8 Cultures and Heritage In Sarawak | Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, is home to 27 ethnic groups. With 45 different dialects, each group has its own unique stories, beliefs, traditions, and cultures. You can meet people from the Iban tribe, known for their legendary headhunting customs from days of old. They have long since ceased headhunting, but they still maintain their rich customs, art, practices, and language.
The Orang Ulu, or ‘people from upriver,’ comprise of different tribes such as the Kayan, Kenyah, Lun Bawang, and Kelabit. Their exotic art and music have spread internationally, as seen in the growing popularity of the boat lute or sape. The sape has become the symbol of the Rainforest World Music Festival, one of Malaysia’s largest music festivals.
Entrenched in Sarawak’s history are the remnants of the reign of the White Rajahs, the Brooke family monarchy that ruled the Kingdom of Sarawak from 1841 to 1946. Traces of the Brookes can be found throughout the state, from physical reminders such as colonial buildings, preserved relics that populate today’s museums, and events such as the Sarawak Regatta, to the more intangible traces within the law and culture of the people.
Sarawak’s ever-expanding world-class museums, authentic hospitality, and a diverse religious and cultural trade, all form part of the cultural attraction.
(credit : Tourism Sarawak)
Annah Rais Bidayuh Longhouse
Annah Rais Longhouse is a Bidayuh settlement about 100km south of Kuching, at the foothill of Borneo Highlands near the mountains marking the border to Kalimantan. Other than the authentic longhouse experience, it is also famous for the hot springs nearby.
Kampung Annah Rais is a large Bidayuh village centred around a centuries-old bamboo longhouse, one of the finest still in existence. The Bidayuh make up about 8% of Sarawak’s population and were formerly known as Land Dayaks. They are gracious hosts and village is the perfect place to discover Bidayuh culture and learn about their fascinating way of life.
Entrance Fee To Annah Rais Bidayuh Longhouse
RM8.00/adult per person
Astana Kuching
The imposing palace on the north bank across the river from the Waterfront was laid out in the style of an English manor house. It is the third and last residence built by the Brooke Rajahs and was occupied by the reigning Rajah until the Japanese Occupation in 1941. Today, Astana Kuching is the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak, and therefore not open to visitors. However, during Hari Raya (Aid-Fitr) celebration, the gate will be open to welcome visitors in the best tradition of Malaysia Open House practice.
Charles Brooke (the second “White Rajah” of Sarawak) built Astana Kuching in 1870 as a bridal gift to his wife, Margaret Alice Lili de Windt. The Astana has occupied a significant place in the history of Sarawak; it was the venue for the various meetings of the General Council from 1873 to 1937.
Bario
Lying at an altitude of about 3,500 feet above sea level in the north-eastern corner of Sarawak is the famous Bario Highland, a Kelabit territory, one of the minority Orang Ulu tribes of Sarawak. Bario means ‘Wind’ in Kelabit language. (the correct pronunciation is ‘Bariew’).
It is affectionately known as the ‘land of a hundred handshakes' as this is how friendly locals will greet you as you wander around the community.
Bario proper is the gateway to the Kelabit highlands, thanks to its airport and a small network of roads leading to some of the nearby villages. About thirteen villages are located in & around Bario area and Kampung Bario Asal is the first. This is a must-visit longhouse where one can see the ancient timbers of the unique kitchen darkened by the constant smoke of generations of cooking fires.
Most of the area’s accommodation is found in and around Bario, and it is the main starting point for treks throughout the area. One can go kayaking or immerse in the historical tales of the monoliths that dot the area. The place has incredible organic food such as the famous Bario rice and pineapple. One of their annual events is the internationally known Bario Food Festival also known as ‘Pesta Nukenen’, held in July each year.
For the really adventurous; Bario is either the starting or the ending of the arduous 5/4N Bario-Ba’kelalan jungle trekking adventure.
TIPS: It can get quite chilly in the evening so bring a sweater. Hot water supply is a luxury. Travel light (15kg per person) as you will be weighed in together with your luggage before boarding your flight. Confirm your return journey at the airport upon arrival if you hold a return ticket.
Bakelalan
Bakelalan (formerly Ba’Kelalan) is the most important of the Lun Bawang settlements in the northern highlands. The village is famous for its apples and organic vegetables, and for the local musicians and their ‘bamboo bands’. The village is connected to Lawas and Miri by air, and it is also possible to travel to Lawas via an old logging road.
While in Bakelalan, you can:
- Experience the lifestyle of the Lun Bawang community with Homestay program.
- Take a 45 minutes jungle trekking to Long Kumap Salt Spring, and experience the cold and clean water in the stream along the way.
- Explore Bakelalan surroundings by visiting the rice fields, apple farms & the organic research farm.
About 1000 meters above sea level in the village of Ba’kelalan, located deep in the Kelabit Highlands of northeastern Sarawak Borneo. A total of nine villages are found spread out in the Maligan Highlands which is home to the ethnic Lun Bawang people here.
One of the main natural homegrown industries here is also the highland salt, otherwise known as Ba’kelalan salt which is produced here. The history of the Ba’kelalan salt goes back hundreds of years ago when hunters noticed animals drinking water from a salt spring.
The salt has become one of the community produce where around 20 families from here take turns to process and produce it by boiling spring water to extract the salt. When you visit here, you will see a huge community participating in doing this too.
There are three salt processing spots in Ba’kelalan and the most popular one would be Buduk Bui, where visitors are brought here to experience the salt production. Special Lun Bawang food can also be arranged to be eaten here during your trip.
After experience the Ba’kelalan salt production, you can then buy the processed salt which is noted as one of the best natural salts around the region as it is rich in iodine. For anyone who is visiting here, make sure you ask about the salt factory visit as it is very interesting.
Fort Margherita (Brooke Gallery)
Fort Margherita was built in 1879 to guard Kuching’s river approaches from pirates. Named after Charles Brooke’s wife, Ranee Margaret, it is an extremely interesting building. Recently renovated and turned into the Brooke Gallery (see Museums and Galleries in Kuching), it houses a wide range of memorabilia of the Brooke Era. Sampans go to the Fort from various Waterfront jetties and it is a short walk from the northern end of the Darul Hana Bridge. You may only enter the fort if you pay the entrance fee for the Brooke Gallery.
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