Mill Hill Missionaries in Malaysia are currently serving in just one out of the fourteen states within the country. This is partly because only the state of Sarawak has kept its borders opened to welcome missionaries from across the globe, though each missionary is expected to serve within the state/country for a period not longer than 10 years. Our loving presence is continually been felt and appreciated by the Sarawakians as they see us pastorally engaging with them in many unique ways and most especially in the ways we exhibit a lot of enthusiasm in learning their culture.
The state of Sarawak is home to over 26 sub-ethnic groups, including the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Chinese and Malay. Each of these ethnic groups has its own uniqueness in the ways they display their cultural values. The past 2 years of my stay within this state has given me ample time to experience at first sight the richness of the diverse cultural values that exist around Sarawak.
Sarawakians have unique ways of dancing. The Ibans and the orang ulu Ngajat, a celebratory warrior or harvest dance where performers stand in a circle, swinging left and right while occasionally jumping to the rhythm of the music. The Kenyah Datun Julud involves female dancers imitating the hornbill’s flight, and the Melanau Tarian Alu Alu uses clapping bamboo poles to perform acrobatic stunts, inspired by daily sago farming activities. The Orang Ulu have dances like the graceful Kanjet, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the sape lute (locally made guitar).
Nowadays, these unique dancing styles are not only being performed during social events. We can now see a blend between culture and faith as our Christians now can ngajat or do Datun Julud or do Alu Alu during the celebration of the mass as they usher the ministers into the church and also during the bread and wine procession. The dancers are usually beautifully dressed in their traditional costumes. These costumes have a lot of colourful and attractive details on it and most of them are handmade.
The people of Sarawak are not just blessed with unique dancing styles and costumes. They are equally blessed with unique cuisines. The juxtaposition of Indigenous recipes with influences from Malay, Chinese and Indigenous Dayak cultures result in unique flavour profiles that are both fascinating and educational. Staying together with locals around the tropical rainforest will certainly involve daring into eating exotic food and fruits. In at attempt to put into practice the words of Jesus to missionaries; “…eat whatever is set before you” (Lk 10:8), I am now used to eating snakes, frogs, sago worms, monkey, wild pig, sticky rice and a lot more. Since rice is the stable food here in Malaysia, my system has also adapted to eating rice daily and also in drinking rice in the form of wine (tuak). In terms of fruits, Durian is my favourite. Though it has a notoriously pungent smell that is often described as a combination of sulfur, rotting onions, or sewage, but can also have sweet notes of caramel and honey. It is also worth mentioning that Sarawakians (most especially those living in the long houses) have special eating culture. Most often after Mass in the long houses, food is usually served using the potluck system. In most cases, we all sit on the floor and eat together as a community using fingers. This exemplifies the types of community being spoken of in Acts 2:44, “All the believers were together and had everything in common.” It also speaks loudly of their simplicity and their level oneness. In effect, all these cultural experiences have enriched my approach to mission in an area which is still very deeply rooted in culture. Inculturation is still a very vital missionary approach as it helps in reshaping how the Church interacts with local cultures while preserving the Gospel’s integrity.
Our loving presence is continually been felt and appreciated by the Sarawakians as they see us pastorally engaging with them in many unique ways and most especially in the ways we exhibit a lot of enthusiasm in learning their culture.
Republished from Suara Magazine, Malaysia by Nelson Kum Zang MHM. Originally published in Issue 12 edition.
Fr Nelson arrived in Sarawak in December 2023 and spent his first mission at Holy
Cross Parish, Sungai Asap in the Diocese of Miri, Sarawak. He moved to Long San in January 2026.
