January 18, 2010

Gold Teeth and Rare Fern in Sirikin

I was at the Sirikin tamu when I came across this Iban lady.

I was really amazed that she at her age of 50+ is having capped gold teeth!!

Living near Bau where gold was once mined she must have been attracted by all the glitter and the gold available in the town. Also gold capping continued to be popular amongst the people of Sarawak for quite a long time after the Japanese occupation especially where tradtional uncertified Chinese dentists are still offering their services.


I did ask her about her capped teeth. She replied laughingly that her family and her husband loved to see the gold in her teeth. And she has been very comfortable with them too.

She had made them because she had the money from her husband and any way in her kampong many are still having them. Nice!



This lady is a vegetable seller and she is holding a unique kind of paku or jungle fern not seen in other parts of Sarawak.

She said that this is quite rare but most people know how to cook it!!

What a treasure I have found!

Thanks lady!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Sarawakiana

That fern is not easy to get in town ! But in the deep jungles when rain is heavy - you can get.
Did you buy for yourself?
Thanks.

Justin

Ah Ngao said...

must be very painful to have the teeth capped with gold,eh?

Bengbeng said...

the gold teeth is quite a personal statement

Ensurai said...

Hi Justin
Thanks for writing. No I did not buy because I was soon to catch a plane then.

God bless.

Ensurai said...

Ah Ngao
According to my mum (old technology) it was not painful. The dentist measured accurately and just made the exact gold sheath for the teeth!! Can be removed easily too with some clippers.

Ensurai said...

Bengbeng...to day it is a fashion statement too. Grillz.

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