Meowzzz in Malaysia: Day before: preparing a feast

Today was spent preparing food, like would be done in the longhouse before a wedding. first,lunch was made for all the arriving guests. Then begins preparation for the lunch after the wedding service tomorrow. Fresh meat, fruits, and veggies are all gathered and prepared. Everyone contributes. The men handle the meat prep and the women handle everything else. It's quite the production and a very cool experience.

Everyone sitting around prepping for lunch! Peeling potatoes and cutting up pumpkin with uncle Kheng Ho and Aunt Cecilia

Preparing banana shoot

Cutting up upapku, when cooked has the same texture and kind of taste like artichoke heart

Peeling garlic. I think I'll be safe from vampires for a while. Got those garlic hands.

Bamboo with chicken or fish inside which is then cooked over fire

So much commotion, but Uncle Faybien is out like a light. He is aunt Judy's future husband's younger brother

Two pigs were bought for the big wedding feast and every part of it was cooked literally. This is the pig's brain

Aki's brother eating a piece of it!

Wayne helping out by inspecting the chicken

Second round of prep beginning. Great time for catching up and gossip. The chatter was nonstop and all in Iban. Quite the experience to watch. Glad to be part of such a diverse and large family

Uncle Bunyak serving up the pig's head! Wahhhh. It still has its teeth. Gross.

Dad with his mom and aunt

Dad, his aunt, and sister. They all look alike!

The whole family minus aki and aunt Judy. First time they have been all together in years.

Weaving little pouches that are filled with rice and sugar mix to make Iban version of rice pudding. Dad's cousin had amazing patience trying to teach me to make them using two strands. It took about three hours to finally be able to put one together. But I was determined to learn!