Ulu Selangau : sago worms and sayur mandai

How would you feel if you could never lie flat on your back when you wanted to sleep? How would you feel if you would never be able to cradle your new born baby the way a normal mother would be able to do?

And again how would you feel if you are the Si Bongkok (Mr. Bendy) of the kampong for the whole of your life?

Not too long ago I met this Iban lady from Ulu Selangau and became friends with her. She was very charming and hospitable. I told her I had never eaten sago worms before. And also some of the vegetables that she was selling. As she was cooking lunch she invited me to her simple tamu lunch. Lunch was one dish of sago worms and mandai leaves. She was nice and pleasant  about her cooking done over a simple fire next to her stall. She had stories to tell me. She has been living by the river side for a long time. Now she is glad that she has tap water that flows out clean from the tap supplied from the government.

One of her challenges in life in the past had been to carry water from the river and climbing more than 100 feet to the long on a small hill.

Life has been very difficult for her because of her spinal deformity. She is bent from the waist and cannot straighten up. She said that no one had ever suggested getting help. It was her birth fate. Let it be. Who can help really?

these two are medical photos I obtained from Google to illustrate further her spinal problems. I understand that her problems can be corrected over a long stretch of time. It could also be very costly. May be the younger ones who suffer from similar problems can be helped by generous charitable organisations.

She said I could take her photos but not directly her face.

Thank you Indai  XXX for letting me take your photos.