"Britong" in Biatah dialect means discussing an issue within a group. Britongers is a self-coined word to categorize people (mostly Bidayuhs) who patronize Ja Ata Britong forum either serious or non-serious. "Ja Ata Britong" is an invitational statement or phrase extending to anyone to engage in discussion.

The statement "Ja Ata Britong" (or JAB in short) is a Biatah dialect (Biatah is one of the main group of Bidayuh) which laterally means, "Let Us Discuss".

JAB can also be an acronym for "Ja Ata Bidingan" which can be translated as "Let's be Friends". For many other Bidayuh dialects, the letter 'B' may be found in most of its words such as "Bidayuh" of course, "Bitunang" (engaged), "Bisepug" (Bidayuh from Kpg Simpok) and may mean many things to many other Bidayuhs, a typical of the diversity that exist amongst Bidayuh.

The name JABBERS is also an acronym of JAB MemBERS. There is no condition to be a JABBER except some may assume that you are of a Bidayuh origin, able to read and write, use the Internet and able to utilize the space that exist between the ears. However this forum is NOT strictly for Bidayuhs and shall remain as such simply because it has a global appeal and attractions.

Background

Depending on the topic of discussion the sessions would occurred until wee-hours and the subject may touch on next hunting trips, new farming lands or simply family-related issues. Such engaging past-times were aimed to create solidarity, comradeship and unity amongst the villagers.

In Kuching Division notably in the Serian, Padawan, Penrissen and Bau areas, family feuds, land disputes or clash of claims over fruit trees were often amicably settled through britong sessions.

Due to rapid changes to the lifestyle and modernization, the spirit of britong could not be carried out as much as it should as more Bidayuhs have either abandoned old ways or are being displaced by development and geographical boundaries.

With the modernization and sometimes demised of headhouses and closed-knitted longhouses, the avenue for britong the traditonal way were difficult to sustain and few bothered to re-ignite the Bidayuhness spirit.

However, while many things have changed, something has to remain... communications.

World Wide Web

The advent of the Internet had brought about popularity the way people communicate.

The World Wide Web (WWW) promotes the use of HyperText Markup Language (HTML) - the authoring language used in the creation of documents for the World Wide Web. This language promoted online forum, discussions and bulletin board and anyone with computer that has Internet connection and appropriate software can communicate with each other.

It meant more people from different places can communicate and pool their knowledge in a web of documents or bulletin board, which meant everyone had access to everyone else's ideas.

In 1991 the World Wide Web as we know it today was born.

Intrigued by the potential of WWW, a Bidayuh realised that it could be the missing link to save the art of 'britong'!

In 1997, a Bidayub Forum Site was established to give britong a new lease of life. Since then the art of 'britong' was never the same again.

Today the Britong Forum is our Panggah, Tenju or Varendah for us to continue our communications regardless of our geographical boundaries.

For all intents and purposes, Britong Forum is:

1. A public meeting place for open discussion;

2. A medium of open discussion or voicing of ideas, such as a newspaper or;

3. a radio (FM101.35!) or television program;

4. A public meeting or assembly for open discussion;

5. A public facility for virtual meeting for open discussion.

The word Public could also mean Bidayuhs. It is perfectly true that as an open public forum, there are no enforcement features and regulatory procedure to block out non-Bidayuhs from patronizing this forum.

JABBERS is global

JABBERS is global and it can also be considered as a community within a community that exists in cyberspace.

Other forum sites bloomed and flourished much the same way the Dot Com era and new forums came and gone.

First there was the SARAWAK TALK, an errant Uncle of Britong Forum Site, then the RUAI RANDAU and the SANGKANCIL... the BLOGS list goes on. Forum sites inherit many dangerous dark sides that could contribute to its downfall.

Borrowed time

JABBERS is existing in a borrowed time and server and has its fair share of perilous days but somehow survived, thanks to its members who are able to harness its usefulness and brighten it darkness.

JABBERS need to redress their mindsets and the faithful must strive to suppress all common negativity associated with it.

This year 2006, JABBERS is celebrating its ten-year existence in cyberspace and it is a long time for a vulnerable forum site that is subjected to constant abuse, bully and exploitation.

JABBERS has a human side

For years many JABBERS claimed that they stumbled upon long lost friend through the Britong forum. Others have claimed that he had stumbled upon his niece that he had never met for years and that is a heart-touching testimonies worth-remember.

JABBERS has the tendency to spew the unexpected and through its universal appeal and intriguing nature, it is able to converges Bidayuhs from the world over such as Australia, Britain, Canada, United States or Klang Valley.

JABBERS stay faceless by posting messages with nicknames and the nickname changes from time to time making it extremely difficult to track down the writer(s) outright.

Nicknames found in JABBERS can be thought-provocative, mind-boggling and out-right distasteful. However an artful nicknames such as Pape Gabuk, Night Rider, Babai Seratau, Bak Peyu, YB Golong, Redline, MBSY, Ketty, Aang Pidea, Bidayuh Before Brooke (B3), Kutieng or Datuk K, Hermes, Wonderboyz, Jackaroo, Mindow, DS, Babai Kayan, Babai Biatah, Babai Bidayuh, Madih KL, Fat Cat, Night Owl, Tin Kosong, Ayung Kiyad, Observer, Bukok Tikok, Gretak Sumur... the nicknames go on and on. (a thousand apologies for not able to write all the nicknames from yesteryears!) This is typical of all cyberspace explorers.

JABBERS has a heart too

Sometimes JABBERS do charity works and the generousity of each one will be compounded in the form of fund-raising although it must be stressed here that this is strictly personal, sincere and genuine.

The small collections would form part of emergency money be donated to a worthy cause.

A blind date

How do we know each other and who's who?

During its first year, JABBERS decided to meet up and to reveal and to discover who's behind the nick to concoct an opportunity to 'Kiss and Makeup'. They started to send calling message and organize what they term as "Jabbers' Night Party" or JNP. Others may call it 'A Blind Date'. The first JNP was so well received that it triggered the 2nd and the 3rd and now it has became a yearly event.

Past JNP events were held in different Bidayuh areas such as Padawan or Bau. The venue for the JNP tended to be just to be just around the neighbourhood with the aims of experiencing different Bidayuhs cuisine from different areas.

Like any other great night out, JNP's version of merry-making is a spectacle by itself. A typical JNP commence with a self-introduction. JNP is the time to declare your nickname, confessions if you like and seek for forgiveness for foul languages in the forum. The nickname declaration time never failed to bring out the 'uhhh...ahh...wow...hehehe...' so you are so and so... plus the heavy hug and handshakes. Last but not least, bring your own karaoke VCD!

10th JNP

JNP 10th will be the most significant ever as it promises to converge hardcore JABBERS. While some choose to view JNP as a show of force, others prefer to judge the JNP as the ultimate testing ground to separate the pretenders from the loyalist. This is not the case. JNP is an opportunity to knit each other into the network of JABBERS.

Many JABBERS will not be able to make it but they have pledged to be supportive of each other through other means such as purchase of specially designed T-Shirts and other form of sponsorships to ensure the continuity of JNP or any JABBERS' sponsored events.

With or without JNP10, there are those amongst JABBERS who are truly friends for life, and that's is vital for such a small community like the Bidayuhs to survive in this complex and challenging world.

Click on image to read more about the logo

JABBERS Logo

Making money with skill, wit and brute strength while protecting and upholding our value, cultural heritage and background.

The sharp Bidayuh spear is our tool (technology) which require wit and skills to use them. In this case our mind must be trained to confront the challenges.

The spear reminds the bidayuhs of our hard and humble beginning. The straight up spear forms a letter 'I" symbolizes our Integrity and determination to protect our community and our environment from exploitation.

The letter 'S' with its long winding tail depicts the long and winding attempt to unite our community from both directions. It can be interpreted as a bridge to link and connect us with one another. The letter 'S' also symbolizes money and if we meet each other though networking there is an opportunity to make money.

Red reflects our bravely in our endeavor, Yellow symbolizes our loyalty to our roots and Grey is partiality in our approach to solve our problems.

Bidayuh design in grey colour on white, yellow design on black and yellow design on red underlines the bidayuh's strong identity and bond towards parents and one another. That's why JAB stands for Ja Ata Bidingan, Bikawan... It also reflects our harmony with our environment, dependence and respect for the state.

This logo can have many interpretations and has a universal appeal without compromising its ethnic element.

Links to all JNP images

1. "JNP at Donu Baa -30th August 2003" >

4. "JNP at RED DRAGON, KPG SIBULUH -1st September 2006"

Notes: JABBERs are requested to forward images of previous held JNP, please email to babai@bidayuh.com, Thank you on behalf of ALL JABBERS