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1 juni 2011
![Maleisië]( "Maleisië")
Maleisië
Miri ![]()
34°
Batu Niah caves and the celebration of Gawai
From Sibuto Miri and the next day to Batu Niah by bus to see the famous caves and to celebrate the harvest festival (Gawai) in the longhouse (rumah Patrick Libau).It was very hot the day that I did the trip to the caves. There are several caves, starting with the traders cave where people used to sell the bird nests of the swiflets. After that the cave where some people still risk trheir lives climbing up the high poles to the nest. It's unbelievable how they can manage it. Slippery paths were leading to a spectaculair space where the sunlight came in as a beam and lightened a rock. Magical to see. The path continued in the dark and I had to use my headlight. The mooncave was really dark and without a light you couldn't find the way back. At that moment I was the only person going in and I the moment I almost slipped because of the bat poop I realised that it was not a wise idea in case something would happen. So I had to return the same way after I saw anither cave with wall paintings from some thousand years ago and asked the last 2 persons in the cave if I could join them. Relieved, because the way back was even worse. Kind of scary, but amazing so far as my light could show me. At a junction to the village I bought an Iban knife and a blow pipe they used in the past (now only in ceremonies). Really nice and I hope not to lose it. In the village they were preparing a tree for Gawai, a festival that started at midnight till the 2nd of June. We sat and drank Tuak, Arak (local whisky), a lot of water and I got local snacks. Flora, the daughter of the "chief" showed me around and introduced me to her family and neighbours. Learned also some Iban words from her and her littele daughter Neveline.At around 8 pm we went to her grandfathers house for praying and eating with the whole family (aunts, nephews....). It was great to see how tight a family can live together. After that we hopped from door to door and got drinks and snacks. At midnight the Gawai started around the tree and everybody was dancing (learned ponchoponco - don;t know how to write the dance) and offering a drink. If somebody offers you a drink (small glass) with Tuak, arak or whisky than you are not supposed to refuse, but I simply couldn't drink that much. With a group of women we sat in someone's kitchen on the floor and talked, drank and made pictures. A lot of people got really drunk. It was a fantastic evening and this morning I felt the last part of it.
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