Sarawak Folktales Writing Competition

Aram Kitai Becerita! - Ja Ata Bidunan! - Jo Kita Bitanun! - Jom Telo Berceritah! - Marih Tauh Ningar Sekunuh! - Ayok Dewe Cerito!

The Sarawak Folktale Writing Competition, which was formerly called the Sarawak Folktales Competition, was an initiative of Warisan Global Sdn. Bhd. (Warisan) in its effort to assist the preservation of local culture and language in Sarawak through the usage of information and communications technology (ICT). It was also a continuation program for the 43 participants of the IT2U training program from libraries in Sarawak which was held in November 2005. The IT2U program was designed to introduce and train the attendants of selected public libraries in basic ICT skills. The effort was part of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak’s (Pustaka) effort in bridging the digital divide between the rural and urban communities; and turning the public libraries into community knowledge centres.

Objectives

The main objectives of this project were

a) To promote the use of ICT in the preservation of local cultures and languages
b) To enrich the local contents via the collection of local folktales
c) To promote the community engagement in educational activities and programs

Roles and Responsibilities

Warisan		Pustaka
a) As the main organiser and Secretariat for competition b) To handle all communication with regards to competition c) To prepare the promotional materials for the competition – eg. Posters b) To sponsor the prize money for the competition c) To arrange for the judging and bear its related costs		a) To assist in publicising the competition through local media and other channels b) To incorporate the competition as part of its activities for the Reading Month c) To coordinate the distribution of posters, registration forms and the collection of entries d) To assist Warisan in the judging process of the competition by nominating suitable judges

Terms and Conditions

a) The organiser of this competition is Warisan Globaal Sdn. Bhd. and Pustaka Negeri Sarawak.
b) Open to all members of public libraries in Sarawak.
c) Participation must be in a team of 2 - 10 persons. There is no age limit for team members.
d) Each team is required to submit at least 2 entries.
e) Each entry must be based on the folktale of a particular place in Sarawak. Compilation of folktales from a community in Sarawak may also be submitted.
f) Each entry must not be less than 500 words and not more than 5,000 word.
g) The entry must be original or genuine, written by the team members and never been published before.
h) The entry must be written in 2 languages - the original local language and its translation in English or Malay.
i) Submission must be in the form of scrapbook with illustrations on the cover and in the contents.
j) The usage of ICT in preparing the scrapbook is highly recommended. Please submit the CDs or other media that content your work together with the scrapbook.
k) Scrapbook (and CDs or other media, if available) must be submitted together with the official registration form in a suitable envelope.
l) Submission must reach he Secretariat on or before the deadline.
m) All submissions are the exclusive right of the Organiser.
n) The Organiser has to right to reject any submission that contents elements of violence, discrimination and politics.
o) The decision of the panel of judges is final. p) Winners will be notified via phones, letters and e-mails.

Judging Criteria

Scores were assigned by a panel of 3 judges based on the following criteria

Criteria		Scores
Originality Original folktale of Sarawak, not a compilation of foreign folktales.		25
Language Creative use of language such as poems and poetries. Less grammatical errors.		25
Illustrations Original illustrations and graphics that are line with the tale.		20
Scrapbook Elements of creativity in the scrapbook. Availability of title page, content page, forward, acknowledgement, references and footnotes.		20
Team Spirit Some elements of teamwork.		5
Usage of Computer Computer is used in preparing the scrapbook and other works.		5
		100

The judges would be giving scores independent of each other. The total scores given to a participant by the 3 judges would then averaged and aggregated to reach the final score. The participant with the highest score would be declared the winner.

2007

When the competition was organised for the first time in 2006, 6 teams and 28 participants took part in the competition. It was jointly facilitated by the public libraries in Sarawak and the prizes were:

a) First Prize - RM1,000
b) Second Prize - RM750
c) Third Prize - RM500

Team Names		Team Members		Folktales		Languages		Origin
The Gatuman Raja Team		a) Marcus Gatuman Raja b) Mary Anne Vaz c) Reuben John Marcus d) Nicole Muring Marcus		Lian Aran / Barapui		a) Kelabit b) English		Pa' Labit, Bario
Dara Bantang Puchuk Maligai		a) Jessica Ijau b) Lindy Elo		Bansa Kanto Bemunsuh Enggau Bansa Iban (Bangsa Kanto Bermusuh Dengan Bangsa Iban)		a) Iban b) Malay		Batang Kapuas, Sri Aman
Mukah Dancers		a) McGyaiver Saong b) Cyril Tanin c) Radiasy d) Patrick Ricky		Nenek Andan Naik Ke Bulan / Umang		a) Iban b) Malay		Mukah
SKKA		a) Noorshahdanita Arifin b) Siti c) Erika Kelly d) Dayang e) Syamimi f) Sara g) Mariam h) Venisa i) Noorshahfaridanita j) Nurul		Si Patin		Malay		Sarawak
Dynasty Story Teller I		a) Titus Tusing b) Chang Yi c) Janti Malaka Edin d) Jememi Edwin		Cerita Keling Enggau Bangau (The Egrets and Keling) / Lemiah Enggau Assan (Legend of the Tapang Tree)		a) Iban b) English		Ulu Skrang
Dynasty Story Teller II		a) Jin Adin b) Jeremy Wan c) Titus Tu\sing		Lung Marung Halah Manuk Ha' Niah (The Legend of Bird's Nests of Niah) / Asen Lu'ei (How the Yam Came to the Kayans)		a) Iban b) English		Baram

2008

Hugh participation with 35 teams submitting 51 stories in 9 different indigenous Sarawak languages. 11 entries did not fulfilled the minimum requirements and were not selected for final assessment by the panel of judges.

Team Names		Team Members		Folktales		Languages		Origin
Sebastian & Jessica		a) Sebastian Ramsay Bahal b) Jessica Jennice Jonathan Johor		Jiluan		a) Bidayuh b) English		Serian
SODYPOL		a) Sonia Esop b) Dyvia Tipa Frankonero c) Pollymina Ngee		Bomoh Entayang Ngerubat Raya Boya (Bomoh Entayang Menyembuhkan Raja Buaya)		a) Iban b) Malay		Kapit
Lanjak Entimau		a) Suwine Bah b) Betsy John c) Susie Merikan d) Brian Adam Lina		Penyayau Indai (Kasih Sayang Ibu)		a) Iban b) Malay		Sungai Poi, Kanowit
Sungai Batang Rajang		a) Setia Anding b) Vivien Lulong Anyau c) Aouriaza Intik Pinggan d) Lenny Janggag		Ado-Ado		a) Iban b) Malay
Urang Semandin		a) Dahiri Saini b) Nor Haslin Hassan		Peng Isah dan Peng Usih / Kenapa Ular Sawa Tidak Bisa / Asal-Usul Buaya Putih / Burung Tukang Membuat Keranda Malam Hari		a) Sarawak Malay b) Malay		Kota Samarahan
A.D.E.N Pintar		a) Aaron Benjamin Doon b) Dominic Lee Yan Fan c) Erna Syafika bt. Jafar d) Nurul Dhabitah bt. Sebli		Nesal Dudi Nadai Reti		a) Iban b) Malay		Burma, India
The Dayakz		a) Javarina Dee Ann Jack b) Vhanessera Angkau c) Henrieta Suma Duncan d) Avvy Grace Kana e) Annabelle Joy Dan f) Kaylene Anjek		Apai Saloi		a) Iban b) Malay		Kapit
Anak Kenyalang		a) Nur Fitri Mohd. Iznan b) Jennifer Jane Slat c) Kahtleen ak. Jana d) Augustine Dato Janggu		Batu Kudi / Batu Ribut		a) Iban b) Malay		Lubuk Antu
Dynasty La Kiput Storytellers		a) Nur Fazillah Abdullah b) Titus Tusing c) Chang Yi d) Augustine Dato Janggu		Teh Nantah Ceritak Idih La Kiput Pasan Dacih (La Kiput Legend : The Crocodiles of Logan Pungguk, Baram)		a) La Kiput b) English		Tutoh Apoh, Baram
Semadi Enggai		a) Suziana Suceng b) Loretta Penghulu		Klement Bujang Sepiring		a) Iban b) Malay		Tapang Pumpung
SADAJEEH		a) Harisson Wan b) Elizabeth Wan c) Dora Wan		Lake' Jelivan : Lakin Kayau Pahu Kayan (Lake' Jelivan : Pahlawan Kayan)		a) Kayan b) Malay		Baram
Dynasty Iban Storytellers		a) Janti Edin b) Terry Clay c) Titus Tusing d) Chang Yi		Cerita Kelia Asal Lubok Pantu (The Legend of Lubok Pantu) / Cerita Kelia Kampung Emas Ba Bukit Lambir (The Legend of The Valley of Gold)		a) Iban b) English		Lambir, Lubuk Antu
Dynasty Kayan Storytellers		a) Jin Adin b) Jeremy Wan c) Titus Tusing d) Chang Yi		Batu Bungan (The Legend of Batu Bungan) / Lung Marung Batu Gading (The Legend of Batu Gading)		a) Kayan b) English		Baram
Tujoh Puteri Gading		a) Fifi Zulaika Sodami b) Selly Henry c) Irene Inna Tase d) Lansey Wegner Chasing Kasan e) Frennie Sanjah Francis f) Siti Katijah Hasbi g) Octovia Pett Tinggom		Cinta Gunung Gading		a) Sarawak Malay b) Malay		Lundu
Anak Iban Pegari		a) Florence Milin b) Christina Jack c) Linda Nuing d) Sheila Nyandang e) Justine Jenggut Mengga f) Janggu Willie Benson g) Jessey Van Mujah		Ensera Apai Dom enggau Antu Raya (Cerita Apai Dom dengan Hantu Raya)		a) Iban b) Malay		Mukah
Sakai Dalet I		a) Chung Sung Siong b) Elvis Sabri Esa		Tale of The Lost River		a) Melanau b) English		Dalat
Sakai Dalet II		a) Chung Sung Siong b) Tang Chu Ching c) Murtasa Hazid Ahmad Peridin		The Legend of the Melanau Pole		a) Melanau b) English		Dalat
Group 1		a) Ashikin Aminuddin b) Lily Ling Leh Kiong c) Teo Hock Chuan		How Mas River Got Its Name		a) Melanau b) English		Sungai Mas, Bintulu
Group 2		a) Jong Wei Teen b) Eu Sheau Ning c) Tu Kah Yee d) Rita Hwong Chan Chei		How Tatau Got Its Name		a) Melanau b) English		Tatau
6BB'S Group		a) Frankie Jawan b) Langkah Rarak c) Wilson Ayub		Lumpung Anak Keling		a) Iban b) Malay		Limbang
Mukah Girlz'		a) Nuradzaratullizzurain Azelan b) Adzmieda Fadzierra Azelan		Sumpahan Ibu Menjadi Pokok Kelapa		a) Melanau b) Malay		Mukah
Liha & Sukri		a) Sukri b. Abdullah b) Liha bt. Saban		Yaloi Nagad Lilik [Bisaya] (Yaloi Felling the Trees) Bonotur Ngamad Padas [Bisaya] (The Carpenter Bird Works at Night) Dang Bongsue Maya Giok Keladi [Bisaya] (Dang Bongsue and the Caterpillar) Kisah Aja dengan Anggit [Kedayan] (The King and the Mosquitos) Kisah Paloi dengan Bininya [Kedayan] ( Paloi and His Wife)		a) Bisaya b) Kadayan c) English		a) Limbang b) Sibuti
Fairy Gonzales Family		a) Lily Ambi b) Raisa Emeida Belaja c) Dhoroshina Dome Jabing d) Magdalini Agong e) Maria Jaba f) Helen Sanggau g) Lisa Kasi		Pengerindu Antara Dua Dunya (Cinta Antara Dua Alam)		a) Iban b) Malay		Bintulu
Kumang Pegari		a) Grace Dingin b) Ivy Norlin James c) Fiona Nny Daly d) Meryl Shasha Using e)Nur Ainni Farhana Roslan		Pengerindu Antara Dua Dunya (Cinta Antara Dua Alam)		a) Iban b) Malay		Simunjan

The judges comprising language experts as well as representatives of the organisers had a difficult time deliberating on the entries and finally came to a consensus on the winning entries.

a) 1st Prize RM1,200 - Anak Kenyalang : Batu Kudi [ban] (Batu Ribut)
b) 2nd Prize RM 900 - Liha & Sukri : Bonotur Ngamad Padas [Bisaya] (The Carpenter Bird Works at Night)
c) 3rd Prize RM 600 - Sakai Dalet I : Tale of The Lost River

d) 3 consolation prizes of RM150 each:

• Sebastian & Jessica : Jiluan [Bidayuh]
  
• Sakai Dalet II : The Legend of Tthe Melanau Pole
  
• Dynasty La Kiput Storytellers : Teh Nantah Ceritak Idih La Kiput Pasan Dacih [La Kiput] (La Kiput Legend : The Crocodiles of Logan Pungguk, Baram)