One Day at Nanga Aup

Date: 07.03.2011
Day: Monday
Time: 2.00p.m
Location: Somewhere in Lubok Antu

Tired, exhausted,speechless yet wonderful! This vary day was so precious for some of us who were never followed us “Ngasu” before. For your info, “Ngasu”is an Iban word which means to hunt for wild animals with dog(s). This hunting technique was being practiced by the dayaks people since the early days they (the dayaks) know how to hunt for food using weapons such as spears or “sangkoh”, blowpipe or “sumpit” and net which were made from rattan. Nowadays, most of the dayaks were using shotgun or locally known as “senapang patah” to hunt. According to the elders (orang tuai) their shotguns were being inherited from their great grandfathers which were means to be passed from one generation to another. Believe it or not, that day we had a great catch/ hunt. And for some of us, it was the catch/hunt in a lifetime! Nevertheless, there were eleven of us with only two hunting dogs. WOW!

(Tagged:The One and Only, Mr.Seli Anak Bedel)

We arrived at our meeting point (abandoned logging road) around 2.00 p.m in the afternoon. Our leader, or known as “tuai asu” THE ONE AND ONLY, Mr. Seli Anak bedel, divided us into two small groups. They were the “ngipa’” group or known as the ambush group and the “nesar” group or known as the chaser group. The ambush group was to wait for the animals to run towards them before they gunned them down. Meanwhile, the chaser group along with dog(s) was to chase the animals in certain/ planned route or direction towards the shooting zone before the ambush group can shot them. Fortunately, both of our groups know our own part and playing our roles effectively. And of course, I was in the chaser group. WOW!

(Tagged: Some parts of the Wild boar)

Our “Nesar” or chasing area were started from “Nading” to “Wong Pelandok” (Pelandok Waterfall).and also from “Wong Kijang” (Kijang waterfall) to “Batu Melandai”. From Nading, we have to climb the cliff which was about 45° aslant and 30 feet high. The hike was so tough and challenging! It took us about 35 minutes to reach our first stop point at Wong Pelandok. Furthermore, It was not and enjoyable hike because we had to tread down our path again to get to the next stop on another top of the hill (Wong Kijang). DARN IT! It was so tiring and made some of us were very exhausted!

(Tagged: Mr. Sawing posed with his newly burnt Wild Boar head!)

After we took a rest about 10 minutes, we started to walk downhill towards “Batu Melandai” looking for the “Jerumun” or known as the sleeping place for wild animals. We knew that by looking at their newly sign of footprints, their waste and also the ground conditions which indicates that it was their sleeping place and active spawning and playing area. By looking at their “poo” we also knew what types of plants or Jungle fruits that they ate. And then, THE CHASE WAS ON!

(Tagged: Man's best friend-One of our hunting dog-small but reliable!!!)

As we moved slowly towards the river (Batu Melandai), suddenly we heard a thunderous, nonstop aggressive barking sound from our hunting dogs and guess what? We knew it was the “things” that we were looking for. Gosh! Everyone prepared themselves and get themselves armed and for me, I took out my 5 feet long , rusty yet sharp spears and get ready for anything!

We moved again, and guess what? Few steps after that, “BANG!!!” and followed with another “BANG!!!”. Two gunshots were fired and we knew that the chased was over. As we rushed towards the ambush group near the safe point, we heard that the ambush group rejoicing and laughing happily. Curious to know, we move towards them and we were surprised to see what a big, brown and furry (around 90 Kilos) wild boar laying dead by the river bank. We knew that they had just done a good job.
To our surprised, they told us that they had to shot the boar twice to get it killed. Can you imagine how big that animal was when you had to shot it twice?

(Tagged: TEAM (Together Everyone Achieve More!)

That was it. We then carried the "hunt" of the day back home and for sure it need five of us at a time to carried it. How heavy it was!! Although we we tired, we were also happy as we knew we all had done a very good job!!! we arrived at home/ school around 5.30 p.m that day! Congrats comrades!! (yeah, we were get ready for the BBQ time!!!)

SK Nanga Aup "Parents and Teachers' Assosiation" colaboration day.

2011, February, 18th- Was the MOST memorable day for those who live, teach, work and study at SK Nanga Aup, Engkilili.That day was the day when the SK Nanga Aup Parents and Teachers' Association carried out a special event which we known as "SKNA Parents and Teachers'Association Colaboration Day".

The opening ceremony was inaugurated by YB Malcom Mussen Anak X-Penghulu Lamoh who is the State Assembly Member (ADUN) N.29 Batang Ai. He was accompanied by Head of the village or "Tuai Rumah" from Kumpang Langgir, Kumpang Paoh, Danau and some of his friendsfrom Kuching.

The entourage was arrived at 11.30 a.m and being welcomed by parents, teachers, staffs and pupils of the school with "welcoming dance" or "ngajat alu" which been performed by the pupils of "SK Nanga Aup Creative Dance Club".

Our day was began as early as 5.00 a.m in the morning. Though it was early but all the parents, the staffs and the teachers were very enthusiastic to cook, barbecue and preparing the table for the VIP.

This was the view of our stage where most of the activities were being carried out. This simple yet meaningful ceremony was ended around 4.00p.m in the afternoon. It was sure the most special, happy and wonderful day and worth to be remembered.

My pupils in their Ibans' traditional costumes. They were Miza Kadir, Elyzaberth Emai, Irvene Clawdia and Cynthia Ensering.

"barbecue time...."

"pama'" the priceless Frogs

23/02/2011- "They weren't that many,but I still think that they were just enough" said Frankie, 33 years old, from Kampung Selindong, Engkilili...Frankie...Frankie... For your info,Frankie is our school new "chef" or known as "apai" for those kids in this school...posing with his precious catch of the day (or let me just say "catch of the night")

We started moving to our "hunting ground" around 6.30 p.m (and of course, after having our dinner).Let me tell you something about these frogs.These frogs were locally known as "pama'". These "pama'" normally lived along the riverbank of clearwater rivers. They only came out at night to hunt for their food(Insects, small prey such as fish and some water plants) or sometimes to mate.These "pama'" usually active around 7.00p.m- 11.00 p.m and also from 2.00 a.m-4.30a.m.

The quickest and easiest ways to catch these precious one of a kind "pama'" were by hands or harpoon which known as "serampang/jayang" to the local people who lived in this particular area.

Some of these frogs can grew up to 200g to 800g each depending on which area and the food that they ate. Sometimes, these frogs can cost you around RM25.00 per kilo because they were very hard to find and difficult to catch .These frogs/ "pama'" were considered as the precious, luxurious and special dishes and also the good source of protein for those people who lived in this area.

The man of the day! (let just say "night").. Mr. Jeffery Janting. He caught more frogs than WE did.

Few nights before, my friends and I went fishing (diving)  in the river of Lubok Duku, Kumpang Paoh searching for the fresh water species, known for its powerful, aggressiveness  and sudden strike. The fish were such as the Sebarau (Adong) or Hampala Macrolepidota, Tengas (Tengih)/ semah/ Acrossocheilus Hexagonolepis , and some other species of fish that live in the particular area.


We began diving around 7.00 p.m and usually ended around 10.00p.m -12 .00 p.m because the next day we will have to wake up early and get ready for school. Of course, most of us were teachers. The journey to Lubok Duku took us about 20 minutes from our school.Of course we need to bring our torch, goggle, fishing net and the one and only our "senapang ikan" (harpoon gun).

This fish (Adong Tunggal) was shot by one of my friend and though it look small, it weighed around 800 grams to 900 grams and of course there were lot more fish that bigger than this.




Once, we have caught a fish that weighed more than two kilos!! What a big fish it was!! That fish was locally known as "semah":- Acrossocheilus Hexagonolepis. 
We were envious with joy when we saw the fish successfully in the   hands of Cikgu Jeffery Janting and let me tell you this, what a beautiful fish!



Normally this kind of fish spent most of their live hiding 10 feet underwater. Sometimes the surfaced up to eat or to breathed some fresh air.


Even when it was small, this fish usually very hard to catch (Harpooned) because it was very wild, alert  and aggressive.


This fish is such a "Great Predator".


"Ikan Sebarau" or locally known as "adong tunggal" . It got its name from the stripes that can bee sen across its body. This fish can be found along clear water river in some pats of Sarawak or in Peninsular Malaysia.