A peak at our culture

This post has been long overdue. It is the continuation of this one.

These are the traditional equipments used in paddy planting. We can hardly find these equioments nowadays,let alone see them in use. The functions has been replaced by modern equipment that are more efficient in terms of time and energy. Nevertheless, I consider myself very lucky because I have had several hand-on experience on them way back when I was a little kid (in primary school, if not mistaken) and my parents were still planting paddy.

The name of these unique equipments :-

L-R : "kikizapan" (literally translated as 'fan' or 'kipas' in Malay) and "ragus" (sorry, I don't know the translation for this one in English and Malay...hehe..) .



The "laadu" (again, I don't have the translation for this one) and "su'ud" (literally translated as "comb" or "sikat"). The ragus, laadu, and su'ud will need the help of a buffalo and a skilled farmer to function well.

The "inai-inai" (aunties) enjoying their friend's performance of the "kudian" (accordion). Seldom can we hear this type of instrument these days...well, except at Gaya Street every Sunday. There are a band of talented blind street musicians playing the accordion besides the guitar, harmonica and tamborines. And there can sing a variety of songs too. :)

The 2nd photo was the photo session showing lovely Kadazan ladies of different ages clad in traditional costume, "boludu" or "morudu". Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the costume got its name "boludu" from the type of the black cloth it was made of, which is velvet or "kain baldu" in Malay. "Why only got photo session for the ladies only?" Well, there were photo session for the guys too but I mistakenly deleted it from my camera. No discrimination involved ya...hehe...

There were two different "magagung" (beating of the 'gongs') sessions held. The first session was performed by the guys team and the second by the ladies. Bulih tahan kama tu inai-inai magagung..jangan main-main ah... :)

The "magagung" and Sumazau dance session.

Old cloth with the "koi'ing" (small bells) attached. These cloth were used by the "Bobohizan" (KadazanDusun high-priestess) during the "monogit (blessing/cleansing)" ceromony. I haven't seen this ceremony in a long time. I remember having seen it shown on TV few years back during the live telecast of the Tadau Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) celebration at the KadazanDusun Cultural Association (KDCA) building on 30 May.

In the first photo are other common accessories, the himpogot , tatangkong and pada'ang (sword).The second photo shows the siga (headgear) on the gandang (drum/gendang) besides the baa'di. Some antic brass pots and other decoratives in the third photo.

A close-up of the brass candle-holder and miniature "bakid" (2nd photo) and a few wooden canes with head carves to resemble a snake's head and a "suling" (flute/seruling) among them. The container which the canes are put inside is called "topukon" or "tajau", a large pot made of clay.

And these are random photos of Vanessa...having a closer look at the full set of "tagong" and "kulintangan". As a kid, nothing escapes her curiosity. She wants to look closer and touch everything new to her. :)

And this last photo is of a giant tortoise shell. The tortoise was my Uncle's pet. It died a few years ago and Uncle decided to keep its shell in memory of the tortoise. It makes a unique wall decoration, don't you think so? Okay, that round-up the tour to our KadazanDusun's traditional lifestyle and culture. Its not a comprehensive one but enough to give some info. :)

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Lets take a stroll

I was helping Mom to find the pruning saw in the store room yesterday. Vanessa wanted to help too, so I let her. Before long, she went excited, “Mommy! Mommy! What is that?” while pointing at her old strollers which are leaning against the wall. They have been there for quite sometime, collecting dust. *smile* One of them was bought by us and the other was a gift from my then boss and colleague.

Speaking of strollers, I know of this great place you can buy one, Stroller.com. Stroller.com offers full line of baby strollers of various brands and types, single, double and triple strollers, jogging strollers as well as the increasingly popular, all terrain strollers. The latter type of stroller is known for being highly durable with a suspension system and air-filled tires to handle your off-road adventure while also giving your child a smooth ride. However, they are usually heavier and more bulky than classic jogging strollers. Even if it is folded, it may still not be as compact as the classic jogging strollers.

*smile* Should you be lost in all the options, take a stroll through their Stroller Information. You’ll find free info on brands, stroller reviews and buying guides. Another point to visit Stroller.com.

Thinking of adding some accessories to your stroller? Good idea but make sure they fit well. Some stroller accessories are great but may not fit perfectly. So it is wise to go for the Universal Stroller Accessories. They consist of, well, everything, from protective covers for rain, sun and bugs, to stroller seat liners, strap covers, baby head support and changing kits. Equipped your stroller with the right accessory, then both you and your little one are ready for most weather event! Yeay!

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Halloween Costumes of my dream...

Whoaa…it’s only January and I’m already writing about Halloween. No worries, this aunty had not gone crazy yet. Only ate and drank too much during the CNY ..hahaha…

Anyway, despite all the celebration that we have here in Malaysia, Halloween is the one celebration that we’ll never get to celebrate. It must be fun to dress-up like anybody or anything you like without being dubbed as lunatic. Hmm…IF I have a chance to experience the joy of Halloween, here’s what I have in mind.

I always wanted to be a doctor when I was small but I don’t have the brain to be one. So, to be able to dress-up like a doctor on Halloween pun jadilah. Finding a doctor costume is as easy as eating kacang putih. The lab coat looks a little bit plain though. Got to have a stethoscope and a hospital clip board to spice things up. *wink*

IF I can go back in time and be a kid once again, I will definitely go to back to my Primary School years. Why?? Simple reason i.e. Revenge. Okay, that time, I was not as good as the other kids at Math. Our stern Math teacher, Miss Lee (Whoaa...I still remember her name until now!) always punished me. The punishment hurts! I will ask my parents to buy me the skeleton costume. Once I’m in my costume, I’ll go to Miss Lee’s house and knock politely on her doors. BOO!!! I’ll scare the hell out of her when she opens the door. Ah, that would be a sweet revenge for striking me with the cane and making me stand on the tabletop, just because I couldn’t memorize the Multiplication Table (sifir). * evil grin*

All the items e.g costumes, accessories, decoration and make-up are available at Halloween Costume. There’s a wide range of outfit for everybody to choose from. A truly one-stop Halloween costume store, I would say!

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