Annah Rais Longhouse in Kuching Sarawak - Venture into the Cultural World of the Bidayuh
Tribe in Sarawak
The ultimate beauty of Malaysia does not really lie on its towering buildings; newest shophouses; Western-brand fashion
houses; newest technologies; growth of the IT industry; and influx of
Europeans, Americans, and fellow Asians. It depends on its people who have
learned to adapt themselves to the twenty-first century but have never
forgotten their sense of history, of where they came from. A trip to Malaysia
therefore can be as intimate as exploring the territories of Sarawak Borneo where you will find the
Annah Rais longhouse, home of the Bidayuh tribe.
Annah Rais Longhouse is situated around 60
kilometers from Kuching City, also known as Cat City, the capital of Sarawak. Though a lot of
stories have already been told about Sarawak, not many are able to understand its real beauty. Sarawak, in particular, is
blessed with a good amount of rain and sunshine all throughout the year. Thus,
there’s no point in choosing the best date to visit here (every day is a good
one!). Though the main city has caught up with the fast-paced changes of Kuala Lumpur or Penang, a vast majority of its
land still remains almost virginal.
An elderly Bidayuh lady performing a dance
A ride to longhouse is around an
hour from main city of Kuching. However, the long-distance travel may be so worth it,
knowing that it is going to be a deep immersion for you once you reach there.
The longhouse is the present dwelling for the Bidayuh tribe, who are also
called Land Dayak. They have successfully preserved not only their homes but
also their culture, such as their music, dance, and even their source of
livelihood, which usually consists of pepper and cocoa planting, as well as
managing their paddies.
This particular longhouse is maintained and
lived by close to 80 different families, who may have inherited it from their
ancestors. Thus, do not be surprised to find the longhouses somewhat huge and
really long. Though continuous, the longhouse is subdivided into tiny dwellings
or doors, and every one of them is further divide usually up to three rooms,
some of which have already been designated as guest rooms for travelers who
want to immerse themselves into the culture. The materials that are utilized to
create the longhouse are all organic and natural. The floors are constructed
with the bamboo. However, since they rarely last for more than 5 years, they
have to be changed regularly as maintenance. It is a good immerse experience
if you can participate in one of these activities.
Bidayuh Head Hunters Skull
Speaking of activities, you’ll never run
out of things to do in the longhouse when visiting there. A lot of its previous
visitors even whine on how short their time in village was. But that doesn’t
mean you can make the most out of your trip here. You can begin by exploring
the indoors. The Bidayuh are people who love to share their traditions to their
guests, so don’t be shy to join in their cultural, usually ceremonial or
ritual, dances, if you happen to visit them during the Gawai festival (Harvest Festival). You can
also have the chance to hold and play some of their native instruments while
donning their traditional costumes.
You’ll know more about their day-to-day
lives by dining together with them (if you happen to stay back or participating
in one of the homestay program there), perhaps along with a bamboo chicken or
rice. To warm the coldness, you can take a sip of their personally concocted
tea made up of several special herbs as well as honey, or you can be part of
the revelry while drinking their rice wine called tuak. To top it off, the Bidayuh
are already a very diverse group, so you don’t simply experience a
one-dimensional culture, religion, or tradition.
Small shallow stream with crystal clear
cold running water beside the Annah Rais longhouse
Since the longhouse is not very
far from Kuching, many opt to take a trip here by morning and go home in the
afternoon. You can do that too, but you’re going to miss out on the essence of
being in the longhouse in the first place. It is highly recommended you take
advantage of the homestay program which offered by the several families there, that
lasts at least for two days and one night. This will also give you ample time
to venture into the wilderness outside, along with a guide. There, you can swim
in the three-tiered waterfall, relax in the jungle spa (natural hot spring
nearby), train for blowgun use, or simply observe the wildlife and the abundant
vegetation and foliage.
Inside the Bidayuh Longhouse
Moreover, to ensure you do not let go of the
opportunity, most homestay owners price their program for very cheap. For around
RM298 or less than a hundred dollars per person (with everything inclusive,
meals, adventurous jungle activities and accommodation), ones can already stay
in there, remove themselves from the hustle and bustle of city life and
rejuvenate their minds, souls, and bodies.
The experience at a longhouse here is more than just
a dwelling. It is a testament of the past and the efforts of the Bidayuh people to preserve
the gifts of their forebears not only for them but for the next generation. For more information about the Homestay Program, please visit the official site for Annah Rais
Longhouse in Sarawak.
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