Somerset Maugham and the Lupar Tidal Bore

Somerset Maugham came to Sarawak in 1921 and he wrote several short stories based on his few days' sojourn in old time Sarawak. One recent book which includes all his short stories is called, "Borneo Stories". It is available in most bookstores in Malaysia. According to some reports, Maugham himself experienced a near drowning in the Lupar Bore.

He was actually travelling with his friend and companion Gerald Haxton downstream. The sudden rush of the ten-foot wave swamped the small craft and sent Maugham, Haxton, and the native crew into the river where they all barely survived. He wrote notes on his experiences and later in 1926 he wrote "The Yellow Streak" using the details of his notes and his own creativity. (Source : Troy Bassett)


According to another source, at the Rajah's invitation, Maugham was travelling by boat along the Batang Lupar, rowed by prisoners of the Rajah, to the town of Simanggang (now known as Sri Aman).

During his voyage, Maugham unexpectedly encountered the mighty tidal bore, was thrown from the boat, and narrowly avoided drowning.

Sources:Gushing Roar of Sarawak's Tidal Bore, By Martin Yee, New Strait Times Press, 21st February 2000Brunei: Tidal Bore Fest, Borneo Bulletin, 6th June 2001, Copyright 2001 FT Asia Intelligence Wire


There is also popular local legend in Sri Aman which relates the tale of Benak, his wife and their son.

The family were rowing along the Batang Lupar, in the Sri Aman division of Sarawak, when they accidentally hit and capsized a native, spilling him into the Batang Lupar.
Angered by this, the native, a local Iban man, vowed to avenge his misfortue and kill Benak and his family.

The next morning, the Iban man hid himself on the Batang Lupar to await the arrival of Benak and his family. Unaware that he was waiting for them, Benak and his family were unexpectedly attacked by the local, and Benak was slain.
But, his wife and child managed to escape, and every day since they have been paddling along the Batang Lupar with great ferocity in the form a tidal bore, and no compassion for the local boatmen that frequent the waters.