During the Japanese Occupation my mother often had to row her own boat, and sometimes with a group of friends, towards Sg. Assan, above Pulau Kerto, to collect "buckets of paku".
The rowing of boats by Foochow women was a normal, daily chore. It was not surprising at all. It would be like driving a car or a motor cycle today.
The Foochow women would follow the timing of the tides. When the tide rose, they would pedal upriver to collect the paku or ferns. And after two or three hours, the tide would ebb and they quickly followed the flow of the river water back.
Going home was an easy task according to my mum. And it would often be just right for the evening meal. Sometimes it would be for the afternoon meal.
Mum said during that period of 3 years and 8 months, they had to be careful not to be seen by Japanese boats. But fortunately God protected them and very few Japanese soldiers would patrol along the rather remote part of that special area of the Rajang.
(Note: Sg Assan already had a small Foochow community. In the next few decades after the war, a Methodist Church and a school were built led by my mother's cousin, Lau Tiew Nguong who was a great local evangelist.)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Soh Mien on First Day of Lunar New Year
Today 10.2.2024 is the first day of the New Lunar Year of the Dragon. Yes I have cooked the chicken and made the soh mien. Happy New Year!!...
-
There are lots of stories involving the Thermos Flask made in China. They are also known as Hot Water Flask, a literal translation from the ...
-
If you are told that this is the kuih or snack that an Iban would be homesick for please believe him or her. Simply made from all ingredie...
-
Lots of signboards have been posted up at significant places near rivers in Miri. There are many rivers in the Miri district and most of the...
2 comments:
Becareful. Eating certain type of ferns can cause stomach cancer. They are very well documented in Wlaes and Japan.
Thanks. Noted.
Post a Comment