MUKAH: Sweltering heat did little to stop visitors from witnessing the traditional ‘Pisak Tibou’ competition at the Pesta Kaul 2023 here.
Visitors from all walks of life, came to witness the unique traditional game, sitting under a tree, some with umbrellas over their heads and others braving the sun to witness the Melanau game.
The secretary of the ‘Pisak Tibou’ competition, Susana Clement, 56, said in the old days,the Melanau community would engage in the game by the beach after harvesting their crops.
“This would usually be done at night in April when there was most likely a full moon, as they did not have electricity those days.
Susana, a teacher at a school in Miri, said the game is played by four persons and is judged by the number of swings made from each level marked at the wooden ladder placed on site.
“However in the olden days it was played in groups which required physical and mental strength.
“The game not only can be played by one person but four and even up to ten persons,” she said.
Susana said the game requires a high level of alertness because players need to know the right timing when to make the leap and grab hold of the ratan rope.
One of the objectives of the competition is to expose and educate the younger generation about ‘Pisak Tibou’ which is lesser known to them and the public.
At previous Pesta Kaul events, according to Susana ‘Pisak Tibou’ was a demonstration event but this year the organisers decided to stage a competition instead.
“We judge winners by the height levels, in the olden days, the winner had to reach level 15 but today we decide on the winner when they reach level 12 of the wooden ladder marked in red lines,” she said.
