Longhouses along Rajang River lure tourists

Story and pictures by RAPAEE KAWI

THE Ibans, known for their friendliness and hospitality, are also know to be good hosts, particularly to foreign tourists.

They consider it an honour to play host to foreign tourists, especially those coming to stay with them to experience life at longhouses.

Way to cook: An Iban man preparing a meal.

In Kapit Division in the upper Rajang basin of central Sarawak, there are 570 Iban and Orang Ulu longhouses along Batang Baleh and Batang Rajang that are popular with tourists.

The Orang Ulu comprise sub-ethnic groups like the Kenyah, Kayan, Sihan, Penan, Sekapan, Kejaman, Lahanan, Ukit, Tanjung and other smaller communities.

Kapit is Sarawak’s largest division covering 30,934 sq km.

It is still covered by primary forest and traversed by several rivers, including the mighty Rajang, the county’s longest river. The Rajang has many tributaries like Batang Baleh, Batang Balui, Batang Katibas and Batang Belaga.

Waterway: Longboat transporting people from one longhouse to another in Kapit division.

Due to its popularity as a tourist area, the Sarawak government plans to turn it into a major eco-tourism destination by 2015.

As there are no roads linking Kapit with other major towns in the central region.

Tourists rely on long boats and speedboats to get there.

The annual Baleh-Kapit safari is a popular tourism event that promotes Kapit.

It is jointly organised by the Sarawak Tourism Ministry and the Social Development and Urbanisation Ministry.

Tourists can opt to visit or stay in traditional or modern longhouses.

Hospitable place: Foreign and local tourists having meal at an Iban longhouse.

The homestay programme enables visitors to learn about the daily life, colourful culture and traditional costumes of the natives.