Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008/2009

Compilation of Winning Submissions

This CSR Project has been awarded an Honourable Mention for Outstanding work in Culture and Heritage

Copyright of at the Warisan Global Sdn Bhd Prime Minister’s CSR Awards 2009 1st Floor, Wisma Eng Choon No 55-59, Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: 603 2026 3001 Fax: 603 2031 5001 Website: www.warisanglobal.com

ISBN 978-983-42381-1-7 Disclaimer

No part of this compilation may be reproduced, This is only a compilation of submissions received from the participants of the Sarawak Folktale Competition 2008. stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any Whilst every effort has been taken by Warisan Global Sdn Bhd to verify the accuracy of the translations in this form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, compilation and of the stories in their original form, Warisan Global Sdn Bhd, its officers and employees cannot photocopying, recording or otherwise for be held responsible or liable for any inaccuracies that may arise. The tales presented in this compilation are purely any commercial or non-educational purposes fictional and are not intended to represent any living person or place or situation. without the prior express written permission of Warisan Global Sdn. Bhd. Readers are welcome to submit their feedback to us at [email protected] Contents Contents

1st Prize Winner 8 2nd Prize Winner 68 Batu Kudi by Anak Kenyalang Yaloi Nagad Lilik by Aprit Mayok Original Language: Iban Original Language: Bisaya

2nd Prize Winner 27 3rd Prize Winner Sakai Dalet I 79 Bonotur Ngamad Padas by Aprit Mayok Kisah Pasel Sunge Miao by Chung Sung Siong & Elvis Original Language: Bisaya Original Language: Melanau

2nd Prize Winner 39 Consolation Prize 90 Dang Bongsue Maya Giok Keladi by Aprit Mayok Teh Nantah Ceritak Idih La Kiput Itau Pasan Dacih by Original Language: Bisaya Nor Fazillah, Chang Yi, Titus Tusing Original Language: La Kiput 2nd Prize Winner Short Story 50 Kisah Aja Dengan Anggit by Liha & Sukri Consolation Prize 97 Original Language: Kedayan Kisah Pasel Kelidieng by Chung Sung Siong, Tang Chu Ching & Murtaza Hazid Original Language: Melanau 2nd Prize Winner 58 Paloi Dengan Bininya by Liha & Sukri Original Language: Kedayan Consolation Prize 119 Jiluan by Sebastian & Jessica Original Language: Bidayuh FOREWORD FOREWORD

Passed down from one generation to the next-shaped and expanded by storytellers over time -folktales Assalamualaikum w.b.t. are oral narratives that reflect the values and custom of the culture from which they come from. As their plots are generally concerned with life’s universal themes, this ancient form of narrative communication Folktales play an important role in ancient communities. These stories narrated orally from one generation also serves as a window into foreign cultures. to another carry messages about good values, accepted customs and norms practised by them.

It is the belief that culture and heritage are the very elements that define our unique background and As folktales are a reflection on the life and thoughts of our forefather, its preservation for the benefit of differentiate us from the rest of the world that propelled Warisan Global Sdn Bhd (WG) together with the current and future generations is vital. Pustaka Negeri Sarawak (Pustaka) to embark on the Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition, which is now into its second installment. This cultural heritage helps each community to define their ethnic identity. Almost all ethnic groups around the globe have their own folktales tradition. This initiative is part of WG’s contribution to facilitate the preservation of Sarawak’s rich and diverse culture. Recognizing that folk tales are oral stories without identifiable authors, it is important to document This compilation of Sarawak folktales is indeed a very valuable resource and cultural heritage for and share them for future generations. Sarawakians. I would like to put on record my gratitude and appreciation to Warisan Global Sdn Bhd That is the inspiration behind this trilingual book, which is a compilation of the 10 best submissions for its contribution in this publication. selected from 51 stories written by 35 groups in 9 native languages that include Sarawak Malay Language, Bidayuh, Iban, Bisaya, Kedayan, Kayan, La Kiput, Melanau and Mandarin. Thank you.

We hope you will enjoy reading the book - which features each story in its original language, Bahasa Malaysia and English - as much as we did putting it together. We have also made this and the 1st Sincerely, compilation from 2006 available online at www.warisanglobal.com. Japri Bujang Masli Acting Chief Executive Officer I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Puan Rashidah Bolhassan and Encik Japri Bujang Masri of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Pustaka Negeri Sarawak for their continuous support in creating a platform for increasing digitized local content as part of developing the creative content industry.

Sincerely, Dhakshinamoorthy Chief Executive Officer Warisan Global Sdn Bhd This page is intentionally left blank.

Batu Kudi 8 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 9 BATU KUDI

Bujang and his grandparents, who lived in a long house in Lubok Antu were often mocked by the other residents of the long house because they were poor. However, they have never reciprocated the unkind behaviour they have received. One day, the long house residents were celebrating the Dayak Gawai Day. Bujang and his grandparents did Anak Kenyalang not join the celebration and finally fled from the long house. They left Augustine Dato ak. Janggu, 18 just as a strange disaster struck, turning the entire long house and its Jennifer Jane ak. Slat, 18 Kathleen ak. Jana, 18 inhabitants into stone. Nur Fitri bt. Mohd Iznan, 18

10 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 11 “Nurun kumai endu, lama dah enda ngabas padi din,” ko aki Bujang nimbal enggau tuchum.

“Enti semina umai ke besai rambar buk aku tau enda ibuh diabas aki. Enggau kami sepuluh kali ngetau iya pan enda abis lalu enda kala diabas belama,” ko Indai Tunsang nimbal enggau jaku ti tinggi.

Batu Kudi “Apu! Anang meh munyi nya endu mali,” ini Bujang lalu nimbal enggau ati ti kesal. Iban Language “Eh! Nama utai ke mali? Endang enda bula nya dah,” ko Indai Tunsang nimbal agi.

“aram kitai mupuk ini wai, kapa nya dah,” ko aki Bujang lalu nawis ini Bujang enggau uchu iya Bujang.

Bujang endang mina rerangap ninga jaku sida iya tadi. Tang di dalam ati iya, naka meh pemedis ati ngenang ulu kelia, ba menua Lubok Antu bisi siti rumah panjai ti amat panjai ti diuan mayuh mensia. Laban dunya diri ti selalu dikemeli ke orang belama. Nyau lama sida tiga bejalai kira nadai dinga panjung agi ari rumah panjai Dagi latung, sida ngidup kediri endang seruran berpegai ba adat ari aki- ini. Enti nyema sida deka mindah baru sida tiga datai ba umai. ke tanah sida berpegai ba mimpi datai malam ari enggau munyi burung. Enti ketupong bermunyi maya sida di tanah, sida enda tau enda mulai ka diri ke pengkalan laban enti pia sida endang enda ulih kia agi laban diambi “Apu! Peda dik ini wai nyau manah endar jagung diatu. Enda lama agi tau dikarung nyai ini wai,” ko aki Bujang petara pulai ke batang mandai. Nambah ke nya mega, nyema sida bemimpi jai ba malam ari sida endang enda madah ngagai bini iya. tau mindah ke tanah ari siti enggai ka mimpi nya tau naban ke nyawa nya alai laban menoa agi latung, munyi ka jaku orang tuai antu di baruh dagu, nama-nama pengawa digaga mesti seruran betul enda tau ilap ngai ka Ini Bujang tuchum gaga ati. Bujang udah nurun nyauk ai. Aki Bujang ngiga kayu kena ngidup kea pi. ngudi menoa. “Nya ba ujung nyin sigi api diidup ke dek legi aki wai ngicha ka bala kera enggau babi takut mansang meda asap Ngalih ngagai rumah panjai, iya ke betampung naka pemanjai ti diuan mayuh mensia ti idup bumai enggau nya,” ko ini Bujang madah ngagai aki Bujang. ngetan ke diri ngena chara ngayau. Dalam rumah panjai nya, bisi sepintu bilik ti diuan aki enggau ini tuai enggau Aki Bujang enda bermunyi tang lalu ngidup kea pi. Udah tembu, iya lalu ngansah elok anggau duku dikena sida siku uchu ia ti dikangau ke orang aki Bujang enggau ini Bujang lalu uchu iya Bujang. Pengidup sida tiga endang tiga nebas rumput ba umai iya ke ngacau padi. amat seranta. Meda dah pengidup sida tiga bakanya, sida pan lalu enda dikibuh ke orang bukai. Tiap ari jaku jai meh nyadi ke asi sida tiga. Nama dan daya sida tiga mina engkuduk ke mua lebuh orang ngunsai ke jaku jai “Nuan uchu ngetan bubu legi enggai ke nadai lauk kena merarau legi.” Ko ini iya madah ngagai Bujang. ngagai kediri baruh ari urang. Taja pan merinsa enggau reta tengkira tang pemanah adat anang ngira laban ti semampai nyabar diri taja dipejai orang belama. Indah ke mensia tama ke bilik sida, ukoi kurap tesat ti tama ke “Dini endur bubu aki?” ko Bujang nanya ini iya. bilik sida pan diberi makai. “Endai, din bubu aki dek berimbai enggau pun ensurai nyin. Anang jauh endar dek ngetan legi. Ba ulak nyin aja.” Pagi siti, sida tiga pan nurun ke umai deka ngabas padi ti ditanam laban lama udah enda kumai. Nurun meh Ko ini iya madah ngagai Bujang. sida pengudah tembu besimpan ke bekal. Bejalai belubah sida tiga mansa sida Indai Kerawik enggau Indai Tunsang. Bujang lalu nurun ke ai ngetan bubu ba nalan selama. Ini enggau aki iya lalu mupuk mantun rumput. Naka ga pemendar seduai mantun laban nadai orang nulong. Sida serumah enti ngereja utai endang bedurok megang. “Endai, kini kita tiga tu tumu endar berangkat?” pia ko Indai Kerawik merening enggau mua ngelese ngagai sida Tang mina sida sebilik aja enda disengkaum orang laban meda pendiau sida ko seranta lalu dikumbai nadai tiga. bulih utai.

12 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 13 Tang nya meh penyelai taja umai sida tiga mit, enda sedandang baka enggau orang, tang sida tiga apin kala “Enti pia, tumu pagila nurun meh kitai beraban nubai ngagai Ai Sekeruh kia. Sama ngemai utai kediri empu meh pungkang pemakai. Sida serumah ke lain suah nyanda ari pangan diri maya bulan bergantung senduk. Ka kitai,” ko Jampi mutus ke randau sida dia. nyanda ba sida sebilik laban ke malu ngenang jaku diri ti selalu ngelese ke sida tiga. Nama dah aki enggau ini Bujang endang ga endar ngansak orang nyanda ari seduai. Nyau ngalih ari, matahari pan tumbuh dipala, Bala bukai lalu mulai kediri pengundah tembu berandau. Aki Bujang sebilik pan sama angkat muku kediri ke seduai pan lalu ngetu enda lama sida tiga pan lalu mula baru mantun sampai ngalih ke lemai. Matahari pulai ke bilik lalu tinduk nganti pagila nyenguk. Engkukok manok nanda ke siang udah kerebak tawas. Sida serumah pengkalan nanda ke ari ke padam. Silau pan tekerebak lalu sida tiga bejalai begadai pulai ke rumah panjai. Tiap lalu angkat nurun munyi ke undah dikerandau. Barang enda manah mimpi diau aja di rumah nyendia pemakai kali mansa laman orang mayuh endar jaku enda menuku ti nusuk pending sida tiga. ke orang pulai lemai legi. Sida Bujang sebilik sampal nurun bebai ke raga enggau pemansai. Udah tembu ngali tubai sida mula malu tubai udahnya disiuh ke sida ngagai ai. Peda nyau baka ujan gaya ikan mabuk tubai. Naka “Baru pulai ney Bujang. Bendar tiga mantun rumput ba umai mesai tapa,” ko sedeka ngemeli. ga penyampau iya. Sida serumah pan lalu besaup ngauk ikan tadi enggau pemansai. Naka ga pemendar aki Bujang sebilik enggau orang ngicha ke bisi ungkup diberi orang. Bujang enda bermunyi laban iya udah diajar aki enggau ini iya anang nyaut jaku orang tuai. Aki Bujang laban ka enda tan ati lalu nimbal. “Nuan Bujang anang enda bebendar ngauk ikan. Legi enda diungkup ka kita tiga nya,” ko Indai Meragai merak “Ka pan enda igat, ka bedandang besai legi nyau baka pipit ke nelan buah mawang. Mit nya pama meh asal ulih Bujang. ngidup ke seput,” ko aki Bujang nyaut mulai ke jaku sikunya. Nama dah tudah Bujang sigi ka bendar ari tadi enda memunyi tang mina ngereja pengawa iya. Dalam ati iya Apai tuai orangnya pan lalu lelese. Sida tiga bejalai lalu tama ke bilik. mutap tang mulut iya enda nyebut. Laban iya meruan ingat ke ajar aki enggau ini iya ti ngasuh iya semampai bebasa ke orang tuai. “Tungkun ke kelita nya Bujang nyau malam ari tu. Udahnya seduai de kaki mandi dulu. Pulai mandi nyauk ke aku ai,” ko ini iya madah ngagai Bujang. Laban sigi nada reta, nyauk ai ngena genuk ti ji nya meh dikenyadi ke sida “Jai pan orang uchu, anang meh kitai malas iya,” pia ko ajar aki enggau ini iya ti diingat nyadi ke teladan iya. tiga. Taja pia seleka jaku muchau enggau ngeransi nadai kala pansut ari mulut sida tiga ngenang nasib diri. Nyau ngalih ari sida pan jenuh mulai kediri. Ikan kappa ngira nyau beraga-raga dibai sida pulai. Bisi meh mega Nyau sebulan nandan langit, betaun nampun di bukit pengawa ngetau pan lalu tembu. Bala sida serumah kisuk bala bukai bulih jelu bukai ti kena pansa maya bejalai. Datai di rumah panjai, ikan nya tadi lalu ditugong ba bilik ngadu ke padi diulih sida iya. Bakanya mega sida aki Bujang sebilik. Padi ka dikenyadi ke benih kena taun nyin tuai nganti ka dibagi. Maya orang bebagi ke ikan sida Bujang sebilik enda dikangau ke orang laban sida belalai ila diintu enggau manah. Naka ga pemendar sida tiga sebilik ngadu ke padi awak ke likun enggai ka diayah ke magi ikan. antu chit enggau utai bukai. Udah temu semua pengawa sida serumah dia dah lemai siti sida baum ka begiga ke lauk. Aki Bujang sebilik pan sama enggau begempuru duduk berintai di ruai tuai sida iya ianya Jampi. Chapuh meh sida serumah bebagi ke ikan. Orang indu kappa ngira nyau engkakah meh sida ngaga lalu ketawa. Udah tembu bebagi ke ikan sida serumah pan bela ngambi ungkup kediri empu. “Nyadi tuju kitai malam tu duduk betunga bebala mayuh mina ka ngerandau ke pengerami nimang padi kita ia ke ka datai ianya Gawai Dayak. Aku ngarap kitai serumah sama besaup ngiga lauk kena kitai berami enda lama “Eh! Sida Bujang nya tau enda ibuh diungkup ka, ba kitai anang ngelusu,” ko Indai Kerawik nawis Indai agi.” Ko tuai sida Jampi madah ke sida. Tunsang.

“Amat ko dek unggal. Aku setuju amai enti kita sama besaup ngiga lauk kena kita berami enda lama agi,” ko “Oo…nama utai tu?” ko iya alu nyambut tungkus ari Indai Tunsang. Indai Tunsang pan lalu nelai Indai Kerawik. unggal Engkadung nyaut. Nama dah engkakah meh Indai Kerawik gaga geli hati

Bala bukai nadai bermunyi laban ke udah selumpung seati enggau tuai sida. Pia mega aki Bujang sebilik endang Udahnya, semua orang lalu mulai kediri. Indai Kerawik lalu nganjung tungkus daun biruknya ngagai bilik sida enda mantah. Bujang. Datai ba ruai sida Bujang iya lalu ngangau ke Bujang.

14 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 15 “Ni dek Bujang tu lauk kitak,” ko iya lalu nyua ngagai Bujang iya ke nyenguk ba mua pintu.

“Au,” ko Bujang enggau ati ti gaga naban ke tungkus daun biruknya ngagai ini enggau aki iya. Naka meh pengaga sida tiga diberi orang lauk nya. Ini Bujang lalu muka tungkus. Sium tak lalu ngesuh bau tai. Peda sida tak tai ditungkus orang ba daun biruknya. Naka meh pemedis ati sida tiga. Batu Ribut Enda lama udahnya gawai pan nyadi. Nama dah chapuh meh sida serumah berami duduk di ruai engkakah naka pemesai nyawa. Mina sida tiga diau diri dalam bilik ngenang ka ulah orangnya. Nyau silau ari, enda mukai-mukai Malay Translation tak merejuk siku mayau ngagai semak kaki ini Bujang. Nama dah lalu dikanta ke iya meh mayau nya enggau ngepan Iban. Dipasuk iya gerunong, antin enggau gelang mayaunya. Udahnya lalu disimpan iya dalam bakul.

“Alai nuan uchu keruai. Bakul tu engkah nuan ba sepiak tuai kitai Jampi. Udahnya pulai nuan,” ko ini iya ngajar ahulu kala, di bahagian Lubok Antu terdapat sebuah rumah panjang yang sangat panjang dan didiami Bujang. Bujang pan lalu pansut lalu ngereja ke utai munyi ke dipadah ini iya tadi. Udah tembunya iya pan lalu Doleh ramai orang. Dunia masih berbahaya pada masa itu dan mereka hidup berlandaskan adat istiadat pulai. Udahnya sida tiga lari ninggal ke rumah panjainya. Laban ke sigi enda nemu utai, tuai sida Jampi lalu turun temurun yang diwarisi daripada datuk dan nenek moyang mereka. Buktinya, mereka bergantung kepada muka bakunya laban ke deka nginsap. Nama dah lalu pansut mayaunya tadi nyau engkejuk baka orang ke mimpi pada malam sebelumnya atau bunyi burung apabila ingin pergi ke hutan. Sekiranya burung ketupong betanda. Nama dah chapuh meh sida serumah ketawa ngumbai mayau betanda. Enda lama udahnya dinga berbunyi apabila mereka sudah berada di kawasan tanah, mereka harus pulang ke rumah secepat mungkin. nyau bekesetak munyi utai. Kudi naka pemalat lalu bakanya guntur enggau nyintar sida serumah pan takut lalu Jika enggan berbuat demikian, mereka akan di timpa musibah yang berkemungkinan akan meragut nyawa deka lari. Enda sempat lari sida pan nyadi batu lalu pia mega enggau rumah panjai sida iya. Diatu di Lubok Antu mereka. Selain itu, apabila mereka mengalami mimpi buruk pada waktu malam, mereka tidak boleh ke hutan ulih dipeda rumah panjai tu nyadi batu. kerana bimbang mimpi tersebut boleh menyebabkan kematian. Oleh sebab dunia masih berbahaya, mereka berpendapat bahawa mereka tidak harus melakukan kesilapan atau kesalahan kerana perkara sebegitu akan Nya alai kitai anang kelalu ngemaruh ke orang enggai ke kitai ditinggang penulah. menimbulkan keadaan yang huru hara.

Kembali kepada kisah rumah panjang tersebut yang didiami oleh manusia yang hidup bertanam padi dan melindungi diri dengan cara ‘ngayau’. Rumah panjang itu dibina dengan panjang sekali. Di dalamnya, terdapat sebuah bilik yang didiami oleh sepasang suami isteri yang sudah tua bersama dengan seorang cucu yang bernama Bujang. Kehidupan mereka bertiga sememangnya sangat miskin. Disebabkan hidup miskin, mereka tidak dihiraukan oleh penghuni rumah yang lain. Setiap hari, kata-kata cacian sering menusuk telinga mereka bertiga. Mereka bertiga hanya menundukkan muka sahaja setiap kali dihina dan dicerca dengan kata-kata kesat. Mereka bertiga ingin melawan tetapi apakah daya, kedudukan diri mereka ternyata lebih rendah daripada orang lain. Walaupun miskin harta, tetapi mereka kaya dengan budi bahasa kerana mereka sentiasa sabar setiap kali di hina oleh orang lain. Jangankan manusia masuk ke bilik mereka, anjing kurap yang masuk sekali pun akan diberi makan oleh mereka.

Keesokan harinya, mereka bertiga pun turun ke huma untuk melihat padi yang ditanam kerana sudah lama mereka tidak pergi ke huma. Apabila sudah selesai menyiapkan bekalan, mereka bertiga pun berjalan perlahan-

16 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 17 lahan ke huma lalu berjumpa dengan Indai Kerawik dan Indai Tunsang. “Bubu datuk kamu dekat dengan pokok ensurai sana. Nanti, kamu jangan memasang bubu terlalu jauh. Letak saja bubu tu di air yang sedang pasang,” kata nenek Bujang memberitahu Bujang. “Eh! Kamu bertiga nak ke mana awal pagi begini?” kata Indai Kerawik dengan wajah memperli mereka bertiga. Bujang pun pergi memasang bubu di sungai berhampiran huma mereka. Datuk dan neneknya mula mencabut “Nak turun ke huma cu, kerana sudah lama tak menjenguk padi di sana,” balas datuk Bujang sambil rumput di sekitar pokok padi. Mereka berdua memotong rumput sekuat tenaga memandangkan tidak ada tersenyum. sesiapa lagi untuk diharapkan bagi membantu mereka melainkan Bujang, cucu kesayangan mereka berdua.

“Kalau huma sekadar sebesar rambut saya, tak payah dijenguk, tuk. Huma saya yang tidak habis diketam walau Sebenarnya, mereka dan penghuni rumah panjang harus tolong menolong tetapi cuma mereka sebilik sahaja sudah sepuluh kali pun tak selalu dijenguk,” Indai Tunsang membalas dengan nada suara yang tinggi. tidak dibawa untuk menyertai orang lain. Hal ini demikian kerana mereka dikatakan sangat miskin dan tidak mampu untuk membuat sebarang pekerjaan. Apa yang menghairankan mereka, walaupun huma mereka kecil “Eh! Jangan cakap macam tu, cu. Tak boleh,” nenek Bujang berkata dengan hati yang kesal. sahaja, namun mereka tidak pernah kekurangan makanan. Penghuni rumah yang lain selalu menghadapi “Eh! Apa benda yang tak boleh tu? Saya tak berbohonglah.” Indai Tunsang membalas lagi. masalah kekurangan makanan pada musim tengkujuh. Akibat malu, penghuni rumah itu tidak mahu memimjam “Mari kita pergi nenek Bujang, biarkan saja dia tu,” kata datuk Bujang sambil menggamit nenek Bujang dan makanan dari mereka bertiga kerana mereka selalu menghina keluarga Bujang. Datuk dan nenek Bujang juga juga Bujang. tidak memaksa orang lain untuk meminjam daripada mereka.

Bujang hanya ternganga sahaja mendengar percakapan mereka tadi. Hatinya terlalu sakit mengenangkan diri Matahari sudah berada tegak di atas kepala lantas mereka bertiga pun berehat sambil merarau berlaukkan yang selalu dihina oleh orang lain. Mereka tidak lagi mendengar sebarang bunyi dari rumah panjang mereka ikan yang diperoleh daripada bubu yang dipasang oleh Bujang tadi. Setelah berehat sebentar, mereka pun sesudah lama berjalan. Sebentar kemudian, mereka pun tiba di huma. menyambung kembali kerja memotong rumput sehingga ke senja. Sinar matahari semakin malap menandakan suasana sudah beransur kelam. Malam segera menjelang dan mereka bertiga berjalan pulang ke rumah panjang “Wah! Nenek Bujang, lihat jagung kita tu. Tidak lama lagi jagung tu dah boleh dituai,” kata datuk Bujang kepada mereka. Setiap kali melintas halaman orang lain, terlalu banyak kata hina yang menembusi gegendang telinga isterinya. mereka bertiga.

Nenek Bujang tersenyum senang hati. Bujang sudah pergi mengambil air di sungai sementara datuknya mula “Baru balik ke Bujang?” Berusaha sungguh kamu bertiga memotong rumput di huma yang sebesar tapak mencari kayu untuk menyalakan api. tangan.” Kata mereka dalam nada menyindir.

“Di hujung sana nanti, nyalakan satu lagi unggun api, datuk Bujang. Biar kera dan babi tidak berani menghampiri Bujang hanya mendiamkan diri sahaja kerana sudah diajar oleh datuk dan neneknya agar jangan menyampuk kita apabila melihat asap itu nanti,” kata nenek Bujang kepada datuk Bujang seraya menunding ke hujung huma kata-kata orang yang lebih tua. mereka. Datuk Bujang yang sudah tidak tahan lagi mendengar kata-kata tersebut terus membalas, “ Nak buat macam Datuk Bujang tidak menyahut tetapi terus menyalakan api. Setelah selesai, Datuk Bujang mengasah sabit dan mana cu, nak berhuma besar tak dapat. Macam nak beli baju, kena ukur di badan sendiri dahulu. Huma kecil parang untuk memotong rumput yang mengganggu pertumbuhan pokok padi huma mereka. sebegitu pun sudah cukup memadai asalkan dapat member rezeki.

“Cu, nanti kamu pasang bubu di sungai kerana nenek risau kita tak ada lauk untuk makan tengah hari nanti,” Orang tua tadi terasa hati dengan kata-kata datuk Bujang itu. Mereka terus melangkah ke bilik mereka. kata nenek Bujang kepada Bujang. “Bujang, nyalakan pelita kerana hari sudah malam. Lepas itu, kamu berdua pergi mandi dahulu. Bila pulang nanti, “Di mana bubu datuk?” soal Bujang kepada neneknya kamu berdua ambil air untuk nenek mandi,” kata nenek Bujang memberitahu Bujang. Disebabkan kehidupan

18 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 19 mereka yang miskin, mereka mengambil air menggunakan sebiji labu yang kecil. Walaupun begitu, mereka tidak “Bujang, kamu perlu bersungguh-sungguh semasa menangguk ikan. Nanti tak ada bahagian untuk kamu merungut hatta sepatah perkataan sekalipun melihatkan keadaan hidup mereka yang serba kekurangan. bertiga,” kata Indai Meragai menempelak Bujang.

Bulan bertukar, musim berubah. Aktiviti mengetam (menuai) padi juga sudah selesai. Seluruh penghuni rumah Sememangnya Bujang membantu menangguk ikan dengan gigih dari awal lagi dan hanya mendiamkan diri itu sibuk menyimpan padi yang dituai oleh mereka. Begitu juga halnya dengan keluarga Bujang. Sejumlah kecil sahaja. Walaupun hatinya sakit tetapi dia tidak mempamerkan apa-apa reaksi marah kerana dia sentiasa padi yang hendak dijadikan benih pada tahun hadapan disimpan dengan elok. Mereka bertiga menyimpan mengingati ajaran datuk dan neneknya yang menyuruh menghormati orang tua. padi tersebut dengan teliti kerana bimbang padi tersebut akan dirosakkan oleh tikus atau haiwan perosak yang lain. “Walaupun orang lain bersikap jahat kepada kita cu, janganlah kita membalasnya dengan perbuatan jahat juga,” begitulah ajaran datuk dan neneknya yang selalu diingati untuk menjadi panduan hidupnya. Setelah semua kerja mereka selesai pada petang itu, seluruh penghuni rumah panjang dipanggil oleh Ketua Rumah untuk bermesyuarat. Mereka sebilik turut diajak bermesyuarat bersama ketua mereka, iaitu Tuai Jampi Menjelang petang, mereka pun pulang dengan membawa berbakul-bakul ikan hasil tangkapan mereka tadi. di anjung rumah. Terdapat juga sesetengah penghuni rumah itu yang berjaya membawa pulang hasil buruan mereka semasa di dalam hutan. Tujuan kita bermesyuarat kerana nak berbincang tentang perayaan Gawai Dayak yang akan menjelang tiba. Saya berharap kita dalam satu rumah bekerjasama mencari makanna untuk digunakan pada perayaan itu nanti,” Setelah sampai rumah panjang, bakul yang dipenuhi ikan diletakkan di anjung rumah sementara menunggu untuk kata Tuai Jampi kepada seluruh penghuni rumah panjang. diagihkan. Ketika membahagikan ikan, keluarga Bujang tidak dipelawa bersama kerana mereka membahagikan hasil tangkapan tersebut secara sembunyi-sembunyi. “Betul kata ketua itu. Saya bersetuju dengan pendapat itu agar kita sama-sama mencari bekalan untuk perayaan nanti,” Kata Engkadung, salah seorang penghuni di situ. Penghuni rumah panjang itu membahagikan ikan di anjung dalam keadaan yang riuh dengan gelak ketawa kerana mereka berasa sangat senang hati mendapat hasil tangkapan yang banyak. Setelah selesai, mereka Penghuni yang lain cuma mendiamkan diri kerana mereka memang bersetuju dengan pendapat Tuai Jampi. mengambil bahagian masing-masing seraya pulang ke bilik. Begitu juga dengan keluarga Bujang yang tidak membantah kata-kata ketua mereka itu. “Eh! Mereka Bujang tu tak payah diberi ikan. Kita jangan jadi pemalas macam mereka, nanti tak dapat ikan,” “Kalau begitu, awal pagi besok kita pergi menuba ikan bersama-sama di Sungai Sekeruh. Bawa sekali peralatan kata Indai Kerawik sambil menggamit bahu Indai Tunsang. yang diperlukan untuk menangkap ikan nanti,” kata Tuai Jampi member keputusan bagi mengakhiri mesyuarat mereka. “Kasihan pula melihat mereka bertiga tu,” kata Indai Tunsang lalu memberikan sebungkus daun palas kepada Indai Kerawik. Semua orang pun pulang ke bilik masing-masing selepas mesyuarat tamat. Keluarga Bujang juga pulang ke bilik untuk tidur sementara menunggu pagi menjelma. Ayam berkokok menandakan hari sudah siang. Mereka “Oo…Apa benda dalam ni?” Tanya Indai Kerawik menyambut bungkusan tersebut dari Indai Tunsang. Indai pun pergi menuba ikan seperti telah dirancang. Bagi yang mengalami mimpi buruk, mereka hanya tinggal di Tunsang membisikkan sesuatu ke cuping telinga lalu mereka terus ketawa terbahak-bahak kerana geli hati. rumah sahaja untuk menyediakan makanan bagi mereka yang pergi menangkap ikan. Bujang sekeluarga turut Tak lama kemudian, mereka semua pun beransur pulang ke bilik mereka. Indai Kerawik menghantar bungkusan menyertai mereka dengan membawa bersama sebuah bakul dan jaring ikan. Selepas selesai mengali tuba, daun palas tersebut kepada keluarga Bujang. Apabila sampai di hadapan bilik keluarga Bujang, Indai Kerawik mereka mula memukul akarnya dan air yang diperolehi dimasukkan ke dalam sungai. Sebentar kemudian, ikan lalu memanggil Bujang. mula timbul di permukaan air kerana mabuk tuba. Keluarga Bujang berhempas pulas menangguk ikan tersebut agar mendapat bahagian semasa pembahagian hasil tangkapan itu nanti. “Oi Bujang! Di mana awak? Ini ada sedikit lauk untuk kamu,” katanya dan memberi bungkusan tersebut kepada

20 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 21 Bujang yang kemudiannya muncul di ambang pintu.

“Ya, terima kasih,” kata Bujang dengan hati yang gembira lalu membawa bungkusan daun palas tersebut kepada datuk dan neneknya setelah Indai Tunsang dan Indai Kerawik beredar. Mereka bertiga berbesar hati kerana turut diberi bahagian hasil tangkapan tadi. Nenek Bujang membuka Kudi Rock bungkusan tersebut dan nenek Bujang terhidu bau busuk. Rupa-rupanya daun palas itu berisi najis. Mereka berasa sangat sakit hati melihat kandungan bungkusan yang diberi Indai Kerawik tadi. English Translation

Tidak lama selepas itu, Hari Gawai Dayak pun menjelang tiba. Sekalian rumah panjang itu meraikan hari tersebut dengan meriah sambil duduk beramai-ramai di anjung rumah. Mereka ketawa terbahak-bahak dengan suara yang besar sedangkan keluarga Bujang hanya duduk sahaja di dalam bilik. Malam itu dengan tidak semena- long time ago, in Lubok Antu, there was an extensive long house that had many residents. During that time, mena, seekor kucing melompat masuk ke dalam bilik berhampiran kaki nenek Bujang. Nenek Bujang terus Athe people’s lives were very much based on traditional customs and beliefs inherited from their ancestors. menghias kucing tersebut dengan pakaian tradisional orang iban. Leher kucing tersebut dikalungkan dengan For example, if they hear the sound of the Ketupong bird while they were on the ground, they must go home as sebuah loceng kecil, sepasang anting-anting dan gelang. Kucing tersebut kemudiannya ditempatkan di dalam quickly as possible as the sound signified danger. If they had nightmare, any trip to the jungle are called off as sebuah bakul. the trip could end in misfortune, or even death. Due to the dangerous nature of the world, the people tried to avoid any mistakes or wrongdoings as much as possible to avoid any possible adversities. “Cu, kamu pergi ke anjung dan letakkan bakul ini di sebelah Tuai Jampi. Lepas itu, kamu balik semula ke sini,” kata nenek Bujang mengarah cucunya. The residents were mostly paddy farmers and protected themselves using the ‘ngayau’ method. In one of the rooms in the long house, there lived an old couple and their grandson, Bujang. Because of their poverty, Bujang pun terus keluar ke anjung lalu melakukan perkara yang diarah neneknya tadi. Selepas selesai melakukan they were often ignored or jeered by the other long house residents. They wanted so much to stand up for perkara tersebut, Bujang kembali ke bilik seperti disuruh neneknya. Mereka bertiga kemudiannya melarikan diri themselves and stop the insults but all they could do was hang their head in shame as they were aware that they meninggalkan rumah panjang tersebut. Tuai jampi yang tidak mengetahui perkara sebenar terus membuka were considered as lower status. However, despite the disdain and contempt shown by others, they were still bakul rotan bertutup kerana dia mahu merokok. Dia menyangka di dalamnya terdapat rokok namun seekor patient and courteous. Everyone who entered their room would be given food, even the mangiest dog. kucing yang berhias cantik melompat keluar dari bakul itu. Penghuni rumah panjang itu ketawa terbahak-bahak kerana kucing tersebut bergaya seperti ingin menari. Sejurus kemudian, bunyi yang sangat kuat mengganggu One day, Bujang and his grandparents decided to go to their paddy field to check on the growing paddy as they pendengaran mereka. Angin berhembus dengan kencang dan guruh turut berdentum serta dengan kilat. Mereka have not visited the field for quite some time. Having prepared adequate food and other provisions for the day, berasa sangat takut lantas cuba melarikan diri. Sebelum sempat melarikan diri, semua penghuni rumah panjang they left the long house and started walking. Along the way, they met Indai Kerawik and Indai Tunsang. terbabit bertukar menjadi batu dan demikian juga dengan rumah panjang mereka. “Eh, where are you all going this early in the morning?” Indai Kerawik asked with a sneer on his face. Sehingga kini, di bahagian Lubok Antu masih kelihatan batu yang menyerupai rumah panjang. Oleh sebab itu, kita jangan menghina dan mempersendakan orang lain kerana kita akan ditimpa tulah atas perbuatan jahat “We are going to the paddy field because we have not gone there for a while,” Bujang’s grandfather replied with kita. a smile.

“You should not trouble yourselves with the journey since your paddy field size is only the same as the width of

22 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 23 my hair. Even I don’t visit my fields that often although my fields are so big they have been harvested more than all that they had to rely on. ten times and in fact I am still not done with the harvesting works,” Indai Tunsang said in a raised voice. The long house residents were actually supposed to help each other. Bujang and his grandparents were “Eh, you should not say things like that,” Bujang’s grandmother lamented. however sidelined not only because they were poor but others also believed that Bujang and his grandparents were incapable to do anything. However, it puzzled them that despite having only a small paddy field, Bujang “Eh, why shouldn’t I say it? I’m not lying,” Indai Tunsang replied. and his family never lacked for food, while the other residents often experienced food shortage, especially during the rainy season. Ashamed, the other residents have never asked for food from the small family, and at “Let us go, dear. Leave him be,” Bujang’s grandfather said while signaling to both Bujang and his grandmother the same time, Bujang’s grandparents have never forced anyone to take their food either. to continue their journey. It was noon before they stopped to rest and eat lunch, having the fish that Bujang managed to trap. They took Bujang could only listen to the conversation with an open mouth. He was sad that Bujang and his grandparents a short break before continuing their weeding and grass cutting until dusk. It was nearly dark before they made have always been treated with no respect by others. their way home. Every time they passed the lawns of the other long house residents, they could hear the insults The three of them continued walking and before long, the sounds from the long house could no longer be heard. thrown at them. Soon, they arrived at the paddy field. “Are you just getting home, Bujang? The three of you work very hard, considering your paddy field is only the “Wah! Darling, look at our corn. Those can be harvested soon,” said Bujang’s grandfather to his wife. size of a palm,” the others mocked.

Bujang’s grandmother smiled happily. Bujang went to the river to fetch water while his grandfather gathered Bujang kept silent as he has been taught by his grandparents not to be rude to the elderly. wood to build a bonfire. Tired of hearing the taunts, Bujang’s grandfather replied, “What’s there to do about it? Even if we want a big “Dear, start another fire at the end there. The smoke will drive the monkeys and wild hogs away,” Bujang’s paddy field we can’t because that small field is all that we have. Like buying clothes, you have to measure your grandmother said while pointing towards the end of their paddy field. size first. The small paddy field is enough as long as we have enough to eat.”

Without a word, Bujang’s grandfather started another fire. Once the fire had been set up, he sharpened his sickle The old man who taunted them was snubbed by what Bujang’s grandfather’s words. Bujang and his grandparents and machete that will be used to cut the weeds. continued their journey home.

“Bujang, go and put a fish trap in the river, or we might not have a dish for lunch,” Bujang’s grandmother said “Bujang, light up the lantern. Then the both of you go ahead and take your baths. When you are done, you can to him. fetch water for my bath,” Bujang’s grandmother told him. Due to their poverty, they only had a small pumpkin “Where is grandfather’s fish trap?” Bujang asked his grandmother. to fetch the water for Bujang’s grandmother. Though they lived in such destitution, they never once uttered any complains of their fate. “Your grandfather’s fish trap is near the ensurai tree. Don’t put in the fish trap too far. Put it nearby, at the river’s high tide,” said Bujang’s grandmother. Seasons changed and the paddy was harvested. Like everyone in the long house, Bujang and his family were kept busy stockpiling the harvested paddy. A small amount was carefully set aside as seeds for the following While Bujang went to put the fish trap into the river near their paddy field, his grandparents started to remove year. They were very careful in keeping the seeds somewhere safe so the seeds will not be eaten by rodents the weeds in the paddy field. They both had to work hard as Bujang, their one and only beloved grandson was and other pests.

24 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 25 One evening, after all the harvesting had been completed, the chief of the long house, Tuai Jampi, called for a The residents of the long house went home that evening carrying baskets and baskets of their catch. Some of meeting. Bujang and his grandparents were also invited to the meeting which was held at the porch of the long the residents also managed to bring back meat from their hunting expeditions in the jungle. house. Back at the long house, before the catch was divided among the residents, the fish baskets were placed at the “The reason I called for this meeting is to discuss about the upcoming Gawai celebration. I hope everyone in long house’s portico. When the day’s catch were finally distributed, Bujang and his family were nowhere to be this long house will cooperate and work together in getting food for the celebration,” Tuai Jampi informed the seen as the distribution was done discreetly and on the sly. residents of the long house. As the residents were happy with the plentiful catch, the event was noisy, laughter filling the air. Once everyone “What the chief said is correct. I agree with his suggestion that we search for the celebration’s food supply had taken their share, they went back to their rooms. together,” said Engkadung, one of the residents. “Eh, don’t give any to Bujang and his family or we won’t get anything for ourselves. They are lazy!,” Indai Everyone, including Bujang and his family, silently agreed with the suggestion. Kerawik said while patting Indai Tunsang’s shoulder.

“Now that’s settled. Tomorrow morning, we shall all go to Sungai Sekeruh to catch fish using the tuba root. “I feel sorry for them,” said Indai Tunsang before giving to Indai Kerawik a package wrapped in palas leaves. Bring along all the necessary equipments,” Tuai Jampi said before ending the meeting. “Oo… what’s in the package?” asked Indai Kerawik while taking it from Indai Tunsang. Indai Tunsang whispered Everyone went back to their rooms once the meeting concluded. Bujang and his family went back to their room his reply to Indai Kerawik’s ears. Amused, they laughed loudly and soon, they went back to their rooms. and slept while waiting for morning to arrive. Later, they delivered the package to Bujang’s family. Once they reached Bujang’s room, Indai Kerawik called Early the next morning, the crowing of roosters signaled the arrival of daylight. As planned, the residents went out for him. out to catch fish. However, there were a few residents who stayed back as they had nightmares – their task was to prepare food for those who went. “Oi, Bujang! Where are you? Here’s a dish for you,” Indai Kerawik said before handing over the package to Bujang who appeared at the doorway. Bujang and his grandparents joined the fishing party, bringing along with them a basket and fishing net. Once the tuba roots were dug up, the roots were beaten and the liquid derived from it was then poured into the river. “Thank you,” Bujang said happily. After both Indai Tunsang and Indai Kerawik left, Bujang brought the package over to his grandparents. Soon, fish started to appear on the surface of the water, ‘intoxicated’ from the tuba liquid. Bujang and his family worked relentlessly in netting the fish to ensure that they would receive a portion when the catch is divided Bujang and his grandparents were flattered and happy to receive some of the fishes caught earlier that day. later. When Bujang’s grandmother started opening the package however, she smelled something foul and rotten. “Bujang, you have to work hard, else there will be nothing for you and your family,” Indai Meragai mocked. Once the package was open, they were hurt and insulted to see that it contained human’s faeces.

Bujang, who was hard at work, remained silent. Although he was offended by what was said, he did not react Not long after that, the Dayak Gawai Day arrived. The long house residents celebrated the day joyously and as he was well taught by his grandparents that he should respect the elderly. everyone gathered at the porch. They were laughters and noises while Bujang and his family kept to their room. “Even when people treat us unkindly, grandson, do not be unkind to them in return,” It then became one of his life principles. That night, a cat suddenly jumped into Bujang’s family’s room and went to his grandmother’s lap. His grandmother

26 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 27 then dressed the cat in a traditional Iban costume. The cat was also adorned with a small bell around its neck, a pair of earrings and a bangle. The cat was then placed into a basket.

“Grandson, go to the portico and put this basket next to Tuai Jampi. And then come back here quickly,” Bujang’s grandmother instructed.

Bujang immediately went to the porch of the long house and did as he was told. His task completed, he quickly went back to his family’s room. Soon after that, Bujang and his grandparents ran away, leaving the long house.

Tuai Jampi, who wanted to light a cigarette, opened the rattan basket unsuspectly. Expecting to find his cigarettes in the basket, he was surprised when a beautifully accessorized cat jumped out instead. The gathered residents laughed uproariously at the cat’s antics. Moments later however, their laughter was disturbed by a very loud noise. A strong blast of wind blew and there were also thunder and lightning. Everyone started to run for their lives. Before they could flee, all of the residents of the long house turned into stone! So did the long house.

To this day, a stone shaped like a long house can be found in Lubok Antu. We should therefore bear in mind not to belittle or ridicule others or trouble and misfortune might happen to us as a punishgment for our ruthless behaviour.

Bonotur Ngamad Padas 28 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 29 BONOTUR NGAMAD PADAS

Why did the carpenter bird work all night? To complete his dugout boat. However, the carpenter bird never had the chance to complete it up until now despite working all night long.He was often Liha & Sukri interrupted by questions from the forest animals. Sukri b. Abdullah, 53 Liha bt. Saban, 41

30 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 31 “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur nyabung karaja no. Karungu katab ino samapol mangkaot.

“Macam umbo kau milik kayu to, San?” Kajun mangkaot.

“Aku milih kayu yang lurus unjop aroh suang buku.” Jawab bonotur. Karungu jawab ino mangkaot pun Bonotur Ngamad Padas tamulud. Bisaya Language “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur nyabung karaja no. Karungu lutong to kumai iyo pun samapol.

“Sudah kau nagad kayu yo aan lagie balan mo, San?” Kajun lutong

“Aku akan mutul pungu ino milah batang no.” Jawab bonotur. Karungu jawab ino lutong pun nanau. untuong iang bulan angkatab no bonotur to. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Karungu katab ino samapol no Mpuok. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur nyabung karaja no. Karungu katab ino samapol kagu anie.

“Aan karaja mo, San?” Kajun puok. “Pungu ite aan balan mo, San?” Kajun kagu.

“Ngamad padas,” Kajun bonotur to kumai. Karungu jawab bonotur to kumai puok pun tamulud noyo. “Duo putulan batang nie lank u nadus.” Jawab bonotur. Kagu pun tamalud.

“Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur agu nyambung karaja no. Karungu tudan to lahie samapol anie yo. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur nyabung karaja no. Karungu katab ino samapol kaduraw.

“Kuro kau ngamad padas muntuong-muntuong, San?” Kajun tudan. “Sudah bilah aan lagie balan mo, San? Kajun kaduraw.

“Padas te mesti pungu lan ngamad saunjop bulan kalam.” Jawab Bonotur. Karungu jawab bonotur nie tamulud “Pungu nudus aku ngaluang.” Jawab bonotur. Karungu jawab bonotur nie kaduraw pun nanau. no tudan. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur nyabung karaja no. Karungu katab ino samapol tikus. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur nyabung karaja no lagie. Karungu palie iyo pun samapol. “Sudah pungu ngaluang aan balan mo, San?” Kajun tikus. “Kayu aan namad mo padas to, San?” Kajun palie. “Lan ku ngaluu padas nie..” Jawab bonotur. Karungu jawab bonotur nie tikus pun nanau. “Kayu meranti.” Kajun bonotur. Karungu jawab ino paslie pun nanau. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur nyabung karaja no. Katungu katab ino badak pun samapol. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur nyabung karaja no. Karungu ucing to kumai iyo pun samapol. “Aan tujuan ekau ngaluu padas no, San?” Kajun badak. “Kuro kau milih kayu meranti, San? Kajun ucing. “Supaya padas no tahan unjop likas pasah..” Jawab bonotur. Karungu jawab ino badak pun nanau. “Kalau lan ngaluu malap nguit supaya buka.” Kajun bonotur. Karungu jawab bonotur nie ucing pun nanau. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur nyabung karaja no. Karungu katab ino samapol wak-wak.

32 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 33 “Aroh tujuan lain lagie kah ekau ngaluu padas no, San? Kajun wak-wak. “Masa aku ngaluu padas aku boleh nguit bibir padas supaya buka.” Jawab bonotur. Kisah Burung Belatuk “Padas yang buka unjop linggar jadi unjop mudah karom” Karungu jawab bonotur nie wak-wak pun nanau. Yang Bekerja Sepanjang Malam “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur baru saja nyabung karaja no. Samapol lagie puok. Malay Translation “Pungu ngaluu aan lagie balan mo, San?” Kajun Puok.

“Hey, boleh ekau adang ngacau dijiaie karaja.” Kajun bonotur. Puok pun tamulud pun nicu.

“Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Bonotur nyabung karaja no lagie. ada malam bulan mengambang penuh, terdengar “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” ianya bunyi burung belatuk Pyang sedang membentuk perahu daripada sepohon kayu. Perahu itu harus di siapkan sebelum cahaya “Hey... mengatuk mato ku.” Kajun no. Angado no yo mo pi adau bulan sudah saribah. Aroh sabutir bintang saja bulan yang terang hilang di telan malam. pi upuk utara. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Burung belatuk yang sedang khusyuk melakukan kerja tiba-tiba di datangi oleh seekor “Kan miang sudah adau te rupa no.” Kajun no. Bonotur pun tamulud to pi ampalan. Iyo pun nudop sangadau- burung hantu. Burung hantu sedang memikirkan apa yang sedang di lakukan oleh burung belatuk itu. ngadau. “Apa yang sedang kau lakukan itu?” tanya burung hantu. Muntuong nio nanau lagie ngamad padas gubang no tetapi lulu lain malar saja samapol kamuot diso. Jadi padas namad bonotur to kumai unjop pandai punggu saboi bulan kalam. Bulan agu macam ino ani gaya no. “Aku sedang membuat perahu,” balas burung belatuk. Burung hantu itupun terbang pergi dalam kepekatan Saboi adau padas ino unjop punggu sabab ino bonotur tiap kali bulan miang bonotur angkatap. malam.

“Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Burung belatuk menyambung kerjanya hingga di datangi oleh seekor kelawar. Kelawar itu juga hairan melihat perlakuan burung belatuk itu, mematuk-matuk pokok di malam-malam hari.

“Kenapa engkau melakukan kerja pada waktu malam?” tanya sang kelawar.

“Malam semalam aku bekerja sehingga lewat malam,” balas burung belatuk. “Jadi, aku telah tidur sepanjang siang. Kerana itulah aku bekerja pada waktu malam.” Sang kelawar pun berlalu pergi setelah berpuas hati mendengar jawapan burung belatuk.

“Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Burung belatuk menyambung menyambung. Tetiba ia di datangi seekor palie. Palie itu ingin mengetahui kayu jenis apakah yang di gunakan untuk membuat perahu itu.

“Kayu jenis apakah yang engkau gunakan untuk membuat perahu itu? tanya palie.

34 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 35 “Aku gunakan kayu meranti,” jawab burung belatuk ringkas. Setelah mengetahui, palie pun berlalu membelah ingin mengetahui tujuan burung belatuk membina perahu itu. kepekatan malam. “Apa yang akan engkau lakukan dengan perahu itu setelah siap?” tanya skunk. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” masih lagi kedengaran bunyi burung belatuk mematuk-matuk pokok. Kali ini, burung belatuk di kunjungi oleh seekor kucing hutan. “Aku akan membakarnya,” kata burung belatuk. Hairan dengan jawapan yang di berikan, skunk hanya berlalu pergi. “Mengapa engkau menggunakan kayu meranti untuk membuat perahu itu?” tanya kucing hutan. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...”burung belatuk terus menyambung kerja walaupun di datangi kawan-kawannya. Kali “Kayu ini sangat kuat dan anjal, sesuai untuk membina perahu,” balas burung belatuk. Mendengar jawapan ini, datang seekor badak air. Badak air ingin menanyakan sesuatu. burung belatuk, kucing hutan pun berlalu pergi. “Kenapa engkau ingin membakar perahu itu ianya setelah siap?” “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Burung belatuk sedang menyambung kerja apabila keluang datang menjengah. Keluang itu ingin tahu bagaimana burung belatuk memilih jenis kayu yang di gunakan. “Api akan membuatkan perahu ini menjadi teguh dan susah hendak terbalik,” jawab burung belatuk dengan yakin. Badak air pun berlalu, meninggalkan burung belatuk meneruskan kerjanya. “Bagaimanakah engkau memilih jenis kayu?” tanya keluang. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” masih lagi kedengaran bunyi patukkan. Seekor tikus datang mengunjungi burung “Aku memilih kayu yang tegak lurus yang mempunyai titik pertemuan yang paling sedikit.” Kata burung belatuk. belatuk. Mendengar jawapan burung belatuk, keluang pun berlalu terbang meninggalkan burung belatuk. “Selain dari yang engkau cakapkan pada si badak air, adakah alasan lain mengapa engkau mahu membakar “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” burung belatuk masih menyambung kerjanya. Beberapa ketika kemudian, datang perahu itu?” tanya si tikus. seekor lutong. Lutong itu bertanyakan sesuatu. Dengan penuh keyakinan, burung belatuk menjawab, “dengan membakar perahu ini, satu lapis papan terbakar “Apa yang akan engkau lakukan setelah engkau memotong pokok itu mengikut panjang yang engkau mahukan?” akan terbentuk. Dengan itu, ia boleh menjadi kalis air.” tanya lutong. Tanpa memikirkan jawapan yang diberikan, si tikus berlalu pergi, sama seperti kawan-kawannya yang lain, meninggalkan burung belatuk, hilang dalam kepekatan malam. “Aku runcingkan setiap penghujung kayu kepada bentuk sebuah perahu,” kata burung belatuk. Setelah terjawab persoalan, lutong pun berlalu pergi. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” burung belatuk masih lagi meneruskan kerja walaupun ia di ganggu dengan pertanyaan demi pertanyaan oleh binatang-binatang lain. Tetiba, datang semula burung hantu yang mengunjunginya seawal “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” burung belatuk tetap meneruskan kerja. Kemudian, ia di kunjungi oleh seekor tupai tadi. terbang. Tupai terbang itu ingin mengetahui apa langkah seterusnya setelah kayu itu di potong. Dengan perasaan kurang senang, burung belatuk berkata kepada burung hantu, “Hei, bolehkah kau jangan “Apa yang engkau lakukan selepas engkau telah membentuk kayu itu kepada sebuah perahu?” tanya tupai. ganggu aku? Aku ada kerja yang harus di siapkan.”

“Aku menebuk batang pokok ini mengikut panjangnya,” balas burung belatuk. “Lenturannya mestilah padu,” Mendengar suara belatuk yang garang membuatkan burung hantu cepat-cepat berlalu pergi. mendengar jawapan burung belatuk, tupai berlalu pergi. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” masih meneruskan kerja, tetiba burung belatuk terasa sangat mengantuk. Lalu ia “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” burung belatuk masih lagi meneruskan kerjanya. Tetiba datang seekor skunk. Skunk

36 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 37 sedar hari sudahpun hampir subuh. Ia mendongak ke atas, bulan sudah mahu beranjak pergi. Malam berikutnya, burung belatuk meneruskan kerjanya yang asyik tertangguh semalam. Akhirnya, akibat selalu di kunjungi oleh binatang-binatang lain menanyakan pelbagai soalan, kerjanya menyiapkan perahu tidak pernah siap, sehinggalah ke hari ini. The Carpenter Bird Who Worked At Night English Translation

t was a full moon night. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” the skilful carpenter bird was making a dugout boat from a Isingle tree trunk. She had to complete the boat before the moon disappeared from the sky.

“Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” The carpenter bird continued working into the night when an owl came by. The owl wondered what the carpenter bird was doing.

“What are you doing?” The owl asked.

“I’m making a dugout boat,” said the carpenter bird. The owl flew away and disappeared into the night.

“Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” The carpenter bird continued with her work when a bat came by. The bat wondered why the carpenter bird was working in the night.

“Why do you have to work at night?” The bat asked.

“Last night, I worked till late,” said carpenter bird. “So I slept all day. That’s why I’m working at night.” Like the owl, the bat flew away and disappeared into the night.

“Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” The carpenter bird continued with her work when a palie came by. The palie wondered what type of wood the carpenter bird used to make the boat.

“What type of wood did you use to make the dugout boat?” asked the palie.

“I used meranti wood,” answered the carpenter bird. The palie walked away and disappeared into the night.

38 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 39 “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” The carpenter bird continued again with her work when a wild cat came by. The wild “I will set the boat on fire,” said the carpenter bird. The skunk walked away and disappeared into the night. cat wondered why the carpenter bird used meranti to make a dugout boat. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” the carpenter bird had just continued with her work when a hippopotamus came by. “Why did you choose meranti wood to make the dugout boat?” asked the wild cat. The hippopotamus wondered why the carpenter bird will set fire to the dugout boat.

“It is a strong and springy wood that is perfect for boat-building,” said the carpenter bird. The wild cat walked “Why do you set fire to the dugout boat?” the hippopotamus asked. away and disappeared into the night. “The fire will make it possible for the sides of the dugout boat to bend away from each other. The round trunk “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” Now, a flying fox came by. The flying fox wondered how the carpenter bird chose the will become broader, more boat-like in shape,” said the carpenter bird. wood. Satisfied with his answer, the hippopotamus walked away and disappeared into the night. “How did you choose the wood?” the flying fox asked. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” The carpenter bird continued with her work when a mouse passed by. The mouse “I chose a straight tree with few nodes,” the carpenter bird said. The flying fox flew away and disappeared into wondered if there is any other reason the dugout boat is set on fire. the night. “Is there any other reason to set fire on the dugout boat?” the mouse asked. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” the carpenter bird had just continued with her work when a lutong came by. The lutong wondered what the carpenter bird would do after the carpenter bird cut the tree into a log. “A thin layer of burnt wood will form when the boat is set on fire. This will make the dugout boat water-proof,” said the carpenter bird, “Water will not seep into the wood and thus, make the boat durable.” “What did you do after you have cut the tree trunk into the appropriate length?” the lutong asked. The mouse nodded its’ head and walked away and disappeared into the night.

“I tapered each end of the log into the shape of a boat,” said the carpenter bird. The lutong walked away and “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” The carpenter bird continued with her work when an owl came by again. disappeared into the night. “Hey, can you stop bothering me? I have to do my work,” said the carpenter bird. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” the carpenter bird continued with her work when a flying squirrel came by. The flying squirrel wondered what the carpenter bird would do after she has cut the log into the shape of a boat. “Sorry”, said the owl before he flew away.

“What did you do after you have cut the log into the shape of a boat?” the flying squirrel asked. “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” The carpenter bird continued with her work until she felt sleepy. Then she realized it was already dawn. She looked up to the sky; the moon was entering the horizon. There was only a star in the “I hollowed-out the tree trunk along its length,” said the carpenter bird. “The bow and stern are kept solid.” The northern sky- the northern star. She flew back to her nest and slept all day. flying squirrel walked away and disappeared into the night. The following nights, the carpenter bird continued making the dugout boat but the other animals always came by and asked many questions. As a result, the carpenter bird has never managed to complete the dugout boat “Tchok...Tchok...Tchok...” the carpenter bird had just continued with her work when a skunk came by. The skunk - even until today. wondered what the carpenter bird would do with the dugout boat.

“What will you do with the dugout boat?” the skunk asked.

40 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 41 This page is intentionally left blank.

Dang Bongsue Maya Giok Keladi

42 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 43 DANG BONGSUE MAYA GIOK KELADI

Dang Bongsue saw a caterpillar at her mother’s vegetable patch. She was feeling lonely and immediately became friends with the caterpillar. What she did not realize was, the caterpillar had a hidden agenda – it desired for Bongsue’s liver!

As the caterpillar repeatedly asked for the size of Bongsue’s liver, she became suspicious. She lied to the caterpillar that her liver was still very small. Everyday Liha & Sukri the caterpillar would ask the same question, and Bongsue told her that her liver Sukri b. Abdullah, 53 had grown slightly bigger than the previous days. After a few weeks, believing that Liha bt. Saban, 41 Dang Bongsue’s liver was big enough, the caterpillar planned to eat the liver soon. Bongsue, whom at that time had figured out the caterpillar’s bad intention, was at loss. She did not know how to solve the problem. She finally decided to elope from home.

44 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 45 “Agu gayo sengilu itom,” Kajun Dang Bongsue. “Kalau sudah gayo niu baru no kau makan.” Pungu ino nyagam lagie roduo. Saboi surop adau yayam roduo. Pungu indu ngarikut parai baru Dang Bongsue maya indu nuli.

Suab no Dang Bongsue to naya lagie di indu mo pi lilik. Tamu lagie giok keladi to kumai.

Dang Bongsue Maya Giok Keladi “Aan dah gayo angkayau mo, Dang Bongsue?” Kajun giok keladi to bila saja iyo tamu di Dang Bongsue.

Bisaya Language Macam umbo te? Kajun Dang Bongsue lam ganao no. Kalau maraa diso angkayau ku kakal gayo sangilu itom, kasup no yo yang aku ngakal diso. Aan aan piker no.

“Agu gayo sangilu.” Kajun Dang Bongsue.

ang Bongsue to ngayam pi lilik samantara indu no ngarikut parai. Ngayam tangalan-tangalan boh te kumai. “Ooo…” Kajun giok keladi. Giok keladi to kumai semakin gayo. Iyo boh kuat makan. Sangadau-ngadau makan DIyo samusui pi batang. Saboi pi lan yang tananom indu keladi; mato no gayo suig. nak karaja no. marigas daun keladi to kumai gama no.

“Hey, aan boh karaja mo, Dang Bongsue? Kajun giok keladi to nagor di Dang Bongsue. Pandai boh ani giok Giok keladi maya Dang Bongsue to, ngayam no roduo no, saboi surop adau baru muli sudah indu Dang Bongsue keladi nie garan Dang Bongsue. pungu ngarikut parai.

“Ngitai indu ku ngarikut parai.” Kajun Dang Bongsue to kumai. Lam ganao Dang Bongsue, muncoi anie aroh Suab no Giok keladi kamuot lagie di Dang Bongsue. Adau-adau boh Dang Bongsue manau pi lilik maya di indu giok keladi to, aroh anie rumo ku baturun. Ngayam no roduo no to kumai. Giok keladi to unjop tahan suat lasu no. adau talungung yo saribah daun keladi. Bila adau samalop samilau yo. Sudah adau lasu balik likas-likas manau mo sauu daun keladi. “Kakal lagie diok. Agu no gayo kulit ramis.” Kajun Dang Bongsue maraa yang angkayau no gayo kadiok tad kaniab no. Sudah buai-buai kamuot noyo giok keladi to di Dang Bongsue. “Ooo…” Kajun giok keladi. “Aan gayo ankayau mo, Dang Bongsue?” Kajun giok keladi. Macam ino no gaya no adau adau giok keladi kamuot di Dang Bongsue aan gayo angkayau no. “Kuro kau kamuot?” Kajun Dang Bongsue. “Kakal diok. Agu no gayo kulit timung.” Kajun Dang Bongsue. “Aku baliau kan makan angkayau mo,” Kajun Giok Keladi. “Ooo…” Kajun giok keladi. Kalau macam ite matai no aku te, lam ganao Dang Bongsue. Iyo gium akal supaya giok keladi unjop kalap makan angkayau no. Iyo sendiri unjop pandai aan gayo angkayau no, salalom inan dumbo yo paranah kito. Aan Giok Keladi tio makin sangadau makin sarok kuot no. duo talu kali lam sangadau. aan piker no, “Kakal lagie diok.” Kajun no. “Kakal diok. Agu no gayo kulit salisip” Kajun Dang Bongsue. “Aan gayo no.” Kajun giok keladi. “Ooo…” Kajun giok keladi.

46 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 47 Suab no macam ino anie. Giok keladi tio malar kamuot no gayo angkayau Dang Bongsue. Dang Bongsue to maraa angkayau no gayo kadiok tad kaniab no. makin sangadau giok keladi makin sarok kuot no.

“Kakal diok, agu no gayo tumbung labuan.” Kajun Dang Bongsue.

“Ooo…” Kajun giok keladi. Dang Bongsue Dan Si Beluncas

Suab no nak ino anie gaya no. Malay Translation

“Agu no gayo gagan.” Kajan Dang Bongsue.

“Gayo sudah no,” Kajun giok keladi. “Unjop buai lagie kalap no aku makan angkayau mo, Dang Bongsue.” Kajun no. ang Bongsue sedang bermain di sawah padi sementara ibunya menuai padi. Dia berjalan di atas sebatang Dkayu balak dan bila dia sampai di hujung kayu balak tersebut, dia akan melompat ke kayu balak yang Dang Bongsue to taparangkap unjop kalap akal supaya giok keladi unjop kalap makan angkayau no. Aan aan seterusnya. Dang Bongsue tiba di petak sawah yang ditanam beberapa jenis sayuran oleh ibunya. Antara ganao. “ Muncoi no aku miduu,” Kajun no. Iyo pun ngutil kumbang baju, niduu. Napong no idu yama, room sayuran yang ditanam adalah kekacang, bayam, labu dan lain-lain lagi. Di situ dia ternampak seekor beluncas satari no. bergerak-gerak di atas sehelai daun keladi. Beluncas itu mempunyai sepasang mata yang besar seperti piring.

Bila Dang Bongsue unjop aroh nikot suab baru giok keladi gium di Dang Bongsue niduu. Giok keladi nanau “ Hei, apa kamu buat di sini?” tanya Si Beluncas. mupuhud tetapi iyo talalu palahan. Unjop no yo kasup di Dang Bongsue. “Saya sedang mengisi masa saya sementara menunggu ibu saya menuai padi,” jawab Dang Bongsue yang bermain seorang diri sepanjang pagi. Kini, dia gembira mempunyai seekor beluncas untuk berbual dengannya.

Mereka dilindungi dari pancaran matahari yang terik apabila angin meniup satu awan yang besar dan menghalang mereka dari matahari. Sepanjang masa Si Beluncas yang tidak tahan panas berteduh di bawah sehelai daun. Dia kemudiannya menggerakkan dirinya ke bahagian atas daun. Tetapi semua itu hanya bertahan untuk beberapa minit sahaja. Tiba-tiba awan tersebut ditiup oleh angin dan mereka terdedah semula kepada cahaya matahari. Si Beluncas dengan pantas bergerak kembali ke bahagian bawah daun keladi.

Dang Bongsue dan Si Beluncas menjadi kawan dan mereka bermain sepanjang hari. Sepanjang perkenalan mereka, Si Beluncas yang mengidam untuk memakan hati beranggapan bahawa Dang Bongsue pasti mempunyai satu hati yang besar.

“Sebesar manakah hati kamu?” Si Beluncas bertanya kepada Dang Bongsue.

“Mengapakah kamu bertanya soalan begini?” tanya Dang Bongsue.

48 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 49 “Saya mengidam untuk memakan hati kamu,” kata Si Beluncas. “Ooo…” kata Si Beluncas.

“Oo….kamu mahu memakan hati saya…” Dang Bongsue dengan pantas memikirkan jalan keluar supaya Pada hari berikutnya, Si Beluncas yang sudah hilang sabar bertanya soalan yang sama berulang-ulang kali Si Beluncas tidak dapat memakan hatinya. Jika Si Beluncas itu memakan hatinya dia pasti akan mati, Dang kepada Dang Bongsue. Bongsue berfikir. “Ia masih kecil, sebesar satu pengayak tepung,” jawab Dang Bongsue. “Ia masih kecil,” kata Dang Bongsue. “Jika kamu mahu makan hati saya, kamu terpaksa tunggu sehingga ia tumbuh sebesar tampi kuali,” Dang Bongsue tahu bahawa hatinya tidak akan besar sebegitu. “Ooo…” kata Si Beluncas.

“Sebesar manakah hati kamu sekarang?” tanya Si Beluncas. Si Beluncas bertanya Dang Bongsue soalan yang sama selama berminggu-minggu.

“Sebesar puncak kuku,” kata Dang Bongsue. “Ia masih kecil, sebesar satu penapis beras,” Dang Bongsue menjawab.

Dang Bongsue dan Si Beluncas bermain hingga senja, iaitu sehingga Dang Bongsue dan ibunya pulang ke “Itu sudah agak besar,” kata Si Beluncas yang telah membesar kerana memakan daun keladi. rumah setelah ibunya selesai bekerja di sawah untuk hari itu. “Tidak lama lagi, saya boleh memakan hati kamu.” Keesokan harinya Dang Bongsue datang sekali lagi ke sawah dengan ibunya. Perkara pertama Si Beluncas Dang Bongsue tidak dapat berkata apa-apa. Kini, dia sudah terperangkap dek muslihatnya dan dalam beberapa tanya kepada Dang Bongsue adalah tentang saiz hatinya. hari hatinya akan dimakan oleh Si Beluncas tersebut. Dia cuba mencari jalan keluar tetapi tidak berjaya. Dia “Ia masih kecil, sebesar sekeping cengkerang kerang,” Dang Bongsue terpaksa memberitahu Si Beluncas yang hanya terfikirkan satu cara sahaja iaitu melarikan diri. Dong Bongsue mengemas semua pakaiannya dan hatinya membesar sedikit demi sedikit untuk meyakinkan Si Beluncas yang dia tidak berkata bohong. membungkusnya di dalam sehelai kain segiempat sama lalu meninggalkan rumah dan tidak lagi dapat berjumpa “Ooo…” kata Si Beluncas. dengan keluarga mahupun rakan-rakannya lagi.

Setiap hari Dang Bongsue akan datang ke sawah bersama ibunya untuk bermain dengan Si Beluncas dan Keesokan harinya, Dang Bongsue tidak datang berjumpa dengan Si Beluncas. Si Beluncas menyedari bahawa pulang ketika hari sudah senja. Setiap hari juga, Si Beluncas akan bertanyakan soalan yang sama. Dang Bongsue telah melarikan diri. Si Beluncas bergerak-gerak untuk mencari Dang Bongsue tetapi dia terlalu perlahan untuk mengejar Dang Bongsue. “Ia masih kecil. Sebesar sekeping tiram,” jawab Dang Bongsue.

“Ooo…” Si Beluncas menjawab.

Apabila Si Beluncas bertanya lagi keesokan harinya, Dang Bongsue menjawab, “Ia masih kecil, sebesar sekeping cengkerang kupang.”

“Ooo…” kata Si Beluncas.

Si Beluncas bertanya lagi soalan yang sama dan Dang Bongsue menjawab, “Ia masih kecil, sebesar sebiji piring.”

50 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 51 The caterpillar did not answer her question and quickly changed the topic.

Driven by its’ craving for human’s liver, the caterpillar could not hide its’ intention any longer. Especially when the same question was being asked again and again. Dang Bongsue became suspicious.

Dang Bongsue And The Caterpillar “Why do you keep asking about the size of my liver?” Dang Bongsue directly asked, demanding for an honest answer from the caterpillar. English Translation The caterpillar did not answer right away but remained silent for a few minutes. Finally, with so much hesitant, it said “I’m… I’m craving to eat your liver,” answered the caterpillar. Dang Bongsue went pale. She did not see that coming. ang Bongsue (pronounced as dan bunsu) was playing in the paddy field while her mother was tending the “Wh.. Why…??” she asked with disbelief. Dpaddy. While walking on a partly burnt log, when Dang Bongsue came to the end of the log, she would hop The caterpillar could not meet her eyes. “I… I can’t help it. I want your liver.” to another nearby log. Eventually, Dang Bongsue reached the patch of the paddy field where her mother had Dang Bongsue was speechless. Her mind was racing with an answer. She did not want to die and she would planted some vegetables. There were sesames, spinach, gourds and many other vegetables. There, she saw a not let the caterpillar have her liver! Finally, with much composure, she said; caterpillar wiggling on a yam leaf with a pair of eyes, as big as saucer. “It’s still small,” said Dang Bongsue. “If you want to eat my liver, you have to wait until it grows as big as “Hey, what are you doing here?” The caterpillar asked. winnowing pan.” She knew that her liver would not grow that big.

“I’m just passing the time while waiting for my mother to finish attending the paddy,” answered Dang Bongsue “How big is it now?” asked the caterpillar who had been playing by herself the whole morning. She was glad to have the caterpillar to talk to. “It’s the size of the tip of the fingernail,” said Dang Bongsue. They took a break from the blazing sun when a large cloud, blown by the wind, blocked the sun. The caterpillar Dang Bongsue and the caterpillar played until dusk though Dang Bongsue could not help feeling a little awkward could not stand the heat stayed under the leaf most of the time, wiggling to get to the upper side of the leaf. being around something that was craving for her liver! After Dang Bongsue’s mother finished her work in the It stayed there only for a few minutes. When the cloud was blown away by the wind again, they were both field for the day, she quickly followed her mother went back home. exposed again to the sunlight . The caterpillar quickly wiggled back under the yam leaf. The next day, as usual Dang Bongsue went to the paddy field with her mother. When the caterpillar saw Dang Dang Bongsue and the caterpillar became friends and played together the whole afternoon. Without Dang Bongsue, it quickly jumped and asked for her liver size. Bongsue knowing, the caterpillar had a hidden agenda. “It’s still small. Still the size of the shell of a cockle.” The caterpillar wanted to eat Dang Bongsue’s liver! Thinking that Dang Bongsue has a big liver, the caterpillar “Oh…” the caterpillar seemed disappointed. could not resist asking. That day, Dang Bongsue decided to keep her distant and they did not play much. The caterpillar on the other “How big is your liver?” The caterpillar asked Dang Bongsue. hand acted like nothing happened and kept asking Dang Bongsue to play.

“Why do you ask such a question?” Dang Bongsue asked back. The following day, the caterpillar kept asking Dang Bongsue the same question throughout the day.

52 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 53 “It’s still small. It’s the size of an oyster,” answered Dang Bongsue. Each day, Dang Bongsue would tell the caterpillar that her liver had grown slightly bigger from the previous day to give the impression that she was telling the truth.

“Oh…” said the caterpillar.

The next day, Dang Bongsue’s reply was , “It’s still small. It’s the size of the shell of a mussel.”

“Oh…” said the caterpillar. It became a little impatient.

,“It’s still small; it’s the size of a saucer.” was Dang Bongsue’s answer for the following day.

The caterpillar became impatient and kept asking.

“It’s still small; it’s the size of a flour sieve,” Dang Bongsue

“It’s still small; it’s the size of a rice sieve,” after a few weeks.

“That’s quite big,” said the caterpillar, which had grown at an amazing rate by feeding on the yam leaves. “Very soon, I can eat your liver.”

Dang Bongsue could not say a word. Now she was trapped by her own ploy and within a matter of days, the caterpillar would demand for her liver.

She tried to think of how to solve her problem but could not think of a way out. “There’s nothing I can do. ,I must run away”, she thought. She quickly gathered her clothes and wrapped them in a piece of square cloth and ran away. She left her home and never saw her family and friends again.

When Dang Bongsue did not appear the next day, the caterpillar realized that Dang Bongsue had fled. With a great disaoppointment, the Caterpillar wiggled its way to look for Dang Bongsue but surely Dang Bongsue was already way ahead for it to catch up.

Kisah Aja Dengan Anggit

54 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 55 KISAH AJA DENGAN ANGGIT

This tale is about a king whose country was in despair due to attacks from big mosquitoes. To ensure that the king himself is safe from the mosquitoes, the king used his people as shield for the mosquitoes by making them stand in front of the palace’s entrance. There was a man named Paloi who had a son that he feared will be captivated by the king’s troop to be made as bait. Paloi’s son however was caught. Before he was taken away, Paloi’s wife boiled some yams Liha & Sukri and gave it to him. That night, while standing in front of the palace entrance, Paloi’s son Sukri b. Abdullah, 53 Liha bt. Saban, 41 opened the package of boiled yam, still very hot and steaming. When the mosquitoes came and saw the steam, thinking it was smoke, the mosquitoes fled. The following morning, learning of this, the king realised that smoke can be used to repel mosquitoes and this is used till today.

56 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 57 “Mun kau lapar kaang kau buka makan yah.”

Di bawah tiya oleh pengawal ani anak si Paloi atu ke istana. Sampai di istana hari pun malam jadi di taruh tiya anak ani ke luar pintu istana; anggitnya balum lagi ada. Lapar ji anakanya ani lapar terkenang tiya bahata yang dibahatakan oleh mamanya dibuka di ruah tiya anakanya ani bahatanya ubi keladi berebus hangat-hangat. Kisah Aja Dengan Anggit Bahata hanyatnya tunggunnya asapanya. Masa atu anggit pun dating yatah anggit takutkan asap laie takut.

Kedayan Language Aja dalam istana tidur macam biasa sampai pagi. Esok pagi bila pengawal keluar tah ya kali di bukanya pintu,

“Ah... apa anak ani kakal hidup.” Terkejut ya.

“Bila uang yang ditaruh di luar ani mati ani hidup.” Masuk tiya pengawal ani padahkannya jua lapas atu aja pun asa dahulu anggitnya besar-besar. Bila anggit atu makan uang, uang atu mati. Besarnya kalah ayam, mun takajut. Aja pun keluar nanya anak atu. Msekali ia makan jelama sekalinya mati basar jua itu. Inda sauang pun terfikir cara mamunu atau mangalau anggit atu. “Inada anggit datangkah menggigit kau. Nya aja.

Ajanya pun paloi inda tefikir cara mamunu atau mangalau anggit atu. Ia inda mikir dii nya sandii nganya. Rakyat “Ada pulang tapi masa atu aku lapar ku makan keladi, keladiku ani berasap.” nya ditangkap amai-amai habis atu dikurungnya uang atu. Dikurungnya uang amai-amai di dalam ada bilik di istana. Tiap-tiap kali malam sauang-sauang dikeluarkannya di suuhnya badii ah pintu istana atu pakai umpan Nya anak si Paloi “yatah anggit ati laie.” anggit. Aja nya ani pun terfikir memang daripada asap atu anggit takut. Selepas hari atukan inada lagi ia mangumpan Esok macam itu jua sauang dikeluarkannya di suuh nya badii ah pintu istana atu pakai umpan anggit. Uang yang rakyat. Jelama memarun tiya nya suruhnya rakyatnya pengawal suruh kayu-kayu api lah memarun mengelilingi jadi umpan ani mati di makan anggit. Tiap-tiap malan sauang-sauang rakyatnya mati. Bilang malam macam atu. tanah kampong-kampung atu berliun jua sudah atu inda tiya ada anggit tiya lagi inda tiya lagi ambil jelama pakai Bertahun-tahun amai lah rakyatnya mati di makan anggit. Atulah yalah rakyaknya ani tinggal kan habis nya lagi, umpannya atu inda tia lagi takutkan asap atu habis atu aman tiya anda takut ditangkap oleh pengawal buat kan habis tiya lagi. umpan anggit. Semua tiya sampai karang ani memarun untuk menghalau anggit.

Dipadah jua ah aja yang mengujar uang buat umpan anggit pun susah dapat. Mana ka nasal malam saja seuang pakai umpan supaya anggit atu inda masuk ke dalam istana. Anggit atu inda banyak bah yang seeking jelama dimakannya laie tiya lapas. Macam atu bertahun-tahun asal malam anggit kakal jua makan uang.

Akhir sekali ditangkap tiya anak si Paloi yang seuang ani. Sudah payah berunjar-unjar bah sudah tangkapnya anaknya ani.

“Terpaksalah kalau ditangkap oh...” Nya mamanya. “Tunggu dahulu anukan bahatakan keladi berebus.”

“Au...” Jinya pengawal. Nunggu iya sampai keladi direbus atu masak. Bil keladi atu di bungkusnya pakai bahata anaknya.

58 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 59 boleh memakan keladi ini tatkala kamu lapar,” kata si ibu kepada anak lelakinya.

Pengawal istana tersebut kemudiannya membawa budak lelaki itu balik ke istana. Apabila malam menjelma, pengawal istana tersebut membawa budak lelaki itu keluar istana dan menyuruh dia berdiri di hadapan pintu masuk istana. Pada waktu itu, nyamuk-nyamuk masih belum datang. Tiba-tiba, budak itu berasa lapar dan Kisah Raja Dengan Nyamuk segera teringatkan keladi yang dibekalkan oleh ibunya tadi. Dia membuka balutan keladi tersebut dan mendapati keladi itu masih panas dan berasap. Pada masa yang sama, nyamuk-nyamuk pun tiba tetapi terbang semula Malay Translation apabila mereka terhidu bau asap dari keladi itu. Budak lelaki itu menjadi rakyat yang pertama tidur di luar istana sepanjang malam yang selamat dari gigitan nyamuk-nyamuk.

Apabila pengawal istana membuka pintu pada keesokan paginya, budak lelaki itu masih hidup. Pengawal istana aja sedang berhadapan dengan masalah kritikal iaitu kekurangan populasi rakyat di negaranya. Ini adalah tersebut sangat terkejut lalu memberitahu berita itu kepada Raja. Rkerana kewujudan nyamuk-nyamuk yang besar. Nyamuk-nyamuk tersebut lebih besar saiznya dari seekor ayam di mana sesiapa sahaja yang digigit oleh nyamuk-nyamuk berkenaan akan mati. Rakyat jelata tiada jalan “Apa? Budak itu masih hidup?” Raja tersebut juga sangat terkejut. Selama ini tiada rakyat yang dapat bertahan penyelesaian kepada masalah ini. sehingga keesokan harinya. Raja tersebut pergi ke luar istana untuk melihat sendiri keadaan budak lelaki itu.

Raja yang tidak bijak itu menangkap sejumlah besar rakyat jelata dan mengunci mereka semua di dalam sebuah “Tiada nyamukkah yang datang menggigit kamu?” tanya Raja tersebut. bilik di istana tempat baginda tinggal. Setiap malam, baginda akan mengambil seorang rakyat and menyuruh “Ada tetapi tatkala nyamuk-nyamuk tersebut datang, saya berasa sangat lapar lalu membuka bungkusan keladi rakyat tersebut duduk di depan pintu istana sebagai umpan kepada nyamuk-nyamuk. Dengan cara ini, Raja yang dibekalkan oleh ibu saya. Keladi tersebut masih panas dan berasap dan semua nyamuk lari berterbangan dapat tidur dengan aman di dalam istana. kerana terkena bau asap. Raja tersebut mengulangi cara ini selama beberapa tahun sehingga akhirnya negara itu hanya tinggal beberapa Kini, Raja itu tahu bahawa asap boleh menghalau nyamuk-nyamuk tersebut. Sejak hari itu, Raja tidak lagi orang rakyat sahaja lagi. Ini menyukarkan Raja untuk mencari rakyat untuk dijadikan umpan kepada nyamuk- menyuruh pengawal istana untuk menangkap rakyat-rakyat untuk di letakkan di depan pintu masuk istana. nyamuk tersebut. Kemudian, pengawal istana menangkap anak lelaki Paloi, salah seorang rakyat yang tinggal. Tiada lagi rakyat yang mati akibat dijadikan umpan nyamuk. Raja tersebut menyuruh pengawal istana pergi “Kami tiada pilihan lain. Sudah tiada rakyat lagi yang tinggal” kata pengawal istana tersebut kepada isteri mencari kayu api dan menghidupkan api untuk menghalau nyamuk-nyamuk tersebut. Sejak hari itu, rakyat Paloi. jelata tidak lagi hidup dalam ketakutan.

“Bolehkah kamu tunggu sekejap?” tanya si ibu kepada pengawal-pengawal istana tersebut. Sehingga ke hari ini, asap masih lagi digunakan untuk menghalau nyamuk-nyamuk.

“Saya mahu merebus sedikit keladi untuk anak saya supaya dia tidak lapar semasa perjalanan nanti. Sekurang- kurangnya dia ada sesuatu untuk dimakan.”

“Sudah tentu…” kata pengawal istana tersebut.

Apabila keladi sudah siap direbus, si ibu membalut keladi tersebut dan memberikannya kepada anaknya. “Kamu

60 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 61 in front of the palace entrance outside, as bait for the mosquitoes. At that moment, the big mosquitoes had yet to make an appearance.

While standing in front of the palace entrance, the boy suddenly felt hungry. He remembered the package of The Tale of The King and The Mosquitoes yam that his mother had specially boiled for him. As he opened the package, he found the yams were still piping hot and steaming. It was at that exact moment that the mosquitoes came. When the mosquitoes noticed the steam, the mosquitoes thought it was smoke and flew away. Paloi’s son became the first person in the country English Translation who was able to sleep safely outside the palace door until the morning came.

When the palace guard opened the door in the morning, he was surprised to see that the boy was still alive and the king was informed of this. he king was facing a critical problem with the declining population of his country. His country was attacked Tnightly by big mosquitoes, sized bigger than chickens. The citizens who were bitten by the big mosquitoes “What... the boy is still alive?” the king exclaimed. All these times, when a person was placed outside at night, would immediately die and the people had no practical way to deal with this problem. he would die after being bitten by the big mosquitoes. The king went outside to see this for himself.

To ensure that the king himself could sleep safely in the palace, he came up with a plan. The reckless king “Were there mosquitoes here last night?” the king asked the boy. captured a large number of his people and locked them up in one of the rooms in the palace. Each night, he “There were, but as soon as I opened the package of yam that my mother gave me, the mosquitoes flew away,” would order his palace guards to bring out a person and place the citizen outside the palace door as bait for the boy answered. “The yams were still very hot and steaming. The mosquitoes must have thought that the the mosquitoes. steam was smoke and fled,” the boy said. This went on for many years until there were very few people left in the country and it became difficult to find Finally the king realized that smoke could drive the mosquitoes away. From that day, the king stopped using his people that the king can use as bait for the mosquitoes. Then, the palace guards caught Paloi’s son, one of the people as baits for the mosquitoes. The king instead asked his people to gather wood and start fires to drive few citizens left. the mosquitoes away. Subsequently, the people lived without fear of either being captured by the king to be “We have no choice, there are just no others left,” said the palace guards to Paloi’s wife. used as mosquito baits, and from being bitten by the big mosquitoes. And to this day, people still use smoke to repel mosquitoes. “Can you wait for a while?” Paloi’s wife asked the palace guards. “I want to boil some yams for him to take along so that he has something to eat when he is hungry.”

“Of course...” replied the palace guards.

When the yams have been boiled, Paloi’s wife wrapped them up and gave the package to her son.

“When you are hungry, eat these yams,” Paloi’s wife said to her son.

The palace guards then took the boy to the palace. When the night came, the palace guards made him stand

62 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 63 This page is intentionally left blank.

Paloi Dengan Bininya 64 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 65 PALOI DENGAN BININYA

Paloi asked his wife to boil the tapioca that he uprooted. However, Paloi’s wife ate all of the cooked tapioca, even licking the bottom of the pot, causing her head to be stuck in the clay pot. Paloi finally had to break it using a hammer. Months later, Paloi’s wife, who was six-months pregnant, was craving for deer meat. Paloi went to hunt for deer. He stayed in the jungle for months, eating all of the deer that he had captured Liha & Sukri and roasted for himself. When Paloi finally went back home empty-handed, he lied to his wife, saying that he only caught a small deer which he survived on while in the jungle. Sukri b. Abdullah, 53 Liha bt. Saban, 41 When Paloi went to sleep and snored, his wife saw the deer meat stuck in between his teeth and knew that he lied. She picked at his teeth with a stick, managed to dig some deer meat and ate it. With that, she finally satisfied her craving.

66 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 67 Bila kan malam hari bebalik tiya Paloi ke rumah tiya. Sudah atu mulih terus tiya kan mandi Lihatnya fikirannaya ayam pakah burunya sudah berunyan kakal melapuk. Sekali di lihat bininya bekabun kan madi kepala di dalam periyuk singgan leher. Payah-payah di cabut inda mahu di babut di ambilnya tukul di tukulnya pecah periyuk.

Selepas itu hidup si Paloi dengan isterinya berjalan tampa sebarang kejadian yang luar biasa sehingga beberapa Paloi Dengan Bininya kemudian. Bini si Paloi ani betian anam bulan habis tu anu tis liurkan makan daging payau ya tah di suruhnya lakinya anu Kedayan Language lah memburu menangkap payau suruhnya lakinya.

“Au…” Nya si Aploi.

i Paloi ani mau makan ubi. Pergi tiya ke kabunnya di belakang umah mamabut ubi. Dapat ubi tah ya ubi. Menjarang tiya bininya ani kan bahata kan lakinya memeburu ke hutan Lakinya bahata jinnya lah bahata juannya SBasar isinya sedapa panjangnya ahu kurang labih sedapa panjangnya lapas atu dibawanya mulih sudahnya lah yang baas alum masak ada jua di bawanya. mulih disuuhnya bininya merabus ubinya atur ujar lakinya. Habis tu memburu tiya ke hutan payau berloreh tiya berminggu-minggu tiya ke hutan atu di tunggu oleh bininya “Kaang ubi tu rabus a….. nay aku ke laut mencahaie lauk sudah ku mulih kaang baru tah ku makan.” Nganya di rumah seminggu minggu alum jua mulih Si Paloi tunggunya lagi sebulan alum lagi tiya mulih ia Si Paloi berloreh si Paloi. pulang payau bilang hari berloreh anu salainya kanyang-kanyang makannya batah di tunggu beranak sudah bini ia enam bulan tiya bulan barulah lakinya memacul ingat-ingat mulihnya lagi nada, nada apa dibawanya, “Au…” Nya bininya. Sudah atu bininya ani tidur si tarabang di umah. ambinnya kosong di bawahnya.

Sudah lakinya mulih. “ Mana tiya ubi yang ku suruh rabus?” Di tanyakan arah lakinya bah batah sudah ku menunggu ani nya kan tiga bulan loreh tah kau daging payau.

Ujar bininya, “Na…da atu puas ku unjar sekampung nada muat periyuk inda ku jadi rabusnya,” Padahal bukan Janya si Paloi, “Nada kuloreh payau. “Anak pelanduk nganya ku loreh ku ia tiya yang menyambung nyawa bahta nya apa tidur berserabung bertanggang jubur di umah. ku utan.”

“Apakah kau ani luan jua paluinya.” Ujar Paloi. “Macam ani nya ke mari kaunnya aku mengajar kau meabus Jinnya bini, “Jikalau kau inda berloreh apa boleh buat tapi aku ani tis liur hantap kan makan daging payau tiga ubi.” Habis ku kupasnya di panggalnya. “Ianda jua payah.” Diunjar periyuk basar anya panggalnya sudahtu a… bulan batahnya tu.” diabusnya ubi tu sudah diabusnya belum lagi masak ditinggalkannya dilihatnya bininya ada di umah. Lepas atu jinnya bininya ah lakinya, “Inda kau lapar?” “Bah…” Nya Paloi. “Ani ubi ani karang kalau masak dibangkitnya akunya dulunya ke kabun kan menyiangi kabunku sekejap.” Jalan tiya membawa marang aku ke kabun. “Inda.” Nya si Paloi. Ia sudah makan payau. “Kan tidur ku.” Jinya.

Semasa merabus bininya dimakannya abis di masak di makannya melimpang lagi ada lagi kan di makan rangka Tidur tiya si Paloi ani inda laki ka makan bah ia sudah kanyang makan payau. Tidur diruang bekangkang, anu di makan lai sampai habis ubi di makan olehnya sudah atu abis anu di ciumnya lagi sampai anu belangga kerkarah. Kali bininya lihat habis barang hambit mulutnya adau bekas payau kakal lakat di celah-celah giginya. anu pun anu masuk ke kepala dulu periyuk anu periyuk tanah. Di sungkitnya tiya bekas-bekas daging yang melekat di gigi si Paloi di makannya. Ampit lah bininya makan daging payau yang di sungkit dari gigi lakinya. Inda tiya kampunan. Lakinya atu inda baakal bah.

68 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 69 Apabila ubi kayu itu telah masak, si isteri meninggalkan ubi kayu itu seketika untuk menyejukkannya. Apabila telah sejuk, dia merasa sedikit ubi kayu tersebut. Rasanya sungguh lazat sehingga dia menghabiskan kesemua ubi kayu yang ada. Kemudian, si isteri memasak baki ubi kayu yang tinggal dan memakannya sehingga habis. Ianya sungguh lazat sehingga dia memasukkan kepala ke dalam periuk tersebut untuk menjilat lebihan ubi kayu yang ada. Dalam berbuat demikian, kepalanya tersangkut di dalam periuk. Dia berusaha untuk menarik keluar Kisah Paloi dan Isterinya kepalanya tetapi gagal.

Malay Translation Memandangkan hari sudah senja, si isteri berhajat untuk mandi di perigi di sebelah rumah mereka. Dia hanya memakai kain sarong dengan periuk tadi masih berada di atas kepalanya.

Hujan turun renyai-renyai tatkala Paloi pulang ke rumah. Setibanya di rumah, dia menyangka dia terlihatkan aloi ingin memakan ubi kayu lalu beliau pergi ke dusun untuk mencabut ubi kayu. Ubi kayu yang dicabut seekor ayam. Dia cuba untuk menghalau ayam itu etapi ia enggan pergi. Kemudian dia mencuba untuk melihat PPaloi sangat besar. Dia membawa ubi kayu tersebut pulang ke rumah dan menyuruh isterinya merebus ubi dengan lebih dekat. Dia sangat terkejut apabila mendapati makhluk itu adalah isterinya dengan periuk di atas kayu itu. kepala. Dia cuba untuk merentap periuk tersebut tetapi gagal. Paloi mengambil tukul dan menukul periuk tersebut. Periuk itu pecah kerana ia diperbuat dari tanah liat. “Bolehkah kamu merebus ubi kayu ini?” Paloi bertanya kepada isterinya. “Sekarang, saya akan turun ke laut untuk memancing. Saya akan makan ubi kayu tersebut apabila saya pulang nanti.” Selepas insiden itu Paloi dan isterinys hidup dalam keadaan yang bosan selama berbulan-bulan lamanya. Pada waktu itu, isteri Paloi sedang mengandung enam bulan dan mengidamkan daging rusa. Dia meminta suaminya “Baiklah…” jawab isteri Paloi. Tetapi selepas Paloi meninggalkan rumah, dia tidak merebus ubi kayu tersebut untuk mencari seekor rusa. sebaliknya dia tidur. “Baiklah,” kata Paloi. Isteri Paloi memasak sedikit makanan untuk beliau untuk dibuat bekalan pergi memburu. Apabila Paloi kembali ke rumah, dia bertanya kepada isterinya, “Di manakah ubi kayu yang saya minta kamu Isteri Paloi juga membekalkan beliau dengan sedikit beras. Kemudian, dia pergi memburu. rebus tadi?” Paloi berjaya menangkap seekor rusa tetapi beliau tidak balik ke rumah. Dia memanggang daging rusa tersebut “Ubi kayu itu terlalu besar. Saya tidak dapat mencari satu periuk yang cukup besar untuk merebusnya. Saya dan memakannya dengan beras yang dibekalkan. Itulah makanan beliau sepanjang beliau berburu. Dia tidak telah pergi ke seluruh kampung mencari periuk besar tetapi tiada” bohong si isteri kepada suaminya. keluar dari hutan selama berminggu-minggu walhal isterinya sedang menunggunya di rumah.

“Mengapakah kamu tidak berfikir?” tanya si suami. “Mari sini. Biar saya tunjukkan kepada kamu bagaimanakah Paloi menangkap seekor lagi rusa dan sekali lagi dia memanggang ia dan memakannya hingga habis. Paloi cara untuk merebus ubi kayu. Pertama sekali, buangkan kulitnya, kemudian potong ubi kayu tersebut kecil- mengulang perbuatan itu sehingga berbulan-bulan lamanya. Isterinya di rumah telahpun selamat melahirkan kecil. Kamu tidak perlu menggunakan periuk besar. Kemudian, rebuslah ubi kayu tersebut.” Kata si suami. Paloi anak. menuang sedikit air ke dalam periuk lalu memasukkan potongan ubi kayu tadi ke dalam periuk dan meletakkan periuk di atas api. Selepas beberapa bulan, Paloi memutuskan untuk balik ke rumah. Dia pulang ke rumah dengan tangan kosong. Semua rusa yang ditangkap sewaktu berburu telah dimakan olehnya sepanjang dia tinggal di dalam hutan. “Sekarang saya mahu pergi ke kebun. Kamu jaga api ini. Jika sudah masak, alihkan periuk dari api ini.” Paloi memberitahu isterinya. Kemudian dia pergi ke kebun. “Saya menunggu kamu selama tiga bulan. Dapatkah kamu menangkap seekor rusa untuk saya? tanya isterinya.

70 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 71 “Saya tidak dapat menangkap rusa. Saya hanya berjaya menangkap seekor kancil sahaja dan itulah yang menjadi makanan saya sepanjang di dalam hutan.” Paloi berbohong kepada isterinya.

“Jika kamu tidak dapat menangkap rusa tidak mengapalah. Tetapi saya benar-benar mengidamkan daging rusa sepanjang tiga bulan ini,” Isteri Paloi berkata. The Tale Of Paloi And His Wife “Saya penat dan saya hendak tidur,” Paloi menjawab. Beliau tidak mahu makan kerana dia telah kenyang memakan daging rusa di hutan. Dia pergi tidur di ruang tamu. Dia berdengkur sewaktu tidur dan mulutnya English Translation terbuka. Si isteri melihat ke dalam mulutnya dan dia mendapati ada kepingan-kepingan daging rusa di celah gigi suaminya. Kemudian, dia tahu bahawa Paloi sedang berbohong kepadanya. Dia mengambil sekeping kayu dan mencungkil keluar sekeping daging rusa dari celah gigi Paloi dan memakannya. Itu sudah cukup untuk memuaskan dirinya yang mengidam daging rusa selama berbulan-bulan lamanya. aloi wanted to eat tapioca so he went to the garden and uprooted some. The plant he uprooted had a very Pbig tuber, more than a fathom long. He then brought home the tapioca and requested his wife to boil it.

“Can you boil the tapioca?” Paloi asked his wife. “I’m going to the sea now to fish. I will eat the tapioca when I return.”

“Yes…” his wife answered but after Paloi left, she went to sleep instead of boiling the tapioca.

When Paloi returned home, he asked his wife, “Where is the tapioca that I asked you to boil?” “Ah… the tapioca is too big. I could not find a pot big enough to boil it. I went all over the whole village looking for a big pot but there was none,” his wife lied to Paloi.

“Why can’t you use your head?” said Paloi. “Come here, I’ll show you how to boil the tapioca. First, you peel the skin off. Then you chop the tapioca into small pieces so you don’t have to use a big pot. Then, you just boil it,” he explained. Paloi poured some water into the pot, put in some of the tapioca that had been cut into small pieces, and placed the pot over the fire.

“Now, I am going to the garden. You look after the fire. When the tapioca is ready, you take the pot off from the fire,” Paloi told his wife. Then, he went to the garden.

When the tapioca was already cooked, Paloi’s wife took the pot off the fire and left it to cool down. Then, she ate the tapioca. Finding it very tasty, she ate all of the boiled tapioca. She then boiled the remaining tapioca and ate them all too. It tasted so good she had to put her head inside the pot to lick the remains of the tapioca from the bottom of the pot. Suddenly, her head got stuck in the pot. She tried to pull the pot off her head but to no avail.

72 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 73 Come dusk, Paloi’s wife went to take a bath at the well that was just beside the house, wearing only her sarong mouth opened. The wife looked into her husband’s mouth and saw that there were small pieces of deer meat and with the pot still stuck to her head. stuck in between Paloi’s teeth. She knew then that Paloi was lying to her. She took a small stick and dug the deer meat out from between Paloi’s teeth and she ate it. That was enough to satisfy her craving for deer meat It rained lightly and it was already late when Paloi returned. On reaching their house, he saw what he thought after so long. was a chicken. He tried to shoo it away but it refused to go away. After taking a closer look, Paloi was surprised to see that what he thought was a chicken was actually his wife whose head was stuck to the neck in a pot. He tried to pull it off but it was in vain. Paloi finally took a hammer and hit the pot. The pot broke, as it was made of clay.

After that incident, Paloi and his wife resumed their uneventful lives. Many months later however, Paloi’s wife, who was six-month pregnant, was craving for deer meat. She asked Paloi to hunt for a deer.

“Alright dear…” said Paloi. His wife cooked some food for him to take on the hunting trip. She also packed some uncooked rice for him to take along. Then, Paloi left his house for the jungle to go hunting.

Paloi caught a deer but he did not return home. Instead, he stayed on in the jungle where he roasted the deer meat over a fire and ate it with the rice that he had brought along. He stayed on in the jungle for weeks, feasting on the roasted deer meat, while his poor wife waited for him at home.

Paloi caught another deer and again, staying on in the jungle, he roasted it over a fire and ate it all. This went on for months. At home, his wife finally gave birth.

After three months, Paloi decided to go home. He came back home empty handed as he had eaten all the deer he had caught during the hunting trip.

“I have been waiting for you for three months. Did you manage to catch a deer?” asked his wife.

“I didn’t catch a deer. I only caught small mouse deer on which I survived while in the jungle,” Paloi lied to his wife.

“Oh well, what can I say? But I’ve been really craving for deer meat for three long months,” his wife said with a huge disappointment on her face.

“I am so sorry dear but now I am tired and I just want to sleep,” Paloi answered.

He did not want to eat as he was already full. He went to sleep in the living room. As he slept, he snored and his

74 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 75 This page is intentionally left blank.

Yaloi Nagad Lilik

76 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 77 YALOI NAGAD LILIK

Yaloi had the task of cutting trees in a patch of jungle. However, instead of concentrating to complete his task in time, Yaloi was busy focusing on thinking which way each tree would fall if he were to cut them. In the end, he never actually cut the trees. Yaloi’s wife was shocked to find out that despite going to the jungle everyday for weeks, the trees were still standing. She then tricked Yaloi and instead of wrapping food for Yaloi’s lunch, she wrapped human Liha & Sukri faeces. Discovering this, Yaloi became furious and went home, intending to slash his wife Sukri b. Abdullah, 53 with an axe. That thought immediately slipped away from his mind upon seeing his wife waiting Liha bt. Saban, 41 for him in a seductive position.

78 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 79 “Kalau ku nagad yang ite iyo kan mabah mo sino.” Kajun Yaloi tapi unjop nie aroh nagad. Mato adau tamapak tanaie pun mitil. Yaloi makan lutu no.

Pungu makan macam nak ino anie. Saboi urop adau. Nuli.

Adau-adau macam ino no karaja Yaloi lalai ngira mo umbo abah kayu. Surob adau baru muli sapohon kayu pun Yaloi Nagad Lilik unjop tanagad. Bisaya Language Sudah puro-puro ngadau Yaloi nanau nagad, masa makan kamuot no saho no to.

“Aan dah gayo ampayang gantong-gantong no.” Kajun Yaloi. Umbo te kmai iyo baliau kan makan ampayang nio. Tanaak saho ampayang to kumai. aloi to¹ kumai sudah pungu milik; kan nagad noyo yo. Nanau no Yaloi pi lilik yang kan lan no nagad nio. YSamboi pi lilik angado Yaloi ngitong untu kayu; mo umbo sundong no. iyo pun ngira-ngira mo umbo abah Suab no kamuot lagie shao no. Macam ino anie jawab Yaloi. Lurus masa makan boh to kumai saho no kayu kalau lan no nagad. kamuot.

“Kalau ku nagad yang ite iyo kan mabah mo sino.” Kajun no batuntut tanggalan. Tiap-tiap kali saho no kumuot macam ino no jawab Yaloi. Buai-buai ampayang to kumai pun naie.

“Kalau ku nagad yang no iyo kan mabah mo tio.” Kajun no lagi. “Aan karaja Yaloi te…” Kajun saho no lam ganao. “Kali-kali kuatan macam ino anie jawab no.

“Kalau ku nagad yang ite iyo kana mabah mo sino.” Tapi unjop ni iyo nagad. Suab sudah Yaloi lapas nanau nagad sanyugut no. yaloi unjop pandai te kumai. Yang iyo nyugut mo pi lilik. Macam ino no karaja no sigidodom ino saboi mato adau mato adau tamapak sapuhun kayu pun unjop tanagad Samboi pi lilik takajut saho ngitong yang Yaloi to kumai unjop aroh alap no tagad. Sapuhun kayu pun unjop aroh ino.. tanaie no pun mitil Yaloi muka luput nobor yang nalutu saho no. Nakan no Yaloi. tumbang gana no. Ngingat no karaja Yaloi to kumai.

Pungu nakan Yaloi nigra lagie mo umbo abah kayu kalau lan no nagad. Yaloi to macam biasa no lalai ngira mo umbo abah kayu kalau lan nagad.

“Kalau ku nagad yang ite iyo kan mabah mo sino,” Kajun no. “Kalau ku nagad yang ite iyo kan mabah mo sino.” Kajun no batuntut tanggalan

“Kalau ku nagad yang no iyo kan mabah mo tio.” “Kalau ku nagad yang no iyo kan mabah mo tio.” Tetapi unjop aroh nagad kayu ino. Sigidodom ino macam ino no karaja no sepohon kayu pun unjop tanagad no. madau mitil. Tanaie, makan. “Kalau ku nagad yang ite iyo kan mabah mo sino.” Ino no karaja no saboi surop adau baru no Yaloi nuli. Pungu makan macam ino anie karaja Yaloi Ngira mo umbo abah kayu tapi unjop anie nagad. Suab no nanau anie Yaloi te nagad tapi macana ino anie gayo no lalai mikir abah kayu. “Ooo… macam ite karaja no… ngitai yo…” Kajun saho no lam ganao. Iyo pun nuli. Yaloi macam biasa surop “Kalau ku nagad yang ite iyo kan mabah mo sino.” adau baru yo muli. “Kalau ku nagad yang no iyo kan mabah mo tio.” Gidodom suab no saho Yaloi to kumai nyadio lutu Yaloi macam biasa tapi kali ite nalupot no taie.

80 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 81 Pungu nakan Yaloi to nanau nagad. Saboi pi lilik macam biasa no Yaloi te lalai ngira mo umbo abah kayu tapi unjop aroh nagad. Madau, mintil tanie, muka luput lutu kan makan. Nitong no taie lam lopot lutu to kumai. Sudah sumok dalai karungu saho no katab Yaloi. Nitong no kud ulot umbon galupu ilak-ilak madi to pi ongon Yaloi. Likas-likas nompos lobok nirik kibong. Nompos salalom kibong to kumai. Yaloi to kumai pun nakad dalai nupos lobok gium di saho kan no lan nibas. Nitong no saho no te kumai ngitai diso salalom kibong. Yaloi pun unjop jadi nibas saho no. Yaloi Si Penebang Pokok Malay Translation ______¹ pronounce the same as the English word “toe”

aloi sedang membersihkan kawasan hutan dengan mencantas lalang-lalang dam semak samun sebagai Ypersiapan untuk menanam padi yang baru. Semasa hendak menebang sebatang pokok, dia lalu terfikir.

“Jika aku tebang pokok ini di bahagian sini, ia akan terjatuh di sebelah sana,” kata Yaloi.

“Jika aku tebang di bahagian sana, ia akan terjatuh di sebelah sana.”

Sepanjang hari, dia asyik memikirkan di sebelah manakah pokok itu akan terjatuh jika di tebang. Kerana asyik memikirkan hal itu, pokok itu masih jua dibiar berdiri tegak.

Sedang asyik memikirkan, perutnya tiba-tiba terasa lapar. Lalu dia pun menjamah makanan yang telah di sediakan oleh isterinya seawal pagi. Setelah kenyang, dia masih memikirkan perkara yang sama.

“Jika aku tebang di sini, ia akan terjatuh ke sebelah sana,” katanya sendirian.

“Jika aku tebang di sana, ia akan terjatuh ke sebelah sini,” Itulah yang di lakukan oleh Yaloi sepanjang petang, merenung pokok itu sambil memikirkan perkara itu. Setelah lewat petang, Yaloi pulang tanpa menebang sebatang pokok pun.

Pada keesokkan harinya, Yaloi kembali semula ke kawasan yang telah dibersihkan dan masih jua dia memikirkan benda yang sama.

“Jika aku tebang di sini, ia akan terjatuh ke sebelah sana.”

“Jika aku tebang di sana, ia akan terjatuh ke sebelah sini,” Masa Yaloi hanya terbazir begitu sahaja dengan

82 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 83 memikirkan perkara yang sama. Selesai menjamah makanan pada tengah hari itu, dia masih memikirkannya Pada esok paginya, seperti biasa, isteri Yaloi bangun seawal pagi untuk menyediakan sarapan dan makanan sehinggalah lewat petang dan dia pulang ke rumah. tengah hari buat Yaloi. Tapi, pada hari ini, dia telah membekalkan Yaloi baja sebagai hidangan makan tengah harinya. Setiap hari, Yaloi pergi ke kawasan itu dan melakukan perkara yang sama. Dia hanya akan pulang setelah tiba lewat petang. Selesai bersarapan, Yaloi pergi ke tapak semaian. Seperti biasa, sampai sahaja di situ, dia masih memikirkan perkara yang sama; Semasa menjamu selera bersama isterinya, isteri Yaloi bertanya kepadanya. “Berapa luaskah tanah yang telah abang bersihkan?” Yaloi memandang kepada isterinya dan menjawab, “Sudah cukup luas, mungkin sebesar “Jika aku tebang di sana, ia akan terjatuh ke sebelah sini,” daging bakar itu,” kata Yaloi yang sebenarnya merujuk kepada daging bakar yang menjadi hidangan makan malam mereka. Isterinya yang memahami maksud sebenar Yaloi, memberikan hidangan daging bakar itu “Jika aku tebang di bahagian sana, ia akan terjatuh di sebelah sana.” Menjelang tengah hari, perut Yaloi kepadanya. mula terasa lapar. Seperti biasa, dia mengambil bekalan makanannya dan mula membukanya. Alangkah terperanjantnya dia melihat hidangan bekalan makanannya. Dia sangat marah dan terus berlari pulang sambil Pada keesokan harinya, isteri Yaloi bertanya semula kepadanya tentang perkembangan pembersihan tapak membawa parang di tangan dengan tujuan untuk mengelar isterinya berikutan perasaannya yang amat marah. semaian mereka. Yaloi hanya memberikan jawapan yang sama seperti kelmarin, “Sudah cukup luas, mungkin sebesar daging bakar itu.” Memahami maksud Yaloi, isterinya menghidangkan lagi daging bakar kepadanya Isteri Yaloi dapat mendengar teriakan amarah Yaloi yang sedang menghampiri rumah mereka. Isteri Yaloi terus untuk di jamah. pergi ke lobook (ruang rehat) dan menjatuhkan kelambu sambil menunggu Yaloi di situ. Sejurus Yaloi menaiki rumah, dia terlihatkan isterinya berada dalam keadaan yang menggoda. Melihatkan itu, Yaloi terus menghentikan Setiap kali isterinya bertanya soalan yang sama, Yaloi tetap memberikan jawapan yang sama. Dan setiap kali niatnya untuk mengelar isterinya. itu jugalah isterinya menghidangkan makanan yang sama kepadanya. Selepas beberapa hari, daging bakar pun habis. Isteri Yaloi mula ragu-ragu dengan perlakuan Yaloi. Akhirnya isteri Yaloi mengambil keputusan untuk melihat sendiri tapak semaian yang telah diusahakan oleh Yaloi.

Pada keesokan paginya, Yaloi keluar pergi membersihkan tapak semaiannya seperti biasa. Selepas beberapa ketika Yaloi meninggalkan rumah, isterinya mula mengorak langkah mengikuti Yaloi.

Betapa terperanjatnya dia melihat tiada satu pun pokok yang telah di tebang oleh Yaloi. Isteri Yaloi bersembunyi untuk memerhatikan apa yang sebenarnya dilakukan oleh Yaloi selama ini. Dari jauh dia melihat Yaloi sedang asyik memikirkan ke arah manakah pokok-pokok itu akan tumbang.

“Oh, ini rupanya yang di lakukan oleh Yaloi sepanjang hari,” kata isterinya di dalam hati. “Kamu makan daging bakar setiap hari sebagai ganjaran kerja kamu, tetapi sebenarnya tiada satu pun pokok yang telah ditebang. Aku tahu apa yang harus aku lakukan.”

Dia kemudian pulang ke rumah. Seperti biasa, setelah lewat petang, Yaloi pulang ke rumah. Isterinya hanya mendiamkan diri tanpa bertanyakan soalan yang acapkali di tanyakan kepada Yaloi.

84 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 85 dusk.

After a few weeks, while they were having their meal, Yaloi’s wife asked him, “How big is the field being cleared?” Yaloi Feeling The Trees Yaloi looked up and said, “As big as the smoked meat.” English Translation Yaloi was actually hinting that he wanted the smoked meat as a dish. His wife got the hint and gave him a portion of the smoked meat.

The next day, his wife asked him again, “How big is the field being cleared?”

aloi came to the patch of jungle where he had already cleared the grass and bushes to start the next stage Yaloi gave the same answer, “As big as the smoked meat.” His wife again gave him a portion of the smoked Yof preparation of the paddy field. When he was about to cut a tree he looked up and started thinking. meat.

“If I cut this tree, it will fall that way.” Yaloi said. Every time when his wife asked the question, Yaloi gave the same answer and his wife gave him a portion of the smoked meat. This went on for days. After some time, there wasn’t any more smoked meat left. His wife began “If I cut that tree, it will fall this way.” to wonder what Yaloi was up to. She wanted to see for herself what was going at the patch of cleared jungle¹. “If I cut that tree, it will fall that way.” But he never started cutting the trees. Until noon, all he did was thinking The next morning, Yaloi went to the cleared patch of jungle as usual. After Yaloi had left for some time, his wife where the tree would fall if he cut them down. Not even a single tree had been cut despite all the thinking followed. She did not want Yaloi to know that she was coming. made. She was shocked when she saw that not a single tree had been cut. She stayed longer, trying to find out what By that time he was hungry so he ate his lunch that he had brought along with him to the field. His wife had exactly was Yaloi doing during the previous days. From a distance, she observed that Yaloi was considering woken up early in the morning to cook the food for him. After lunch, he continued to do the same thing. where the trees would fall if he cut them but he never actually started cutting them. “If I cut this tree, it will fall that way,” Yaloi thought. “Ooo… this is what he did all this time,” the wife thought. “You ate all the smoke meat but not a single tree has “If I cut that tree, it will fall this way.” Yaloi did this the whole afternoon but never started cutting the trees. A been cut. I sure would like to teach you a lesson.” Then, she went home. As usual, Yaloi only returned home at whole day has gone by and not a single tree had been cut. It was only at dusk that he went home. dusk. His wife did not say a word about what she had witnessed in the jungle. The next day, Yaloi went to the vacant patch of jungle again, and once more, he did the same thing. He looked The next morning, as usual, Yaloi’s wife woke up early to cook the morning meal for Yaloi. For Yaloi’s lunch up at the trees and started thinking. however, instead of his usual cooking, she wrapped some human faeces inside it. “If I cut this tree, it will fall that way.” After having his morning meal, Yaloi left to jungle. Again, as what he has been doing for many days and weeks, “If I cut that tree, it will fall this way.” But he never started cutting the trees. At noon, Yaloi got hungry so he he started thinking when he reached there. ate his lunch. After lunch, Yaloi went on doing the same thing again. Like the day before, he returned home at

86 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 87 “If I cut this tree it will fall that way.”

“If I cut that tree it will fall this way.”

“If I cut this tree it will fall that way.” But he never started cutting the trees. It was noon and Yaloi was hungry. He took his lunch package and started to unwrap it. He was surprised to see his lunch is nothing but human feces! As expected, he got really furious and ran home with an axe in his hand, intending to slash his wife.

As Yaloi approached his house, his wife could hear his angry voice from afar. His wife quickly ran to the lobook (living quarter). She let the mosquito net down and waited for Yaloi inside the mosquito net. When Yaloi went up the house, he found his wife in the mosquito net in a seductive position. Yaloi eventually abandoned his intention to slash his wife.

______¹ An area where the grass and undergrowth have been cut and cleared but the trees have yet to be cut.

² During this time, as there were no proper storage areas for food that were not consumed immediately, food were suspended from a beam with a cord. This is to prevent the food from being eaten by animals, such as cats and dogs.

Kisah Pasel Sunge Miao 88 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 89 KISAH PASEL SUNGE MIAO

This is a tale of how Jilag, the headman of Dalat, stumbled upon a settlement that was situated by a river that had no estuary. Since it has been discovered, the settlement was called Kampung Ud, and the river since then had been extended to connect to the great Oya River. Sakai Dalet I Chung Sung Siong, 18 Elvis Sabri ak. Esa, 18

90 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 91 ”Ih lebuk lalo a’ balahkah kubou debau a’liko? Ko dei senged bei tenawan diem gi’ih,” nyin, melabau dagen naseng.

”Ngak, pulik agei,” sui nyin gak asou nyin. Kisah Pasel Sunge Miao Kelijah, bei a’lai keluer kuman kubou menaban besei bak pilak nyin yin unei. Nyin medut lalu pebiah jegem asou nyin mapun salui lalu pela pulik kubou. Lau sunih, nyin mapun kedau Datu Pangeran gak Oya bak pedengah Melanau Language cerita wak den nyin.

”Ateng sau? Tapi debei pernah bei apah petemu sungai kejin. Mun debei sungai kejin mesti ngak bei apah petemu si’iu lian pela salui, mun beilah, tapi dibei ji,” sui Datu Pangeran bak rasa debei pecaya.

ian sabei, bei jelawah a’lai ngadan nyin Jilag. Nyin asel kuman keluarga wak pangkat debau gak liko Dalat, ”Ko rasa ka’au pubak cerita pangai singen, ako debei kenah pecaya gak cerita budei sau,” sui Datu Pangeran. Lnyin kerja gak Datu Pangeran Oya, kepalak liko Melanau gak Batang Oya. Datu Pangeran cayak angai gak nyin bak nyadin a’dawek bak nulong nyin bekuasa gak Dalat. Nyin nyadin kepalak gak a’liko Dalet jegem ”Datu, ko rasa ja’an kelo mapun pilak si’iu. Mun ateng bei kedau kejin, kelo dei ngak ta’au mun nyin da’aukah nyin pedengah wak nyadin gak Dalat mapun Datu Pangeran tiep masa. Sebagai kepalak, nyin mesti bak kekel debei gak liko kelo,” sui a’dawek jelaweh gak nyin. wak ja’an gak Dalat tan nyin kawak sama ji ketua polis lian ih. Sebagai kepalak, nyin kawak dihormet a jegem tenimeng liko ajuk buyak nyin adil jegem dibei pentingkan dirik nyin debei. ”Ja’anlah, ko tajuh ka’au masa bak bukti cerita ka’au,” sui Datu Pangeran bak jawai ateng. ”Terima kasih Datu,” jaweb Jilag. Bei jelau, nyin bei peluang bak mapun pilak gak sungai umit ngadan nyin Sungai Anak wak bersabong jegem Batang Oya. Nyin pela salui gak sungai yin jegem asou nyin. Bah su, udara wak da’au menak nyin bak rasa Beh yin, nyin jegem tenawan nyin bak pinyi kedau yin bak utara kuman Sungai Anak. Kumpulan kik mapun pinyi seneng beh kerja bak pigik cukai jegem pilak a’kampong. Dagen debei sader, asou nyin babak Sungai Anak aba sungai yin pun debei petemu no no. pebiah mapun gu’un arah utara. Nyin medut lalu pebiah bak meleluk asou nyin. ”Ji eh! Kubou debau sui ko sabei!” sui Jilag. “Pulik oi, dei s’lamet bak jauk angai ka’au masok dagen gu’un. Idak angai dipa jigem binateng lier dagen yin,” ”Pak, raun gak sungai juk,” sui tenawan nyin jelaweh. tenibah nyin. ”Ja’anlah, raun gak sungailah ajau, jelawah mapun kubou yin bak pilak,” beh yin lean raun bak pinyi aba gak ”Woof, woof, woof,” asou nyin petaong dagen gun. sungai. Kelijah, bei apah papak;

Lian yin nyin rasa lelah beh meleluk asou, lalu pelikang nyin dibak kayu. Kelijah, asou nyin labik beh yin pebiah ”Ilak, ji pak! Sungai yin beteh gi’ih,” sui tenawan nyin, peden sungai yin kajih setengah gai. udei. ”Padu ji sungai yin dibei aba. Patutlah,” sui nyin.

“Hoi! Pulik agei,” sau nyin bak meleluk asou nyin udei. Nyin meleluk beh yin labik kuman sak. Kelijah, nyin peden ”Pak, ako petemu kelidieng segak kubou yin, beh yin lean ubak liko segak tan liko Medu, lean pebak bajo ninak asou nyin tan tili gak debau gak jawai nyin. Beh nyin melitah sak yin, nyin kelejat peden jatak kubou debau wak kuman kulit kayu kawak,” lalo gak dawek sungai umit jegem asou nyin gak kubou. ”Yoi, ko bak dengah gak Datu Pangeran na’ah. Teruh makau juk,” ubak nyin lalu makau melitah gu’un kuman ”Heran. Ko dei senged bei sungai segak jigem Sungai Anak,” sau nyin dagen naseng bak rasa debei pecaya. kedau sungai yin kajih. Kelijah, lean labik gak lisieng Batang Oya petemu jegem tenawan nyin si’iu.

92 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 93 Lau mudei beh yin, nyin mapun kedau Datu Pangeran bak pedengah pasel wak den nyin. Beh nyin, Datu Pangeran madak a bak menak bajo bak kain belacu bilem wak bei beneng meh gak tenguk bajo jegem bareng- bareng kemeh. Lau mudei lean mapun kubou yin bak tuju bajo belacu yin jegem bareng kemeh gak tiep apah dagen kubou yin. Tiep apah dagen kubou yin ninak ngadan bada Datu Pangeran.

Kampong yin buyak tijuh bak nyadin Ud dagen liko a’dana wak maksud dagen. Ngadan yin kejin sebeb Jilag Kisah Sungai Yang Hilang temu kedau yin gak dawek jatak sungai wak debei aba atau alud dagen gu’un. Mudei, a’akampong kukut sungai yin bak menyabong jegem Batang Oya. Malay Translation

Lian ih, ngadan kampong ngak nyadin kampong Sungai Ud jegem salui kenah masuk kuman Batang Oya.

ada satu ketika dahulu di Dalat, ada seorang lelaki bernama Jilag. Berasal dari keluarga elit, Dalat bekerja Puntuk Tuan Datu Pangeran Oya, Gabenor masyarakat Melanau dari Sungai Oya yang terkenal. Beliau amat dipercayai dan merupakan orang kanan Tuan Datu Pangeran yang diberi kuasa ke atas masyarakat Dalat. Beliau memainkan peranan sebagai Ketua masyarakat Dalat dan dari semasa ke semasa akan melaporkan keadaan di daerahnya kepada Tuan Datu Pangeran. Sebagai Ketua, Jilag perlu menjaga keamanan jajahannya dan bertindak sebagai Ketua Pegawai Polis. Sebagai Ketua, masyarakat setempat amat menghormati dan mengkagumi sifat adil dan tidak mementingkan diri beliau.

Suatu hari, bersama anjingnya Jilag mendayung bot menyusuri anak sungai bernama Sungai Anak, satu cabang dari Sungai Oya. Di waktu pagi ketika udara masih segar, Jilag berasa sungguh lega selepas beberapa hari bekerja mengutip cukai dan memantau masyarkat kampung. Tanpa disedari, anjing beliau telah lompat ke darat dan berlari ke dalam hutan menuju ke arah utara. Jilag panik dan bertindak mengejar anjingnya.

“Ke mari anjing, ianya tidak selamat untuk kita masuk ke dalam hutan. Banyak ular dan binatang buas,” teriak Jilag.

“Woof, woof, woof,” teriak anjingnya kembali sebelum berlari semula.

“Hei! Mari sini!” jerit Jilag dan mengejar anjingnya semula. Dia mengekorinya dan bertemu dengan sebuah semak. Tiba-tiba beliau lihat anjingnya seperti terapung di depannya. Setelah melalui kawasan semak itu Jilag sungguh terkejut. Tidak dapat dipercayai. Di tepi anak sungai itu terdapat sebuah rumah yang tinggi dan anjingnya sedang menyalak di tepi rumah tersebut.

94 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 95 “Sungguh pelik. Seingat aku tiada sungai dekat dengan Sungai Anak.” bisik Jilag dengan rasa sangsi. “Lihat Tuan! Sungai ini berakhir di sini,” orangnya berkata, setelah menjumpai sungai itu berakhir di tengah “Ini rumah panjang pemburu kepala atau rumah tinggi Melanau? Setahu aku kawasan ini tidak didiami sesiapa,” hutan. Jilag berkata kepada dirinya. “Jadi sungai ini tiada pintu masuk. Patutlah,” tambahnya.

“Anjing, mari!” teriak Jilag kepada anjingnya. Tiba-tiba lelaki yang disuruh menyiasat tentang rumah tinggi tiba dan berkata:

Tiba-tiba seorang lelaki dengan memegang lembing keluar dari rumah tersebut. Jilag sungguh takut apabila “Tuan, saya telah menemui sebuah tiang kayu Melanau lama berhampiran rumah tinggi itu, dan saya mendengar melihat lelaki itu lalu cepat-cepat melarikan diri bersama anjingnya. Selepas meninggalkan tempat itu, Jilag mereka bercakap dalam bahasa Melanau seakan sama bahasa Medong, dan pakaian mereka diperbuat daripada segera menaiki botnya dan mendayung dari situ. Keesokan harinya, beliau berjumpa dengan Tuan Datu kulit kayu.. Pangeran Oya dan bercerita tentang pengalaman buruknya. “Hmmm, saya akan maklumkan kepada Tuan Datu Pangeran. Mari kita teruskan perjalanan, katanya, berjalan “Benarkah? Tapi tiada sesiapa pernah jumpa sungai di sana. Barang siapa yang menyusuri Sungai Oya pasti menerusi hutan ke arah bertentangan dari sungai. Mereka kemudian tiba di tebing Sungai Oya dan bertemu nampak pintu masuk ke sungai itu, jika betul ada, tapi tidak” kata Tuan Datu Pangeran tidak mempercayainya dengan orang-orangnya. langsung. Pada hari berikutnya beliau bertemu Tuan Datu Pangeran dan menceritakan tentang penemuannya. Tuan Datu “Betul! Patik nampak sebuah rumah tinggi dan sebuah sungai,” Jilag memberitahu beliau. Pangeran kemudiannya mengupah seorang tukang jahit untuk membuat calico formal berwarna hitam disulami benang emas dengan beberapa perhiasan. Keesokkan harinya mereka pergi ke rumah tinggi itu dan memberi “Saya rasa kamu ni mengada-adakan cerita, tidak mungkin saya percaya cerita mengarut kamu,” kata Tuan calico formal berwarna hitam itu kepada setiap penduduk kampung beserta perhiasannya sekali. Kemudian Datu Pangeran. setiap seorang diberikan nama formal.

“Tuanku, patik rasa kita patut siasat. Jika benar tempat ini wujud, kita pasti tidak mahu ianya menjadi satu Penduduk kampung diberikan nama “Ud” yang bermakna dalaman dalam bahasa Melanau lama. Nama ini ancaman kepada rakyat kita,” seorang pegawai berkata. diberi kerana kampung yang ditemui di dalam oleh Jilag tiada muara. Sungai ini ditemui di darat dan secara semulajadi tidak mempunyai muara. Selepas beberapa generasi, penduduk kampung Ud mula mengorek tanah “Baiklah, saya beri kamu masa untuk mengesahkan cerita kamu,” kata Tuan Datu Pangeran dengan serius. bagi memanjangkan sungai itu agar ianya bersambung dengan Sungai Oya. Akhirnya, mereka menukar nama “Terima kasih Tuanku,’ jawab Jilag. kampung tersebut kepada Kampung Ud dan ianya boleh dimasuki bot-bot menerusi Sungai Oya.

Jilag kemudian bersama orang-orangnya menuju ke utara dari Sungai Anak untuk mencari tempat itu. Satu lagi kumpulan di arah mencari pintu masuk sungai tetapi tiada yang ditemui.

“Itu dia! Rumah tinggi itu seperti yang saya ceritakan! Kata Jilag. “Tuan, mari kita lihat di sungai,” syor salah seorang orangnya. “Baiklah, mari kita lihat di sungai, salah seorang dari kamu pergi siasat rumah tinggi tersebut” katanya.

Mereka menghabiskan masa berjam-jam berjalan di tepi sungai mencari pintu masuk sungai itu. Dan tiba-tiba orangnya menjerit;

96 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 97 “Doggie, let’s go!” he called out to his dog.

As Jilag stood there bewildered, a man came out from the house holding a spear. When Jilag saw him, he was frightened and quickly ran back into the jungle with his dog. He swiftly went back to his boat and rowed away. Tale of The Lost River The next day, Jilag went to meet Lord Datu Pangeran at Oya. Jilag informed him about his discovery and the terrible encounter he experienced the day before. English Translation “Is this true? But no one has found a river there before. Someone should have seen an entrance to the river as they row along the great Oya River, if there is any, but there is none,” said the Lord Datu Pangeran, doubting Jilag’s story.

nce upon a time in Dalat, there was a man named Jilag. Raised in an influential family of Dalat, he worked “It’s true! I saw a tall house and a river,” Jilag said. Ofor Lord Datu Pangeran of Oya, the Governor of the Melanau people of the great Oya River. As the Lord Datu Pangeran put his trust on Jilag, Jilag was given the responsibility to manage the district of Dalat and its “I think you are just making up stories. How can I believe in such nonsense!” said the Lord Datu Pangeran. people. He became the headman of Dalat and would report the conditions of the district to Lord Datu Pangeran from time to time. He also had to maintain the peace and safety of his territory. His functions were similar to the “Your Highness, I think we should try to verify Jilag’s story. If this place really does exist, we do not want it to be current Chief of Police. Because of his role, he became highly respected and admired by the local residents for a threat to our people,” an officer advised. his equality and selflessness. “Alright, you will be given time to prove your story,” Lord Datu Pangeran informed Jilag seriously. One day, together with his dog, he was rowing his boat along a small river named Sungai Anak, which branched “Thank you, Your Highness,” answered Jilag. out from the great Oya River. It was early in the morning and the air was fresh, soothing him after days of working, collecting taxes and observing the villagers. Without warning, his dog suddenly jumped out of the boat, Jilag then gathered his men to explore and further investigate the place that he has discovered. Off they went, onto the shore and ran into the jungle, heading north. Panicked, Jilag chased after his dog. with one group heading towards the northern part of Sungai Anak, while another group was sent to search for the entrance where the river Jilag mentioned joins Sungai Anak. Unfortunately, they could not find it. “Come back doggie, the jungle is not a safe place. There are a lot of snakes and wild animals,” he called out. “There it is! The tall house that I saw!” Jilag pointed out. “Woof, woof, woof,” Jilag’s dog came running to him before darting off again. “Sir, let’s explore the river,” one of his man suggested. “Hey! Come back I say,” he shouted and continued chasing his dog. Jilag had stumbled upon some bushes “Alright, let’s explore along the river. In the meantime, one of you go and spy on the tall house,” Jilag when he suddenly saw his dog seemingly to be floating in the air up ahead. It was unbelievable! Then Jilag instructed. realised that there was a tall house by the side of a small river, and his dog was standing in the corridor of the house, barking at Jilag. Jilag and his men spent hours searching for the river’s entrance by walking along the river.

“That’s strange. I don’t remember there being a river close to Sungai Anak,” he muttered, suspectingly. “Is that All of a sudden, one of his men shouted, “Look, sir! The river ends right here,” one of Jilag’s man pointed out a head-hunter longhouse or a Melanau tall house? I don’t recall anyone living in this area,” he thought. where the river ended in the middle of the jungle.

98 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 99 “So the river does not have an entrance into Sungai Anak at all. No wonder,” said Jilag.

The man who was being asked to spy on the tall house suddenly came to Jilag and said, “Sir, I found an ancient Melanau wooden pole close to the tall house. I also heard them speaking in a Melanau dialect similar to the Medong’s, and they are wearing barks.”

“Hmmm, I should inform Lord Datu Pangeran of this discovery then. Let us go on with our journey,” Jilag said as he continued walking across the jungle in the opposite direction from where the river stopped. After a short while, they came to the side of the great Oya River and met up with the rest of his men.

The following day, Jilag again went to meet Lord Datu Pangeran to inform him about the finding. Hearing this, Lord Datu Pangeran hired a tailor to make some black calico formal clothing, sewn with golden thread. Some accessories were also prepared.

Next, Lord Datu Pangeran and Jilag went to the tall house and introduced themselves. To formalise the meeting, Lord Datu Pangeran presented to the villagers the black calico clothing and the accessories. All of the villagers were then given a formal name.

Thereafter, the village was given the name “Ud” which meant ‘interior’ in the ancient Melanau language. This particular name was given because the village, found by Jilag in the jungle, was situated next to a river, which was found inland and had no estuary. Generations later, the villagers of Ud gradually extended the river to connect to the great Oya River. Today, the village is called Kampung Ud and is accessible by boat from the great Oya River.

Teh Nantah Ceritak Idih La Kiput 100 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Itau Pasan DacihSarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 101 TEH NANTAH CERITAK IDIH LA KIPUT ITAU PASAN DACIH

According to legend, the two crocodiles found in the lake of Logan Pungguk were the reincarnations of the two sons of a headman who ruled the village a long time ago. This story is about the two brothers and how the crocodiles came into existence. Dynasty La Kiput Storytellers Chang Yi, 58 Nor Fazillah Abdullah, 36 Titus Tusing, 32

102 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 103 Teh Nantah Ceritak Idih La Kiput Itau Pasan Dacih Kisah Buaya di Logan Pungguk, Baram La Kiput Language Malay Translation

eh ceritak idih basek La Kiput itau, nan silang lai nyih nan dufih anak. Lai dufih-dufih anak nyih luk dacih teh ada zaman dahulu kala, seorang Ketua Kampung di La Kiput mempunyai dua orang anak lelaki. Kedua- Tkesen ron togep, nyih itiik the cei ran ron puteik. Nyih luk dacih nek saloi kutuwek kapo gatek tamah nyih Pduanya amat berbeza dari segi paras rupa, perangai dan perwatakan. Dipercayai anak yang sulung anoh ngak melefen. merupakan seorang yang tegap dan gagah, rupa dan fizikalnya persis seorang pahlawan dan dijangkakan bakal menggantikan tempat ayahnya sebagai Ketua Kampung. Adiknya sangat berbeza; dia seorang yang pendiam, Nan silang arau anak dacih nyih puleu suret tadei nyih urak amen ngelak tamah difih. Tadei nyih nek engian lemah lembut dan adil. Namun demikian dia tetap disayangi oleh semua penduduk kampung. kirak saloi ketuwek kapo sak. Idih kapo endah berapak kitan nyih, enauk nyih bulun anoh ndeh berapak umau neu. Kefei tukah nyih suret teleman nyih semut ron silang belefey. Nyih pun, belawen ron belefeh yeh nyih meik Anak lelaki yang sulung selalu keluar berburu meninggalkan adiknya yang bongsu di rumah untuk menjaga layeu nyih matai. Idih kapo susa etou leu nukan nyih ron cei ron leu ngelumo ngan nyih. ayahnya, penduduk serta kesejahteraan kampung. Tidak diketahui kenapa si adik lebih gemar tinggal sahaja di rumah. Ngak nyih matai nek tamah nyih lah anoh umau tulang ketuwek kapo yeh baraunan anak lai itiik nyih, idih adeh engian nyih salai ketuwek. Enauk nyih cei ron idih amen fit. Semuah idih amen fet tukih nyih salai ketuwek kapo. Pada suatu hari yang malang, si abang telah diserang oleh seekor beruang yang buas sehingga meragut Kufei nyih salai tuwek kapo semuah idih amen fet mulon cei mulon sanag ron idih basek legan pun cei silang nyawanya. Penduduk kampung meratapi kematian anak sulung Ketua Kampung mereka dan memberikannya etou silang pukat. penghormatan terakhir. Penduduk kampung mengambil masa yang lama untuk melupakannya. Walaupan berdukacita diatas kehilangan anaknya, Ketua Kampung terus memimpin orang-orangnya. Beliau sekarang Ndeh fei sei yeh tamah nyih matai. Ngak fei nyih saloi ketuwek kapo, nyih pun matai teleman nan anoh selap, menghadapi masalah untuk melantik calon yang terbaik untuk menggantikan tempatnya dan seterusnya tanak guyo ron langeit meluka. Arau pun merak ndeh belatek-latek layu seik dacih, teleman putak mabei seletot memimpin penduduknya. alam eheu. Selama beberapa hari, dan kemudian berminggu, Ketua Kampung runsing memikirkan calon yang terbaik Idih amen fit sanag itou leu puleu mukat, leu beluri adeu putak. Sei nyeh leu ngelak pulau itiik nod-nod danau, untuk menggantikan dirinya. Berulang kali Ketua Kampung memikirkan tentang anak keduanya yang pendiam, leu ngalot lidanek puleu ngelak, leu mamet ngelak dufih kadih dacih lute nod danau yeh. Silang mitam nyih bijak, rajin dan lemah lembut. Merasakan bahawa si adik bukanlah calon yang terbaik untuk memimpin orang silang putek dacih yeh. kampung, Ketua Kampung terus memerintah kampungnya tanpa membuat sebarang keputusan. Nan jaka idih la kaput ngelak dacih yeh lute alam danau. Mun dacih yeh luset manok ndeh umau neu teleman Selang beberapa tahun, kesihatan Ketua Kampung La Kiput semakain merosot. Setelah lama sakit, beliau nan kaceu itiik pideng nod danau tarak nyih nan atak yeh. Bun the nan jaka idih La Kiput ngelak dacih yeh meninggal dunia tanpa melantik seorang pengganti. Sekali lagi penduduk kampung berkabung. Namun begitu, lute.

104 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 105 mereka sedar mereka perlukan seorang ketua. Dan calon yang tinggal hanyalah anak bongsu bekas Ketua Kampung mereka. Walaupun si adik tidaklah sekuat, segagah dan selantang seperti arwah ayah dan abangnya, penduduk kampung menyayanginya kerana sifatnya yang bijak, rajin, adil dan lemah lembut. Dengan itu mereka bersepakat untuk melantiknya sebagai pemimpin mereka yang baru. Beliau telah memerintah dan memimpin The La Kiput Legend: The Crocodiles orang-orangnya dengan saksama dan harmoni. of Logan Pungguk, Baram Di bawah kepimpinannya, masyarakat La Kiput berkembang dan hidup dalam aman damai bersama suku kaum lain. Masa berlalu dan Ketua Kampung yang tsemakin berusia meninggal dunia, meninggalkan satu legasi yang English Translation akan diingati oleh penduduknya. Pemergian sangat diratapinya oleh mereka.

Ketika penduduk sedang sibuk menyiapkan tempat pengebumian tiba-tiba tanah mula bergegar. Langit menjadi cerah dan hujan lebat turun selama beberapa hari. Sehingga tasik berdekatan kampung, Logan Pungguk mula nce upon a time, there was a village headman in La Kiput who had two sons. The brothers were very dipenuhi air.Ini sangat pelik kerana sekarang adalah musim kemarau dan sudah berbulan tasik kering kontang. different in looks, behaviour and personalities. It was believed that the elder brother was strong and Penduduk kampung merasa sangat gembira atas rahmat yang diberikan oleh Tuhan. Mereka mula menjalankan O masculine; he had the look and build of a warrior and was expected to succeed his father as the headman of aktiviti menjala ikan. their village. His younger brother was nothing like him; he was quiet, gentler and fair. Nevertheless, he too was Selang beberapa hari kemudian, salah seorang penduduk kampung yang sedang menjala ikan telah terlihat loved by the villagers. The older son would go hunting for days, while his younger brother would stay at home seperti ada dua pulau kecil di tengah-tengah tasik itu. Justeru itu, dia pun mengayuh sampan ke tengah untuk to look after his father and the villagers. No one knew why the younger son usually preferred to stay at home. melihat. Setelah di teliti, rupa-rupanya ianya merupakan dua ekor buaya, seekor yang besar berwarna coklat dan One unfortunate day, the villagers tragically mourned the death of their headman’s elder son. It was said that he seekor lagi berwarna putih. Berita penemuan dua ekor buaya itu sampai ke pengetahuan warga tua kampung. was attacked and killed by a huge bear. He was given a grand burial and it took a long time for the villagers to Mereka percaya bahawa dua ekor buaya itu ialah jelmaan dua beradik anak kepada Ketua Kampung mereka get over his death. Saddened by the sudden loss, the headman continued to lead his people. He now had the dahulu. difficult task of electing the right person to take over from him as village headman and in leading his people. For Sehingga ke hari ini, penduduk percaya bahawa dua ekor buaya itu adalah penjaga kepada tasik di La Kiput, yang days, and then weeks, he pondered over choosing the most suitable person that would succeed him. Over and besar berwarna coklat adalah si abang manakala yang putih, sang tetamu adalah si adik. Apabila salah seekor over, he thought of his younger son who was quiet, wise, helpful and gentler in nature. The old man knew that buaya itu muncul, semua burung-burung yang terdapat di sekitar tasik akan berhenti berkicauan. Sebatang his younger son was not the perfect candidate to lead his people and he went on ruling the village, undecided pokok kecil akan berdiri tegak di tengah-tengah tasik sebagai penunjuk bahawa buaya itu sedang berada di on who would take over one day. situ. Ajaibnya, selepas kedatangan buaya itu, jumlah ikan di dalam tasik bertambah dengan banyaknya. As the years passed by, the old headman’s health began to decline. After a long sickness, he passed away without Pada hari ini, jika anda cukup bertuah, anda akan dapat melihat salah seekor daripada buaya itu muncul seketika ever appointing a new leader. Once again, the villagers mourned the sad loss of a great leader. Nevertheless, di permukaan tasik. Dipercayai juga, jika bertembung dengan buaya itu, kita haruslah memberitahu niat kita they knew they needed need to appoint somebody as their headman and the only choice left was the second berada di tasik itu dan meminta izin daripada buaya itu untuk menangkap ikan yang terdapat di situ. son of their previous headman. Even though he was not as strong, masculine, brave and outspoken as his late father and brother, the villagers loved him for his wise, helpful, fair and gentler attitude. It was therefore decided Inilah kisah lagenda tentang buaya yang terdapat di Logan Punggok. Kedua-dua ekor buaya ini di percayai telah and agreed by everyone in the village that he be appointed as their leader. Subsequently, he ruled and led his lama berada dan menjaga tasik itu. Malah, kebanyakkan penduduk La Kiput percaya bahawa usianya telahpun people in just and harmony. mencecah lebih dari 100 tahun.

106 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 107 For years, under the new headman’s leadership, the La Kiput community thrived and lived in peace with the other tribes. Time went by and the headman too grew old and passed away, leaving his legacy behind for his people to remember. The villagers mourned his loss even more than his late brother and father.

The villagers were preparing a grand burial when suddenly the ground that they stood on trembled, as if the earth was moving. The skies opened wide and heavy rain poured for days and days. The lake by the village, Logan Pungguk, began to fill with water and fish could even be seen below its surface. This was strange as it was the dry season and the lake had been empty and dry for months.

The villagers were overjoyed with this mysterious blessing given by their gods. Failing to remember for a while of what they had just lost, the villagers took out their fishing nets and had a good run of catching fish in the lake.

A few days later, the people of the village saw two islands in the middle of the lake. Curious villagers rowed their boats closer to the islands and to their surprise, they discovered that the two islands were actually two huge crocodiles, one big and brown in colour, and the other crocodile, white. News of the mysterious huge crocodiles reached the elders of the village. They later concluded that the crocodiles must be the reincarnation of the brothers. In the following days, the crocodiles would appear from time to time, one at a time.

Hence, to this day, the La Kiputs of the Baram recognized the brown and bigger crocodile as the elder of the two brothers as well as being the owner of the lake, while the white crocodile, a visitor, is the younger brother. Whenever one of the crocodiles surfaced, silence would envelope the lake and its surroundings. Even the birds would stop chirping. A small tree could then be seen standing in the middle of the lake, an indication that one of the crocodiles was present in the lake. Strangely enough, the day following the sighting of the tree and the crocodile, the La Kiputs would net a lot of fish.

Today, if you are lucky, you will be able see one of the crocodiles. If it appears, it needs to be informed that you come in peace and that when you fish, it is just enough for your family.

This is the tale of the legendary crocodiles of Logan Punggok which have been sighted for many years. In fact, many of the La Kiputs believe that the two crocodiles must be more than a hundred years old.

Kisah Pasel Kelidieng

108 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 109 KISAH PASEL KELIDIENG

The Kelidieng, a pole built by Ipok, a demon-god, was believed to be instrumental in helping the Melanau people defend their village from the attacks of their enemy, the head-hunters. Subsequently, villages that had similar poles were also kept safe during World War II. Legend has Sakai Dalet II it that the original Kelidieng pole still stands in the jungle close to the old village of Plajau, not far from Kampong Medong, the pole and site Chung Sung Siong, 18 Tang Chu Ching, 18 undisturbed. Murtaza Hazid b. Ahmad Peridin, 18

110 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 111 “Tuah mesti pinyi cara kik, tapi an tan ji?” sui alakei japah. “Kejan tan mun tuah nyabik tulong gak sakai liko keman Mukah jigem Rejang,” sui japah. “Debei da’au sau, naah liin mesti nyabik upah jigem untung kuman kedau tuah,” sui japah gei. Pajih cerita tapi debei cara bak selesai masalah.

Kisah Pasel Kelidieng Wak su jelau, bei dakai laweh tenawan tabui bak buru jegem matuk buak dagen gun. Makau-makau lepeh kayu, bei hal berlaku jawai liin. Melanau Language “Ilak ji! Iblis!” tenibah sakai nyin. “Wuiyei! No ih?” sui japah gei lalu pilak gak kayu nyat wak idak ukir da’au ji labik keman lau, pekedeng gak jawai akai ratuh ta’un sabai, lian Dalat dei ngak bei ngadan, ngak bei aliko Melanau asabei diem gak dawek liin, bei batu bulet wak rata gak bau. Batang Oya. Kubou lliin ninak debau alu labik dakai kaki keman tanak bak melawen liko balah wak nyadin D Liin peden iblis menak kayu win bak kedeng nyin adeb gak tanak debei ta’au kuman an ji asel nyin. Buyak musuh dana keman ulu. Tanak gak liko kaya angai buyak gak gun tanak gambut tropika. Pokok-pokok terutama medut, liin pebiah mapun kampong bak bedengah cerita gak akampong pasel kayu win. Dei paut gak cerita sau kayu ta’eh nyadin bareng wak paling penting bak menak bak kenau jigem alat. Kerja lain bak tubang balau tiep ngak labik ga telinga kepalak akampong. lau selain bak taduk, matuk buak, buru jigem panau. Sungai yin tujuh liin jalan anum kenah nebak sebeb liin saji tukang bak menak barang jigem salui. Balau nyadin bakkun wak paling penting buyak tubang a pebak kapek “Ateng sau cerita taah ko sabei?” telabau kepalak. bak parut nyadin sei beh yin tepung lian tu’uh. Beh yin tepung win ninak a nyadin bulu sago atau nisik nyadin “Yoi, atang ko kenah sumpah nebak ulou ko cerita ih dibei budei sau. Ko adeb bei peden iblis labik,” jaweb inut, jatak macem kun wak senang liket dagen tenguk. japah. “Ko mesti mapun pilak kayu win,” sui kepalak. Bei jatak masalah wak pisak aliko. Liko balah keman ulu suka bak serang a lian malem. Paut ji dalo nyin tapi debei kajih-kajih alu. Ulou a buyak titak parang abalah. Dagen jatak masa kawa, balah dei kenah bunuk semuah Beh yin nyin mapun pilak jigem tenawan nyin jigem akampong wak dengah cerita win. Kedau win dibei ja’uk aliko buyak kubou debau aliko ta’an bak lawen. angai keman kampong liin. Labik gak giin, peden singen kayu yin nyat angai, ngasi bukan bak menak naseng a bebah gak. “Tolong! Liko balah labik udei!” dengah akampong japah. “Laju, pigik besi sedia bak dalo!” siu kepalak kampong. “Barang no ih?” telabau kepalak bak rasa pegun. “Kamei bak bunuk kelo semuah beh yin bak gantung ulou kelo gak lebuk lalo,” pubak sau liko balah. “Ihlah kerja ninak iblis,” sui akampong japah. “Ko rasa kelo mesti bak musnah nyin,” susui alai japah. Idak akampong matai jigem liko balah. Tapi dalo win dei ngak kajih. Nyin teruh bersabong dagen beratuh ta’un. “Dei da’au tan bak menak iblis merih naah woi. Rasa ko dibei kenah pisak bansa naseng telo luk singen,” susui Tiep lakau bei bak bincang pasel pasad mula singen bak dalo udei. Bei asabei wak dengah sau, ih kejin sebeb japah gei. abalah saruk bak taah kerapak liko. “Ko bak pilak kayu ih labuk gak tanak kawak,” sui kepalak. “Walau kampong tuah ngak s’lamet tapi liko balah mudei-mudei labik bak dalo,” sui kepalak gak sakai-sakai Beh yin mulalah liin bak menulak kayu nyat win. Bat angai kayu menak susah a bak tulak singen lelah ngak nyin. buyak tapi dei ngak gerak jumit pun. “Mun kelo agei bak lulo, kuasa tuah dei kenah bak lawen liin buyak tenawan didak angai,” sakai nyin tambah sau. “Semuah tulak!” madak lok kepalak wak lelah bak leput gei.

112 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 113 “Tulak! Tulak!” sau akampong bak dibei jed bak leput gei. pahlawan aliko. Tiba-tiba bei japah peden a bak pela salui keman ja’uk, bak arah kampong. Semuah terjaga bak madak akampong bak jaga-jaga jumit. Beh yin, labuk kawak kayu tatiu gak tanak lalu manah akampong. Tiba-tiba singen lau baliu, kedeng udei kayu win. Medut gak in, pebiah kepalak jigem akampong min. “Penyamun liko balah labik! Penyamun liko balah labik!” sui pengawal japah. “Sedia bak dalo! Igik besi jigem dipih tanggak!” tenibah kepalak gak akampong. Beh yin mapun gak kepalak jigem araja liko gak kobou dukun, bayoh kampong gak masa dana bak pinyi bansa “Semuah amarou, pisik anum lasuk juk! Madak semuah anik umit bawai beh yin hitung tenawan,” madak lo jaweb. Dukun asabei bei kuasa kenah bak pilak masalah jigem tujuh ubet gak apedih. Nyin ngak paut diem gak sawa kapalak gak sakai-sakai amarou nyin. kampong caya a bei kuasa lindung nyin. Nyin tukang bak menak ni’ap jigem tangkal. Nyin ta’au gak semuah palei jigem ta’au idak barang bak ilmu. Dei paut gak abalah ngak bawai. Semuah akampong ngak lilo gak liin.

“Munguklah. Anum dei bak siep udei,” tenibah dukun gak liin. “Pahlawen, serang!” tibah kepalak abalah. “Maaf bak kacau tapi kamei saji bei masalah ajau ih,” sui kepalak gak nyin. “Aliko, lawenlah bak tahan kampng kelo,” sui kepalak aliko. “Masalah kejan tan?” telabau dukun. “Kelo titak ulou liin bak mengalahkan liko!” sui abalah. “Bei kayu kedeng dagen gun segak kampong unei, bak madak kaau pilak in,” jaweb kepalak. “Lilo si’iu eh, ko bak sedia jujok,” pubak dukun. Malam in abalah nyadin dibei jed angai bak lawen tan bei kuasa bak nulong akampong. Tiap lakau abalah bak bunuk liko tapi dibei kenah tan. Pahlawen aliko nyadin da’au dagen dalo malam in. Dukun in masok bilit lilo kepalak gak alud. Dei paut pun sedia dukun in bak bayoh. Mula pun nyin bak ni’ap dagen jatak masa lalu mubel nyin munguk gak jawai a, pubak sau; “Menak apui gak kubou debau!” tibah kepalak balah. “Jaga kubou!” sui kepalak aliko. “Ipok, Ipok ngak labik,” “Tuang anum lasuk gak balah!” susui amarou aliko. “Uno maksud in, ko dei pahem alu,” sui kepalak. “Pelindung, penjaga gun, tuhan kelo labik wak ja’et, bak nulong a kampong labik acu-acu bak keturunan,” Tiep lakau balah bak menak apui gak kubou, debei megou tan tapi nyadin singoh apui. Rasa medut, pebiah liko dengah dukun. balah keman kedau aliko. “Iblis bak nulong akampong?” debei caya sau kepalak melabau kejin. “Berundur semuah!” susui kepalak balah. “Cayalah singen. Mata ko dei kenah bak budei,” jaweb lo dukun. “Uno mesti ninak kamei?” telabau kepalak. Manah semuah akampong dagen kubou beh menang dagen dalo. Dei ngak pulik liko balah pubak sau bak “Jaga gak Kelidieng, kak pisak in, tujuh barang gak Ipok naah,” susui dukun. menak a medut udei; “Uno Kelidieng?” talabau kepalak udei. “Win lah ngadan kayu pubak kaau unei, Ipok bei,” jaweb lo dukun. “Jaga kelo! Bei masa ko labik udei bak dendem.” “Terima kasih eh, igiklah meh ih bak nyadin upah,” sui kepalak. Malem in akampong menang. Kampong aliko aman sementara sebelum balah bak serang udei. Lau keduah Kejinlah liin pulik keman kedau dukun bak mapun Kelidieng udei bak susui maaf gak Ipok. Kejinlah kedau in akampong mapun bak bayar Ipok gak semuah pertolongan nyin. Bei a bak menari bei a bak silat, bei kawak nyadin kedau suci akampong wak debei kenah masuk suka-suka singen bak kacau. blagu a pelik gong jegem canang. Dukun nyadin kepalak dagen upacara, semuah mubel bak hormat gak in.

Bulan purnama, mubel singen dagen kampong. Lian malem bak amuda jaga sungai suka nyin adeb bak nyadin Beh yin semuah bak rayak s’lamet sebelum bak serang udei. Alakei keman sepak bak rukuk beleng, anik umit

114 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 115 bak pelik. Alai mapun tubang balau jegem amarou menak bulu sagu. Manah tan rasa kepalak aliko. Idak generasi berlalu, Araja aliko Melanau menak Kelidieng bansa kayu ta’eh bak dipih buki amatai jigem ulun, kuli wak biasa amarou da’au ji dagen bau. Sebeb kejam angai paut ngak dibei agei aliko bak menak kejin. Dibei sader akampong, bei tenawan bak intip aliko tenului liko balah. Nyin peden semuah min upacara in gak Asabei wak dengah sau, Kelidieng menak kampong padem lian bilun liko Jepun tili lepeh nyadin dibei den lalu Kelidieng lalu labik masa bak pulik lebuk lalo. debei buyak bum. Bei asabei caya tokong akina gak paser kenah wak sama kawak. Lian bum liko Jepun labuk gak paser miau bum gak lau dibei labik tanak. Keadaan gak gin dibei da’au alu. Buyak liin ngak kalah, tambah udei bak keman idak beh yin mabok. Akina sembunyi dagen gun, aliko Melanau mapun pilak. Semuah bareng kuman alud jigem dagen tokong da’o “Pak, ko bei hal bak pubak,” suui pengintip. min Cuma jatak nyangem patung Pekong singen miau. Asabei susui nyagem in menahan bum bak mibet ja’uk- “Uno?” kaser sau kepalak nyin bak melabau. ja’uk labuk gak jatak kedau gak Oya bak nyadin kampong Bum ajau. Oya teruk angai buyak bum. Beh perang “Ko peden Aliko Melanau sembiang iblis gak kedau kayu nyat,” ubak nyin. bei a kuman kedau kik bak melei Kelidieng. Lian Kelidieng in buyak pindah baliu lau. A bak jaja in gak akik matai “No ih? Sembiang iblis?” nyin mekat lalu melabau bei rasa terkejut jegem susah bak caya tan. buyak palei dei paut beh menak kejin. Lian ih, Kelidieng dagen cerita sau alakei saji agei bei gak gun segak “Atang sau? An tan bak hujung jegem kekalahan lakau ih? Ubak nyin adeb, makau pusing. Kampong Plajau dibei ja’uk keman Kampong Medong, dibei a kenah nusik nyin. “Ko ta’au ngak!” sui nyin. “Iblislah sebeb tuah kenah kalah. Kelo dei kenah munguk singen. Malam ih kelo, sakai-sakai, kelo menak rusak kayu iblis in!” ubak nyin dagen rasa debei saber, jawai sabau pilak gak a. “Lian ih kelo keman idak-idak, malam ih kelo serang!” ubak nyin, tutang arak jegem abalah min.

Lian malem aliko tengah bertandak gak bau, dibei sader gak balah wak tikau masuk dagen kedau Kelidieng.

“Pilak gak kayu in! Ukiran nyin, kayu ta’eh, nyat, debau udei. Ilak min!” sau umit ubak abalah pilak gak Kelidieng ninak lo iblis. “Igik kapak beh yin tubang!” sui kepalak liin.

Lian balah bak tubeng in rasa tan bei kuasa bak halang liin. Beh yin tinigik udei parang bak tutak tapi sama kawak tan si’iu. Tiba-tiba singen tili semuah senjata balah mapun gun.

“Menak apui!” madak lo kapalak liin.

Beh yi liin matuk rumput kunieng jegem kayu tu’uh lalu menak apui. Manah ji senged abalah ngak kenah bak menak megou Kelidieng in. Tiba-tiba apui ninak liin nyadin bulatan keliling Kelidieng wak debei buyak beh in beh yin nyadin singoh udei. Lau nyadin padem, baliu lau palei gak balah wak pisak Kelidieng. Lian liin labik, balah ngak pebiah ngak medut gak kuasa win.

Keman yinlah abalah slalu kalah bak lawen aliko tiep lakau bak dalo. Asabei wak dengah sau, adana menibah lean penyamun balah wak labik kampong bak tutak ulou tapi asal sebeb liin bak dalo ngak liluk ngak.

116 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 117 dua kaum ini, ianya pasti akan berakhir dengan peperangan. Menurut kata orang tua, masyarakat pemburu kepala seringkali keliru dengan bahasa orang Melanau.

“Walaupun kampung ini dilindungi, pemburu-pemburu kepala tetap akan kembali mengganggu,” kata ketua kampung kepada kawan-kawannya. Lagenda Tiang Melanau “Jika keadaan in berterusan, kita tak akan berupaya mengatasi mereka,” tambah seorang penduduk kampung. Malay Translation “Kita mesti mencari jalan penyelesaian, tapi bagaimana ya?” kata seorang orang tua. “Tetapi mereka akan minta penghormatan dan mengambil bunga dari tanah kita kelak,” seorang lelaki eratus-ratus tahun dahulu, terdapat satu petempatan awal untuk kaum Melanau yang hidup di pinggir menambah. Sungai Oya. Rumah mereka dibina tinggi, beberapa kaki dari tanah bertujuan melindungi diri mereka dari B Perbincangan mereka tidak menemui jalan penyelesaian terhadap masalah yang dihadapi. musuh turun temurun, kaum ‘ngayau’ yang tinggal berbatu-batu jauhnya di bahagian hulu. Satu pagi, beberapa orang kampung sedang berjalan menuju ke hutan untuk memburu dan mengumpul buah- Tanah mereka subur dan menghijau, pemberian semulajadi tanah hujan tropika. Pokok-pokok, terutamanya buahan liar yang bermusim. Ketika mereka berjalan menyusuri pokok-pokok, sesuatu terjadi di hadapan mata kayu besi, adalah merupakan bahan binaan mereka dan digunakan secara meluas dalam pembuatan alat- mereka. alatan. Rutin harian mereka adalah mengait buah sago, bercucuk tanam, mengumpul buah-buahan, memburu dan memancing. Sungai Oya menyediakan mereka kemudahan pengangkutan air sepadan dengan kaum ini “Lihat! Hantu!” salah seorang menempik ketakutan. yang dilahirkan dengan bakat untuk bertukang dan kemahiran membina bot. Sago merupakan penanaman “Oh! Apa benda tu?” kata seorang lelaki yang lain sambil matanya tertumpu kepada sebuah tiang kayu yang terpenting kepada masyarakat Melanau. Ianya dibelah menggunakan kapak dan diparut untuk dijadikan kanji. diukir dengan batu ketam bulat di atasnya. Ia kemudian dijadikan mutiara sago kecil dan inut, sejenis kanji yang melekit yang menggantikan beras. Ia disediakan selepas merendam kanji tersebut ke dalam air panas. Mereka ternampak jelmaan makhluk tersebut yang muncul entah dari mana memasakkan tiang ke dalam tanah. Dengan ketakutan, penduduk kampung tersebut berlari pulang dan mengkhabarkan perkara tersebut Terdapat satu masalah yang menggangu masyarakat Melanau. Pada malam hari, mereka selalu diserang oleh kepda penduduk-penduduk yang lain. Berita tersebut tersebar dengan cepat hingga ke pengetahuan ketua kaum ‘ngayau’ (kaum pemburu kepala) yang mendayung dari hulu sungai. Serangan tersebut terus berlanjutan kampung. dan tiada tanda yang ianya bakal berakhir. Kepala-kepala penduduk di situ dipenggal dengan pisau. Mereka tidak mampu membunuh seluruh penduduk di situ kerana rumah-rumah di perkampungan Melanau. “Benarkan apa yang aku dengar?” soal ketua kampung.

“Tolong! Pemburu kepala datang!” jerit seorang penduduk kampung. “Ya, saya berani bersumpah yang kami tidak berbohong. Saya nampak makhluk tersebut dengan mata kepala “Lekas, sediakan senjata dan bersedia untuk berperang!” ketua kampung mengarahkan semua penduduk. saya sendiri,” jawab salah seorang daripada mereka. “Kami akan bunuh dan gantung kepala orang-orang kamu di rumah panjang kami!” teriak pemburu-pemburu kepala tersebut. “Baiklah. Aku akan pergi melihat sendiri tiang kayu agam tersebut,” kata ketua kampung.

Banyak orang kampung mati dibunuh begitu juga dengan pemburu-pemburu kepala tersebut, tetapi perang Ketua kampung ditemani olehpengikutnya pergi ke hutan untuk melihat tiang kayu yang dimaksudkan. Tempat tersebut masih juga belum tamat dan berterusan hingga ratusan tahun. Walaupun ada rundingan damai antara tersebut tidak begitu jauh dari kampung mereka dan mereka tiba dalam masa yang singkat. Tiang tersebut

118 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 119 terpacak kukuh dan sangat besar. “Tunggu sebentar Tok Ketua. Saya bersiap dulu,” balas pawang. “Apa bendanya tu?” soal ketua kampung dengan penuh minat. Tok Pawang masuk ke dalam bilik meninggalkan ketua kampung menunggu di luar. Selepas beberapa ketika, “Ini kerja syaitan!” tambah seorang penduduk. tuk pawang sudah bersedia untuk memulakan upacara. Jampi dibaca dan upacara berlangsung untuk beberapa “Kita perlu musnahkannya!” kata seorang lelaki. ketika dan sejurus kemudian, tuk pawang tiba-tiba senyap sambil duduk dengan tenang di hadapan semua “Nanti terbangun pula syaitan tu. Aku rasa baik jangan diganggu benda ni,” kata seorang penduduk yang lain. yang hadir dan berkata; “Aku mahu tiang ni ditumbangkan,” kata ketua kampuung. “Ipok, Ipok sudah datang,” Mereka menurut arahan yang diberikan oleh ketua kampung dan mula cuba menolak tiang kayu yang besar “Apa? Saya tidak mengerti,” ketua kampung kebingungan. itu. Tiang tersebut ternyata sangat berat sehingga penduduk kampung sangat keletihan hatta menggerakkan “Pelindung, penjaga hutan kita, Tuhan kita telah telah tiba untuk melindugi kita dari sebarang gangguan yang barang seinci pun. Seketika kemudian, penduduk kampung tiba beramai-ramai untuk memberi bantuan. Langit jahat dan merahmati hidup kita semua,” kata pawang tersebut. dilitupi awan hitam setiap kali mereka cuba untuk menggerakkan tiang tersebut. “Makhluk yang dikatakan Tuhan itu akan melindungi kampung kita?” soal ketua kampung dengan perasaan “Semua tolak!!” jerit ketua kampung yang keletihan dan semakin kehilangan tenaga. ragu-ragu. “Tolak! Tolak!” seru orang kampung dengan tenaga yang semakin berkurangan. “Percayalah Tok, ‘mata’ saya tak pernah menipu,” jawab pawang itu dengab yakin. “Apa itu ‘Kelidieng’?” tanya ketua kampung. Selepas beberapa ketika, tiang agam tersebut berjaya ditumbangkan dan penduduk kampung berasa puas “Ia adalah nama tiang kayu ini, dipunyai oleh ‘Ipok’,” jawab pawang. dan lega. Dengan tidak semena-mena, angin bertiup kencang disusuli kilat dan guruh yang sabung menyabung “Terima kasih, Tok Pawang kerana menolong. Terimalah wang emas ini sebagai ganjaran,” kata ketua dan tiang yang tadinya tumbang mencium tanah, tiba-tiba tegak terpasak semula. Melihatkan keadaan yang kampung. menakutkan itu, penduduk kampung dan ketua mereka lari bertempiaran balik ke kampung. Keadaan lantas berubah. Langit kembali cerah semula. Ketua kampung dan pengikutnya meninggalkan rumah pawang lalu pergi ke ‘Kelidieng’ tersebut untuk meminta maaf kepada Tuhan yang dikatakan tadi. Selepas itu, ‘Kelidieng’ menjadi satu tempat yang keramat bagi Penduduk kampung bersama ketua mereka lantas menemui seorang pawang untuk menerangkan kejadian penduduk-penduduk kampung dan mereka dilindungi dengan baik. Tiada siapa yang dibenarkan mengganggu yang baru berlaku. Pawang tersebut merupakan seorang tukang tilik yang selalu dirujuk sekiranya terdapat keamanan kampung atau masuk sesuka hati ke dalam kampung tersebut. sebarang masalah. Dia sangat dihormati oleh penduduk kampung dan sudah hidup berpuluh-puluh tahun. Pawang tersebut juga dipercayai dilindungi oleh kuasa luar biasa. Beliau sangat arif dalam menjampi serapah, Pada satu malam, bulan mengambang terang. Semua penduduk sudah lena dibuai mimpi kecuali pengawal membuat tangkal dan mengetahui banyak perkara tentang pantang larang di dalam kampung tersebut. sungai yang ditugaskan untuk berkawal di tepi sungai. Malam itu sunyi sepi. Kawalan dijalankan oleh pahlawan- pahlawan muda Melanau yang menawarkan diri menjaga keselamatan kampung mereka. Tiba-tiba, dari jauh, “Selamat datang ke teratak saya yang tak seberapa ini. Sila duduk. Saya akan sediakan teh,” jemput pawang seorang pengawal ternampak bayang-bayang manusia. Bayang-bayang tersebut sedang mendayung menuju tersebut. ke kampung mereka. Semua pengawal bersiap-sedia dan memberi amaran berjaga-jaga kepada penduduk “Maafkan kami kerana mengganggu waktu lewat sebegini, tapi kami sedang berhadapan dengan masalah,” kampung. ketua kampung memulakan bicara. “Masalah apa Tok Ketua?” tanya pawang. “Samseng pemburu kepala datang! Bersedia untuk menyerang!” jerit seorang pengawal. “Ada sebuah tiang terpasak di dalam hutan berhampiran kampung kita, Tok Pawang. Kami ingin meminta “Bersedia semua! Siapkan lembing dan tarik semua tangga ke atas!” ketua kampung mengarahkan semua pertolongan Tok Pawang untuk ‘melihat’ makhluk yang meletakkan tiang tersebut,”jawab ketua kampung. penduduk. “Kaum perempuan, sediakan air panas! Panggil semua anak-anak dan kira bilangan mereka,” kata ketua kepada

120 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 121 penduduk wanita. Tanpa mereka sedari, mereka diperhatikan oleh seseorang. Seorang lelaki dihantar oleh ketua pemburu kepala Tak lama kemudian, kumpulan pemburu-pemburu kepala tiba di tebing sungai. Semua orang kampung sudah untuk memantau kampung Melanau. Lelaki tersebut ternampak akan ‘Kelidieng’ dan upacara yang diadakan. siap sedia menunggu. Sudah lama lelaki itu menantikan saat tersebut. Dia kembali ke rumah panjang untuk mengkhabarkan perkara yang disaksikannya tadi kepada ketuanya. “Saudara pahlawanku semua, serang!” seru ketua pemburu. “Saudaraku semua, ayuh kita berlawan untuk mempertahankan maruah kampung kita,” kata ketua Melanau. Di rumah panjang, pemburu-pemburu kepala yang tewas sedang menjamu selera dengan makanan yang “Ayuh pancung kepala mereka dan bunuh semua penduduk kampung ini!” tempik pemburu-pemburu kepala. banyak, dan mabuk. Mereka tidak dapat mengawal diri.

Malam itu, semangat pemburu-pemburu kepala semakin lemah dan penduduk kampung Melanau seakan “Tok Ketua, saya ada satu perkhabaran,” kata si pengintip. dilindungi oleh sejenis kuasa mistik. Setiap kali pemburu kepala cuba menamatkan riwayat mereka, mereka “Apa dia?” tanya ketua dengan kasar. menemui kegagalan. Pahlawan-pahlawan Melanau berjuang berhabis-habisan di medan pertempuran itu. “Saya lihat orang-orang Melanau membuat penyembahan di tiang kayu besar,” jawabnya. “Apa? Penyembahan?” ketua kampung bertanya dengan penuh minat bercampur sangsi. “Bakar semua rumah-rumah tinggi!” ketua pemburu memberi arahan. “Bagaimana agaknya perkara itu bersangkut paut dengan kekalahan kita?” ketua tersebut berteka-teki sendiri. “Lindungi rumah-rumah kita!,” kata ketua Melanau pula. “Aku faham sekarang!” katanya. “Ada makhluk yang menyebabkan kekalahan kita dan kita tidak boleh berdiam “Simbah air panas pada mereka!” jerit kaum perempuan. diri. Malam ini, kita akan musnahkan tiang puaka itu!” katanya kepada pemburu-pemburu kepla yang lain dengan bersemangat. Setiap kali mereka cuba untuk membakar rumah-rumah tinggi tersebut, api tiba-tiba menjadi sejuk dan terus “Ya!! Hidup Tok Ketua!” sorak anak-anak buahnya dengan gembira dan bersemangat. terpadam sendiri. Kejadian aneh itu amat menakutkan mereka lantas mereka tekad untuk berundur. “Sekarang kita makan sepuas hati. Malam ini kita serang!” jerit ketua pemburu kepala sambil menjulang secawan “Saudara pahlawanku, berundur!,” ketua pemburu menyeru anak-anak buahnya. tuak. Penduduk kampung di rumah tinggi bersorak kegembiraan. Namun sebelum pemburu-pemburu kepala Tiba malam, penduduk kampung Melanau sedang berhibur dengan berbalas pantun. Keriuhan mereka dapat berundur, sekali lagi mereka mengugut penduduk kampung Melanau; didengari dari kejauhan. Leka dengan keramaian yang meriah itu, mereka tidak menyedari bahawa pemburu- “Tunggu kamu semua! Kami akan datang semula untuk membalas dendam!” pemburu kepala telah menyelinap ke hutan menuju ke ‘Kelidieng’. Malam itu, penduduk kampung Melanau meraikan kemenangan mereka. Keamanan sudah kembali untuk “Lihat tiang agam ini! Lihat ukirannya, kayu besinya, saiznya, dan ketinggiannya. Lihat” pemburu-pemburu seketika sebelum pemburu kepala merancang untuk serangan seterusnya. kepala berbisik berkata sesame sendiri, kagum dengan pemberian agung dari ‘pelindung’ kampung Melanau. Pada hari berikutnya, mereka memberi penghormatan kepada Ipok, ‘pelindung’ mereka. Persembahan tarian “Sekarang hayunkan kapak dan tumbangkan tiang ini!” kata ketua mereka dengan kasar. diadakan diiringi oleh alunan gong dan canang. Semua penduduk berdiam diri memberi penghormatan kepada Apabila mereka cuba memotong tiang tersebut, kapak-kapak mereka terpelanting jauh. Seakan-akan ada upacara yang diadakan diketuai oleh pawang. kuasa ajaib yang menghalang usaha jahat mereka. Sejurus selepas itu, mereka mengeluarkan pisau dan mula Selepas itu, mereka mula meraikan kemenangan mereka di medan pertempuran. Orang-orang tua mengunyah cuba memotong tetapi hasilnya tetap sama. Senjata-senjata mereka dicampak jauh oleh sesuatu yang tidak sireh dan menghisap rokok manakala kanak-kanak bermain dengan riang. Kaum lelaki mengait buah sago dan diketahui. kaum wanita membuat mutiara sago. Ketua kampung sangat gembira dengan keamanan yang dibawa oleh Bakar tiang ini!” ketua mereka memberi arahan. ‘pelindung’ mereka.

122 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 123 Maka mereka lantas mengumpul rumput dan ranting-ranting kering dan menghimpunnya di sekeliling tiang kayu tersebut. Selepas itu, mereka mencampakkan bahan-bahan bakar dan mula menyalakan api.

Mereka berpuas hati melihat ‘Kelidieng’ yang dijilat api dan pasti tiang tersebut akan menjadi abu. Tetapi sesuatu yang tidak dijangka berlaku. Api yang tadinya membakar membentuk satu bulatan mengelilingi tiang tersebut, menyejuk dan kemudian padam dengan sendiri. Penduduk kampung Melanau yang menyedari akan keadaan The Legend of The Melanau Pole tersebut bergegas ke ‘Kelidieng’ dengan senjata mereka. Mereka melihat awan hitam melitupi langit diiringi guruh dan kilat sabung-menyabung. Apabila mereka tiba, pemburu-pemburu kepala sudah lari ketakutan. English Translation

Sejak itu, pemburu-pemburu kepala sering menemui kegagalan apabila mereka cuba menyerang kampung Melanau. Orang Melanau menggelar mereka ‘samseng’ sejak turun temurun, tetapi kini dengan peredaran zaman, mereka sudah lupa akan sebab sebenar mereka bermusuhan. undreds of years ago, there was an early settlement of Melanau people who lived by the Great Oya River. The typical Melanau house was built tall, a few feet above the ground. This was to enable the Melanau Sudah menjadi tradisi kaum Melanau untuk mengukir tiang yang menyerupai ‘Kelidieng’ menggunakan kayu besi H people defend themselves from their enemy, ‘Ngayau’ the head-hunters. dan mengorbankan wanita cantik terutamanya untuk diletak di pangkal tiang. Tradisi tersebut berakhir berpuluh tahun dahulu kerana dianggap kejam dan tidak berperikemanusiaan. Dikatakan semasa Perang Dunia Kedua, The Melanau’s land, situated in a tropical swampland, was rich and green. Trees, especially iron wood, were tentera Jepun tidak dapat mengesan lokasi kampung di mana ‘Kelidieng’ dipasakkan. ‘Kelidieng’ dipercayai used as building material and in making their tools. Their daily activities consist mainly of cutting down sago terus melindungi kampung tersebut dari sebarang anasir-anasir jahat dan mengaburi mata tentera udara Jepun palms, farming, collecting fruits, hunting and fishing. They were also born craftsmen and were skilled in building dari mengesan kampung tersebut. Kampung mereka terselamat dari serangan Jepun. boats, and thus their main transportation was via water, with the great Oya River providing them with the necessary waterway. The sago palm was considered to be an essential plant. Plants were cut with axes, then Kebanyakan orang-orag tua di kalangan orang Melanau percaya bahawa tokong Cina di kota Dalat mempunyai grated and turned into starch. These were then further processed to become tiny sago pearls and ‘inut’, a sticky kuasa melindungi orang-orang mereka. Dikatakan apabila tentera udara Jepun menjatuhkan bom apabila starch eaten as a substitute for rice, prepared by boiling the starch with hot water. mendapati tiada sesiapa di bandar tersebut, bom itu hilang di udara. Kaum-kaum Cina bersembunyi di dalam hutan tetapi apabila mereka pergi memeriksa tokong tersebut, bangunan itu berada di dalam keadaan yang baik The Melanau people’s major problem was the head-hunters, who lived upstream. For generations, the Melanau di luar dan di dalam kecuali patung ‘Tua Pek Kong’ telah kehilangan satu tangan. Orang-orang tua Melanau had been at war with the head-hunters, though the reason for the hostilities was long forgotten. Head hunters percaya bahawa Tuhan Cina itu telah mencampakkan bom tersebut dan tangannya turut tercabut. Bom tersebut would constantly attack the Melanau village at night and would cut the captured Melanau’s head. Fortunately, dipercayai tercampak ke satu tempat di Oya dan kini tempat terebut diberi nama Kampong Boom. Bandar Oya the head-hunters were never able to slaughter the whole village as the Melanau tall houses were too solid and diserang dengan teruk semasa perang. strong, and this helped in defending the residents. “Help! Head hunters are coming!” shouted a villager. Selepas perang tamat, ramai orang luar, orang Putih termasuk pihak muzium berminat untuk membeli Kelidieng. Apabila ianya cuba digerakkan secara paksa, kilat dan guruh mula membelah langit. Seorang lelaki yang menjual “Quick, ready the weapons and prepare for battle!” said the village chief. ‘Kelidieng’ dan membantu memindahkannya ditemui mati dalam keadaan yang mengerikan. Hari ini, Kelidieng yang asal masih wujud di hutan berhampiran kampung Plajau, tidak jauh dari Kampong Medong dan tiada “We will destroy your race and hang your peoples’ heads in our long house!” shouted the head-hunters. sesiapa pun dibenarkan untuk mengganggu tiang tersebut. During the attacks, many were killed, both the Melanau people and the head-hunters. But the war which has

124 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 125 been going on for hundreds of years was endless. Even when there has been peaceful negotiations between the “I think we should destroy it!” a man suggested. two tribes, the harmony will not last long and the war would continue. It was believed by the village elders that the head hunters have always been confused with Melanau language. “That will awaken the demon. I think we should not disturb it,” said another villager.

“Even though we have defended the village well, the head-hunters just continue attacking,” said the chief to his “I want to bring that pole down,” said the chief. friends. Obeying the chief’s command, the people started to push the great pole. The pole was so heavy that it took all “If this lasts much longer, we will not be able to withstand their greater number,” added a villager. of their strength to move it just a single inch. After a while, everyone from the village came to help. Every time they tried to move the pole, heavy, dark clouds covered the sky. “We must find a way to solve this problem, but how?” an old man asked. “Everyone, push!” the chief shouted, exhausted and fast losing his strength. “They will also demand for tributes and later, invade our land,” another man added. The discussion ended with no solution provided. “Push! Push!” the villagers mumbled, their own strength failing fast.

One morning, a few villagers were on their way to the jungle to hunt and collect seasonal wild fruits. As they The villagers were relieved that after some time, the pole finally came down. Suddenly, a strong wind started walked through the trees, there saw something strange up ahead. blowing, accompanied by thunder and lightning, and the great fallen pole was standing rigidly back again. Witnessing this, the petrified chief and his people ran back to their village, and the cloud dissipated, the sun “Look! A demon!” one of them shouted with fear. shining again.

“Oh! What is that?” asked another man, pointing at a great wooden pole that was carved and had a round plain To search for an answer to this incidence, the chief and the village elders went to see a witch doctor. The witch stone on top. doctor, who also had some healing knowledge, was like an oracle to the villagers. He was a respected man who had lived for decades and was believed to be protected by a supernatural power. Proficient in spells and making They saw the figure of a demon putting the pole into the ground, both the demon and the pole materializing amulets and talismans, he seemed to know a great many things and was familiar to anything considered taboo out of nowhere. Terrified, they ran back to the village and told the others about the mysterious pole. The news by the villagers. rapidly spread among the villagers and finally reached the ears of their chief. “Welcome to my humble abode. Please, have a seat. Tea will be ready soon,” the witch doctor invited. “Is what I have heard true?” the chief asked. “We are sorry to trouble you, but we have a problem,” said the chief. “Yes, I swear. I, myself, saw the demon appear,” one of the men answered. “What kind of problem?” the witch doctor asked.

“Then I shall look for this marvelous wooden pole,” said the chief to the men. “There is a big pole standing in the jungle close to our village. We seek a favor from you to ‘see’ the demon,” the chief answered. And so, escorted by his men, the chief went to the jungle to take a look at the wooden pole. As it was not far from their village, they soon came upon the pole. It was enormous, tall and breathtaking. “Please wait for a moment while I prepare,” said the witch doctor, before going into his room while the chief “What on earth is that?” the chief asked in amazement. waited outside. It took the witch doctor some time in preparing for the ritual. Next, he chanted spells and carried out the lengthy ritual. Finally, silently he came out of his room, sat calmly in front of the visitors and said; “That is the work of a demon,” a villager added.

126 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 127 “The Ipok, the Ipok has come,” Melanau warriors were fighting well in the battlefield. “What? I don’t understand,” said the chief. “The protector, the guardian of our jungle, our god has come to protect us from evil and bless our people for “Burn the tall house!” the head hunter chief ordered. generations,” the witch doctor said. “Protect our sanctuary,” said the Melanau chief. “The demon-god will protect our village?” the chief asked distrustfully. “Pour the hot water on the head-hunters!” shouted the woman. “Believe me, your highness, my ‘eyes’ never lie,” answered the witch doctor. And yet, every time the head-hunters tried to burn the tall house, the fire extinguished by itself. This odd incident “What is a Kelidieng?” the chief asked. alarmed the head-hunters. Frightened, they finally decided to retreat. “It is the name of the wooden pole, belongs to the Ipok,” the witch doctor answered. “Thank you, sir. You have been very helpful. Please accept this gold as a token of our appreciation,” the chief “Warrior brothers, retreat!” the head hunter chief ordered while inside the tall house, the villagers cheered at said. successfully driving away the enemy. But before the head-hunters withdrew, they threatened the villagers: “Behold! We will return to seek vengeance.” Once the chief and his men left the witch doctor’s house, they went to the Kelidieng to offer an apology to the demon-god. Subsequently, the Kelidieng was considered sacred and the site was fiercely guarded. Absolutely That night, the villagers celebrated their victory. The village is peaceful again, at least for the moment, before the no one was allowed to trespass or disturb the site. head-hunters return for another attack.

There was a full moon in the sky, and the night was silent. Everyone was asleep except for the guards who were The following day, the villagers presented many tributes to the demon-god Ipok for protecting them. Dances and patrolling the riverside. The sentry duty was being carried out by young Melanau warriors who had volunteered silat were performed, accompanied by the music of gong and canang (a native musical instrument belonging to to safeguard the village. Suddenly, one of the guards sensed shadows of men in the distance. There were the gamelan family). In respect and deference, everyone kept quiet during the ritual held by the witch doctor. people rowing in the river, heading towards their village. Everyone was alerted and the guard informed the villagers to beware. The village was temporarily at peace again and life went back to normal. The elderly continued eating betel leaves and smoking; the children played their games happily. The menfolk cut down sago palms and the women “Head-hunters are coming! Prepare for battle!” a guard shouted. went on making sago pearls in the mill. The chief was pleased with the peace brought about by their demon- “Prepare for battle! Get your spears ready and pull up the staircase!” the chief commanded the villagers. god.

“Ladies, boil hot water! Call the kids to come up into the house and make sure all are present,” the chief’s wife Someone, however, was spying on the village; a man sent by the head-hunters to observe the activities of the said to her female companions. villagers without them villagers realising it. The moment the spy had been waiting for came when he spotted Soon, the head-hunters arrived at their shore. The villagers, alerted beforehand, were waiting for them, the Kelidieng and witnessed the villagers’ ritual. It was time for the spy to return to his longhouse and inform prepared. his chief.

“Warrior brothers, attack!” shouted the head-hunter chief. Back at the longhouse, the defeated head-hunters were gorging on food, drinking heavily and getting drunk; “Fellows, let’s fight for the pride of our village,” the Melanau chief cried out. they were totally out of control. “Let’s cut off their heads and kill their people!” the head hunters yelled. “Chief, I have news for you,” said the spy to his chief. However, during that night’s battle, the head hunters appeared to be losing their fighting spirit and the villagers “What is it?” the head-hunter’s chief asked. seemed to be protected by a mystical force. All attempts to kill the villagers failed. At the same time, the “I saw the Melanau people worshiping a demon, and the ritual was held beside a giant wooden pole,” he

128 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 129 answered. Since that unpleasant incident, attacks on the village would always end in defeat for the head-hunters.

“What? Worshiping demons?” the chief straightened up and questioned with shock and distrust. “Is it possible? It then became a tradition for the Melanau elite to carve a similar pole using iron wood, imitating the original one. And how is that related to our defeat?” he asked himself, pacing around. They believe that by putting their slaves, especially beautiful women, on top of the pole as sacrifice, they will be “I get it!” exclaimed the head-hunter’s chief suddenly. “The demon is the reason we were defeated, and we able to connect with their ancestors. These traditions have been abolished decades ago as it was considered shall not remain quiet. Tonight, warrior brothers, we will go and destroy the demon pole!” he commanded cruel and inhumane. Allegedly, during the Second World War, Japanese aircrafts were unable to locate villages aggressively and looked fiercely at his men. that had Kelidieng poles as the Kelidieng protected the villages by concealing them from being sighted by the Japanese aircrafts. And thus, the villages were safe from attacks. “Hooray! Long live the chief!” his people, the head-hunters, cheered fanatically with both pride and anxiety. “Now we eat and drink, tonight we battle!” their chief yelled, holding up a glass of rice wine. Many of the elderly among the Melanau also believe that the Chinese temple in Dalat town had the power of protecting its people. It was believed that after seeing an empty town (the residents were hiding in the jungle), That night, the villagers were busy entertaining themselves reciting the Malay ‘pantun’. The sounds of the a Japanese aircraft dropped a bomb but the bomb disappeared mid-air. When the Melanau villagers went to Melanau villagers enjoying themselves could be heard from far away. At the same time, the head hunters had inspect, they noted that the temple was fine, both inside and outside, although one of the hands of the Tua Pek quietly sneaked into the jungle to go to the Kelidieng. Kong statue was nowhere to be found. The Melanau folks asserted that the Chinese god had caught the bomb and threw it far away, and that was how the statue’s hand went missing. The bomb was believed to have been “Look at the magnificent pole! The carvings, the iron wood, the size, the height. Look at all that!” the head- dropped in a place in Oya, a town seriously attacked during the war. It is now known as Kampong Boom. hunters murmured with amazement when they saw the astonishing masterpiece of the demon. “Now, cut it down with your axes!” their chief said forcefully. After the war, many were interested in buying the Kelidieng, including museums and Westerners. It was said The moment the head-hunters tried to cut the pole, their axes were thrust away, as though something was however that heavy thunderstorm would hinder any attempts to move the pole by force. There were also rumours hindering them. After a while, they took out their machete and started to chop at the pole but again, their of a man dying horribly not long after selling and helping move a Kelidieng. Legend has it that today, the original attempts were unsuccessful. After a while, a mystical force seized and threw the head-hunters’ weapons far Kelidieng still exists in the jungle close to the old village of Plajau, not far from Kampong Medong. As before, into the jungle. no one was allowed to disturb the sacred pole and its site.

“Burn the pole!” the chief commanded.

The head-hunters proceeded to arrange collected hay and dry branches, around the pole and putting them ablaze. They were pleased to see the Kelidieng finally on fire and thought it would burn down into nothing but ashes. But then something astonishing happened. The fire enveloped the Kelidieng and a circle of fire formed around the pole. The fire then suddenly died down.

When the head-hunters set ablaze to the pole, the villagers saw the flame and, along with their weapons, rushed to the Kelidieng. They saw dark clouds covering the sky, and felt a strong wind blowing, thunder and lightning lighting up the sky. When the villagers finally reached the site of the pole, they saw the head-hunters were running off in fear.

130 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 131 This page is intentionally left blank.

Jiluan

132 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 133 JILUAN

Orphans Jiluan and younger sister lived in a small shack without fire to cook or light their house at night. One day, a crow told them they could find fire in the kingdom of the Chinese king and the Java king. Desperate, Jiluan made his way to the two kingdoms and left his sister with enough food to survive during his absence. Little did they know that grandpa demon is on the prowl Sebastian & Jessica for human flesh. One night, grandpa demon heard the little girl’s cries for Sebastian Ramsay anak Bahal, 29 Jiluan’s return and feasted on her. Jiluan returned soon after only to find his Jessica Jenice ak. Jonathan Johor, 27 sister’s bones. He managed to resurrect her and hatched a plan to get back at grandpa demon.

134 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 135 “Oh Jiluan, mari su Sineu, mari su Jaweu, mari su Silok, mari su Suntan, ambun nan ku asap, jawa biler nan ku apui”. Siak anak kenya si-en sangun rayu. Babuk mindu si-en nyinduk bari, lalu ntiban lagi.

“Oh Jiluan, mari su Sineu, mari su Jaweu, mari su Silok, mari su Suntan, ambun nan ku asap, jawa biler nan ku Jiluan apui”. Babuk mindu du mbuh sinduk beri nyaut, “busur, busur.” Bidayuh Language Adi Jiluan kidingah aduh siak inya, nyangka Jiluan du nyaut lalu ngaba lagi.

“Oh Jiluan, mari su Sineu, mari su Jaweu, mari su Silok, mari su Suntan, ambun nan ku asap, jawa biler nan ku ani ngami nu, wang dunya pajin mbuh biperang, aduh duwuh urang anak ntimang, dari dangan dayung du apui.” Smbuh odog ntagan bada amang- andu nu. Ngandai inya duwuh si-en du anak beri du taya bala nu. Wang si-en, ahi kayuh mbuh anyap sitagal perang, mandung apui pan anyap duhu. Ngandai mah inya duwuh si-en Babuk mindu birangun asung lalu nyaut lagi, “busur, busur.” mung inya bukun lagi du binua si-en, putu kai bi apui wang bingaru dangan kai dapat nanuk. Inya duwuh si- en mina ma-an bala bua dangan dawu ngkenuh anta. Masi dangan inya duwuh biradi si-en. Anyap inya bukun Duwuh taruh kali adi Jiluan ngaba, duwuh taruh kali lagi babuk mindu nyaut kayuh du samah. Babuk mindu duhu sinduk a-in du dapat narap nu. murut beri si-en lalu napud adi Jilaun nyukan du abih payan. Babuk mindu nakup adi Jilaun lalu ma-an nu sampe duhu turang. “Mung anih adih ira nanuk? Mung anih adih ira bijawa? Adih anyap apui”, kuwan Jiluan , du umbu masu inya duwuh biradi si-en. Ngulu inya duwuh si-en du anjan lalu ngenang nasib nu. Kai tuhai mbuh si-en, Jilaun mari ngaban apui minan asung du birangun. Tok bari, Jiluan lalu mpian apui du bahas du sapa beri tengin ngaba adi nu, “Aak, aak”, kuwan angkak du da-an kayuh. “A-ih aduh apui. Du ngeri raja Sina, du ngeri raja Jawa”. “yung oh yung, luah boh. Aku mbuh mari su Jaweu, su Silok, su Suntan ngaban apui.” Kidingah sanda angkak si-en. Jiluan pan ira jalan magau apui du ngeri raja Sina dangan ngeri raja Jawa. Sibayuh nu muhun, Jiluan nyukan adi nu duwah payan bahas dangan nutu nu. Jiluan kiduhu lagi ahi bala bua duwah Pak anyap inya nyaut. Ngin adi nu anyap nyaut, Jiluan nyumak beri nu lalu murut magau nu. Buka nu payan, lumbok tinan adi nu ma-an. Nyukan boh adi ni a-in ngampan Jiluan mari ngaban apui. Kai tuhai mbuh si-en adi anyap adi nu a-in. Du sapa payan Jilaun ntubuk aduh ahi turang. Jiluan mpu-an turang si-en turang adi nu lalu Jiluan jaji tirawu dangan bungu ngandai wang adup du bari bala nu. Tiap-tiap ngaru adi nu ngaba Jiluan mari. ngumpul nu. Turang si-en tena nu du tunduh amak bemban.

“Oh Jiluan, mari su Sineu, mari su Jaweu, mari su Silok, mari su Suntan, ambun nan ku asap, jawa biler nan ku Jiluan luah lalu ndug tarun magau dawu du dapat tinan nu ngkudip adi nu balik. Jiluan magau dawu du samah apui”. ganan nu dangan ganan tibu. Mbuh su-un nu kubo bala dawu si-en, jiluan mari ndug beri. Du abih beri, turang si-en sinusun nu mung gayun tibu, masu ba-ak tok keja. Kai juho masu taya Jiluan aduh indi tuan damba du putu. Du tuan si-en ngadai babuk dangan tayang mindu. Babuk mindu rarig ngesung, pak kai mung misiya du ngesung du tarun. Babuk mindu suka ngesung du taya Ngulu, Jiluan ngumbit ngan indi ngan indi dawu si-en lalu ngumboi turang adi nu. Nu lalu bilagu, dangan binua, ngin nu suka ma-an misiya. Indi ngaru babuk mindu si-en ngesung ndug taya Jiluan. Tubuk nu “Umboi, umboi dawu tatuh nganchak adi ku bi batuh”, turang si-en lalu bi batuh. Tumbit nu lagi dawu du bukun aduh anak beri du teda taya si-en. Beri si-en putu rayu. Sangka nu anyap inya ngandai a-in. Makin sinduk beri lalu bilagu. babuk mindu, makin dapat kidingah siak anak kenya ngaba.

136 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 137 “Umboi, umboi dawu bencing nganchak adi ku bi kaping”, turang si-en lalu bi kaping Babuk mindu ntubuk aduh indi urang anak kenya nginduh du bangih apui. Paya babuk mindu jalan murut ira “Umboi, umboi dawu santung nganchak adi ku bi undung”, turang si-en lalu bi undung nakup nu. Jiluan du nyukan du kanang nyigan dangan lanchat numbuk babuk mindu ndug abih kawah du “Umboi, umboi dawu setak dangen nganchak adi ku bi ba-ak”, turang si-en lalu bi ba-ak ngkurak. Babuk mindu du odog tumbuk Jiluan, rabu ndug abih kawah lalu kabus asak du abih omon ngkurak. “Umboi, umboi dawu dangen nganchak adi ku bi tengen”, turang si-en lalu bi tengen. Tibu babuk mindu si-en tinandah Jilaun ngkurak du abih kawah tok brupagi. “Umboi, umboi dawu matta nganchak adi ku bi keja”, turang si-en lalu bi keja. Jagu brupagi, tayang mindu mesu tuan damba du putu dangan sungkuh nu ngajung bari Jiluan ira minta apui. Jiluan ngumboi turang si-en minan dawu du bukun lalu ngkudip adi nu balik. Jiluan munu birangun asung Tayang mindu kai mpuan babuk mindu mbuh nyerang beri si-en ngarum nu. ntubuk adi nu mbuh mudip balik. Inya duwuh si-en muas lalu bisaluk. Adi nu nanun ndug Jiluan anih du mbuh jaji. Nu pidaan ndug Jiluan mung anih babuk mindu mbuh napud, nakup dangan ma-an nu. “Oh sungkuh, tayang ira minta behu apui”, kuan tayang mindu.

Mbuh nanuk dangan ma-an inya duwuh si-en lalu birihat. Du duwuh urang si-en birangun asung ngin nu pajin Jiluan du pajin mbuh mamuh kidingah nu lalu nganchak tayang mindu dangan sungkuh nu murut bari ndug pitak dapat nanuk dangan ma-an paguh. Ngulu du dawah bari, Jiluan tuas mikir pinyusah du mbuh ngantuk adi nu. abuh. Jiluan nunjur lawak buntan ndug tayang mindu tinan nu ngaban behu apui. Tok abuh tayang mindu ntubuk Nu ngantu babuk mindu si-en ira mandug lagi ngin nu babar ngesung. Inya duwuh si-en lalu mpiben kawah aduh kawah du bahas tunduh apui. Omon du kawah si-en munu munu ngkurak. bahas du pitak abuh du abih beri, minan omon tok nu puno dangan mpi-an apui du bahas du ruangan nu. “Anih tanuk kiduan”, siken tayang mindu. Mandung ngaru nu nanuk omon si-en. “Nanuk pa-eh, su-un ku ngarum nu”, kuan Jiluan, ngakal. Ngulu ngintu apui si-en, adi Jiluan pan bilagu mung nu ngaba Jiluan. “Kurak kakak, kurak kakak”, siak omon ngkurak lalu timpong bua tangan babuk mindu du tunduh omon.

“Oh Jiluan, mari su Sineu, mari su Jaweu, mari su Silok, mari su Suntan, ambun nan ku asap, jawa biler nan ku “Gerama yang, gerama”, kuan sungkuh tayang mindu. apui”. “Pak pak rama, bukannya rama”, saut tayang mindu balik.

Masu juho babuk mindu du ngesung dapat ntubuk indi apui bahas du sapa beri Jiluan. Nu lalu jalan nyinduk “Kurak kakak, kurak kakak”, timpong dingen ba-ak babuk minuh” kabus mati mabu pagi. Kurak kakak, kurak beri. Sangka nu aduh inya bukun lagi du beri si-en. Kai nu mpu-an Jilaun mbuh mari dangan adi nu mbuh mudip kakak, kabus mati mabu pagi”, ncuba ira pidaan adup nu dangan tayang mindu. lagi. Wang nu mbuh tok beri, babuk mindu kidingah lagu du samah. Tayang mindu du tirawu dangan bijungong, nunjur tangan nu ira numbuk ba-ak si-en murut balik ndug umon “Oh Jiluan, mari su Sineu, mari su Jaweu, mari su Silok, mari su Suntan, ambun nan ku asap, jawa biler nan ku minan lawak buntan. Wang si-en, bebu babuk mindu ngku-ut tangan nu. Tayang mindu libintat lalu nyintak apui”. tangan nu balik. Jiluan ngumbit uhang lalu numbuk ba-ak si-en murut lagi ndug abih omon. Matang tangan tayang mindu odog ngku-ut nu. Tayang mindu munu-munu ngumbit behu apui minan lawak buntan lalu ngkupok “Busur, busur”, saut babuk mindu, birangun. atang tengen nu. Jiluan kidingah saut si-en lalu makat nyukan du kenang nyigan pitak abuh. Indi kali lagi adi nu bilagu. Mbuh si-en tayang mindu buhu mari ndug tuan damba du putu dangan sungkuh nu ngaban behu apui dengan “Oh Jiluan, mari su Sineu, mari su Jaweu, mari su Silok, mari su Suntan, ambun nan ku asap, jawa biler nan ku anyap odog tubuk lagi. Ngandai mah Jiluan dangan adi nu du binua si-en mandug bi anak sungkuh. apui”

“Busur, busur”, saut babuk mindu lalu numbuk nyigan dangan murut beri ndug pitak abuh.

138 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 139 Tidak jauh dari halaman rumah mereka ialah sebuah hutan lama yang gelap didiami datuk dan nenek yang jahat. Datuk Jahat itu gemar memburu tapi tidak seperti manusia, dia memburu di halaman rumah dan kampung- kampung. Dia menggemari daging manusia. Suatu malam, Datuk Jahat telah memburu di halaman rumah. Dia ternampak sebuah pondok di tengah-tengah taman. Pondok itu gelap tiada lampu.

Jiluan Dia sangka tiada sesiapa di sana. Ketika dia menghampiri pondok itu, dia terdengar suara seorang anak yang sunyi memanggil-manggil, Malay Translation “Oh Jiluan kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja China, kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja Jawa, kembalilah dari bumi Silok, kembalilah dari bumi Suntan, kabus yang ku guna sebagai asap, petir yang ku guna sebagai api.”

ada satu masa dahulu, tinggal dua orang anak yatim piatu, seorang lelaki dan seorang perempuan yang Suara itu sungguh menakutkan. Datuk Jahat meghampiri pondok itu. Dia mendengar suara itu sekali lagi. kehilangan ibubapa mereka ketika perang dunia yang baru berakhir. Mereka tinggal di sebuah pondok kecil P “Oh Jiluan kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja China, kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja Jawa, kembalilah dari bumi Silok, di halaman rumah. kembalilah dari bumi Suntan, kabus yang ku guna sebagai asap, petir yang ku guna sebagai api.” Datuk Jahat Pada ketika itu, timah tidak wujud lagi. Api juga tidak dapat ditemui. Seperti orang lain , kedua kanak-kanak yang berhampiran pondok itu menjawab, “busur, busur.” malang ini hidup adlam kegelapan tanpa cahaya di malam hari dan tidak boleh memasak mahupun mandi. “Oh Jiluan kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja China, kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja Jawa, kembalilah dari bumi Silok, Mereka hidup dengan hanya memakan buah dan sayuran mentah. Sesiapa yang mengetahui tentang nasib kembalilah dari bumi Suntan, kabus yang ku guna sebagai asap, petir yang ku guna sebagai api.” malang mereka tentu akan berasa sedih, kerana mereka tiada sesiapa yang dapat membantu mereka. Dengan gembira Datuk Jahat menjawap panggilannya, “busur, busur.” “Macam mana nak masak? Macam mana hendak menerangi rumah pada waktu malam? Kita tiada api,” Julian, si abang berkata. Di tangga kayu mereka duduk memikirkan nasib mereka. Dua tiga kali si gadis memanggil, dan dua tiga kali Datuk Jahat memberi jawapan yang sama. Datuk Jahat masuk ke dalam pondok dan menjumpai seorang gadis bersembunyi di dalam balang gergasi. Dia lalu menangkap si “Aak, aak,” teriak seekor gagak di dahan berdekatan. “ Di sana, kamu boleh jumpa api, di kerajaan Raja China, gadis kecil itu dan memakannya. Hanya tulang-tulangnya sahaja yang tinggal. di kerajaan Raja Jawa. Tidak lama selepas kejadian buruk itu Jiluan dengan gembira pulang membawa api. Sampai di pondok Jiluan Setelah mendengar gagak itu, Jiluanpun bercadang untuk ke kerajaan Raja China dan kerajaan Raja Jawa. membina satu unggun api yang besar dan memanggil adiknya, Sebelum memulakan perjalanannya, Jiluan menyembunyikan adiknya di dalam balang gergasi dan menutupnya. Dia meninggalkan berbakul-bakul buah untuk dimakan adiknya. Maka bersembunyilah adiknya di dalam balang “Yung oh Yung, keluarlah. Abang telah kembali dari kerajaan Raja China, kembali dari kerajaan Raja Jawa, gergasi menunggu Jiluan pulang. kembali dari bumi Silok, kembali dari bumi Suntan membawa api bersama.

Tidak lama kemudian, si gadis kecil mula merasa takut dan kesunyian di pondok itu. Setiap malam, dia menyanyi Namun tiada jawapan. Takut apabila adiknya tidak menjawap, Jiluan naik ke atas rumah mencari adiknya. Dia memanggil Jiluan. membuka balang gergasi namun tiada sesiapa di dalam. Di luar balang, Julian terlihat tulang bertaburan. Dia pasti itu tulang adiknya. Dia mengumpulkan tulang-tulang itu dan meletakkannya di atas tikar bemban. “Oh Jiluan kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja China, kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja Jawa, kembalilah dari bumi Silok, kembalilah dari bumi Suntan, kabus yang ku guna sebagai asap, petir yang ku guna sebagai api.” Jiluan pergi ke hutan mencari daun yang boleh digunakan untuk menghidupkan adiknya kembali. Dia mencari

140 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 141 daun yang boleh dipadankan dengan bahagian tubuh badan. Setelah berjaya mengumpulkan daun-daun yang Dengan gembira, Datuk Jahat menjawab, “busur, busur.” diperlukan, dia pulang ke pondok. Di dalam pondok, dia mengatur tulang-tulang mengikut susunan dari kepala ke kaki. Julian pun bangun apabila mendengar panggilan Datuk Jahat dan menyorok di belakang pintu dapur. Sekali adiknya menyanyi, Sambil duduk, dia mengambil daun itu satu persatu dan mengipas rangka manusia adiknya sambil menyanyi. “Kipas, kipas, si daun tatuh supaya adik ku ada mata,” tengkorak pun tumbuh mata. Dia mengambil sehelai lagi “Oh Jiluan kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja China, kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja Jawa, kembalilah dari bumi Silok, daun sambil menyanyi, kembalilah dari bumi Suntan, kabus yang ku guna sebagai asap, petir yang ku guna sebagai api.”

“Busur, busur,” jawap Datuk Jahat, menolak pintu pondok menuju ke dapur. “Kipas, kipas, si daun bencing supaya adik ku ada telinga,” tengkorak pun tumbuh telinga. “Kipas, kipas, si daun santung supaya adik ku ada hidung,” tengkorak pun tumbuh hidung. Dia melihat seorang gadis duduk di tepi unggun api. Dengan niat jahatnya dia perlahan-lahan memeranjatkan “Kipas, kipas, si daun setak supaya adik ku ada kepala,” tengkorak pun tumbuh kepala. gadis itu. Dengan lajunya, Julian yang selama ini bersembunyi di tepi pintu menolak si jahat ke dalam periuk “Kipas, kipas, si daun dangen supaya adik ku ada tangan,” tengkorak pun tumbuh tangan. yang sedang mendidih. Datuk Jahat mati dididih. Mayatnya dibiarkan di dalam periuk hingga ke subuh. “Kipas, kipas, si daun matta supaya adik ku ada kaki,” tengkorak pun tumbuh kaki. Pada awal pagi esok, Nenek Jahat dari hutan gelap dan cucunya pergi ke pondok Julian mencari api. Nenek Daun demi daun Jiluan mengipas rangka adiknya sehingga adiknya kembali hidup dan bernyawa semula. tidak mengetahui bahawa pada malam sebelumnya Datuk Jahat telah menyerang pondok tersebut.

Apabila melihat adiknya sihat dan bernyawa Kiluan berasa sungguh gembira. Mereka berpeluk dan menangis Jiluan yang baru sahaja mandi terdengar suaranya lalu menjemput Nenek Jahat dan cucunya masuk ke dalam kegembiraan. Adiknya menceritakan apa yang terjadi kepada Jiluan. Dia memberitahu Jiluan tentang bagaimana dapur. Jiluan memberinya tempurung kelapa untuk membawa bara. Apabila tiba di unggun api, dia terlihat Datuk Jahat menjumpai, menangkap dan memakannya. Mereka berdua memasak dan makan dengan penuh periuk besar yang mendidih di atas dapur. nikmat setelah sekian lama tidak dapat berbuat demikian. Julian yang sedang duduk di verandah merasa sungguh sedih mengenangkan apa yang telah terjadi kepada adiknya. Oleh kerana Datuk Jahat gemar memburu, Jiluan “Apa yang anak masak?” tnaya Nenek Jahat. “Daging rusa. Semalam saya dapat menangkap seekor rusa,” pasti dia akan kembali semula. Setelah menjumpai periuk yang paling besar di dapur, kedua-dua adik-beradik tipu Jiluan. ini mengisinya penuh dengan air dan membuat unggun api. Sehingga ke malam mereka menjerang air. “Kurak kakak, kurak kakak,” air mendidih itu berbunyi dan kelihatan jari-jari Datuk Jahat di permukaan. Ketika sedang duduk menjaga unggun api, adik Jiluan teringat lagu yang selalu dinyanyikan untuk abangnya, “Lihat nenek, seekor ketam!” jerit cucunya. “Si Ketam, itu bukan ketam,” Nenek Jahat menjawab. “Oh Jiluan kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja China, kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja Jawa, kembalilah dari bumi Silok, “Kurak kakak, kurak kakak,” timbul pula kepala Datuk Jahat, “mati hari ini, dikenang esok hari. Kurak kakak, kembalilah dari bumi Suntan, kabus yang ku guna sebagai asap, petir yang ku guna sebagai api.” kurak kakak, mati hari ini, dikenang esok hari,” Datuk Jahat berkata agar kehadirannya disedari.

Dari jauh, Datuk Jahat yang sedang memburu telah nampak unggun api di luar pondok. Dia pun terus ke sana. Kerana terkejut dan bingung, Nenek Jahat menolak kepala itu masuk ke dalam periuk mendidih itu dengan Dia menyangkakan ada orang lain tinggal di pondok itu yang boleh menjadi santapannya. Sungguh dia tidak tempurung kelapa. Datuk Jahat terus menggigit lengannnya. Dia menyentap tangan terkejut. Serta-merta menyangka yang Jiluan telah kembali dan adiknya masih hidup. Semakin dia menghampiri pondok itu, dia Jiluan mengambil kayu dan menolak kepala itu ke dalam air. Lengan Nenek Jahat luka teruk. Cepat-cepat dia mendengar lagu yang sama lagi. mengambil semangkuk bara lalu mencuci bersih tangannya.

“Oh Jiluan kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja China, kembalilah dari kerajaan Raja Jawa, kembalilah dari bumi Silok, Selepas kejadian itu, Nenek Jahat dan cucunya pulang ke hutan gelap dan tidak kelihatan lagi. Jiluan dan kembalilah dari bumi Suntan, kabus yang ku guna sebagai asap, petir yang ku guna sebagai api.” adiknya terus tinggal di lembah itu sehingga ke hari tua.

142 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 143 gardens and villages as he fancied human flesh. One night, grandpa demon hunted in Jiluan’s garden. He saw a small shack in the middle of the garden. As the shack was dark, he thought no one was there. As he came nearer to the shack, he heard the sound of a lonely child singing, calling out for his brother.

“Oh Jiluan, come home from kingdom of the Chinese king, come home from the kingdom of the Java king, Jiluan come home from the land of Silok, come home from the land of Suntan, the mist I use as smoke, the lightning I use as fire.” English Translation The song sounded very eerie. As grandpa demon moved closer to the shack, he heard it again.

“Oh Jiluan come home from kingdom of the Chinese king, come home from the kingdom of the Java king, come A long time ago, there were two orphans, a boy and a girl, who lost their parents in the world war that had just home from the land of Silok, come home from the land of Suntan, the mist I use as smoke, the lightning I use ended. They lived in a small shack in their family’s garden. At that time, life resources were difficult to come by, as fire.” even fire. Like everyone in the land, the two helpless children lived in the dark with no light at night. They also could not cook or bake and had no option but to live solely on fruits and raw vegetables. They had no one Now very close to the shack, grandpa demon replied, “busur, busur.” nearby that they could call for help. Their misfortune would indeed sadden anyone. Upon hearing the reply, the little girl thought that Jiluan had returned. She called out again, “How can we cook? How do we light up our house at night? We don’t have fire,” said Jiluan, the elder of the two siblings, as they sat on the wooden stairs at the entrance of their shack, commiserating their fate. “Oh Jiluan, come home from kingdom of the Chinese king, come home from the kingdom of the Java king, come home from the land of Silok, come home from the land of Suntan, the mist I use as smoke, the lightning “Aak, aak,” a crow that was perched on a nearby branch cawed. “You can find fire in the kingdom of the Chinese I use as fire.” king and in the kingdom of the Java king.” Grandpa demon happily replied again, “busur, busur.” Hearing the crow, Jiluan made plans to go to the kingdom of the Chinese king and the kingdom of the Java king. Before he started his journey, Jiluan hid his sister in a giant jar and closed the lid. He left baskets of fruits for his The girl called out a further two or three times and each time, grandpa demon would reply. Grandpa demon sister to eat. Hidden was his sister in the giant jar, waiting for Jiluan’s return. finally went into the shack and found the girl hiding inside the giant jar. He got hold of the little girl and ate her. All that was left of her was her bones. After a while, the little girl began to feel scared and lonely, living alone in the shack. Every night she would call Soon after, Jiluan returned home joyfully, bringing back fire with him. Upon reaching the shack, Jiluan set up a out for Jiluan to come back home by singing, big bonfire and called out to his sister,

“Oh Jiluan, come home from kingdom of the Chinese king, come home from the kingdom of the Java king, “Yung oh Yung, come out now. I am home from the kingdom of the Chinese king, home from the kingdom of the come home from the land of Silok, come home from the land of Suntan, the mist I use as smoke, the lightning Java king, home from the land of Silok, home from the land of Suntan, bringing fire with me”. I use as fire.” However, no one answered. Fearing for his sister who did not reply, Jiluan climbed up the stairs to go into the Not far from the garden, there was an ancient dark forest. And in that forest, there lived grandpa and grandma house, looking for his sister. He opened the giant jar, but no one was there. Instead, Jiluan saw the numerous demon. Grandpa demon loved to hunt. Unlike humans who hunt in the jungle, grandpa demon hunted in house bones scattered around the jar. He knew then that the bones were his sister’s. He gathered the bones and

144 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 145 placed them on a straw mat. got closer to the shack, he heard the same song again.

Jiluan then went out to the forest to search for leaves that he can use to bring his sister back to life. He foraged “Oh Jiluan, come home from kingdom of the Chinese king, come home from the kingdom of the Java king, for leaves that matched the name of human body parts. After gathering the leaves that he needed, he went back come home from the land of Silok, come home from the land of Suntan, the mist I use as smoke, the lightning to the shack where he arranged his sister’s bones accordingly, from head to toe. I use as fire.”

Seated, he took the leaves one by one and started to fan the skeleton while singing, Grandpa demon replied happily, “busur, busur.” Upon hearing the reply from grandpa demon, Jiluan went to hide behind the kitchen door. His sister sang “Flip, flap tatuh leaves so my sister shall have eyes.” The skull then grew eyes. again,

He took the other leaf and sang, “Oh Jiluan, come home from kingdom of the Chinese king, come home from the kingdom of the Java king, come home from the land of Silok, come home from the land of Suntan, the mist I use as smoke, the lightning “Flip, flap bencing leaves so my sister shall have ears.” The skull then grew ears. I use as fire.” “Flip, flap santung leaves so my sister shall have a nose.” The skull then grew a nose. “Flip, flap setak leaves so my sister shall have a head.” The skull then grew a head. “Busur, busur,” replied grandpa demon, pushing the door open as he went into the shack and straight into the “Flip, flap dangen leaves so my sister shall have hands.” The skeleton then grew hands. kitchen. “Flip, flap matta leaves so my sister shall have legs.” The skeleton then grew legs. Seeing the little girl sitting by the fire, grandpa demon slowly went up to her, intending to surprise her. As quick Jiluan fanned his sister’s skeleton with leaf after leaf until his sister came back to life and was whole again. Jiluan as lightning, Jiluan, who was hiding behind the door all this while, pushed the unsuspecting demon straight into was happy seeing his sister alive again and looking well. They hugged each other, crying happily. She told Jiluan the boiling pot. Boiled in the hot water, grandpa demon died. His body was left inside the boiling pot till dawn. about grandpa demon, and how he found, caught and ate her. Early the next morning, grandma demon and her grandson from the ancient dark forest went to Jiluan’s shack They cooked some food and had a hearty, hot meal that they have not tasted for so long. Sitting on the veranda, looking for fire. Grandma demon did not know that grandpa demon had attacked the shack the previous night. Jiluan felt sad with what had happened to his sister. He had a strong feeling that grandpa demon would come again to their shack as he loved to hunt. In the kitchen, the two siblings looked and found the largest pot they “Dear child, I need some ember,” she said. had. They then filled it with water up to the brim and built a big fire underneath the pot, boiling the water until night time. Jiluan, who had just taken his bath, heard her and welcomed both grandma demon and her grandson into his Sitting by the fire, Jiluan’s sister sang the same song that she used to, kitchen. Jiluan gave a coconut shell for her to carry the ember. Reaching the fire place, she saw a big pot filled with boiling water on the stove. “Oh Jiluan, come home from kingdom of the Chinese king, come home from the kingdom of the Java king, come home from the land of Silok, come home from the land of Suntan, the mist I use as smoke, the lightning “What are you cooking, dear child?” asked grandma demon. I use as fire.” “It is venison. I caught a large deer last night,” Jiluan lied. From afar, grandpa demon, who was hunting again, saw a big bonfire outside the shack. He went straight to the “Kurak kakak, kurak kakak,” the noise came from the boiling water and grandpa demon’s fingers rose to the shack. He thought that there was someone else living in the shack and that could mean another meal for him. surface. He never thought that Jiluan had arrived home from his quest and that Jiluan’s little sister was alive again. As he

146 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 147 Acknowledgement “Look granny, a crab!” exclaimed her grandson.

“Crabby crab, it is not a crab,” replied grandma demon. Warisan Global Sdn Bhd would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions to the success of the Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008 / 2009 and the preparation of this compilation: “Kurak kakak, kurak kakak,” then grandpa demon’s head rose. “Died today, we mourn tomorrow. Kurak kakak, Collaborators kurak kakak, died today, we mourn tomorrow,” said grandpa demon’s head, trying to make his presence The Team at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak known. Writers and Illustrators All the participants of the competition Grandma demon, startled and baffled, used the coconut shell to push the head back into the boiling water. As The Design Team at Warisan Global Sdn Bhd she did so, the demon’s mouth bit her hand. Shocked, she pulled her hand back. Jiluan immediately took a stick Judges and pushed the head back into the boiling water leaving behind grandma demon with a nasty cut on her hand. Laurena anak Aloh She hurriedly scooped up a bowl of ember to clean her hand. Glenda anak Boniface Bungeng Henry Colin Blawing After that incident, grandma demon and her grandson went back to the ancient dark forest and were never seen Hadi bin Mohamad Sufri again. As for Jiluan and his little sister, they stayed in that shack, living happily ever after. Jirin bin Munin Zuraidah Abdul Manan

Translators Laurena anak Aloh Glenda anak Boniface Bungeng Henry Colin Blawing Elvin Nanu Jirin bin Munin Tania Yusof

Editors Laurena anak Aloh Glenda anak Boniface Bungeng Henry Colin Blawing Elvin Nanu Jirin bin Munin Suzieana Uda Nagu Tania Yusof

And All Those who Have Helped In One way or Another!

Conceptualised, Designed and Compiled by

148 Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition 2008