TIDAL BORE AT SRI AMAN SARAWAK

TIDAL BORE OBERVATION STATION AT BANDAR SRI AMAN,

SRI AMAN DIVISION, SARAWAK 

 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Tidal bore is a tidal phenomenon in which the leading edge of the incoming tide forms a wave or waves of water that travel up a river or narrow bay against the direction of the current. Bores take on various forms, ranging from a single breaking wavefront - effectively a shock wave - to 'undular' bores' comprising a smooth wavefront followed by a train of solitary waves (solitons).
Sri Aman is situated about 205 kilometres by road from Kuching City. The unique phenomenon of tidal bore occurrs in Batang Lupar, Sri Aman, State of Sarawak. Batang Lupar flows from the Klinkang Range to South China Sea with river length of 275 kilometres. Geographicaly, Batang Lupar has a big opening at the rivermouth and becomes narrow when it reaches upstream. It is believed that tidal bore starts at Pulau Seduku located about 44.6 kilometres from river mouth and 34.5 kilometres from Sri Aman town. Tidal bore or locally known as benak occurs everyday with different wave lengths and heights. However, during spring tide, normally on the third and eighteen day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, tidal bores with high magnitude can be observed clearly. 

GAWAI DAYAK CELEBRATION

Gawai Dayak is a festival celebrated by Dayaks in Sarawak and West Kalimantan which is officially public holidays on 31 May and 1 June every year in Sarawak, Malaysia. It is both a religious and social occasion.

The word Gawai means a ritual or festival whereas Dayak is a collective name for the native ethnic
groups of Sarawak and neighboring Indonesian Kalimantan who are the Iban also known previously as Sea Dayak and the Bidayuh people also known as Land Dayak and the Orang Ulu (inclusive of Kayans, Kenyahs, Lun Bawangs, etc.). Thus, Gawai Dayak literally means "Dayak Festival".

One of Iban costume for women (Ngepan)

The Dayaks are the indigenous people of Borneo. Dayak is a generic term for over 200 riverine and

hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups which are located principally in the interior of Borneo. They have their own dialect, customs, laws, territory and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily identifiable. Dayak languages are categorized as part of the Austronesian languages in Asia. The Dayaks were animist and paganistic in belief; however most converted to Christianity recently. Estimates for the Dayak population range from 2 to 4 million.

The idea for Gawai Dayak started war back in 1957 in a radio forum held by Tan Kingsley and Owen Liang, a radio programme organiser. This generated a lot of interest among the Dayak community. Up till 1962, the British colonial government refused to recognize the Dayak Day but instead called it the Sarawak Day. Gawai Dayak was formally gazetted on 25 September 1964 as a public holiday in place   of Sarawak Day after the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. It was first celebrated on 1 June 1965 and became a symbol of unity, aspiration and hope for the Dayak community. Today, it is an integral part of the Dayak social life. It is a thanksgiving day marking a bountiful harvest and a time to plan for the new farming season or other endeavors ahead.

Dayak would visit their friends and relatives on this day. Such visit is more commonly known as "ngabang" in the Iban language. Those too far away to visit would receive greeting cards or wishing gawai greetings via radio broadcasting in this modern time. If there is a formal invitation to visit, the guest welcoming (ngalu pengabang) procession will be performed by the inviting longhouse.

 

Dayak Ceremony

SARAWAK REGATTA

SARAWAK REGATTA

An annual event organized by Kuching Resident Office. The event is the showcase of boat race with participation from various government agencies, private sectors and also participants from overseas such as Indonesia and Brunei. Other activities include displays of crafts and exhibitions by local entrepreneurs.
Sarawak Regatta has been a premier event with a distinct historical and cultural significant. It was held as early as before 1872 and was organized as an annual event taking place during the New Year. Sarawak Gazette had recorded in 1872, that the annual Regatta that year was held, on 29th February 1872 at the Sarawak River infront of the Astana. The European community in Sarawak and in the neighboring countries were invited to the Astana - for breakfast - before the race. Keen competition were also recorded for the Rajah Cup. The boat 'Sri Matu' built and manned by the Melanaus, was reported as the winning boat.
The Gazette records provided the indication that Regatta had been an important social event organized annually for social integration and goodwill for the people of Sarawak. Prominent political figure, the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Ong Kee Hui, recorded that Rajah Charles Brooke used to send his yacht Maimunah1 to outstation to bring in the various Tuan Residents to join in the social event.
The tradition of holding the annual Regatta in the Sarawak River continued through the Colonial period and into the post-Malaysia period. During these periods the Regatta was organized by Resident and District Office with funds from the Government while the rest of the fund was raised through public donations.
The day programme include races for traditional longboats, dragon boats and other activities, like the running of totolizers, climbing greasing poles, catching ducks and pillow fights. Racing boats from outstations made it a grand affair and also a great occasion for families from outside the State Capital to visit Kuching town.

KAUL FESTIVAL OF MUKAH

Kaul is a traditional festival celebrated by the Melanau living along the coast of Sarawak. In the past, Kaul was looked upon as a religious ceremony to appease the spirits of the sea, land, forest and farm making it the most important festival in the Melanau calender. The festival is a ritual of purification and thanksgiving as well as one of the propitiation for good fortune. Its marks the beginning of the Melanau calender which begins at the end of the Northeast monsoon. Kaul takes place in third week of the month of April every year.

The festival site is on the right bank of the Mukah river estuary. During a week festival, the organiser has line up many activities which include ethnic stalls selling traditional foods, entertaiment programs, traditional games and the highlight will be Serahang (decorated flat round basket made from sago leaf which raise on a bamboo pole) procession lead by local Melanaus' community leader. 

Some of the activities that not to be missed include DIY the Giant Swing (Tibow) and enjoying the Melanau's traditional food serve on the log (Keman Baw Bateng @ Makan Beradat).

 

The highlight of the festival would be swinging and chanting on the twenty-foot high giant swing called "tibou".