Fely asked me to describe the Iban traditional costume that I wear in my Fb. I'll try my very best,k to describe it..
Here goes:
Ok..first of all..is sugu tinggi (headdress)-made from silver but now it is made from aluminium,so it wont be too heavy. U need to make ur hair into a bun so u can wear it. The colourful beads around the neck and shoulder is tangguk. U need lots of patience to make it. Now,of course, u can buy it any where in the handicraft centres. Next, the colourful cloth wrapped around *ahem* the breast, is selampai. It is made from threads and it is woven. Then, the super heavy silver belt, it is called lampit. Why it is heavy?well, it is made from coins (they are joined together) and it is quite long. The woven 'skirt' is called kain tenun. The one that I wear does not have tating (they are coins plus small bells) and they are super heavy too! You need to wear the gelang tangan (bracelets -six on each of ur hands) and also need to wear one each on ur upper arm. Then, the gelang kaki (anklet) too. Actually there is one missing - buah pauh. ( two of them. I'll try find the pic.Dunno how to describe leh). But you see, now, many people use different types of accessories to add to the costume itself. For example, some would wear silver earrings, necklaces and such. And guess what, the costume is damn heavy!! And for your information, my Mum made the tangguk, selampai and kain tenun. Now, I do have the full set which I bought from Lubok Antu. As for men, they do have different costumes. Many men dislike to wear the cawat (loin cloth) anymore so they opt for long trousers and they would wear the vest, decorated with colourful beads and beautiful designs.
I rarely wear the costume, errh,like for what?During Gawai celebration, we basically just wear sth nice but if u are one of the dancers or involved in protocol (like waiting for the arrival of the guests)u need to wear it -but this only happens in villages or long houses and definitely not in the town.
I did not wear the costume during my wedding-sth I regret now-and I should have. The Ibans used to wear the traditional costume during their wedding at the long house. They would be sitting on the gongs (imagine that!) and there are lots of rituals to follow. But I guess, in this modern era, the Ibans wear the costumes for certain occasions.
Some Ibans never wear it.(Trust me, I know some who dont want to wear the costume)..jatuh standard mah. Hey,once an Iban..you are an Iban forever,cannot change the fact. Some Ibans refuse to speak in Iban language, even their children dont know how to converse in Iban because their parents never speak Iban. I realize the importance of English Language,but to lose ur own heritage? I always encourage Declan to master the three languages- Iban, Bidayuh and English. It's nothing to lose.
Oh well, some people have different views. I am proud to be an Iban, the largest ethnic in Sarawak!
Ok then, mupuk dulu aku (got to go now)!
