STORIES FROM SARAWAK
These enduring stories from the people of Sarawak are a great way for children to learn more about some of the main ethnic groups in Sarawak. These lively stories are the oral traditions of
the Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau and Orang Ulu; they have endured the passage of time. These stories reflect the peoples’ ways of life and their beliefs, and they have helped to keep their ancient cultures alive.
IBAN STORIES
Sendi was the youngest daughter of a chief of a longhouse in Undup. She was a lovely Iban girl with gentle manners and a sweet voice. Many of the young bachelors in the longhouse were in love with her. But alas her heart was set in marrying a man called Guang. Unfortunately she had never met the man. As a young girl, she had a strange dream; her late grand-mother told her that when she grew up she would marry a man named Guang. So Sendi set out on a long journey to find Guang. She was not afraid of hungry crocodiles, hidden rocks and rapids or even storms and pirates. To her, the dream was a promise.
Sendi and Guang is one of eight stories in this book. Read about Apoi Saloi, the silly Iban who lived among wise men but never learnt to be brave and clever; how the foolish Dayang Petera meddled with the magic rice; and why the Ibans make offerings to the ikan juak – as told by Iban elders to Heidi Munan.
About the Author
Heidi Munan has been studying the material culture of Sarawak for over 30 years. In her capacity as a private researcher and Honorary Curator of beads at the Sarawak Museum, she has had ample opportunity to study and learn from indigeneous experts and foreign scholars in this and related fields. She has also published books, articles and papers on various topics related to Sarawak and Borneo, and has contributed to Malaysia: Heart of Southeast Asia published by Archipelago Press
