The sharper edge to traveling in Asia

WoWasis book review: ‘Iban Dream’ Borneo Headhunting Fiction by Golda Mowe

Malaysian author Golda Mowe has written one of the more outstanding books we’ve encountered, the beautiful, at times shocking, and endlessly fascinating Iban Dream (2013, ISBN 978-981-4423-12-0). Through 288 pages, Mowe weaves an Iban fantasy that encompasses Dayak rituals, myths, and realities. First, a little background. Visitors to the Sarawak state in Malaysian Borneo will […]

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WoWasis book review: ‘Sarawak’ photos by Hedda Morrison

Hedda Morrison, who died in 1991, was the wife of Sarawak district officer Alastair Morrison. During her 20-year stay in Sarawak, she was able to accompany her husband on official journeys through the country, detailing, through writing and photographs, the lives of tribespeople. Her book Sarawak (1957) is an indispensible record of northern Borneo before […]

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Malaysia Oasis Top Ten Sites in Malaysia

Malaysia is full of great places, and here is our short list of highlights, not to be missed. Choose between Peninsular Malaysia, and Malaysian Borneo, or visit both, as air transportation is inexpensive and easy.  Tour Malacca, tour Lankawi, tour George Town, or tour Kuala Lumpur now!  Peninsular Malaysia  1.  Melaka, a charming riverside town, […]

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Art Galleries in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

The art scene is just taking off in Kuching, and there are several galleries of note.  We expect the gallery scene to grow, so do keep an eye on the art scene here. Here are our favorites:  Atelier Gallery 104 Main Bazaar Street Tel: 082-243-492 GPS N01°33.448’ E 110°20.915’ Here, contemporary Malaysian art and design […]

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WoWasis on Bookstores in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

  Sarawak’s  capital city of Kuching has a number of bookstores, and this is your best spot in Malaysia to pick up books on Sarawak.  Several of these stores are within a few blocks of each other, allowing you to browse and compare selection before buying.  See our book reviews for an idea of what’s […]

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James Ritchie on the religious basis for headhunting in Sarawak, Borneo

WoWasis correspondent James Ritchie on the religious basis for headhunting. You may also want to read How Headhunting originated in Sarawak, Borneo  and An Iban veteran tells how heads are smoked in Sarawak, Borneo. Headhunting was the result of serious religious beliefs among the Ibans of Sarawak.  It was a ritual filled with pomp and ceremony, […]

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James Ritchie: An Iban veteran tells how heads are smoked in Sarawak, Borneo

WoWasis correspondent James Ritchie on how headhunters smoke heads. You may also want to read: How Headhunting originated in Sarawak, Borneo and The religious basis for headhunting in Sarawak, Borneo . TEMENGGONG Jinggut anak Atari, who is in his early 60s and is the titular chief of the Ibans in Kapit, has seen heads being taken […]

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James Ritchie on How Headhunting originated in Sarawak, Borneo

WoWasiscorrespondent James Ritchie on how headhunting originated in Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia. You may also want to read: An Iban veteran tells how heads are smoked in Sarawak, Borneo and The religious basis for headhunting in Sarawak, Borneo. Are headhunters still alive in Sarawak today? The answer is yes and no. If you consider that Dayak […]

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James Ritchie’s Borneo headhunting “how-tos”

James Ritchie is Sarawak’s chronicler, a near-legendary raconteur and bon-vivant who has spent a lifetime studying the customs of the State of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo.  He has written a great deal on the practice of, and mythos surrounding the tradition of headhunting. The following three articles are available as posts on the WoWasis blog.  […]

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Visit a traditional longhouse in Sarawak, Borneo while you still can

Visiting a Dayak Longhouse is, by everyone’s account, one of the highlights  of a visit to the state of Sarawak, Borneo. Some westerners, though, have an aversion to “roughing it,” and elect to go for a day visit, rather than an overnight stay.  This is a mistake for several reasons, the chief of which is […]

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