Location : Dusun Suruh Engkadok, Desa Pala Pasang, Kecamatan Entikong, Kabupaten Sanggau, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia.
“Nyarok” is a reciprocal event between 2 villages whereby villagers from one village (Kampung Sadir, Sarawak) will travel to visit the other village (Suruh Engkadok, West Kalimantan) and engage in cultural & merry making activities.
1 truck plus 3 other vehicles were needed to drive 60 people strong from Kpg Sadir via the Link Road to Entikong briefly stopping at the Tebedu new township. Penghulu Sani received the Sarawak contingent at the CIQS and with all papers in order we passed thru both immigrations w/o any hassle almost VIP like. Love that, a first time in my life w/o harassment from money changers, immigration runners and unnecessary custom checks!
After a short drive we arrived at Penghulu Sani town house for a short Christmas visit and a prayer session led by Riyeg.
After which we walked for 100m to the jetty at River Sekayam for the 3hr boat ride. With such a busy waterway as Sekayam I was a little surprised and disappointed that the jetty was not in better shape if not dangerous for commuters.
Fortunately, my strong anticipation for an exciting ride made me more forgiving of the pathetic condition. Explosions of fireworks signaled the start of the 3 hour journey for the 10 boats ferrying the Sarawakian guests.
It was a sunny day but with the wind in our faces and the occasional splashes we could not complain. Noticed lots of red rambutans trees lined the whole length of the river with occasional free ranch pigs reared along river banks.
Interestingly there were also many blue coloured huts floating on bamboo rafts prospecting for gold from the river bed sand.
By the end of the second hour I must admit my city ass/lower back wasn’t doing too well on the hard bamboo floor of the boat. I wished they had provided some kind of elevated platform to make sitting cross legged more comfy. Oh well, I’ll innovate something on the way back.
As we neared the village after 3 hours more, fireworks blasted to signal the villagers of our arrival.
Boom boom here boom boom there……that was the explosive welcoming offered. Shotguns boomed, fireworks boomed even the kids boomed us with bamboo canons. What a loud welcome.
Engkadok ladies came out in full traditional gear armed with rice wine and all kinds of delicacies to pamper their Sarawakian guests. Such warm & affectionate show of brotherhood between these 2 villages with a history that started decades ago and still continue to be practised today.
Just as the last delegate was done with the last glass of tuak the sky opened, prompting a helter-skelter to the awaiting hall which suddenly came alive with gong music. Everyone joined in the traditional dance as dancers circumambulate to the rhythm of the gong.
After the ceremony was over we checked into our assigned host’s house. More food was swerved before the evening’s dinner proper.
The evening ‘s function kicked off with speeches by senior members of the 2 villages. Dinner consisted of all kinds of meat downed with endless flow of beers, tuak and liquor. Soon after live band provided the music for all night dancing. Sorry to say that before the music started yours truly had to call it a day. Capek banget!
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