Life in Kampong Ayer in the 1970s
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| Boats waiting to ferry passengers in 1970. – Photos: Haji Mohd Daud Abd Rahma |
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| The view of Bandar Seri Begawan from the top of the PGGMB building during the 1970s |
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| Men selling off food items at the jetty in 1950 where Yayasan Complex is now situated |
| Haji Mohd Daud Abd Rahman |
BEFORE the 1970s, houses in Kampong Ayer had roofs made of Nipah palm leaves and if the homeowner could afford it, pillars were made from Kulimpapa wood.
In the 1970s, electricity and water were still inaccessible for villagers of Kampong Ayer.
The daily lives of residents were quite a struggle but they persevered. The villagers would collect their own water for consumption. They would go by boat to collect water and would bring gas lamps at night.
The main mode of transportation was by boat. Boats would ferry passengers to and from the capital. At the time, many villagers worked for the government.
The memories of that time were bittersweet. Many villagers would recall days where it rained heavily while they were riding a boat. Parents were very concerned of their children’s safety. Even when they were born and raised in Kampung Ayer, some children could not swim and their parents would not allow them to go near or bathe in the water.
Now Kampong Ayer is very different. The younger generation would only learn of Kampong Ayer from pictures and stories told by their elders.
Courtesy of the Borneo Bulletin
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