Author: Valentine Tawie Salok

A small group of Elvis Presley Fan Club Sarawak (EPFCS) members gathered on last Jan 8 to mark what was supposed to be the 83rd birthday of the man who was and still is referred as ‘The King’. Held at a music joint in Petanak, the gathering paid loving tribute

Some punters of the four-digit (4D) lottery and other games by Toto (tolong orang tipu orang), Magnum, Sweep and other counters in Malaysia bet more than their monthly income. These hardcore gamblers are actually the lifeline of these counters for without punters, these counters are out of business. Some elderly

Sarawak’S seasoned statesman Tan Sri Dato Sri Celestine Ujang anak Jilan who was called home to be with Lord recently left everlasting legacies in the state. Other than his policies and achievements in his capacities as state assemblyman, DUN Speaker and Minister, his other important contribution is in the Dayak

Among the most interesting part of Gawai Antu (Krian and Saribas version) is the ‘Lemambang Nuntungka Jalung’. For the benefit of readers a Gawai Antu is the grandest of Iban festivals – it is held to build proper ‘home’ for the deceased in the form of ‘sungkup’ (belian structure to

BIRDS play very significant roles in the life of rural Ibans, particularly those who still practise animism. In our traditional society, some birds are ‘revered’ as omen messengers or errand media of Iban augury practice. Our practice of beburung – burung is a noun term for bird in Iban –

For over forty years, longhouses in the Melupa area, at middle Krian in Saratok, have been surviving on water from ‘gravity feed’.  These ten longhouses, namely Kedap, Nanga Assam, Sungai Belong, Tanjung Sikup, Munggu Embawang, Pelaie Ili, Pelaie Ulu, Mendas Asal, Mendas Baruh and Mendas Atas,  most of which are

Pemakai Menua and Pulau Galau (PMPG) issue remains a hot topic that should be handled properly as it involves a big section of our people, particularly the Dayak community. As I am not an expert or well endowed with knowledge in this domain, it better be left to the relevant

This is my 54th article in this column As I See It, a figure of vital significance to me for 1954 was the year of my birth. Of course my entry to this world of the living was attributed to the love of mom (indai) and dad (apai). When I

Many people called me at my personal number making further queries on Dunging Gunggu (1904-1985) subsequent to my last week’s column. As such I am compelled to write this ‘part two’ piece on him. “Tu ukai ulih aku belajar tang ulih nengkebang magang (These are not copied from others but

Those born in the fifties and early sixties in the Betong, Debak, Saratok, Roban and Sarikei areas would certainly have heard of Dunging anak Gunggu (1904-1985). He might be known for his Iban Alphabet also known as Urup Dunging, thanks to his grandson Associate Prof. Bromley Philip but many of