In 1863 many Iban leaders from all over Sarawak gathered to join The Great Kayan Expedition which was lead by Charles Brooke himself. In the book Ten Years in Sarawak, Charles Brooke wrote:
"June 1st, 1863, at 3.30 pm, the assembly was collected on the hard stones. All such matters, as before related, are discussed on the earth and without any roof. About a hundred or more chiefs were present, squatting in a circle, when I joined, accompanied by Fitz Cruickshank, and we sat in centre. Then a silent ensued, and I told them that, as far as we were able, we must now arranged the proceedings and division to advance one after another, I begged that all would keep order, and not rush on or run unnecessary risks, as if they allowed their people to push past dangerous places, accidents must happen. Another point which I had always made known with great emphasis was, that the chiefs must be answerable for the behaviour of their crew, to allow no quarelling or fighting. And the lives of women and children must be spared, as they could not be enemies of men. The first man to speak after I had finished was Balang of Katibas, who was an ugly little broad man, with jowl of hog. He had sparkling eyes, and was dressed in all the colours af rainbow. The Kayans had burnt his house, and taken all his property. He spoke exceedingly well, and I wished from my heart my speech could have been so telling. He said-"I have no wish to return if the force is not successful, and am prepared to stake everything on this attack. The enemy has deprived me of all my property already, and many of my relations and people have been killed; they may now cooked my head, if I can't get theirs." He added, "The chiefs, as Tuan says, should be responsible for their people; and I recommend others to follow my example, and beat their followers if they refuse to obey orders." Orang Kaya Gassing, of Skrang, spoke a little, and then a general conversation ensued upon their feelings, dreams, birds and omens. All was of satisfactory nature - very different from the tone had been some years ago, for they are gradually lessening these outward signs of mystery and paying more attention to realities. We then dispersed. In the afternoon I pulled in a small canoe, to inspect the beginning of rapids. At eventide our people were assembled on a large pebbly bed, engaged in all kinds of games, amidst shouts of laughter."
Libau which is well known for his praise name Rentap was among the leaders from Skrang whose fought Rajah. Charles Brooke wrote about Rentap:
"Their legends and songs make mentionof it as being the Great Mount, toward which no enemy dare venture; and our arch-enenny Rentap had been located on it since the fall of Sungei Lang. He was supported by the Skrang Dayaks located in the interior, and also by the inhabitants of the interior of Saribas, who offered every aid and assistance so long as he occupied thie eyrie, which stood as nucleus and basis far removed from danger, and to which they all might, in case of need, retire to find a haven from the stranger's rule, which thwarted their headhunting propensities. He was called Rajah Ulu (inland Rajah), and was the centre of all opposition to the rule of Rajah of Sarawak.
Aji is the son of Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana of Padih. After the death of his father, Aji and his sibling Nanang fought the Rajah. Aji dead in 1858 at Nanga Sungai Langit. He was shot by a Malay from Spaoh using golden bullet. In the book Ten Years in Sarawak, Charles Brooke wrote about Aji lile this:
" His father, the Orang Kaya Bayang, who died only a few years ago, had maintained a suprising influence over both Dayak and Malay; the latter always following his counsel for the settlement of their more difficult and intricate cases. Aji's name and acts had been in my ears and dream for years past. Many a bloody deed had he perpetrated and always boasted that the white man's powder and shot would take no effect on his body"
Ngumbang whose praise name is Berauh Langit (roaring sky) was a chiefs from Batang Ai. He used to lead the battle against the people of Kedempai Padung Kumang in Batang Kantu; Leban and Empanang in Batang Kapuas; beat the Memaluh in Bukol, Lebuyan; fight the Iban Pelasok and Belai in Batang Skrang: fight against the Rajah at Tinting Pan, Bukit Seligi, Berinyih and Bekilong in Ulu Menyang, Batang Ai.In his diary Charle Broooke wrote about Ngumbang like this;
'Ngumbang whose praise-name was Berauh Langit (roaring sky), is regarded by the upriver people as the greatest warrior in their history, far greater than Bantin. He was born along the Batng Lupar's Menyang tributary, which flows down from the border range. He led innumerable war parties against Maloh Dayaks and Rajah of Sarawak. The fact that he supported the Rajah between 1886 and 1902 is not today held against him. Like a suprising number of great Iban warriors (including Penghulu Dalam Munan), Ngumbang was childless, but adopted a daughter. He died on 1914 in the same stream where he was born, and the people of the area say he is buried in a cave along the border range, guarded by a clouded leopard'
I got all these information from the book wrote by Johnny anak Chuat and Nalong anak Buda entitled Iban Pegai Rajah Brooke .
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