Iban Hospitality 2

John Benet leading in the welcome.

Happy children welcoming us.

As we enter, we are given a button hole, and a shot of the infamous Iban Duak, Some call it fire water. I declined because I was already feeling tipsy from the heat and jet lag. I didn't want to fall into the water on my return trip.

The communal living area. The private areas are to the left, where they ahve the bedrooms, kitchen and bathrooms.

The Longhouse is decorated beautifully.

My music teachers.

Traditionally, the Ibans were head hunters. Though this custom was stopped long ago, many long houses still keep the remains of the skull of their conquest of their enemies long time ago.

The banana tree depicts bountiful. At the end of the ceremony, they chopped the tree down signifying harvesting.

The headman, elders, and VIP guest perform the miring ceremony. Here, my student Ling Kie King represents us. A rooster is sacrificed.

The Ngajat dance, I don't think you need to be taught the steps, as my Kai Sister Magdeline says, the agung gong is memorising, and others suspect that it is the the fire water the duak that threw any inhibition our of the window. As for me, this was the first and probably the only chance I get to do this dance. I wanted my New Zealand students to share in the fun. The dance is very elegant as you can see our dance leader Awa. I just twirled my fingers. Wearing my Nyonya Kebaya set the mood.

You can see from the face of Da Mei and Ling Kie King that we had a great time.

Our own Real McCoy, Awa our Iban beauty.

Siblings Benson and Mag ah Lee, full of fun. That is why I love them.

John Benet and his family put on a show fit for kings and queens.

Happy Gawai Sarawak. 

For part one of this amazing journey.

http://annsnowchin.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/iban-hospitality-food.html

http://rubytuesday2.blogspot.co.nz

http://www.suelovescherries.blogspot.com/