Kampung Tamui Papar - my experience in the 88's -98's. part 1

I was born and raised here. Between 1988 to 1998, I had a very wonderful experience to be part of this kampung boy. But why stop at 1998? This is because soon after SPM result, I had left kampung experience for further studying as well as working.

Before that let me introduce my kampung which is Kampung Tamui Papar and some say Tomui. It is located between Kampung Kinuta and Kampung Biau. I was told that the name "tomui' came from the name 'oyomui' in Kadazan language which means dirt. It was happened long ago where a big flood had hit and as a result a lot of dirt (rubbish) at all over the places. Since then the elderly had named this places as TOMUI. What a nice name isn't it?

This kampung has 3 section which includes;
1. YUNDUK - Riverside along sungai Papar
2. TAKAD - Near hilly and at the centre of the kampung.
3. DOKUDUNG - Near a swamp area which facing the paddy field.
4. PAPAK -a new settlement which is located at once upon a time a farm near a river.

As at now, there's a new 'settlement' at the northern side of the kampung  which I haven't found out the name yet. But well I can consider it a 'Kampung Baru'.

Ok..enough of history as I'm not the right person to tell it. What I'm going to write is the special about Tamui@Tomui back in 90's.

1. Postmen doesn't need to send the letter here
No specific address for each house house number. The postman only have to put in the letter into box at post office at town. Only a few had a key to the postbox and will come and collect those letter once a while.
JKKK or ketua kampung or Uncle T will take the letter and distribute it to the kampung people. The best place to put the letter was at Uncle T place because it was a 'pajak' there (will explained it later).

2. Pajak & Kampung-made-alcoholic drinks
A pajak is a name for kampung's bar which opens 7 days a week and open as long as the 'tuak pagung' is there. At that time a beer / whisky etc considered expensive so it was a popular choices among the 'kaki-minum'. Well, pajak actualy it also not a place to get drunk only but a place for people to get-together especially during weekends. There's a time where a 'tuak kelapa' has become so popular due to it's sweetness and much nicer than tuak pagung.

There's a few nenek's are doing this tuak kelapa (Mamai O, Mamai P, Mamai N, Nenek Manih, Mamai D). And you know what, they blend it really fine until it becomes hot selling 'drinks'. U need to book in advance during peak period. Due to it limitness,  it priced higher than tuak pagung. and there comes "tapai" ..

My Aunt R was the specialist for this one. But this tapai mainly consumed during special occasion and due to its specially used ocassion, it's a bit expensive. But don't worry, the brilliant minded Aunt has come up a solution to make sure there's always demand for tapai. There's comes 'tumpung' ..a mini compact size of tapai which is more affordable to a schoolboy like us..

3. Looking for 'reward' Rosary Prayer (In the month of October)

This is among the most waited season of the year. Every October, each house in the kampung will take turn to host a prayer at their respective house. The Christian community leader will come up with a schedule with a guide on who is on duty during that prayer session. Of course I'm among one of the person on-duty. What I like most about this praying session is we can meet each others or meet new friend. So the interesting part for this prayer session for us is the 'makan-makan' session. Yeah, it can be considered as reward for us after prayer. The common food being offered by the host is COFFEE and 'Biskut Marrie' and biskut keras. Some will offer kuih, porridge etc.. We will not missed some house's which they will offer a very yummy food and delicacies expecially Uncle F.