Well, let's start off my second blog by sharing my recent trip to bario. Due to the commitment to the my tight project schedule, I miss my opportunity to travel in 2007. Fortunately, I finally find a slot this year to spend 3 days in the kelabit highlands....A real holiday that is no internet connection nor phone connection... yeah no one can find me !!.
Generally I find Bario is not something very unique or extraordinary, however I still find the trip to be quite interesting, as I had manage to do a few of "first time "activities in my life...
1. My first time taking a twin otter .....
2. My first time visiting a real long house (inside) in Sarawak..
3. My first time trying monkey meat...
4. My first time seeing a mini hydro power plant..
5. Other interesting photos....
As a quick summary, this Bario trip makes me feel how resourceful can the people be, when the circumstances pushes them to the limit. In bario, I seen how the local people survive with minimum power supply, by utilizing the small hydro plant and solar panel. Perhaps it triggers me to be more thankful to what I have now? Life with continous power supply for me to watch AStro, surfing internet, etc. Erm, time to spend more effort to be a 'greener man' and contribute more to the environment !!
For those who doesn't know where or what is Bario, may refer the below introduction about Bario:
Quoted from:http://ebariocms.temabu.com/index.php
History :Over a century ago, the Kelabits were involved in head hunting raids, not so much for ritual purposes but as a means to prove one’s courage, bravery, guts or valiancy, and to get even with their enemy. However, things have changed. Today among other things, the Kelabits are well-known for the friendliness and hospitality. They embraced Christianity during the 1940s through the influence of Guru Paul, also known as Nimang Tepun.
In the year 1946, the first school was opened by Tom Harrison, who lived with the Kelabits for two years after the Second World War. In the year 2001, the Bario community was named as one of the Top Seven Intelligent Communities by World Teleport Association.
BarioLocation :The Kelabit Highlands is tucked in the north eastern of Sarawak and is very close to the international border between Kalimantan and Sarawak. Bario is located on the Kelabit Highlands, 3280 feet above sea level. It is the unofficial capital of the Kelabit Highlands. All roads lead to Bario. Due to geographical barrier, this wonderful place is isolated from the rest of the world.
Infrastructure and facilities :Despite its remoteness, there are many infrastructures such as an airport, telecentre for internet access and computer services, schools, churches, clinic, police station and shops.
PeopleThe people :The Kelabit, at approximately 5000 people, is one of the smallest ethnic groups in Sarawak... Like many other indigenous communities in Sarawak, the Kelabit live in longhouses on the highlands. However, due to economic and social factors, many have migrated to live in urban areas over the last 20 years. It is estimated that roughly only 1200 Kelabit are still living on the highlands.
The Kelabit speak their language which is called "Kelabit". Today, many have learned to speak English and Malay languages.
PineappleAgriculture :The community's main economic activity is agriculture, mainly growing Bario rice. The cool climate at the average 20 oC enables the residents to cultivate citrus fruits besides rice. Besides, Bario is famous for its high-potash Bario-made salt and the refreshing, juicy Bario pineapple.
Unique :
Handicraft
The Kelabits value ceramic jars, brass gongs and beads. These items are inherited from their ancestor. The beads are used to make beaded hats (peta ba’o rawir) and necklaces that are worn by the Kelabit women especially on special occasion. Visitors can purchase some of these beads as souvenirs too.
GongsMusical instruments
A traditional musical instrument is the sape’, a plucked lute instrument. It is carved from tree trunk in an elongated rectangular shape with a homogenous neck extending from one end of the body. Formerly, its three or four strings were made from finely split rattan, but today they are made of wire strings. The Kelabit also play the pagang (tube zither), which is made from a length of bamboo tube closed at both ends by its natural bamboo nodes. The strings are finely cut strips from the surface of the bamboo tube itself, which are still attached to the tube at either end. On special occasion such as Iraus or during visits by VIPs (Very Important Persons), the school children will form a bamboo band where all the musical instruments that are played are made from bamboo.
Generally I find Bario is not something very unique or extraordinary, however I still find the trip to be quite interesting, as I had manage to do a few of "first time "activities in my life...
1. My first time taking a twin otter .....
2. My first time visiting a real long house (inside) in Sarawak..
3. My first time trying monkey meat...
4. My first time seeing a mini hydro power plant..
Some of you might wonder what so great about hydro plant, pls refer to my first blog, I am an engineering nerd!!!
5. Other interesting photos....
I reassure you, this is not the monkey I ate...
Here is where you get the famous Bario Rice.......
Again.. I didn't eat the buffalo...
Here's where the Bario kids learn their add maths ! Shame on the city boy who cannot pass their add maths despite all the tuitions !!
As a quick summary, this Bario trip makes me feel how resourceful can the people be, when the circumstances pushes them to the limit. In bario, I seen how the local people survive with minimum power supply, by utilizing the small hydro plant and solar panel. Perhaps it triggers me to be more thankful to what I have now? Life with continous power supply for me to watch AStro, surfing internet, etc. Erm, time to spend more effort to be a 'greener man' and contribute more to the environment !!
For those who doesn't know where or what is Bario, may refer the below introduction about Bario:
Quoted from:http://ebariocms.temabu.com/index.php
History :Over a century ago, the Kelabits were involved in head hunting raids, not so much for ritual purposes but as a means to prove one’s courage, bravery, guts or valiancy, and to get even with their enemy. However, things have changed. Today among other things, the Kelabits are well-known for the friendliness and hospitality. They embraced Christianity during the 1940s through the influence of Guru Paul, also known as Nimang Tepun.
In the year 1946, the first school was opened by Tom Harrison, who lived with the Kelabits for two years after the Second World War. In the year 2001, the Bario community was named as one of the Top Seven Intelligent Communities by World Teleport Association.
BarioLocation :The Kelabit Highlands is tucked in the north eastern of Sarawak and is very close to the international border between Kalimantan and Sarawak. Bario is located on the Kelabit Highlands, 3280 feet above sea level. It is the unofficial capital of the Kelabit Highlands. All roads lead to Bario. Due to geographical barrier, this wonderful place is isolated from the rest of the world.
Infrastructure and facilities :Despite its remoteness, there are many infrastructures such as an airport, telecentre for internet access and computer services, schools, churches, clinic, police station and shops.
PeopleThe people :The Kelabit, at approximately 5000 people, is one of the smallest ethnic groups in Sarawak... Like many other indigenous communities in Sarawak, the Kelabit live in longhouses on the highlands. However, due to economic and social factors, many have migrated to live in urban areas over the last 20 years. It is estimated that roughly only 1200 Kelabit are still living on the highlands.
The Kelabit speak their language which is called "Kelabit". Today, many have learned to speak English and Malay languages.
PineappleAgriculture :The community's main economic activity is agriculture, mainly growing Bario rice. The cool climate at the average 20 oC enables the residents to cultivate citrus fruits besides rice. Besides, Bario is famous for its high-potash Bario-made salt and the refreshing, juicy Bario pineapple.
Unique :
Handicraft
The Kelabits value ceramic jars, brass gongs and beads. These items are inherited from their ancestor. The beads are used to make beaded hats (peta ba’o rawir) and necklaces that are worn by the Kelabit women especially on special occasion. Visitors can purchase some of these beads as souvenirs too.
GongsMusical instruments
A traditional musical instrument is the sape’, a plucked lute instrument. It is carved from tree trunk in an elongated rectangular shape with a homogenous neck extending from one end of the body. Formerly, its three or four strings were made from finely split rattan, but today they are made of wire strings. The Kelabit also play the pagang (tube zither), which is made from a length of bamboo tube closed at both ends by its natural bamboo nodes. The strings are finely cut strips from the surface of the bamboo tube itself, which are still attached to the tube at either end. On special occasion such as Iraus or during visits by VIPs (Very Important Persons), the school children will form a bamboo band where all the musical instruments that are played are made from bamboo.
1 comment:
ello ello! Very nice write up and love your comments that come with the pics!
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