Tua Pek Kong Temple, Kuching, Sarawak

The history of the Chinese community in Sarawak has and always been an interesting topic to ponder, especially when they managed to preserve one of their oldest temples in the midst of the Kuching city. The Siew San Teng Temple (also known locally as Tua Pek Kong Temple) is the earliest known and oldest Chinese temple built near the waterfront of Kuching, Sarawak.

Located just opposite the Chinese History Museum and overlooking a busy junction, it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Sarawak. From its humble beginnings as a small and simple hut some time during the 1800s, its first known renovation was done in 1856, and was upgraded with ceramic roofing and partially brick walls in 1863. Charles Brooke, the second Rajah of Sarawak, issued the earliest known official land title for the temple in 1871. The introduction of cement in 1880 has played a major role in massive renovation projects, which led to what it is now. It is so well-preserved that it stood up as an attraction in the midst of the busy traffic.

It is said that the temple has the best Feng Shui location since it was one of the buildings that survived the Great Fire of Kuching and remained intact during the 1941 Japanese occupation, where the Japanese Imperial Army bombed the area and nearby buildings were badly damaged and some were completely demolished. It is also said that the placement of the temple itself, of which it faces the water and the mountains, ensures a good channel of Feng Shui for its devotees to come and doing their prayers for their deity.

Above is the view from inside of the temple.  Below is the photo of the altar where the people pay respect for their deities.

If you happen to have a vacation in Kuching, please do visit this temple. And one more thing, being charitable is not as bad as it seems, for it might bring good fortune.

Gawai Harvest Festival/Hari Gawai in Sarawak

Gawai Dayak also commonly known as Dayak Festival is one of the major festivals celebrated in Sarawak, East Malaysia. The word ‘Dayak’ is a collective term referring to the several hundred sub ethnic groups of indigenous people of Borneo. To name a few major ethnic groups, there are the Iban (Sea Dayak), Bidayuh (Land Dayak) and Orang Ulu (Kelabit, Kenyahs, Lun Bawangs, etc). Although some have become Christians, they are traditionally animists and live in the interiors of Borneo. Nonetheless, as time pass, some have moved into the city to further their studies and work.

Dayak children in their traditional costumes

Hari Gawai, which falls on the 1st and 2nd of June each year is particularly celebrated by the Ibans and Bidayuhs. It is both a religious and social occasion as this festival marks the end of the harvesting season (similar to Pesta Ka’amatan in Sabah) and it is a festival filled with much singing and dancing as they start a new farming season. It is one of the major festivals the Dayaks celebrate; therefore, most of those who work in the city would return to their village for the celebration.

A month prior to Hari Gawai, most of the locals would prepare the often raved tuak or rice wine. This famous, not-to-be-missed concoction is made of glutinous rice collected from the recent harvest mixed with home-made yeast and is left for fermentation. Another similar but stronger alcohol that is made by the locals is called langkau. This is the equivalent of our modern day Vodka whereby fermented tuak goes through a process of heating and condensation before it is being collected in a container.

"Tuak" or wine rice preparation in Dayak longhouse

The Gawai celebration is always an occasion of much merry-making. The celebration will not be complete if not for the singing, dancing and fair amount of drinking. Sometimes, Christian Dayaks would go to church for mass and gather after that for a celebration over dinner.

Open house or visiting each others is a tradition during Gawai

Although officially it is only a two-day public holiday, the celebration often goes on continuously for over a fortnight. However, those who work will have to go back after the two-day celebration. If you have never visited East Malaysia, this is definitely a good time to visit Sarawak and have a taste of its local culture and be a part of the festivity.