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Hi bro coop,
The age of Information Technology and Communication today fostered Urantian even more closer into a global village. I believe all these flows of happenings are just like what is mentioned in TUB.
Beisdes Brazil as the equatorial rain forest of planet Earth; Borneo is only second.
Here are some first hand facts about Sarawak:
People: 27 main ethnic group: collectively they are call 'Dayak"/ Ethnic people. The biggest being Dayak Iban ( myself a Bidayuh /Land Dayak. in my dialect, 'Dayak/Dyak' mean 'people.)the smallest is the nomadic Penan (they roamed the Sarawak rain forest in Baram, Miri Divison of sarawak. You know, the Bruno Manser of Switzerland stuffs?. Almost all ethnics embraced christianity.
Longhouse: Getting rarer now as most prefers modern housing. Only found in the interior or upstream; of Iban areas, all over the state. Bidayuh abandoned completely this type of dwelling with the introduction of modren living; Bidayuh only found in surronding areas around Kuching, the capital city, First Division. Bidayuh population: app; 130 thousand, 95% christian. among the most well educated group.
Built on stilt as a form of protection and defence against intruders/enemies/headhunters of old. Headhunting was practiced by all groups;- as a show of bravery/macho/growing of age/ to attract the opposite sexes and also for certain spirit appeasing ceremony or Gawai. ( my family get rid / buried ours --the skulls inherit from my great grandfather in 1980s)
Dos and donts - generally all Dayaks/Ethnic culture.
Never enter any houses without permission. always approach/greet the head of the house/father/ tuai rumah/tua kampung (bidayuh village headman)first when in their area or house.
Decline food politely by touching the food or drink with the finger tip and followed by saying 'thank you' (terima kasih) and a slight nod of the head .btw, almost all understand and know the word 'thank you' in english.
shake hand followed with a slight head noding
Takes foot wears off when entering any houses. having them on is a show of disrespect.
Never touched any grown ups on the head; its a sever insult. to the man, its a disrespect and a challenge to their dignity.
Never point straight a fingure at anyone; its a sign of agrressiveness; but rather us the thumb.
When walking /passing infront/ between the midst of a talking/discussing formal group of people, bend the body slightly with one hand slighly infront. message: you are asking permission to cut their line of sight and interrupting their sessions.
Sarawak with its virgin rainforest is truly a unique place. rich in oil, natural gas, minerals but with only more than 2 million people. The Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (ethnic Muslim Melanau) is married to an Australian woman, Datin Laila (recently passed away) legacy of James Brooke, the White Rajah? Political maturity is far off among the people and political enlightenment of the politicians has much to deserve, despite the very small number of hardcore poverty among the people and almost 90% literacy rate, the wealth of the county is controlled by cronies of the few rich and powerful.
Good place for adventure, Bro.coop.
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