KUCHING: There is a belief within the Iban community that certain birds bring either good or bad omens.
Recently, an exquisite bird with distinct feathers called the Asian paradise flycatcher made an appearance at Rumah Geoffrey Badi Nanga Tada in Kanowit.
The species has a silvery-white plumage, blue eye rings, and a long ribbon-like tail.
A resident of the longhouse, Umang Rien, shared the sighting of the bird on her social media, which has since caught the attention of netizens.
Speaking to New Sarawak Tribune, Umang said the longhouse community felt lucky to have encountered the bird.
“The bird came to our longhouse on June 11. I don’t really know who exactly caught it at first as I was out at that time. Then, someone in the longhouse told me about it.
“So, I quickly took photographs and videos, posted it on my Facebook for memory,” she said, adding that no one in the longhouse had ever come across such a unique bird in their lives.
“According to the elders in the longhouse, they believe the arrival of such a bird signifies a positive omen.
“And as Ibans, whenever animals enter the longhouse, we will conduct a ‘miring’ ceremony to welcome its arrival,” she said.
On the same day that the bird appeared, she said, the longhouse’s ‘Tuai Burung’ (bird expert) released the bird back to its natural habitat.
“As seen in the photo, there is a feather on the ‘piring’ (offering plate). That is not from the bird, but a chicken feather,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said the bird is a male Asian paradise flycatcher.
“Only the male species are whitish in colour, while the female has a darker colour without the long feathers,” he said.
He also noted that according to Iban beliefs, the bird is considered to bring good luck to a person.
“In Iban, they would name the bird as Mujan,” he said, adding that the Asian paradise flycatcher is classified as a protected wildlife in the state.
“It is good that the longhouse residents have decided to release the bird to where it belongs. It is for the good of the community and the bird,” he said.
It is illegal to keep or sell protected wildlife without a licence from the Controller of Wildlife Sarawak.
Offenders may face penalties, including a jail term of one year and a fine of RM10,000.
