BORNEOTRAVEL - KUCHING: The creative economy, which is touted as the belle of the digital age, is not just a discourse, but is also real.
Ricky El, Iban artist proves it. He is not only good at singing Iban songs, but also good at composing them.
Ricky’s songs are Dayak
Interesting thing. Both songs and lyrics of Ricky’s songs are Dayak. Starting from traditional Dayak life, to modern lifestyle. All of that is reflected in the lyrics of the songs he composed and sung.
Ricky often duets with the famous Iban female singer, Sima. The album “Bujang Runggu Ensing” was produced in 2009 by Cahaya Manis Production. He also duets with male Iban singer, Sylvester Andy.
How Ricky El, as a Dayak representative, can make a living from singing ethnic songs. This is a sign that Dayaks can be great and live in any sector, especially in this creative economy era.
The two of them sang the popular and humorous songs “Ngayap” and “Cerita Ngayap”. Song narratives are not only full of meaning and depict the daily life of the Iban people, but are also beautiful as poetry because they form a play of sounds.
Bujang Lelayang
Sometimes Ricky also appears to sing solo, as in his favorite songs “Bujang Lelayang” (free and independent bachelor), “Ngeruh Ai”, “A to Z”, “Ukai Langkau Arau”, and “Poco Ari Gawai”. However, of the many songs, “Ucu Aki” deserves attention.
The verses are deep. Describes how Gawai (in Malaysia every May 30 – June 1) is an important day for the Dayak people. Not only to give thanks after the rice harvest, but also to meet to let go of homesickness, and eat together at the long house.
Among Indonesian Ibanik, especially in the Sintang district, Ricky is also popular. He is often invited by CU Keling Kumang, a relative of his origin, to demonstrate his skill in singing Iban songs. He was also invited during the Pilkada campaign in Sintang. The magnets are simply amazing.
Inevitably. Ricky El is an Iban artist who lives from the art of music and cultivates and explores the rich treasures of his tribe. Cross borders and sell as a commodity. Many of his songs and songs are played both on public and travel vehicles in West Kalimantan, and in public places.
In Indonesia, especially Sintang, Sekadau, and Putussibau. His name is legendary. No wonder. Every year there is a gawai (Dayak new year’s party), he is always fringed –invited to come. Only to satisfy audiences who like songs. The Iban rhythm is special.
Iban: Traces, Music, and Identity
The Iban is the largest ethnic subgroup of the Dayak people, with a significant population spread across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Based on my research, their population numbers approximately 700,000 in Malaysia and Brunei, while in Indonesia, the Iban community is estimated to be around 400,000. Their presence is deeply rooted in what they call menoa diri empu, or ancestral homeland, which stretches across various regions in Borneo. In Indonesia, they inhabit the districts of Sekadau, Sintang, and Kapuas Hulu, while in Malaysia, their settlements extend from Batang Lupar and Lubuk Antu to Sri Aman, formerly known as Semanggang. The Malaysian border does not divide their cultural identity; rather, it serves as a reminder of their vast historical migration patterns.
Traveling through these regions, especially along the Pontianak-Sintang-Putussibau intercity route, offers a glimpse into the vibrant Iban culture. Whether you're in a shared travel car or a long-distance bus, there's one thing you can count on—the sound of Iban songs playing in the background. The melodies, sometimes melancholic and other times energetic, blend with the rhythmic vibrations of the vehicle as it moves along the paved road. The irony is that the road itself is relatively smooth, yet the journey still feels bumpy, almost as if the music is in sync with the movement of the land beneath. For the Iban, these songs are more than just entertainment; they are a living connection to their stories, their past, and their enduring presence across Borneo.
-- Masri Sareb Putra
