5 hour drive from Kuching to Saratok.
The longhouse we would be staying in is Sg. Klampai Saratok
The lovely people at the longhouse pulled out all the stops this time to welcome us. The women put on traditional costumes, the men pulled out the traditional instruments, and they even prepared a pig sacrifice for our arrival. A higher honour could not have been bestowed on us.
The ceremonial spear was offered to our party to perform the pig sacrifice, but we felt that it would be better if the village elder performed it on our behalf.
The spearhead was insanely sharp. There was no slashing or stabbing or poking. The elder simply placed the spear upon the pig's neck and gently pressed down. The pig did not suffer, did not squirm, did not squeal. In fact, the pig's body only went into convulsions post-mortem.
First time I ever saw the mick so uncomfortable. He looked unwell.
After the sacrifice, we were welcomed into the longhouse
We walked from door to door, with each family offering us a drink and a little something to eat. When I say drink, I mean tuak, whiskey, vodka, gin...etc, neat, in large shot glasses. At this time, I should mention that our host longhouse has 24 families. Yes, dear reader, your math is correct. 24 shots of booze.
After we made our rounds, we were invited to sit and snack on traditional titbits while our hosts made a few speeches welcoming us. There were also several traditional dances put up to welcome us.
All this time, there would be Iban men walking around with their bottles of Tuak or whiskey and offering you a drink.
After the welcoming ceremony, we were invited into Dato Edmund's home for lunch.
After lunch, more drinking.
Dinner was at another nearby longhouse. Luckily, this longhouse only had 8 families
I was pretty much done for the day.
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| I love Kolo Mee, can't you tell? |
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| The welcoming party, getting ready |
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| This guy gave up drinking after I introduced him to 'Singapore Tuak' during my last visit. |
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| The ceremonial spear |
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| Like a hot knife through butter |
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| They loved recording everything, using their cellphones, tablets...etc |
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| Yen, Joyce and lil Sulimir, our hosts. |
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| The last door of booze. |
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| Dato Sri Edmund Langgu, our wonderful host. |
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