts) is determined and followed along the longhouse construction. Any subsequent rituals will refer to these tiang pemun and pun ramu.

The Iban religion can be as briefly summarized as follows: The supreme God is called Bunsu or Kree Petara, sometimes also called as Raja Entala or even Tuhan Allah Taala in modern times. The main seven petaras of Iban Dayaks who are the children of Raja Jembu are:

• Sengalang Burong as the god of war
• Biku Bunsu Petara as the high priest
• Sempulang Gana as the god of agriculture along with Semarugah as the god of land
• Selempandai as the god of creation
• Menjaya as the god of health and shamanism being the first manang bali
• Anda Mara as the god of wealth
• Ini Inee/Andan as the god of justice and a natural-born doctor

In addition to these gods, there are mtyhstical people namely the orang Panggau Libau and Gelong which help the Iban Dayaks often to be successful in life and adventures. Other spirits are called bunsu jelu and antu such as antu gerasi. These spirits can be helpful or cause sickness or even madness.

Significant traditional festivals to propitiate the above mentioned gods can be grouped into four categories related main activities among the Dayaks as the rice planting festivals, the war-related festivals, the health-related festivals and the luck-related festivals.

Rice farming is the key life-sustaining activity among Dayaks and thus there are many ritual festivals dedicated to this namely Gawai Batu (Whetstone Festival), Gawai Benih (Seed Festival), Gawai Ngalihka Tanah (Soil Reactivation Festival), Gawai Ngemali Umai (Farm-healing Festival), Gawai Matah (Harvest-starting Festival) and Gawai Bersimpan (Rice-Keeping) Festival.

The rice planting stages start from manggol (ritual initial clearing to seek good omen using a birdstick (tambsk burong), nebas babas (clearing undergrowth), nebang kayu (felling trees), ngerangkaika reban (drying out trees), nunu (burning), ngebak and nugal (clearing unburnt tress and dibbling), mantun (weeding), ngetau (harvesting), nungku (separating rice grains), muput (winding), nyembi padi (drying rice grains) and besimpan (rice keeping).

The war-related festivals include the bird festival (Gawai Burung) with nine succeeding stages and Gawai Kenyalang (Hornbill Festival) which is meant to pray and propitiate Sengalang Burong for guidance and assistance during the headhunting expeditions. Since headhunting has been prohibited and ceased, the bird festival can be used for magical healing purposes and to be held as Gawai Mimpi (Dream Festival) when told by spirits to do so.

The Gawai Burung (the bird festival) is held in honour of the war god, Sengalang Burong (Sengalang the Bird which is in reality the Brahminy Kite). This festival is initiated by a notable individual from time to time and hosted by individual longhouses. It originally honours warriors, but during more peaceful times evolves into a healing ceremony.

The health-related festivals are Gawai Sakit (Sickness Festival), Sugi Sakit and Renong Sakit to seek magical healing by Sengalang Burong, Menjaya or Ini Inee and Keling. Before employing these healing festivals, there are various types of pelian (healing ceremony) by a manang (traditional healer), pucau (short prayers) and begama (touching) by a dukun to be tried first. Two more festivals related to health and longivity are Gawai Betamabah Bulu (Hair Adding Festival) and Gawai Nanga Langit (Sky Staircasing Festival).

The luck-related festivals include Gawai Pangkong Tiang (House Main Post Banging Festival), Gawai Tuah with three successive stages (Luck Seeking and Welcoming Festival) and Gawai Tajau (Jar Welcoming Festival) to pray and to invoke Raja Anda Mara.

After death, the last ritual is called the spirit festival (Gawai Antu) for the dead.

For marriages, sometimes the wedding ceremony is called Gawai Lelabi (River Turtle Festival). Here the god invoked is Selampandai for fertility and procreation purposes.

It is common that all those festivals are to be celebrated after the rice harvesting completion which is normally by the end of May during which rice is plenty for holding feasts along with poultry like pigs, chickens, fish from rivers and jungle meats like deers etc.

Therefore, it is fitting to call this festive season among Dayaks collectively as the Gawai Dayak festival which is celebrated every year on 1 June, at the end of the harvest season, to worship the Lord Sempulang Gana and other gods. On this day, the Ibans get together to celebrate, often visiting each other.

The Iban traditional dance, the ngajat, is performed accompanied by the taboh and gendang, the Ibans' traditional music. There are various types of Iban traditional dance called ngajat such as:

• ngajat ngalu temuai (welcoming dance),
• ngajat indu (female dance),
• ngajat pua kumbu (a female dance with a woven blanket),
• ngajat lelaki (male dance),
• ngajat lesung (rice mortar dance),
• ngajat ngena capak/pinggai ngau kerubong strum (rice plate dance tapped with a few empty bullet shell inserted into middle fingers),
• ngajat bujang berani ngena terabai ngau ilang (warrior dance with a shield and a sword),
• ngajat bebunoh (hand combat dance normally between two dancers),
• ngajat laki enggau indu (dance by a group of men and ladies),
• ngajat niti papan (dance by a group of men and ladies on a a raised up wooden plank)
• ngajat Panggau Libau as a group of men with a sword and isang leaves.
• ngajat ngalu pengabang (dance leading the procession of guests during festivals)
• ngerandang ngau ngelalau jalai (way-clearing and fencing dance for main festivals)
• ngajat atas tawak.

The taboh is made by playing a set of four musical instruments namely engkerumong, tawak, bebendai and ketubong which are respectively played by each person. There are various kinds of taboh depending the purpose and types of ngajat.

The gendang can be played in some distinctive types corresponding to the purpose and type of each ceremony.

Sape is a music by Orang Ulu (Kayan, Kenyah and Kelabit). Datun Jalut is the most common one played for ngajat.

Pua Kumbu,
the Iban traditional cloth, is used to decorate longhouses. There are various types of buah (fruit) of pua kumbu which can be for ritual purposes or normal daily uses. Female Ibans will be graded according to their own personal capabilities during their life time, which include weaving as their topmost skills.

Hand-woven on a back-strap loom, Pua Kumbu represent the soul of Iban culture. It is a woven mythological tale about the weaver and her affiliation with the spirit world. The weaving is considered sacred and is believed to be able to mediate between man and the spirit world when spiritual power is woven into it with its designs conceived. Although dreams according to their weaving status and are thus limited in expressions till she is spiritually matured. In Iban culture, a woman who weaved a spiritually superb Pua Kumbu would achieves a social status equivalent to that of a great warrior.
Pua Sungkit
Among the three Iban Pua series identified, Pua Kumbu and Pua Karap are still available in the market with Pua Kumbu being most common. Pua Sungkit is totally unavailable in the market probably because no one is willing to go through the tedious process of its weaving journey. In fact, the function of Pua Sungkit in Iban Culture is exactly the same as Pua Kumbu, the only difference between Pua Sungkit and Pua Kumbu is the weaving technique and process during the making. However, due to its difficult making process, most Pua Sungkit are smaller in size and most of it were made into higher value items like costume where it was featured as skirt and only be worn by dancers of higher caliber during special occasion.
Pua Karap
Pua Karap, another piece of art that is equally important within the Iban Community. If we look at the traditional Iban costume, besides the silver headgear and accessories on the head and Marik Empang (the beaded collar) down the shoulder, Kain Karap made up the rest of the costume component (the Skirt and Selampai ) . Although sometimes we do find the skirt to be in the form of Pua Kumbu and Pua Sungkit, but Kain Karap is the preferred choice as its refined weaving technique adds texture to Nangjat performances, a must in most celebrations.
Tuak, which is originally made of rice and home-made yeast for fermentation, is a wine used to serve guests. Nowadays, there are various kinds of tuak, made with rice alternatives such as sugar cane, ginger and corn. Tuak and other types of drinks can be served on several rounds in a ceremony called nyibur temuai (serving drinks to guests) as ai aus (thirst queching drink), ai basu kaki (Feet Washing drink), ai basa (respect drink) and ai untong (profit drink)

Iban's Traditional Tattoo

The sketches of traditional Borneo patterns should generally be seen as nothing but vague guidelines, since different tribes use similar or the same motives,the meanings evolving from one village to the next. One meaning of "Pantang" in the Iban language is "Tattoo". But the Ibans were not simply out to document what they saw as Iban "fading tattoo values". They also had their own bodies tattooed in older designs and tattooed Iban men in exchange. This was their self-described "bejalai adventure through Sarawak," and they traveled to the Skrang and Bangkit rivers in search of men who still knew the old methods. In addition, the buah terung design and also known as the "bungai terung" finds a place in both sets, which suggests the old/new division is rather arbitrary. The meanings ascribed to the designs are sometimes consistent with what we have heard or read, and sometimes at variance, but that is no real surprise, the Ibans are not so homogeneous as we might be tempted to believe.

 The recitation of pantun and various kinds of leka main (traditional chants by poets) is a particularly important aspect of the festival.

The leka main (poems, proses and folklores) for Iban Dayaks can be categorised into three major groups i.e. leka main pemerindang (for entertaining purposes), leka main adat basa (for customary purposes) and leka main invokasyen (for invocation purposes).

The entertaining leka main includes pantun, jawang, sanggai, ramban, entelah, ensera, kana, pelandai ara and karong, wak anat mit, etc.

The customary leka main comprises jaku ansah, jaku geliga, tanya indu, muka kuta, muka kujuk, jaku karong, jaku dalam, jaku sempama, jaku silup, sugi semain, renong semain, renong sabong, renong kayau, renong ngayap, etc.

The invocation leka main consists of sampi, biau, timang, pengap, sugi sakit, renong sakit and sabak bebuah or sungkop or rugan. These invocation inchantations must accompanied with piring (ritual offerings) to appease the gods called.

The Iban leka piring (number of each offering item) is basically according to the single odd numbers which are piring turun 3, 5, 7 and 9 leka and agih piring (portion of offerings) is dedicated to each part of the long house bilek such as bilek four corners, tanju (verandah), ruai (gallery, dapur (kitchen), benda beras (rice jar), etc. as deemed fit and necessary. The genselan (animal offering) is normally made in the form of a chicken or a pig depending on the scale of the ceremony.

The augury system for the Iban Dayaks depends on several ways:

• dreams to present charm gifts or sumpah (curse) by spirits which normally has a life-time effects.
• omen animals (burong laba) such as deer barkings which also has long effects.
• omen birds (burong mali) which give temporary effects limited to certain activties at hands e.g. that year of farming.
• pig liver divination at the end of certain festival to read the future luck.

The omens can be either purposely seeked via dreams during sleep, nampok or betapa (isolation) or langkau burong (bird house), or received unexpectedly especially the animal and bird omens e.g. while working or walking.

The omen birds of Iban Dayaks are seven in total namely Ketupong also known as Jaloh or Kikeh (Rufiuos Piculet), Beragai (Scarlet-rumped trogon), Pangkas (Maroon Woodpecker) on the right hand of the Sengalang Burong's longhouse bilek and Bejampong (Crested Jay), Embuas (Banded Kingfisher), Kelabu Papau (Senabong) (Diard's trogon) and Nendak (White-rumped shama). Their types of calls, flights, places of hearing and circumstances of the listeners are factors to be considered during the interpretation of the bird omens.

The Iban Dayaks used to believe in having charms namely ubat (medicine), pengaroh (amulet), empelias (anti-line of fire) and engkerabun (blurredness) given by gods and spirits to help them to get things like rice and jars easily, to make them kebal (bullet proof), unseen to human eyes or to make them extraordinarily stronger than other men whose attributes are wanted for rice farming, headhunting and other activities. For ladies, the charms will help them to be skillful in weaving.

There are several reasons why many Dayaks turn to Christianity:

• The traditional augury causes some complexity with many penti pemali (prohibitions), various omens, superstitions and delays in some works and progress of life.
• The healing (pelian) by manangs are not effective in curing some diseases. In fact, the manangs cannot cure small pox, cholera (muang ai), etc.
• Christianity is considered as new branch of knowledge to be adopted and adapted to the traditional customs.
• Christianity comes with western education.
• Defeats of Dayaks at the hands of Europeans with better weapons such as guns and cannons vis-a-vis traditional hand-held weapons such as swords, shields, spears and blowpipes despite strict adherence to traditional augury practices.

For the majority of Ibans who are Christians, some Christian festivals such as Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, and other Christian festivals are also celebrated. Most Ibans are devout Christians and follow the Christian faith strictly. Since Christianity conversion, some of the Iban people never celebrate their ancestor's festival such as Gawai Burong or Gawai Antu but majority still practiced Hari Gawai (Harvest Festival) and preserve their ancestors' culture and tradition.

However, some Iban festivals (except Gawai Burong adn Gawai Kenyalang) can still be celebrated in the Christian ways like Gawai Antu, Gawai Umai, Gawai Lelabi by offering prayers to the Christian God instead of invoking the traditional gods after which traditional foods and drinks are offered and then traditional music and dance are played for merrymaking.

Despite the difference in faiths, Ibans of different faiths do help each other during Gawais and Christmas. Differences in faith is never a problem in the Iban community. The Ibans believe in helping and having fun together.
  
Iban Warrior Costume
A traditional Warrior Costume that symbolised the bravery of the indigenous community are known as "GAGONG" which is the pride of the Dayak Iban people. The Iban craftsmen have taken it upon them to continue producing the costume to ensure that the outfit which once worn by their ancestors, who were feared as the headhunters, does not become extinct. Now the gagong is worn on special occasions like Gawai Day (Harvest Festival) or celebrations such as weddings in the hope that the warrior’s spirit and valour continues in the future generations of the Iban community. "Baju Gagung" is a hard thick clothing made ​​from animal skin like a bear skin(Jugam) or goat (mostly, all the gagong made using the goat skin, which is easier to find), but not sewn the left and right. Not all people can wear Gagong because it is only can be wear by a brave and strong people who went to the war. Most of the enemy, afraid to fight,  if the Ibans use gagong when they go for a war.


Musical & Dancing Heritage
Iban music is percussion-oriented. The Iban have a musical heritage consisting of various types of agung ensembles - percussion ensembles composed of large hanging, suspended or held, bossed/knobbed gongs which act as drones without any accompanying melodic instrument.

The typical Iban agung ensemble will include a set of engkerumungs (small agungs arranged together side by side and played like a xylophone), a tawak (the so-called 'bass'), a bendai (which acts as a snare) and also a set of ketebung (a single sided drum/percussion).

The Iban as well as the Kayan and Kenyah also play an instrument resembling the guitar called Sape (instrument). The Sape (instrument) is the official musical instrument for the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is played similarly to the way rock guitarists play guitar solos, albeit a little slower, but not as slow as blues. One example of Iban traditional music is the taboh.

The Ibans perform a unique dance called the ngajat. It serves many purposes depending on the occasion. During Gawais, it is used to entertain the people who in the olden days enjoy graceful ngajats as a form of entertainment. Iban men and women have different styles of ngajat. The ngajat involves a lot of precise body-turning movements. The ngajat for men is more aggressive and depicts a man going to war, or a bird flying (as a respect to the Iban god of war, Singalang Burong). The women's form of ngajat consists of soft, graceful movements with very precise body turns. Each ngajat is accompanied by the taboh or the body.

NGEPAN INDU IBAN
1. Sugu Tinggi

Add caption

Tangu/Marik Empang (Credit: http://telenjun.blogspot.com/)

Selampai (Credit: http://telenjun.blogspot.com/)

Rawai (Credit: http://telenjun.blogspot.com/)

Sementing Ringgit (Credit:http://telenjun.blogspot.com/)

Tumpa (Credit:http://telenjun.blogspot.com/)

Lampit (Credit:http://telenjun.blogspot.com/)

Sengkiling (Credit:http://telenjun.blogspot.com/)

Buah Pauh(Credit:http://telenjun.blogspot.com/)

Gerunchung Kaki (Credit:http://telenjun.blogspot.com/)

Kain Kebat (Credit:http://telenjun.blogspot.com/)

Iban foods

Their traditional foods are called Pansuh food, which simply means the cooking of food or dish in a bamboo stem. It's naturally clean, easy and simple. The food (meat, chicken, fish, vegetables and even rice together with the spices) will all be put together into the bamboo stem, then directly placed over an open fire to be cooked. The uniqueness of using the bamboo stem to cook is that the bamboo will give a special aroma and texture to the food where it's impossible to have using other methods such as using woks.

Forest ferns have a special place in the diet of the people, with the two most popular ferns used as vegetables being midin and the fiddlehead fern (pucuk paku). Midin grows wild in the secondary forests and is peculiar to the state. It has curly fronds and is very crunchy even after it has been cooked. Rural dwellers have always considered the fern a tasty, nutritious vegetable and the jungle fern’s rise from rural staple to urban gourmet green occurred in the 1980s with the increased urban migration of the Iban. Aromatic leaves from trees, such as the Bungkang, are also used in cooking to flavour food.  Midin, is a jungle fern (quite similar to 'pucuk paku' that is popular in the Peninsular, but crispier). Midin is much sought after for its crisp texture and great taste. Midin is usually served in two equally delicious ways - fried with either garlic or belacan (shrimp paste). It is normally eaten with rice.

Penganan (cakes from rice flour, sugar and coconut milk), kuih jala', kuih sepit' and 'kuih penyaram'

One of the best known Iban dishes is pansoh manok (ayam pansuh), which features chicken and lemongrass cooked in a bamboo log over an open fire. This natural way of cooking seals in the flavours and produces astonishingly tender chicken with a gravy perfumed with lemongrass and bamboo.

A visit to the longhouse will usually see guests welcomed with a glass of tuak, a home-brewed rice wine. The brew has a sweet fragrance and is highly alcoholic – a small glass is enough to send the unaccustomed to euphoric heights. Tuak is a type of liquor, unique to Iban and Bidayuh communities in Sarawak. It is made from either fermented rice or sugarcane although the former is more popular. It is normally served as a welcoming drink to guests, or during festive occasions like Gawai or Christmas.

The numerous riverine areas of Sarawak provide the state’s inhabitants with abundant fresh water fish, with the Tilapia being the most widely cultivated. There are sago grubs, bamboo clams and temilok (marine worms) to try. The bright yellow, round eggplants and turmeric flowers are also found in Iban foods

Pansuh (Credit: http://thehornbill.blogspot.com)

Tuak (credit:http://thehornbill.blogspot.com)

Other Traditional food

Ulat Mulung (Credit:http://sunburst88.blogspot.com)

Ensabi(Credit:http://sunburst88.blogspot.com)

Kasam (Credit:http://sunburst88.blogspot.com)

Branches of the Iban People

Although Ibans generally speak a dialect which is mutually intelligible, they can be divided into different branches which are named after the geographical areas where they reside.

• Majority of Ibans who live around the Lundu and Samarahan region are called Sebuyaus.

• Ibans who settled in areas in Serian district (places like Kampung Lebor, Kampung Tanah Mawang & others) are called Remuns. They may be the earliest Iban group to migrate to Sarawak.

• Ibans who originated from Sri Aman area are called Balaus.

• Ibans who come from Betong, Saratok & parts of Sarikei are called Saribas.

• The original iban Lubok Antu Ibans are classed by anthropologists as Ulu Ai/batang ai Ibans.

• Ibans from Undup are called Undup Ibans. Their dialect is somewhat a cross between the Ulu Ai dialect & the Balau dialect.

• Ibans living in areas from Sarikei to Miri are called Rajang Ibans. They are the majority group of the Iban people. They can be found along the Rajang River, Sibu, Kapit, Belaga, Kanowit, Song, Sarikei, Bintangor, Bintulu and Miri. Their dialect is somewhat similar to the Ulu Ai or lubok antu dialect.

In West Kalimantan (Indonesia), Iban people are even more diverse. The Kantu, Air Tabun, Semberuang, Sebaru' , Bugau, Mualang & along with many other groups are classed as "Ibanic people" by anthropologists. They can be related to the Iban either by the dialect they speak or their customs, rituals & their way of life.

Cultural references

 The episode, Into the Jungle from Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations included the appearance of Itam, a former Sarawak Ranger and one of the Iban people's last members with the Entegulun (Iban traditional tattoo design) (hand tattoos) signifying his taking of an enemy’s head.

• The Iban were featured on an episode of Worlds Apart on the National Geographic Channel.

• The movie The Sleeping Dictionary features Selima (Jessica Alba), an Anglo-Iban girl who falls in love with John Truscott (Hugh Dancy). The movie was filmed primarily in Sarawak, Malaysia.

• Malaysia's Ethnic Pop Queen, Noraniza Idris recorded Ngajat Tampi in 2000 and followed by Tandang Bermadah in 2002 which is based on Ibanese tribe music composition. Both songs became a fame in Malaysia and neighborhood countries.

• Love of a Forest Maiden(CHINTA GADIS RIMBA) is 1958 film (Chinta Gadis Rimba) directed by L.Krishnan .It is based on the novel (the 1st time Malay film has been adapting from a novel) .Chinta Gadis Rimba by Harun Aminurrashid and the main cast by S.Roomai Noor,Narang and M.Amin. The film is about Bintang, the Iban girl who goes against the wishes of her parents and runs off to her Malay Lover.The film also the first time a full length picture has been shot in Sarawak and the first time a Iban girl has played the lead in film.

• "Bejalai" is a 1987 film directed by Dr Stephen Teo (currently a research fellow at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, and a senior associate of RMIT University) and Starring (Dick Isaac as Rentap) Salome Kumpeing, Chiling Nyanggai. This film is the first to be made in the Iban language in Sarawak, and it features good English subtitles and also the 1st Malaysian film to be selected for the Berlin Film Festival (in 1989) is an experimental feature about the custom among the native Iban community of Sarawak for young men to "bejalai" (go on a journey) before attaining maturity.

• Farewell to the King a 1989 film written and directed by John Milius. It is based on the 1969 novel L'Adieu au Roi by Pierre Schoendoerffer. The film is marketed with the tagline "In the midst of war, one man vanished into the jungle, and emerged as king". The plot taking place during World War II, American deserter Learoyd escapes a Japanese firing squad. Hiding himself in the wilds of Borneo, Learoyd is adopted by a Iban People (Sea Dayaks of Borneo).

• the 1st TV Ads in Iban Language and directed by Late Yasmin Ahmad with help of Leo Burnett.For Malaysia’s 50th anniversary celebration, Maybank came up with a unique commercial that tickled Malaysians. The scenes were shot in Bau and Kapit, using a Sarawak cast.

 Notable Figures

 1. Tun Stephen Kalong Ningkan (Sarawak First Chief Minister)
2. Datuk Pengulu Tawi Seli (Sarawak Second Chief Minister)
3. Tun Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Temenggong Jugah anak Barieng (Second Paramount Chief of the Iban people and one of the key signatories on behalf of Sarawak to Formation of the Federation of Malaysia)
4.Temenggong Datuk Kanang anak Langkau (National Hero of Malaysia)
5.Rentap (Iban Dayak rebel leader in Sarawak)
6.Dato Sri Tra Zehnder(1st lady member of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN))
7.Temenggong Koh, First Paramount Chief of the Iban people
  
Bibliography
 Sir Steven Runciman, The White Rajahs: a history of Sarawak from 1841 to 1946 (1960).

• James Ritchie, The Life Story of Temenggong Koh (1999)
• Benedict Sandin, Gawai Burong: The chants and celebrations of the Iban Bird Festival (1977)
• Greg Verso, Blackboard in Borneo, (1989)
• Renang Anak Ansali, New Generation of Iban, (2000)

1. ^ "2010 Population and Housing Census of Malaysia" (in Malay and English). Department of Statistics, Malaysia. Retrieved 2012-06-17. p. 108
2. ^ Mercurio, Philip Dominguez (2006). "Traditional Music of the Southern Philippines". PnoyAndTheCity: A center for Kulintang - A home for Pasikings. Retrieved November 21, 2006.
3. ^ Matusky, Patricia. "An Introduction to the Major Instruments and Forms of Traditional Malay Music." Asian Music Vol 16. No. 2. (Spring-Summer 1985), pp. 121-182.

Sibu Part 2 - food

Every seasoned traveler will always 'hunt' for a taste of local food wherever they may be and when in Sibu. There is something from breakfast to lunch and dinner as well as for supper and snacks in between meals. Food prices here too are among the lowest in Sarawak and do not be surprised by the size of the servings too as some are really huge and overwhelming to the first time visitor.

For breakfast, other than the "kam pua" mee, that is some kind of breakfast that you must have if you ever visit Sibu. Besides that, you also can try the freshly baked "kom pia", a flour based doughnut Foochow style. Usually served piping hot with marinated minced pork in the centre, it goes well with that early morning coffee or tea.


Kam Pua Mee  
Most famous and sought after food in Sibu is  Kampua Mee (Mee = noodles). Kampua Mee is parallel to Kolok Mee in Kuching, but prepared in slighty different manner using similar ingredients.
It consists yellow noodles in oil fragranced by onion and garlic, served with Char Siew(roasted pork). Similar to Sarawak Kolo Mee, this simple noodle dish comprise of thin noodles which are given a toss in some pork lard and topped with slices of char slew (barbecued pork) and fried shallots. But what sets Sibu's signature dish apart is in the texture of the noodles and it is served with chilli sauce instead of pickled sliced chilli.

Kompia  
One of the most popular delicacies to buy by the dozens when in Sibu is none other than the palm-sized pastry known as Kompia. The small, round bun topped with sprinkles of sesame seed is similar to a bagel as it can be served in various ways.  
Traditionally, Kompia is baked in a charcoal oven and can be eaten on its own. Today many will find the bun sandwiched with some minced meat.  
Originating from the Foochows, the bread roll with an indent in the center is commonly found in the legions of kopi tiam around town.

 
  

Kampua Mee

  

Kompia

Just before lunch, you can also try the "Laksa Sarawak". However, if hot things are not your favorites, there is the "dian bian hu", a mixture of rice noodles with assortment of mushrooms, and other spices in a huge bowl of hot cuttlefish/fish balls soup.  Prawn Mee  is another interesting local favorites, which could be something of your fancy as it's a mild spicy mee soup dish. For Muslim travelers, the eatery behind the old mosque has "roti canai" and "Nasi Lemak" which are famous and tasty too.

Laksa Sarawak

dian bian hu

 

Prawn Mee

Roti Canai

Nasi Lemak

You just cannot leave Sibu without trying the "mee sua" cooked with black chicken. Made from flour and sun dried, the fine noodles are very smooth when cooked in chicken broth, usually served with a tinge of red Chinese wine. Western style food are everywhere in the town and so those should not be a problem to locate if you prefer them or else check them out at the hotels. For the exact location of all these eateries please refer to any local resident or the hotel receptionist.

Mee Sua

Mee Sua  
Mee Sua is another popular dish of this town. The noodles, the primary ingredient of this dish, are made from rice flour and are first blanched in hot water before poured with hot chicken soup along with chunky pieces of tender chicken.  
A piping-hot bowl of Mee Sua is a customary dish for the Chinese community especially during special occasions such as birthdays and Chinese New Year as the noodles signify longevity.  


CHAI PAU: Vegetable buns, with varieties of vagetables as ingredients was a common dim-sum for hawkers and other blue-collars. CHAI PAU is so different with others because of its delicious vegetables contents and less flour on its outer.

Kuih Telur. Credit : http://silverdolly.blogspot.com

Wantan/Pen sip. Credit: http://silverdolly.blogspot.com/

Mee Poh. Credit: http://silverdolly.blogspot.com/

Dabai
DABAI is a native fruit of Sarawak harvested by local natives and sold it in the native market. It can only be found in SIBU. The external colour of DABAI is black while the fresh of the fruit is yellow in colour. The seed in the centre is yellow and diamond in shape as shown in the picture on the left. You can only eat the seed if you can crack open the seed.
 

Credit: http://www.thelex.com

 Midin and paku are some authentic Borneo edible ferns, which is available throughout the restaurants.
 

Credit: http://bettyandlingshing.blogspot.com

 bak kut teh

  Chinese soup popularly served in Malaysia (where there is a predominant Hoklo and Teochew community) and also, neighbouring areas like Riau Islands and Southern Thailand.The name literally translates as "meat bone tea", and at its simplest, consists of meaty pork ribs simmered in a complex broth of herbs and spices (including star anise, cinnamon, cloves, dang gui, fennel seeds and garlic) for hours.^[1] Despite its name, there is in fact no tea in the dish itself; the name refers to a strong oolong Chinese tea which is usually served alongside the soup in the belief that it dilutes or dissolves the copious amount of fat consumed in this pork-laden dish.

Ayam pansuh is typical among the people in Sarawak, Malaysia. Ayam pansuh is a dish prepared by cooking chicken meat in a bamboo and stuffed with water (which later will be the soup), seasonings and covered with tapioca leaves (later could be eaten together with the cooked chicken).

Pig Maw/Stomach in Chili & Pineapple

This dish is one of the more elaborate cooking for the Dayak, normally can be found during Gawai festival.

Sibu

               Sibu is an inland town, and the capital of Sibu District (229.8 square kilometres). It is a town built on the banks of the mighty Rajang River which is located at the confluence of the Rajang and Igan Rivers. Sibu also known as the Swan City. The population is dominated by the Chinese especially the Fuzhou as well as indigenous Melanau, Malay, and Iban. The town population (year 2010) is 257,800.


               Sibu is the main tourist gateway to the Upper Rajang River, with its small riverine towns and its many Iban and Orang Ulu longhouses.

There has been a marked increase in public buildings in recent years. Sibu now boasts the largest town square in Malaysia, and the tallest building in Sarawak is the Sanyan Tower also can be called "Wisma Sanyan" in the official Malay language), a newly refurbished waterfront and a large number of public parks. 

              Sibu also has university-level courses offered by Laila Taib College (previously known as United College Sarawak), which has built a campus on the site of the old Sibu airport.Currently, there are another University which still build in progress that is University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) which located opposite Laila Taib College and beside The Stadium. 

                 In 2010,Sarawak Government had announced that Sibu will have its own Sarawak Islamic Complex Building,the second in the state after Kuching.

                 Sibu Jaya, which is located 25 km away Sibu Town, is being developed as a satellite town. Sibu Airport, was relocated to its present site 23 kilometres from town near Sibu Jaya in 1994.The first airport in Sibu was built in Teku,during World War II by the Japanese as a basic air strip. 

History 

Establishment

Before 1 June 1873, Sibu was known as "Maling", named after the winding portion, "Tanjung Maling", on the other side of Rajang River. Maling was a small village with a few small and simple shop houses with atap roofs and wooden walls and floors. The main population was Malay; and Chinese were in a minority.

In 1841 "Sarawak" (the present Kuching - Sarawak Capital) was ruled by 'White Rajah', James Brooke. On 1 June 1873, the third division was created and the division was named after the native rambutan fruit because the division had a lot of native rambutan known as "Buah Sibau" in the Iban language.

Sir James Brooke (1803–1868)

In 1901 Wong Nai Siong (Huang Naishang) led the first batch of Foochow Christians from China to Sibu to open up the fertile lands of Sibu for cultivation, a massive opening up of Sibu. This was a landmark year in the history of the development of Sibu.

Wong Nai Siong came to Singapore in September 1899. From there, he proceeded to West Malaysia, Sumatra and the Dutch East Indies. For six months he explored the places but failed to find a suitable place for the immigration and settlement of his folks in China. In April 1900, Mr. Wong Nai Siong came to Sarawak and got the approval of the Sarawak Rajah to look for a suitable site for Chinese immigrants.

Wong explored the lower valley and upper reaches of the Rajang River. He soon discovered that the Rajang Delta was very fertile and particularly suitable for cultivation. So he decided to choose the area for opening up for cultivation. With that decision, Mr. Wong went to see the second Rajah of Sarawak, Rajah Charles Brooke, for discussions regarding the matter of opening up of land for cultivation. In those days of the Rajahs, Sarawak was sparsely populated with vast land yet to be developed, Wong's plan was timely and very much appreciated.

So, when Wong Nai Siong went to see Sir Charles Brooke and explained to him his plan to lead large groups of Foochows to open up Sibu for cultivation, the Rajah immediately agreed. Both parties signed an agreement.^[4]

The Chinese immigrants came in three batches. The first batch consisted of 72 people, the second batch 535, and the third batch 511, totalling 1118 people. Of the total, 130 brought their spouses and families, while the others were bachelors. After working in Sibu, nearly all the immigrants chose to settle down and made Sibu their new home. They were happy to settle down for a brighter future in Sibu.

Wong Nai Siong (1849─1924)

 Sibu Fort
There used to be a Sibu Fort, which was built by Rajah Brooke in 1862. The fort was located at Race Course Road, however it no longer exists now. It was common for the White Rajah to build such forts to stake his territorial claim as well as means of protection.

The existence of Sibu Fort is proven by historical writings:

“

...There is a fort in Sibu, as indeed there is at most of the river places in Sarawak. The fort at Sibu was close to the Resident Dr. Hose's house and was attacked by Dayaks only a few years ago. Johnson, one of Dr. Hose's assistants, showed me a very long Dayak canoe capable of seating over one hundred men... The river at Sibu was of great width, over a mile across, in fact, and close to the bank is a Malay village, and a bazaar where the wily Chinaman does a thriving trade in the wild produce of the country, and makes huge profits out of the Dayaks and other natives on this river.[5]

Rosli Dhoby

Rosli Dhoby, a Sarawakian nationalist, is one of the more illustrious sons of Sibu. He is well known for his assassination of Sir Duncan George Stewart, the second governor of colonial Sarawak in 1948. He was then sentenced to death by hanging and was buried at the Kuching Central Prison in 1950. After 46 years of his remains resting in the prison compound, it was moved out from the Kuching Central Prison and buried at the Sarawak's Heroes Mausoleum near Sibu Town Mosque on 2 March 1996.
In order to honour his involvement in the anti-colonial movement and his struggle against the British, he and his associates who were involved in the assassination (Awang Ramli Amit, Bujang Suntong, and Morshidi Sidek) were later given a full state funeral by Sarawak Government.

 

Rosli Dhobi (1933–1950)

 

Population

The population of Sibu experienced a slower growth rate compared to other towns and cities in Malaysia. There are many reasons resulting in a decline in the Sibu population.
However, the real numbers of people living today in Sibu is much higher due to high numbers of individuals not being counted in the census who live and work in other cities and countries.^[6]

Year	1970	1980	1991	2000	2009	2010
Total population	50,635	85,231	133,471	166,322	209,616	257,800

Tourism

 The attraction that can attract people to visit Sibu are:

 National Chinese Cultural Festival

 The United Chinese Association (UCA) Sibu holds its pride for hosting the 18th and the 26th National Chinese Cultural Festival. The cultural festival has always been officiated by the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Cultural village and the Lantern Riddles are among the activities organised during the festival.

Borneo Cultural Festival

Sibu played as a host to the Borneo Cultural Festival, A week-long celebration of food, music and dances celebrating the diverse cultural background of Sibu community such as Iban/Bidayuh/Orang Ulu (Dayak Pavilion), Malay/Melanau and Chinese in 2005. BCF stands as Sibu biggest tourism event. If you want to taste the local native traditional food, you should visit local native booth during BCF. The organising committee has line up lots of attractive programs and activities for the visitors. A showcase of rich racial and ethenic culture in the region. Promoting Sibu as a gateway to the central of Sarawak and playing its role to realize the Vision of Sibu in becoming city of cultural and festival. Since then, it has become an annual occasion and a trademark of Sibu. However,for the first time ever since the creation,it will not be held in 2011; which caused waves of protests from locals, including key players in Sibu Tourism Industry. However, Sibu Municipal Council announced that 2011 BCF is postponed to 2012, after discussion with State Government and in 2012, BCF was held from 6 June to 15 July 2012. Once again, in 28/06/13 until 07/07/13 BCF have been held at Sibu Town Square. It is free show for the public at Sibu Town Square. Just walking distance from all major hotel in the town centre. 

Banner for BCF 2013

Credit : http://www.sarawaktourism.com

Swan Symbol for Sibu

In order to promote itself to tourists and for branding purpose, Sibu Municipal Council under the former Chairmanship of Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew, adopted the swan as the symbol of Sibu town. According to the Sibu Chinese community, when the early immigrants arrived in Sibu in the mid 19th century and early 20th century, the present Rajang River reminded them of Swan River in Fuzhou, China. However, due to the fact that such a bird is non-existent in the town (except for the numerous huge artificial swan statues) or anywhere in Malaysia, the majority of the Sibu community, especially the natives, feel that such a choice is too artificial and does not invoke any special or deep feeling toward the so-called "Symbol of Sibu".

 

Visit Sibu Year 2009 & Pandaw River Cruise

Year 2009 was declared as 'Visit Sibu Year 2009', to boost the tourism industry in the central region. A new attraction is Pandaw River Cruise, which was started on 1 July 2009. This is a nine-day cruising up the Rajang river deep into the Pelagus Rapids Resort in the rural interior of Sarawak with Sibu Express Wharf Terminal as the first stop. The tourists in the cruise can enjoy the scenery of the tropical rainforest as well as visiting traditional and modern longhouses.^[8]
However, In March 2012,the river cruise ceased its operations due to poor respond and also high operating costs.

 Sibu BASE Jump

 B.A.S.E is an acronym for building, antennas, spans (bridges) and earth (cliff) and BASE jumping is actually refer to an activity that employs an initially packed parachute to jump from these fixed objects.

Sibu BASE Jump 2009 is the first ever BASE jumping event held in Sibu town. The venue for this BASE jumping with no doubt is the tallest building in Sarawak at the moment - Wisma Sanyan which consists of 27-storey or 126 meters height. The annual event was held at Wisma Sanyan, Sarawak's highest building, and participated by professional BASE Jumpers. Sibu Base Jump 2012 took place from 20th to 23rd September at Wisma Sanyan, which 28 Base Jumpers from 7 countries completed 761 Base Jumps during the event. Sibu BASE Jump 2013 will take place from 19th to 22nd September. Jumping will be off Wisma Sanyan on the island of Borneo in Sibu, Sarawak, East Malaysia. Standing 126 meters high Wisma Sanyan is the tallest building in East Malaysia. The welcoming atmosphere and hospitality in Sibu is the best we have experienced in Malaysia. This is a very unique and highly recommended event to attend.

Credit : http://ccwen08.blogspot.com

 

Landmarks

The first highrise building in Sibu was the Sarawak House hotel and shopping complex, built in the early 1970s by a group of local businessmen. Among the interesting landmarks in Sibu are Wisma Sanyan, a 28-storey building, which is the tallest building in Sarawak^[3] (to be surpassed by Kuching Tower soon), Tua Pek Kong Temple and the Central Market. The completion of RH Hotel and Kingwood Hotel which has been expand, in order to meet the tourism aspiration of the town. An 18-storey building has been build next to the original site of the hotel. 

Kingwood Hotel after the expansion

Central Market sibu

 Eng Ann Tua Pek Kong of Sibu was founded around 1870. From the original wooden structure of a Chinese temple. It was rebuilt in 1897 into Taoist architecture building. Most of its building materials were imported from China including the statue of the host deity, Lord Tua Pek Kong.

Like the other Tua Pek Kong temples in Sarawak, Eng Ann Teng Tua Pek Kong temple has met some major fire disasters in Sibu. But it did not suffer any damages. Even the Sibu big fire of March 8, 1928 which destroyed most of surrounding shop houses, left this Temple unscathed.

 

Tua Pek Kong Temple Sibu

The Civic Centre Museum (its official name was Dewan Kebudayaan dan Warisan;Cultural & Heritage Hall in English) had a display of Sibu's history, and Melanau, Iban, Malay, and Chinese artifacts and has been relocated to the new Sibu Cultural & Heritage Centre. 

Civic Centre Museum

  The YMCA Resort is an outskirts resort getaway for camping and retreat. 

The Sibu Heritage Trail

The Sibu Heritage Trail at the Sibu Heritage Centre here was launched in June, 2012

he trail was another initiative of the Sibu Municipal Council to promote Sibu as a city of cultures and festivals and a gateway to the central region of Sarawak.

Sibu Heritage Trail consists of nine heritage sites including :
1) Sibu Old Mosque,
2) Masjid An-nur,
3) Rosli Dhobi Warriors Memorial,
4) Old Muslim Cemetery,
5) Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum,
6) Hoover Memorial Square,
7) Tua Pek Kong Temple,
8) Sibu Central Market
9) Sibu Heritage Centre.

The whole trail loop measuring about 4km and took about an hour and half if one made brief stops at all the heritage sites.
.
With its earliest settlement dating back to the 1800s, followed by the early immigration led by the late Wong Nai Siong, Sibu has grown by leaps and bounds into a major urban centre in Sarawak.
All the heritage sites identified are of great significance in the development of Sibu town.

Another landmark is Old Sibu Municipal Council building, where formerly housed the Sibu Municipal Council Office and Public Library (before moving to its current building at Jalan Keranji in 1986) is now known as Sibu Heritage Centre (SHC) which houses the exhibits previously exhibited at the Civic Centre Museum.
This building has witnessed the transformation of Sarawak from a colony of the British to becoming an independent state by forming Malaysia in 1963. Sibu Heritage centre was the original administration building of Sibu Municipal Council.  It was later refurbished as Sibu Heritage centre Museum. Its upper floor houses the Sibu heritage museum.  The ground floor is a commercial belt. There is also a space for artwork exhibition

Sibu Heritage Centre

The Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum is the first medical museum in Malaysia, one of the oldest hospitals in Sarawak. It exhibits medical equipment and uniforms used by medical staffs at Lau King Howe Hospital.

Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum

Sibu Old Mosque (Masjid Lama Sibu)

This old mosque of Sibu has been here since 1883.Its first as a wooden structure was built by Tuan Haji Abdul Salam Minangkabau from Indonesia.

However, its structure is never changed; its original form remains intact.

Warriors Memorial site

Rosli Dhoby, born in Sibu, was an active member of one Sibu – based Malay Youth Movement (Gerakan Pemuda Melayu). On 3rd December, 1949 and at the age of 17 years Old, Rosli Dhoby led a group, codenamed the Rukun 13 (the Black Crow group).  They set off to assassinate the 2nd Gorvener of Sarawak, Mr. Duncan Steward. Rosli Dhoby and 3 others, namely Morshidi Sidek, Bujang Suntong and Awang Ramli Amit were arrested and hung. They were buried in Kuching on 2nd March, 1950. 46 years later, their remains were exhumed and brought back to Sibu.

They were re – buried at this Warriors Memorial Site on 2nd March, 1996.

An – Nur Mosque  (Masjid An- Nur)

 

This An-Nur Mosque was built to replace the Sibu Old Mosque to cater to the increasing Muslim population of Sibu. The State government of Sarawak provided the land, and its foundation stone was laid 15th December 1981.

An-Nur Mosque has a 93 – foot tall tower.  Its gold coated dome has a span of 63 feet in diameter reaching a height of 35 feet.

Oldest Muslims Cemetery (Sibu town Square phase 2)

This oldest Muslim cemetery site was estimated to have buried over 70 Muslims. However, the burial activity was stop during Japanese occupation in 1941. Over time, river bank erosion has caused some severe damages to the site. It was restored in 2003.

The two Angsana trees are said to be the temporary “Batu Nisan” or tombstones for one tomb. As most of the original tombstones were washed away, a memorial structure was later erected to commemorate it.

Hoover Memorial Square 

Hoover Memorial Square

 

 This square is named after a great Methodist Missionary (from USA), Reverend James Matthew Hoover. Reverend Hoover was the first foreign pastor who served the Methodist Churches of Sibu. From 1903 to 1935, he had helped to build 41 churches and 40 schools all over Sibu. When the Fuzhou settlement pioneer, Mr. Wong Nai Siong, left Sibu in 1904, Rev. Hoover helped to manage the settlement. His contributions to the early development of Sibu were fondly and gratefully recognized.

Sg. Merah Baazar, The Herritage Walk

Wong Nai Siong Memorial Garden was build by Sibu community who felt deeply grateful to his bringing their forefathers to Sibu.
This memorial garden is next to the landing point of Mr. Wong Nai Siong.

 

Sungai Merah is also where Wong Nai Siong Memorial Park is located. This park is to commemorate the contribution of Wong Nai Siong to the people of Sibu. A century ago, the Foochows begun arriving here with Chinese scholar Wong Nai Siong at the invitation of the White Rajah to cultivate food in Central Sarawak to feed the swelling local population.

The first batch of 72 Foochows arrived in Sibu in 1901 through the arrangement of Chinese scholar Wong Nai Siong. Although agricultural activities were unsuccessful in the initial years, the settlers perservered. They started to prosper when Rev James Hoover (there is another memorial park for Rev James Hoover in Sungai Merah), a Methodist missionary, brought in rubber seeds from Singapore.

A Heritage Walk had been constructed along the river passing through Sungai Merah and Wong Nai Siong Memorial Park form part of the Heritage Walk. This is an overview of the Heritage Walk. The layout board is rather faded and should be replaced.

Behind the memorial park is a round square called the "Landing Point". I guess this is the spot where the Chinese immigrant first landed.

Across the road, there is a small arch, called "Sungai Merah Gateway". Sungai Merah means "Red River". According to the legend, the river (Seduan River) once flow across here used to be red in colour.

The most prominent structure at this heritage walk is the Lovers Bridge. Built across the river and connecting the two pathway along the heritage walk.

Since it is called Lovers Bridge, many couples will walk across the bridge at night and enjoying the surrounding view at night.

 

Credit : http://lifemixx.com

This is what they called Pirates Esplanande. It's just wooden plank and 2 masts behind the ship's structure.

 The Riversteps is the access point to a boat to navigate along the river. It is also nice just to sit on the steps and enjoy the river flow. It's usually high tide at night and it is easier to berth a "sampan" or speed boat here. Note some construction work at the background. Looks like more new shop houses will be built surrounding this heritage walk

The river beautification is an ongoing process as highlighted by this notice

Credit : http://borneotip.blogspot.com

Bukit Aup Jubilee Park Located some 12 km from the town. The popular attraction of the park is its lake, which have lots of fish and you can feed them. Also, the park is popular for hiking. Once you reach the top of the hill, you can enjoy the view of Igan river and the town.

Sibu Lake Park located uptown. The park comprises an area of 11 acres lake, footpaths, jogging tracks, boat house, habitate island, bird sanctuary, barbeque and picnic areas, spash pool, canteen, jetty and others. 

Credit also to : 

- wikipedia

- http://www.etawau.com

-http://wikitravel.org