Journey to Ng Selibut, Song

“That is very good idea because none of tourism organization has explore our area” said Napolean @ Nap to me when I told him that we have a plan to organize tourism discovery trip to Song area. I asked his opinion which area we should target during this trip since he is from this area. He said no need to think too long about the area, just go to Ng Selibut (opposite Song Bazaar) area and he prepared to get his contact to assist us during the trip.

He saved my time to think which area we should visit during the trip. Few days later he came out with the details and after we discussed further both of us agreed to fixe the date.

Our journey comprised of tourism officials and representative from the local travel agent in Sibu. After everyone gathered at Sibu Wharf Terminal, we checked from the counter which expressboat will stop at Song jetty. Luckily there is one expressboat which depart Sibu at 10 am and expected to arrive Song jetty at 12 pm. The expressboat is not full that day and easy for us to move around inside the expressboat. Seat next to me is Deckson, our staff from Visitors Information Centre Kuching.

Upon arrival at Song Bazaar, we were welcome by Nap’s relatives and we stop for a while at Song market. This is my second visit to Song Bazaar and I am aware that the famous drink at Song Market is “Ai Ijok”. Ai Ijok is locally produced from the wild palm namely as Ijok by the local Iban. Not many places have this kind of wild palm. Ai Ijok have moderate taste and cost you 50 cents per plastic mug. It is similar to Tuak (rice wine) and there no artificial ingredient. How to drink it, all depend with you whether you want to drink it straight or you go slowly. You should try it when you have chance to visit Song market. After few glasses, I can feel the “kick” from Ai Ijok.

From Song market we proceed to do our last shopping at the shop nearby. The longboat is ready and everyone is advised to seat properly before our boat cruises across the Rejang river and enter to Song river. Our destination is Rh Stephen Jawa, Ng Selibut. It takes us roughly 15 Minute from Song Bazaar. After we arrive at the jetty, we embark from the boat and proceed straight to the longhouse. When we enter the longhouse, I can feel that i am at my "own" home. Just like you have not going back to your own village for quite sometime.

At the longhouse after keeping our beg and other stuff inside his room, Nap straight bring us to meet one of his aunty which on the previous night her family members just complete one rare occasion. This occasion namely “Meri Nabau Makai” (Serve food to the dragon). It really surprise me because i never see this kind of occasion in my life. According to Nap's aunties, it all started from her dream and she is among few of longhouse folks that still keeping an old practise when come to believe in their dreams. When she narratting her story to us, she really express her feeling and put trust on all this thing. To me, as a new generation from the city, i really appreciate with what i heard and saw during this visit.

In the evening, Tr Stephen Jawa invited us for dinner at his bilik, few block from Nap’s bilik. The menu is very interesting, smoke wildbore and jungle vegetable. We enjoy our dinner that night.

Around 8 pm, all longhouse folks gathered at “RUAI” TR for the next program. After the so call “official” program, the next program continue with “bebiau” (blessing ceremony), ”ngajat” (local dance) and “betaboh” (traditional music). It is not complete if no rice wine, I can notice almost every bilik carry one bottle of rice wine…that’s mean it is free flow of rice wine and local whisky. We really enjoy the whole program but need to complete the night with dreams and ready for next day program….