Customers browse through stalls selling jungle produce at Sibu Central Market.
SIBU: Vendors of jungle produce at Sibu Central Market are enjoying good business lately with most takers for the ‘midin’ and `paku’.
Single mother Senah Edward Jadam who has been selling ‘midin’ and ‘paku’ for nine years said many of her customers were tourists.
Senah gets her wild ferns from Kampung Jeriah where she stays, spending about one hour from 7am to find them.
The 42-year-old mother of four said she has to work hard to pay for their education. On a good day she can make RM80 to RM100.
Besides midin and paku, ‘buluh pansuh’ or bamboo segments are selling like hotcakes at the central market.
Vendor Beda Liang gets her supply of bamboo from Julau.
“Cooking meat in a bamboo tube over an open fire is a healthy method of cooking,” she explained.
According to her, local people regard ‘buluh pansuh’ as a great Gawai Dayak delicacy but it’s popular the whole year round.
Beda also sells a type of plant known to the natives as ‘upa pala’.
“I get the supply from Mukah. Melanaus, Malays and Dayaks love upa pala.
“It tastes bitter and sweet, and is widely used for cooking fish and chicken soup,” she said.
‘Kasam ensabi’ sold by vendor Indai Sito has also made its presence at the central market.
“It’s a type of vegetable soaked in water with salt and sugar.
“Two weeks is enough to give it a good soak,” he said of kasam ensabi which is used to perk up a chicken soup.