A Bidayuh welcome

The Bidayuhs, or Land Dayaks, are the second largest ethnic group in Sarawak and are known for their peace-loving and easygoing nature.

We had a chance to experience their hospitality when we visited Rumah Annah Rais, a 500-year-old Bidayuh long-house in Padawan District, about 60km from Kuching.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a group of young girls who performed the belanggi or welcome dance in full costumes, accompanied by the sounds of traditional instruments. Two elderly men subsequently performed the male version of this dance.

Next came the famous ngajat or warrior dance. Ringin, chairman of the Rumah Annah Rais Tourism Committee, explained that back in the old days the ngajat was performed as a demonstration of courage by warriors when they brought back their enemies’ heads. A female version of the ngajat followed to symbolise the acceptance of the heads offered by the triumphant warriors.

After the dances were over, Ringin offered us Rumah Annah Rais’ very own tuak (wine). Their tuak was unique as they had added wild honey and herbs to the mix. It was unusual, but sweet and delicious. The long-house’s tourist coordinator, Edward Gunui, then gave us a tour of the long-house, which consisted of almost 100 bilik.

The floor was a delight to walk on as it was made of bamboo. The rounded surface of the bamboo was very smooth and agreeable to the feet, while affording a firm hold. It also doubled as an excellent bed, since the elasticity of the bamboo and its rounded surface made it more comfortable than a flat floor.

Edward then showed us how chicken was cooked in bamboo over a wood fire. We tried the dish and it was delicious! He also taught us how to use the blowpipe and explained how the poison was made. We gave the pipes a go, but our darts flew everywhere.

Rumah Annah Rais offers homestay programmes for tourist who would like to experience life in a long-house.
They also organise adventure activities like trekking to the waterfalls, hot springs, bamboo rafting and cultural activities like Bidayuh dances, cooking Bidayuh dishes and learning how to use the blow pipe.
For more information, visit http://www.longhouseadventure.com/. Out trip was organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB). To experience Sarawak, contact STB at (082) 423 600 or visit http://www.sarawaktourism.com/

By JOLEEN LUNJEW; The Star, Saturday June 23, 2007

130 kampung houses for tourists

BALIK PULAU: A total of 130 houses in traditional villages in Penang will be made available for homestay programmes for Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

Penang bumiputra tourism chairman Muhamad Farid Saad said the programme would start as soon as the Tourism Ministry gave out licences to homestay operators.

“The demand from foreign tourists to stay in real kampung surroundings is encouraging,” he said after launching the Kampung Jalan Baru homestay programme and also a recycling campaign yesterday.

Some 80 foreign tourists, who were invited to the opening ceremony, were treated to a Malay-style kenduri (feast) complete with traditional dance performances.

Cooking demonstrations were also held to show the tourists how to prepare rendang, lemang and traditional cakes.
Muhamad Farid, who is also Pulau Betong assemblyman, said there were plans to include villages in Pulau Betong in Balik Pulau, Penang island, as well as Sungai Semilang and Kampung Juru in Juru, Pulau Aman and Mengkuang Titi, all in Seberang Prai, in the programme.

“We are making arrangements with hotels to include a 2-day/1-nightstay in villages as a package,” he said.
“We want the tourists to experience living in a kampung for at least one night.”

Muhamad Farid said the council had adopted Kampung Jalan Baru to promote the programme and had allocated RM60,000 to develop and beautify the village.

“The Drainage and Irrigation Department, Kemas and the Agriculture Department also contributed RM35,000 to upgrade the infrastructure in Kampung Jalan Baru,” he said.

He said the Tourism Ministry had allocated RM200,000 to plant 147 varieties of palm trees in the district.

“We will beautify the 20km tourism belt in Sungai Pinang, Sungai Rusa and Permatang Pasir areas,” he said.

Sunday November 19, 2006; The Star