170 years old cemetery

I grew up in this squatter’s area for more than 15 years. My grandmother and grandfather sold off their land at 17th miles and move here for more than 40 years. I was 11 years old when my father bought a shabby house for RM500 (USD143) from the previous tenant. This small areas houses Iban (majority) Bidayuh & Chinese.

On December 12, 2007 The Borneo Post publish an article “170-year-old Iban cemetery in pitiful state” urging the Dayak community to clean up the cemetery. When I examine the photo closely I was surprise the picture shown is the place where I use to live, in fact my parents and my sibling still stay there. I’ve tried to convince my mom to move to my new house but she still like to stay there for a while longer to see if the local government would relocate them to a better housing area.

There’s one question though, Not that I’m busy body – just a question of integrity. No one has express cares nor claim the owner ship of this cemetery not until recently, why? (Only now that I know SDNU exist! SDNU was known as SDA (Sarawak Dayak Association) which was form in 1946) It’s a good thing that the association starting to cares for the cemetery as this place does sound legend! The cemetery was left in “pitiful state” for so long is definitely unacceptable.

When I was young, I use to walk into that cemetery (week before Chinese New Year) with my cousin to get a long, straight and beautiful green bamboo – for hanging up the 8 or 12 meters Chinese fire cracker *laugh*. Walking into that cemetery is a creepy experience. It was dark and cold, the scent of the dirt and the surrounding trees and bushes remind you of one thing – It’s the place for the dead! It’s a taboo to go in the cemetery to disturb the nature so in order to cut down the bamboo we would ask for permission by saying the words out loud and ask for forgiveness in case cutting down the bamboo does disturb their peace.

We would clean up the leaves and handle with care after we cut down the bamboo. This is important because the bamboo can make your skin real itchy if you’re careless. The next step is where you get ready and … RUN! *laugh* I’m not so sure why, normally when me and my cousin walk into than cemetery we don’t feel afraid but the feeling only kick in after we have got the bamboo! *LOL* (excited to get what we want? *LOL*)

Here’s the list of facts about the cemetery from the new papers article

According to “the Anglican Church in Borneo” the cemetery was first use by Sebuyau Tribe from Lingga.
Those that buried their remains in this cemetery would be those that converted to Christianity in 1848. For those that convert later, their remains would be buried at St. Thomas Church Cemetery.
1952, the burial ground was gazzated as native Area land
1975, the land was leased for 99 years to SDNU

Pictures below showing the cemetery have been clean up! Wow, not too scary now *laugh*

Growing up in the rough area is very tough. We do not have electricity so we would use generator that would runs for 4 – 5 hours a night, this is enough to light up few household with 2 – 3 fluorescent tube and a set of 15 inch TV tube. As soon as the generator stops, we would use the kerosene lamp to light our table to do our study. Unless I am preparing for an exam than I would have the strength to continue under the dim light if not I prefer to look for a part time job and get on with life with full of bright light. *smile*

Looking back, it’s like a dream - memory and pain. Those were the days.