FIELDNOTE_0412_NALUWAN_CHARMAINE

I was seated with the same grandmas of the families I met last week and was also attached to a new grandma at the table. All three of them recounted their time whereby they went out to the sea to harvest seashells. They mentioned that the sea water level played an important role in determining whether they would go into the sea that day. It is only when the water subsides that they are able to see the seashells by the rocks. 

One of the most memorable sharing was of an elder mentioning her time when she was at the tender age of about 8 years old. Her parents had to wake up early at about 3am to go to the field and work, and she would wake up even earlier just to cook for them. She recounted that as one of her toughest periods when she was young, as she often dozed off while cooking. Comparing myself to when I was at that age, I felt like I was in a more privileged position, and did not need to wake up that early to start “working” at such a young age.

Despite the grandmas being shy to sing at the start, they were all very willing to sing along when someone starts singing songs of the Naluwan tribe. When being invited to showcase their song and dance, they were equally enthusiastic and happily went to the centre of the room, forming a circle and singing along. I enjoyed being part of their dance and being surrounded by that much enthusiasm that I have never experienced elsewhere before.