SOME IBAN PHRASES
· Aku I
· Kami or kita We
· Nuan You
· Selamat pagi Good Morning
· Selamat tengahari Good Afternoon
· Selamat malam Good Night
· Selamat tinggal Good bye
· Ari ni penatai nuan? Where are you from?
· Siapa nama nuan? What is your name?
· Berapa pintu kita serumah ditu?
How many doors (meaning families) do you have in the house?
· Sapa Tuai Rumah kita ditu?
Who is the Headman of your longhouse?
· Tau aku ngambi gambar nuan?May I have your photograph taken, please?
· Berapa umur nuan? How old are you?
· Ulih aku nanya nuan? Can I ask you something?
SOME DO’s AND DONT’s
· Wear flat shoes and wear suitable clothing
· Take off your foot-wear before sitting on the mat in the longhouse.
· Ask for water for washing if you need it.
· Do not stretch your legs when sitting on a mat. If you have to do so for one reason or another, ask for a permission from your host. This also applies during meal time.
· Do not spit, or blow your nose, or utter anything vulgar during meal time.
· Do not feel shy but be at home with your host, particularly at meal time.
· The more you talk or the more questions you ask, the happier would be your host.
· Do not hesitate to ask for any information that you would like to know e.g. the Iban way of Life, customs or traditions.
· Do not hesitate to try speaking a phrase or two in Iban language. This will give your host an impression that you feel at home. The more you feel at home the more you can learn about the people.