The Story of Tugau by Heidi Munan

There are many stories about Tugau, the mighty warrior who stood out agains the Sultan of Brunei and his powerful fighting men. Melanau Children are told of his strange feats- when Tugau was a small baby he already had a sword and a magic spear. He was constantly hungry, so he asked his mother to bake a sago pellets as big as hens's egg....

When he grew up he stood then feet tall. almost like a giant. When Tugau coughed in Pasai Siung the noise could be heard all the way up in Sibu. He even tried to climb into the sky once, to visit the spirits who dwell in the kingdom of Likou Kiangan. He built a ladder of three long sticks, but the heavenly watchmen saw him coming and pushed the ladder over. Tugau drop back to the earth without injury, but the three sticks were so big, and fell so heavily, that the they made the rivers of Oya, Mukah and Igan.... (Read more below)



About the Author:

Photo by: the Star

Heidi Munan was born in Switzerland and educated in New Zealand. A graduate post-primary teacher, she has lived in Sarawak since 1965.

Heidi Munan is fond of reading, particularly old books about the history and geography of Southeast Asia. When her children were young, their grandmother used to tell them stories; this developed the author’s interest in folk tales. She has written books about the daily life, customs, arts and handicrafts of her home state.

Heidi Munan does research at the Sarawak Museum. She is a regular contributor to national and foreign newspapers and publications, including the MAS inflight magazine Going Places.
Quoted from: The Literary Pursuit

This Stories is taken from her book The Melanau Stories by Heidi Munan. You can find and buy the book here at SelectBook.com.sg

By: Learn Melanau On 11:20 PM

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Pokok Rumbia Pokok Kehidupan oleh Heidi Munan

Anda tentu hairan bagaimana batang pokok rumbia boleh menyediakan makanan untuk orang. Pokok rumbia tumbuh di tanah berpaya dalam, selalunya berhampiran dengan laut. Bila pokok itu mula berbunga, batangnya, mula mengembang sehingga ia menjadi gemuk. Ini membawa tanda ia penuh dengan kanji; dan inilan masa yang sesuai untuk mendapatkan hasilnya.

By: Learn Melanau On 11:06 PM

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What is Seladai?

Photo of A-Bayuh (Shaman) by: Kampung Sesok

A Seladai will assist the Shaman during the ritual. He also need to greet the spirits that come to visit the ceremony. A typical words said by a Seladai while welcoming the Spirits:
Do not be afraid. You are invited by your Grandfather. It is he who is in charge of this crowd and friendly occasion.

In Melanau Shamanistic Healing , Seladai is actually a designated post given by a Shaman ( a-bayuh) to a person who have little or no knowledge about the spirit world. A loose translation of seladai in english is Lay Assistance for the Shaman.

A Seladai is needed during a ritual healing called Payun. Payun means to swing and the healing required the patient to rock on a rattan swing forwards and backwards in the direction of west and east during the ritual. Payun is also called "Pengajih segala pubat"- (end of remedies) because it is the last resort after all possible treatments came to no avail. It is the most elaborate and intricate and expensive bayuh.



During the Payun, the Shaman ( a-bayuh) is called Tama Ayun (Father of the Swing) or Tina Ayun (Mother of the Swing) if the shaman is a female. The Shaman will address himself as Apak Ayeng (Grandfather) or Mak Ayeng ( Grandmother) when talking to the audience. (a-ramai). The Shaman must have one lay assistance (seladai) eventhough other shaman may be helping. A Seladai must be in the house confinement for the entire ritual which normally took five, seven or even nine nights. During the confinement there are prohibitions on bathing, foods and intercourse with spouses. The Patient will be known as the pupil (murip).

A Seladai will assist the Shaman during the ritual. He also need to greet the spirits that come to visit the ceremony. A typical words said by a Seladai while welcoming the Spirits:

Do not be afraid. You are invited by your Grandfather. It is he who is in charge of this crowd and friendly occasion.

By: Learn Melanau On 3:51 PM

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7 Steps of Making Melanau Sago Pearl (Sagok)

In this post we are going to discover the process of making Sagok. Sagok are cooked sago pearls made from Sago starch (Sei). The Melanau Consider it a staple food. Sago Palm (Metroxylon sagu) is fondly dubbed the "Tree of Life" by the melanau.
Seven Steps of Making Sagok

Kalau tidak dipecahkan ruyung, manakan dapat sagunya

Mun enda bibah Ungun, enda lah pekena sei

1. Tubeng Balau (Fell a Sago Palm)

Photo by: Souhusin- Album: Mukah Subet Sagok

The Sago Palm is felled. Palms are felled just before flowering, when the stem are richest in starch. One palm yields 150 to 300 kg of Starch.

2. Marut (Shredding of Sago Pith)

Photo by: Souhusin- Album: Mukah Subet Sagok

After removing the bark (Ungun) of the Sago Palm (Balau), the Sago Pith ( Sei Balau) will be placed on a Lagan. A Lagan is made of two tied logs with a small gap in between. A Shredder (Parut) will be then used to make Pou (shredded Sago Pith).

3. Menyak ( Extraction of Sagu Starch- Sei)

Photo by: Souhusin- Album: Mukah Subet Sagok

The Pou will be brought to the extraction house called Nyanan ( also known as Jagen). There the Pou will be placed onto an Idaih (a mat made of Nypa leaves).

The Pou will be mixed with water from the river, which drawn up using a Terusueng (a conical bucket made of Sago Palm Frond- Ukap balau).

The extraction is done by trampling and kneading the wet Pou barefoot. This produces a mixture of water and raw sago starch (Sei). This mixture will be collected in a settling container called Jalur. After the Sei have settled on the bottom of the Jalur, a small hole at the end of Jalur known as Serebut will be opened to drain all the water out.

Nyanan (Jagen)- Photo by: Souhusin- Album: Mukah Subet Sagok

Photo: Construction of a Nyanan (Jagen)

Photo: Construction of a Terusueng

4. Mela'uek (Cleaning of Sei)

Photo by: Souhusin- Album: Mukah Subet Sagok

The Sei at the bottom of Jalur will be collected and placed on a Tapih (cheese cloth) which is placed on a Salui (boat). The Sei is washed and strained many times and any impurities will be removed.

5. Mengulud ( Kneading of ingredients for Sago Pearl )

Photo: Two Ladies are doing the Mengulud process

The Raw Sago Starch (Sei) will be mixed with shredded Coconut (Benyuh Parut), rice bran (Dabou Padai) and salt to taste (Sia). The Mixture will be knead on a special Nypa mat called Kejangan. The Kneading process is done by rolling the mixture repeatedly on Kejangan. This Kneading process is called Mengulud.

6. Mengugoh ( A Process to pearl Sago Starch)

Photo by: Souhusin- Album: Mukah Subet Sagok

After Mengulud, the mixture will be sift (Mengugoh) using a Takueang (Colander) that is suspended by a rope. This forms the mixture into small round grain.


7. Mu'ui (Cooking of Sago Pearl)

Photo by: Souhusin- Album: Mukah Subet Sagok

The raw sago pearl are cooked on an clay oven called Belanga. The raw sago pearls must be spread occasionally for them to cook evenly. The cooked Sago pearls are let to cool down and then stored in tight container. The end product look brownish and are called Sagok and can be eaten with smoked fish (Jekan Ipuong), Umai (raw fish salad) or with curry gravy (Keliseh).

By: Learn Melanau On 3:16 AM

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10 Interesting Facts about Melanau that you Should Know

TEN Interesting Facts about Melanau that you Should Know :)
Lets Learn Melanau


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Credit Song: Sarawak Cultural Village
Photos: Most photos are from flickr and goolges .

By: Learn Melanau On 11:08 PM

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Serita a dana: Part 4- Dua Apah Baya Pulut

Photo: Baya Pulut ( Buaya Putih)

Makin segak makin segak un wak tuun kuman daya. Sugeh debei agei mangira. Mun bak matai, matai lah lakau itou. Tou, amou, duhig, baya (buaya), naga kuman daya bak bak keman giek.

‘Heiii…..Ipuk daat ipuk nyat, ipuk raja ipuk manala, mun gim baya paluk baya malaluk, padou telou sama. Mun gim baya saseang baya mangapeang, kan gim giek idei.’ Bak pasadei nda bei a bak manemei, bak manepad nda bei a bak manuad. Gak gitou giek ingat patabaled balou Jegiek “Rubuh balai rubuh rundingan” erti sien pajih ngak pasaak.

Daat lingak sama lah nyaem lubeang sungai. Pangai kuman tuneh belui-belui (perlahan-lahan seperti siput) ajau, pakedak pasag. Matalau ngak jakedang gai bawai. Lasuk matalau kuman bau samalah bak subit kulit biyaih. Dagen layap tan manengok nasib giek, nda sanadar giek dua apah baya pulut (buaya putih) mepeang tengok (leher) bau pu-un usah bapou. Pedan ji rebou baya dua apah ien, tan bak madudut tan bulou kabut (peribahasa: ketakutan yang teramat sangat dan terasa putus harapan untuk hidup). Lubeang ien trahsed tan (terkenang) giek (panggilan sugeh kepada dirinya sendiri) sarita a dana, tanawan tanudip baya musim salui karam gak kala Bayan. Patakanen tan naseng buyak sesah ien. Jegem kawa agei la-ei a lakei baya nda keman nanawan a nda saneba (terkena semangat halus).

Baya keman nanawan mun den banateang ien nanawan ji kuyad (kera), ji babui, ji payau (rusa), ji beduok (monyet). Tu-u kawak mun baya pulut itou bak keman, tuneh ngak giek sana-am (disambar). Inget gak gien barani udei tan naseng. Pedan ji rebou ji rumou, sai nanawan nda mengeang. Lubeang patakanen sama lah a tanagah amou, kalijah un baya dua apah ien patakunan sakan. ‘Diak gim taweang bau buta tidei (melanau mukah: idei- disini). Natek gim bau usah bapou ien, gim matai lukoh matai penyou. Tidei nda keman gim.’ Geniyau un takunan sakan baya pulut dua apah ien. Pasakalah kuman radui baya dua apah ien. Matalau ngak bau ulou pudou (pusaran rambut). Tan bak matebak tan sei biyaih sibit pala. Agei kawa baya dua apah patakunan, tidei nda keman gim. ‘Telou padou la-an mapun bayan. Mun gim mengeang ateb gim mata, taweang bau buta tidei.’ Dagen naseng sien, mun baya bak keman, kan lah. Mudei-mudei matai kawak giek. Manyabek asek (minta belas kasihan) gak ipok da-at.
‘Heiii…..Ipuk daat ipuk nyat, ipuk raja ipuk manala, mun gim baya paluk baya malaluk, padou telou sama. Mun gim baya saseang baya mangapeang, kan gim giek idei.’ Bak pasadei nda bei a bak manemei, bak manepad nda bei a bak manuad. Gak gitou giek ingat patabaled balou Jegiek “Rubuh balai rubuh rundingan” erti sien pajih ngak pasaak.

Sugeh tuked buta baya pulut

Nateb mata, Sugeh pu-un taweang bau buta dua apah baya pulut. Baih taweang kikap sien min -min japah jusah biyaih, gak gaan tan kian baya manya-am (menyambar). Paut sien mateb mata, mangatek tan nyipan paya tan buyak gak apah. Nda bei kawak tan nyipen baya kuhep (kunyah) sien. Sien marasa sama tan a padou. Ta-inget lah Sugeh nengan a tama padou dudai kala mana-en bubou mana-en biga daat. Sugeh pun hairan gak sien debei, buyak inou tan baya nda keman giek. Nda sanader Sugeh, sien tah tudui. Dagen tudui ien Sugeh panupei (bermimpi) sien padou lubeang awak sukup jegem jaragan kelasi. Inou ji wak bak bak bei lubeang awak ien. Sien kanakan a wak kan diak diak. Sabek ipuong (makana yang disalai), ipuong nidok. Sabek gagiou (ikan masin yang di jemur), gagiou tapak, sabek taja (Udang panggang), taja bei, sabek da-ieng ("Jem" buah yang disalai lama ), da-ieng nalelag (dihidang). Sabek pek (pekasam campuran abu sagu) sabek banitou tapak jegem ba-an lubeang bulieng (dalam talam hidangan makanan). Puaih tu-u tan sien keman. Lemah sukah (lemah lenguh ) tuneh miau min tan. Lubeang awak sien lah raja sien lah manala, nda bei jalawaih pu-un kelasi dagen awak ien padengah nda, nda kena, nda bei. Wak sabek semua nidok, janeloh, naluloh.

Baih ien bei tan a magamit kuman buta manibah ngadan giek “Sugeh!!!Sugeh!!Sugeh! jauk ngak adou telou. Mekat bau, telou bak keman.’ Mana-ah bak keman, lalu Sugeh manyaut. ‘Giek ngak keman ngak tuteng.’ Ana laie a migak, tuneh keman adep, itou keman kek. Lok nda lok, manyalingeh (menoleh untuk melihat) kawak sien mapun (kearah) buta, lalu sien mekat kudok reda redei, baruk sien manginget, gak gaan kah giek. Bukan kah giek paman bau kayou usah bapou. Bukan kah giek ngak matai kinan baya pulut dua apah. Kukap udei biyaih japah jusah, tuu kah giek agei tudip. Makau sien mapun nyabuong awak, den sien jaragan tanguan madou nyabuong awak. Lalu Sugeh manabawen “Gak gaan giek ajau” ana laie jaragan, ‘Telou padou mapun Bayan.’ La-ei jaragan ‘ Kan kah telou itou gak Bayan?’Jalakau udei jaragan padengah, ‘Bayan agei jauk angai. Bau bulan japan musit tujuk lau, langadeang neh baru telou tapak.’ Tabawen Sugeh udei “ paya langadeang?” La-ei  jaragan tujuk malam agei. Mun pangai wab deraih, pangai nda pakiweng (arah angin tidak berubah) kena lima lau lima malem.’ Lalu jaragan manibah kelasik. “Igek bak kan Sugeh, Sugeh lukoh, Sugeh tip !” Nalelag kelasik, ipuong, gagiou, da-ieng, sepoh pejah (ikan bakar) sukup lalu ji wak bak kan. Tuneh giek keman wak ito ji kawak. Ingat-ingat Sugeh ‘oo.. tuneh giek panupei.’ Baih sien usai keman, jaragan manibah sien mapun nyabuong, lalu pasarita tan sien paman bau usah bapou. Ajau telou segak jalak kala ayeng, lalu manijuk jangai den gim kala daya. Lalu Sugeh manyaut ‘daya kala melou.’ Ana laei (seperti yang dikatakan) jaragan daya kala Berem (kuala baram).

Sungai Barem ( Sungai Baram)

Mata lau ngak patelib ba-ai bah la-an pangai kuman tuneh sukup deraih ajau belui belui  udei. Belui belui kawa adou awak.
Abei ngak malam udei, bulan benyoh jebah sukup taleak manyilok lubeang daat. Agei awal tuneh Sugeh agei dawek jaragan kudok mulin. Baih ien Sugeh nda taou agei, sesak tudui. Mekat ta-au ta-au ngak suab lau. Pangai wab ngak jed udei, adou awak pasirit lalu sama lah nyauu daat lah bau kulit nya-em. Adou  makin la-an makin daya. Tapak gak jalak lala. Jaragan manabawen udei. ‘Kala sai daya?’ Ana laei Sugeh daya kala melou.’ Daya kala Miriek. (Kuala Miri) Laei jaragan. Pangai wab kakel deraih adou makin laju, kira kedeng mata lau, tapak udei gak jalak kala. ‘Yih! Daya kala melou.’ Laei Sugeh. Jaragan padengah  nda, daya kala Sagahen. Adou makin la-an.. Patelib mata lau pangai pakedak udei, adou awak samalah bu-eng panela apah jalawaih. Jamalem-malem adou awak belui-belui (perlahan-lahan) sama lah rihig sek (sangat perlahan-sama seperti belui-belui). Tudui Sugeh matai, lau ngak suab baruk Sugeh migak. Awak padou ngak segak jalak kala udei. Sugeh teruih malupet bau nyabuong. ‘He! Jaragan, daya kala melou.’  ‘Daya buka kala kelou. Daya kala a, ipuk nda ngak pidok ngadan.’ Saut jaragan. Lubeang padem malam, bei jalak kala tah inai nda sanader Sugeh. Kala Tatau.

Kuala Miri

Baih susau kala nda pangadan, mata lau japan gai pused gai bawai. Daya daum-daum un ji den, bak ujan nda kawak ujan, makin la-an makin kuhab-kuhab. Nyabuong awak patapaleang jangai. Kalijah yau jaragan. “Giek bei tepad gak gim.” Jaragan kukab jalak kaben bah dibak gi-an mulin awak (mengemudi kapal). Jalak  uok (peket) da-un balanyeang nedag (diletak) gak jawai Sugeh. ‘Uok ito kak gim mekeang agei-agei gim nda ngak tapak jalak gian. Yau lubeang tepad (pesanan) giek neh. Gim pebam (melangkah) baai awak, kak manyelingeh buta (jangan toleh belakang), biyah jangai tujuk buut, bam bah ulai (langkah sebelah kiri) igek la-an, yap pat pulok bam (hitung 40 langkah), ba-ai tug bah ulai (dikedudukan tumit kiri) kikut gim, keang gim uok yen teb ba-ai yau wak padak giek. Pajih tepad giek, wak ngadan baya, sou sikou sou silou, sou agei sou mudei, sou nya sou suda, sou nih sou pajih, kak mupah, kak mubal, kak munok agei-agei ngadan baya. Supah matai binok matai balabok, matai duluong matai penyou, matai lupa matai malepa, matai janejah matai naratiew, matai apeang matai mangileang. Gak kelou a alai gak a mahou, tamah agei jebet. Matai paneak!!’

Pajih tepad awak pu-un pedag bau nai (pasir) gak kala bayan. Sisud Sugeh min ino yau wak tepad jaragan. Wak sien hairan, jakak sien pasalingeh buta, awak manului sien nda bei agei gak kala. Bei dua apah baya pulut kikib-kikib(keadaan berjalan ketika membawa barang yang berat) makau dudai ( jalan ke laut).

Dua apah baya pulut- dua ekor buaya putih

For translation and meaning thanks to Tenny peter and my grandmother Hasiah Sam :)
If anyone know some of the word here please leava a comment with the meaning of the word and i will include them in the post :)

By: Learn Melanau On 5:12 PM

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Serita a Dana: Part 3- Sugeh Taweang bau usah kayou buak bapou paman

Lau japan bei bak dawaih (teduh). Jawai matalau japan patilek (muncul) kuman sisip awan ja’at kuman bah wab (sebelah timur). Lelep jujok angai, ien udei ujan ba’ai. Kapaut ujan, nyanan mana laei nyanan, jalur mana laei jalur. Betok balau bau seban banir alan, lubeang sapan tanungau kanulat (ditumbuhi kulat), kadeng-kadeng bei kawak titak kalik-kalik galegoh nda paut (galegoh tidak lama), kena pipah bana’oh bak nenyak. Sagok lubeang kanan batou bak tekeang. Mun bei sei, anek puun ujan kena kawak muui (membakar sagu atas belangak).

Bah abei pangai la’an ngak pakiweng mapun pangai wab daya. Ayad nda agei nguna ngunou lah pat lima lau ien. Ajau ngak utuong tulou. Biasa lawei tulou da’at mupuk bak lingak. Usah bapou jegem Sugeh ngak jauk wab alud paman. Rapaih ji den. Matalau bah abei ien ngak patelib bak la’an. Sugeh nda bei agei bak memikir kuba tan tan bak pulek. A daya bak susud dudai lau japan lebaih. Daat agei mengalapeng.

Photo: Mu'ui ( Membakar sagu atas belangak)

Mana-mana apah a nda sepet (sempat) manekeang jalur nda ngak ujan deraih, sei lubeang jalur puun naman jaut sama. Mengeang magou, selalu kawak betok ien titak. Kalik dua telou lau agei nya’em baai lebaih baai saleh. Taba’ieng banir paih dua telou alak nali’id (disusun sebelah menyebelah) bau seban mengatek tipou bak pebak. Nyanan agei sanesed, nda ngak kena nebak menyak. Mangatek lebaih tuu neh baruk lah aa taluaih (anak dara, perempuan muda) tukap nyanan.
Uma padai (sawah padi) bah daya Barangai nda bei sanaan lauih buyak galegoh. Jebah jebah uma padai agei paguun angai bak manahan jaut mebak usah padai. Bawai padai neh, tanawan masieng masieng meteb aneak balau (menanam pucuk rumbia). Mana apah bei uma padai ayeng, ayeng kawa uma balau (ladang rumbia).

Jaut sungei agei lah tanepa, bakah paman bei kawak peseang jangai buyak ulek. Jauk ajok ruhiek kahiek (riuh rendah) tanawan padengah usah bapou (batang bapou-sejenis pokok dihutan) masuat jegem buak seak gak lawei. Lau jamelai (orang bujang, belia) unit taweang bawai usah bapou, keman buak seak, tanguan paman saba-ai. Sugeh tutui taweang bawai sama. Padak gai bak abak aneak kek taweang pulek bawai tebieng bah abak. Sugeh un pabekak gak lawei, lilut naradui buak makin paut makin jauk dudai usah bapou paman. Lilut naradui, nda sader bak taweng pulek.

Bah abei pangai la’an (angin dari barat) ngak pakiweng mapun pangai wab daya. Ayad nda agei nguna ngunou lah pat lima lau ien. Ajau ngak utuong tulou. Biasa lawei tulou da’at mupuk bak lingak (keadaan laut yang tenang). Usah bapou jegem Sugeh ngak jauk wab alud paman (hanyut). Rapaih ji den. Matalau bah abei ien ngak patelib bak la’an (terbenam sebelah barat). Sugeh nda bei agei bak memikir kuba tan tan bak pulek. A daya bak susud dudai lau japan lebaih. Daat agei mengalapeng. Sugeh harap keman buak bapou un bak nyawa lau bak lau malem bak malem. Usah bapou jauk paman wab. Daat kaseh wab nda pakiweng. Pangai la’an daya bahaih-bahaih. Bulan pangejin (Bulan Mac) japan nem atau tujuk malem. Siit bulan musit (anat bulan timbul) japan jabiseh lesut. Sugeh kudok bau pangak ngangau bapou, tigah kawa ji pangak ngangau bak gian baleleak. Bau pangak ngangau ien lah Sugeh malelep mata bak malam.

Jelau bah jelau usah bapou makin paman jauk wab (makin hanyut ke timur). Daun bapou makin ngangaih. Buak telah agei. Harap gak asek ipok (harap kasihan ipok) un agei Sugeh bak tudip. Lebeh dua musit ngak tan (sudah lebih dua kali anak bulan timbul) Sugeh bau bapou. Bei ujan mangangak bebak manyahuong (menyambut) nya-em. Mengatek tan un agei bak pajih.

Bei jasuab matalau bahat bah wab seak sama dangik. Kira kira jataeang (sejengkal) gai matalau kuman dibak, baluab tan kuman daya, baih ien pasirit lalu lah nyabuong awak padou buya pangai deraih. Agei rapaih tan mata manaad nda ngak den wak inou wak pasirit ien. Ngangau bapou mana wak umit mareteb tan agei buyak tekap. Atai labai (betuka, usus) ngak tan bak madudut kuman pa-it. Tuleang lemek lah usah bukou buya pala. Lubeang pait nda bei jumit agei wak kan. Ngak idak lah nda manek nda pasinek. Saji (sekadar) mangatek tan un agei bak matai. Ipok daat agei nda ngak madak giek pebak pahak lubeang da’at.

Photo: Kelueang

Mata lau ngak pariah pused telou pakedeng, jekan bileh tuun segak bateang bapou keman lumut palelok sama debei sangawan (berebut) wak kan. Kadeng-kadeng jekan ayeng tapak melelok wak kan. Bei jalakau kelueang nyat (Jerung besar) melelok jekan umit. Peden kelueang tuun segak bapou, guhok pagegah usah bapou, nyarih (nyaris) agei giek bak pahak, diak un tan peseang gak pangak. Lilut manaad jekan nda giek ingat wak pasirit lalu tan kuman daya tuneh padu ji gaya wak ien ngak segak angai, pasag (berhenti sebentar) udei kali peden giek manaad. Jelau bak jelau bak puun bapou makin sanesad, nda ji batui lahabei (tidak seperti sebelum ini) lesut tapak satengah usah. Mun dua telou lau ien ngangau un maretab, ajau da’an lah lengen puun maretab sama.

For translation and meaning thanks to Tenny peter and my grandmother Hasiah Sam :)
If anyone know some of the word here please leava a comment with the meaning of the word and i will include them in the post :)

By: Learn Melanau On 4:23 PM

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Serita a dana: Part 2- Galegoh Ayeng Bulan Pemalei

Sugeh jegem aneak umit kek sipa aa nyat kak pisak dibak. Semua tanawan lubeang berangai mesen loien debei. Gak suked baum, padak jakak pasesak basarita mana mana you wak bakenen gak japah japah. Lamen nda mudah jagahak aa pasesah basarita jegem aa basarudei.

Lakei Lenyou suked jebah (bilik sebelah) ngak paut angai sapah (sakit tenat). Pateang un, nda pagier (tidak bergerak) bau tilem bunga lat (Ngayan corak bunga lat). Agak balungai (Sejenis Keranda dari sebatang kayu) japan kalup (siap) lau sieng. Gaan taou tan, paya paya tan sien bak makau manginai telou. Mun sien un pebak jakak itou bei susah jumit, tanak dibak sanesed pajih (habis ditenggelami). Pat malem ngak ujan, nda bei ji baten bak dawaih (tiada tanda-tanda hujan akan reda). Jaut sungai (aliran Sungai) sama lah seseng (empangan kecil daripada batang rumbia) japan lipa (perbuatan membuka seseng).

Sugeh jegem aneak umit kek sipa aa nyat kak pisak dibak. Semua tanawan lubeang berangai mesen loien debei (mengurung diri mereka sendiri). Gak suked baum (ruang tamu), padak jakak pasesak basarita (berbual bercerita) mana mana you wak bakenen gak japah japah. Lamen nda mudah jagahak aa pasesah basarita jegem aa basarudei ( Peselurok, bergurau senda). Bei un wak tanaban wak sibet. Ujan masuok gak lau ketujuk. Nyanan (Tempat memproses isi rumbia) jagem taparan dibak (beranda bawah, serambék) sanesed sama. Bakah kayou paman kuman ajok samalah wak tanepa. Kayou jejeang bak alud taparan nda kena agei Manahan bakah idak. Mun nda buyak ulek baai gak paliduok, taparan puun naman (dihanyutkan)jaut sama. Nyanan bah abak nda buyak, gak gien jaut tupa paai.

Pamalei itou lah tanawan gak kala Bayan marasa tuu tuu subit atai, subit labai ( Peribahasa: lit. means: terkoyak hati terkoyak usus- menderita sensara) japah japah. Laei sesah (seperti diceritakan) aa lakei sieng ien. Nda bei ngak galegoh (fenomena air sungai bergelombagan akibat aras air dari hulu sungai yang banyak) itou ji angai. Mun lah ajau itou lakei Lenyou padou (berangkat), telou puun padou sama. Japah padou wab (timur) japah padou la’an (barat). Mun telo un nda madipeh wak kanen lakah inan, matai penyou matai lukoh (mati kebuluran) telou min min. Sama laei patabaled likou Kelieng (Orang Brunei) “Rubuh balai rubuh rundingan” gamau laei a padou tapak kuman Kelieng (negara Brunei). Talabau itou yau nasui balou Jegiek tapak padou kuman likou Kelieng, pulek malayah jegem aa sawa. Padou tapak ien lah Luseh sawa Jegiek nda tapak agei.

For translation and meaning thanks to Tenny peter and my grandmother Hasiah Sam :)
If anyone know some of the word here please leava a comment with the meaning of the word and i will include them in the post :)

By: Learn Melanau On 2:18 PM

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Sharif Masahor - Melanau Knight Of Sarawak And Selangor by CAI

The Melanau have ruled the central of sarawak since time immemorial. Learn Melanau would like to share the story about a famous melanau warrior Shariff Masahor by CAI

Sayyid Mashhur bin Muhammad Al-Shahab -Sharif (or Syed) Masahor was one of the greatest Melanau warriors in the history of British-era Sarawak. He also played an important role in Selangor politics during the British era.

Sharif Masahor was of mixed Arab Syed (descendant of Caliph Ali and his wife Fatimah Zaharah) and Melanau ancestry and governed the Rejang River region [modern-day Sibu, Mukah, Sarikei, Kapit, Bintulu and Miri Divisions] of Sarawak during the days of Brunei rule in the 1840s.

Sayyid Mashhur bin Muhammad Al-Shahab (Sharif Masahor). Photo by : herworld-cheng.blogspot

By: Learn Melanau On 9:48 PM

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Idiom: Maték tipou nou rad'ing

Maték tipou nou radìng

pronounciation: Ma-ték ti-pew n-ew Ra-di~aNG
literally means: to wait for your grandmother to come back form the dead
Malay: menunggu sehingga nenek kamu hidup kembali

Actual meaning: to do or to stay or to wait somewhere until something happens or someone or something arrives for too long.

Malay: membuat menunggu/ berharap sesuatu atau seseorang terlalu lama


Explaination:
This expression have strong negative connotation. It should be used carefully.It usually used among families and friends.
Tipou means both grandfather and grandmother.
Radìng is a verb. It means: to come back from the dead.
Malay: hidup kembali setelah mati

Usage:

Ketayi kawak kaau subet wak tenempah kou itou. Maték tipou nou rad'ing baruk kalup kah?!
It took you too long to finish my order. Should I wait until your grandmother comes back from the dead and it will be finished then?

Inou bak naték nou agéi. Paut angai ngak kaau maték siyén. Maték tapak tipou nou rad'ing kah.
You have been waiting for her far too long. Do you want to wait untill your grandmother comes back from the dead then will you stop waiting.

By: Learn Melanau On 10:55 AM

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Serita a dana: Part 1- Ujan Bulan Pemalei

SUGEH PAMAN BAU USAH BAPOU Oleh Mohd Sill ABD.
Part 1. UJAN BULAN PAMALEI

Salamen jauk wab gai ta’ad , gak puun di-ee (tiang) samadaih sien kuman tuneh angai ngak, lasuk dahaih-dahaih (lasuk ngahaíh-ngahaí, panas terik). Usid (Ujik, pisau) gak nyagem nda bekak bekak(tidak dilepaskan). Wai (rotan) nigek nem tujuk lau ieng-ien, nda ngak pajih nasid (asid= meraut). Ujan bulan pamalei japan ba-ei. Ilen!Ilen! Kalijah un yau lengan Lamen manibah a sawa.

‘Inak!Inak! Mun mam jangai mana’en biga mana’en bubou Sugeh tutui sama?’ Telaan Sugeh kuman sukeh baum nabawan a tina. Lian itou buak pilau buak kahud ngak seak.

‘Wak inou gim”? saut Ilen kuman suked dagen (suked dagen= bilit dagen, dalam rumah). ‘Igek jim ji bulok ngak nasid giek bau paa inan.’ Tabawen Lamen kuman luar suked baum (Ruang tamu). ‘Mun kena kalup sakahet neh, kena kawak bak menamah biga, bubou dana, telou bak dudai, alud ngunanou.

Photo: Berangai

Ajau ngak pasigai la-an, taou taou lah peden tagul ayad alou(payad= ombak besar) telou jabulan bulan itou. Biga bubou un gai kena ba-ai. ‘Kayou tegun dibak barangai (dibak lebuk=bawah rumah) igek bawai min. Padak gak Sugeh manepa (melempar, meletak) bawai taparan (serambék, beranda, ruang diluar rumah biasa tempat jemur pakaian, ikan) buta.

Jaut sungai buyak ujan dua telou lau yen agei deraih angai. Sugeh aneak Lamen nda bekak-bekak pisak takiriek ukap balau (Upih rumbia ?). Dua telou lawaih sakai Sugeh wak sama laya, sama-sama madou takirik kuman bau jiwan ( Jeti) paai sungai. Mun nda pisak takiriek malelok galaguteang teang (pantai). Ruhiek kahiek un bau teang, pat lima lawaih laou yen pasakai palelok bau teang. Bei gak tanaroh sai apah pakena gemeng ayeng, gak lisieng daat. Bei apah pinyeang geramah nai. wak kena sanisek lubeang sut. Padak ji lian, kedeng matalau pulek jangai berangai. Tapak daya mengetiek batou pepper bau sulup kulit kayou uya, bak mangaet apui bak-bak mamejah galaguteng,garamah wak kena kuman alud.

Photo: Jiwan

‘Inak!Inak! Mun mam jangai mana’en biga mana’en bubou Sugeh tutui sama?’ Telaan Sugeh kuman sukeh baum nabawan a tina. Lian itou (waktu ini) buak pilau buak kahud ngak seak (sudah masak). Sugeh bak tuked buak pilau jegem sakai. Ien a tina matiek batou pepper bau sulup uya bak manga’et apui bak mamejah geramak kena lou Sugeh. Batou atiek, batou pepper bakatiek bau uya weang kikek dagen li’id tukok tanak namau. Dua telou alak balangak tanak namou dawek tukok. Belangak wak sibet balou Jegiek lakah nan lahabei. Sawa balou Jegiek, sa Luseh a malayah mapun Kelieng (berdagang ke Brunei). Bei jalian balou Jegiek tutui a sawa melayah sama mapun liko Kelieng (Negara Brunei). Gak gien lah tan balou Jegiek pedan kubatan tan (betan ji= bagaimana) a subet belangak (tempat membakar sagu) tanak namou. Tapak malayah idak angai ji wak nasui. Garik, subiek, satiek, kanan ketiek, kanan batou, kanan kipa mamenok awak. Kapaut (Ketayi, sudah lama) Luseh padou (belayar)nda tapak likou, nda bei agei a baou susud bam Luseh. Awak puun nda bei agei bak madou.

Photo: Belangak

Lamen, ulou berangai a nda bei idak angai sesah sarita (berbual bercerita) gak aneak pegak, gak aneak jakak. Sien nda metieng (pesan) nda manilek tamegah tagagah (tidak menunjuk kegagahan atau kemegahan) gak ja teang ja lamin. Nda bak tija-tijuk.
Ayad alud kala Bayan (Muara Bayan) tenga-tengub. Nda bei jalawaih puun a barani dudai pakaheang, masieng-masieng subet kerja daya. Pasilau pasegau gak guun mun lau diak.

Suab tuneh wak Dugaih bei dudai kala, pegui kalik bei wak diak paman (hanyut) bau teang. Tiap lakau wak Gugaih makau asou begaih nda pabekak. Asou begaih asou tadengah banyi gak likou Bayan. Asel baai un jegem, begaih nda weang ingouk (tidak kering tekak). Bei un un wak kena, pajih nda bei puun kaja’a (kura-kura) nigek kuman daya. Bei jalakau petabeg (bergaduh) jegem bedok laluong ayeng (monyet jantan besar). Tulang buduok ien sibet Dugaih sarudieng (seruling) bei dua alak ji gak Barangai.

Photo: Dibak Belangai (Under the house)

Sarudieng (seruling) bei yau nagaup (ditiup) a aneak, Balalan. Balalan patijuk magaup sarudieng gak a lakei Lagek. A lakei Lagek salalu tanibah a magaup sarudieng bau a pagudak. Gegan beretap gegan salaguong, lakei Lagek lah manijuk gak aneak baou. Saraneak salagoung aneak baou nda ngak kena tuhut yau gegan Lagek. Gaup sarudieng Lagek, pegegah daun kayou buyak. Musim bayoh Lenyou agek diak lahabei, asal sien tanibah a bak pabayoh, jawai Lagek mesti bei jungat (datang menjenguk). Mun nda magaup sarudieng pajih nda puun manyaraneak salaguong. Salagoung mun nda tigah yau saraneak bayoh nda mekat. A bagudak ayeng, kubuong tangauong, salaguong baretap jegem sarudieng mesti bei. Wak pat alak itou saji wak nebak likou Bayan, jadi ulou geganen gagalan a muhai a musai ulou badayek. Lian itou Lagek agei manyubak wak ngadan salagoung apit pebak pat tek bulok.

Notes

Bulan Pemalei

This month coincides with the month of January and coincides with the wet season (musim tengkujuh). The rain falls heavily during this month and all daily activities are very limited.

Legend has it that in ancient times, a great shaman was killed by his wife and his head was chopped off. However, the head disappeared from the house and it became the Taboo Star.

This month is named the month of the killing of the great shaman of ancient times. This marks the eleventh month. All activities of the Melanau is tabooed during this month. Marriage is not allowed and so are the activities of livelihood, such as fishing, planting, house construction and everything else. This month is regarded as a month of ill fortune by the Melanau.

More About Melanau Calendar click here

Likou Keliéng

In the ancient time the kingdom of brunei is called by the Melanau as Likou Keliéng. It was the most important Entreport and melting pot of many different cultures.

Likou Bayan
Is an iban tribe and enemies of the melanaus. Another tribe that allied with the melanau are the Siténg tribes.


For translation and meaning thanks to Tenny peter and my grandmother Hasiah Sam :)
If anyone know some of the word here please leava a comment with the meaning of the word and i will include them in the post :)

By: Learn Melanau On 12:09 PM

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Idiom: Ji jawai

Ji Jawai + Noun ( Genitive)

pronounciation: Ji Ja-wai
literally means: Like somebody's face
Malay: seperti muka + kata nama

Actual meaning: be out of somebody's league OR to be too good or too expensive for you

Malay: tidak sepadan/ tidak layak/ tidak mungkin akan terjadi


Example:

Ji jawai nou lit. means Like your face = you are out of your league./ it is too good for you
Ji jiwai siyen lit. means Like his face = he is out of his league./ it is too good for him

By: Learn Melanau On 11:26 PM

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