Casper publishes third book

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LATEST: Casper with his new book ‘Raja Singalang Burung’.

SIBU: Former RTM radio Iban service announcer Casper Kayong Umping has written his third book titled ‘Raja Singalang Burung’.

Casper, 62, said the book focused on the custom and beliefs of the Iban community before most of them embraced Christianity.

His 153-page book published by Sarawak Iban Writers Association (SIWA) is available in bookstores statewide.

“I feel it is my obligation to share what I know on the custom and original beliefs, especially with the younger Iban generation.

“Secondary and higher learning institution students taking Iban subject can also use this book as their reference,” he said when met at his recording studio at Foochow Road recently.

According to Casper, he collected the material during his 31 years of service with RTM which took him the length and breadth of the state.

He said they were compiled from stories and folklores told by a few ‘lemambang’ (master of myth and words of power and poets in Iban) he met.

“These are our heritage that should not be forgotten,” he said.

Casper’s first two books are titled ‘Begiga Entelah’ (classic Iban riddles) and ‘Sempama Jaku Iban’ (Iban metaphors).

He is planning to publish his fourth book on Iban ‘biau’ and ‘sampi’ or words of prayer uttered as a fowl is waved to conclude the ‘miring’ (offering to gods) ritual.

Meanwhile, the book ‘Raja Singalang Burung’ is priced at RM39.

Casper said the book may also be ordered online.

For details, call him on 019-8142510.