Rumah Betang “Longhouse” Kalimantan is the typical traditional house found in various parts of Kalimantan, especially in upstream areas which usually becomes the center of the Dayak tribe settlements, where the river is the main transport pathway for the Dayak to perform a variety of mobility of everyday life like going to work to the fields where Dayak tribe fields are usually far from residential areas, or perform trade activities (the ancient Dayak tribes usually trade using the barter system with the mutual exchange of fields, orchards and livestock).
Rumah Betang forms and large houses will vary in different places.There are houses that reach lengths of Rumah Betang 150 meters wide and up to 30 meters.Rumah Betang Generally houses built in the form of a stage with a height of three to five feet off the ground.
Rumah Betang tall building, expect to avoid flooding during the rainy season that threatened areas upriver in Borneo.Some residential units can have more than one Rumah Betang houses hanging fruit the size of the household members of the residential community. Each household (family) occupies the chamber (room) that the barriers of a large house the Rumah Betang , in addition to the general Dayak tribes also have single houses built temporarily to perform agricultural activities, it is because away distances between fields with the settlement.
More than a building for residential Dayak tribe, Rumah Betang “Betang House” actual house is the heart of the social structure of the life of the Dayak people.Rumah Betang “Betang House” culture is a reflection of the togetherness in the daily life of the Dayak people.Rumah Betang “Betang House” in the house is every individual’s life in households and communities are systematically arranged by mutual agreement set forth in the customary law.Common security, both from criminal interference or sharing food, the joys and sorrows as well as mobilization of manpower to work the fields.
The main value that stands out in his home life is the value of togetherness Rumah Betang (communalism) among the citizens who inhabit it, regardless of the differences they have.From here we learn that the Dayak tribe is a tribe that respects difference.Appreciate the differences in ethnic Dayak tribe, religion or social background.
Tumbang Gagu Longhouse was founded in 1870 using the traditional Dayak method. In an isolated area, on a rising by a pretty rivulet, the longhouse was built by traditional owners, mainly village head Singa Raja Antang bin Lambang Dandu, after a grant from the Dutch and Antang’s own personal wealth made it possible. Close to the sources of his wealth in the abundant forests nearby, strategically placed on his export routes to the port at Sampit, the longhouse became home for his 3 wives, each in her own apartment, with the other families.
55 meters long, it is built in the traditional style atop huge ulin ironwood tree trunks and other supporting poles numbering well over 200. Roughly hewn by adzes and towering 5 meters over the sloping ground, the longhouse provides protection and shelter for the families living in the midst of the forest. The niched poles leaning against the longhouse give slippery access, but may be quickly raised if trouble looms.
The longhouse remains in the hands of descendants of the original owners, though currently only two families live there. In the central apartment live Antang’s grandson, Pak Labuang and his wife, Ibu Leri, now old but determined to keep the tradition and majesty of the longhouse alive.
A village has grown up nearby and natural resources are still being mined from the abundant natural environment. Gold mining is a dirty and inescapable feature of the waterways, most large trees have now gone, traditional slash and burn agriculture is penetrating the re-growth forests, and banana plantations are springing up in their wake.
Additional information
| Location | Central Kalimantan |
|---|---|
| Dates | Year-round |
| Include | Transfers from airport, all travel and accommodation as specified, food on trip. Food available in the villages is very simple, and some extra food will be taken along. |
| Exclude | Airfares to and from Central Kalimantan, optional extra tours |
DAY 1: PALANGKARAYA – TUMBANG GAGU
Pick up at the airport or hotel and transfer to Tumbang Hiran village, 4 hours on a good road and 2 hours travel along logging. Simple lunch on the way. The journey will be continue by speedboat on Katingan River around 45 minutes. It is a hike of 2 hours through the forest, farms and rubber plantations, until we arrive to the Tumbang Gagu Village.
In Tumbang Gagu an old Betang (longhouse), named AntangKalang, is located. We will walk to the longhouse, entering by climbing the notched pole. Built in the 1870’s over a period of 7 years, the longhouse stands 55 meters long and 16 meters wide. Originally home to seven families, it now houses one family permanently. Visitors are welcomed to stay in the longhouse. The village is home to approximately 7 families.
Upon arrival at the longhouse, there will be a welcome ceremony by the Dayak elder. Later, you will be shown to your allocated sleeping area. Stroll through the village and meet the people. Get familiar with their way of life by sitting together and hearing stories while having dinner together with the residents and Dayak elders. (L/D)
DAY 2: TUMBANG GAGU LONGHOUSE – RIVER ADVENTURE
The kids in the village won’t let you sleep after sunrise. Obviously – they don’t see strangers too often so they will be watching you closely. After breakfast you will go for a canoe ride upstream to do some light trekking to village paddy fields and to see how villagers hunt and gather wild foods and medicines from the forest. Keep your eye out for spectacular orchids and wild animals! Rest of the day will be free to observe village’s everyday life. At night there will be time for some traditional singing and telling the old myths. Evening story telling sessions with the older villagers. (B/L/D)
DAY 3: TUMBANG GAGU – PALANGKARAYA
Saying farewell to your hosts, you’ll make an early start for Penda Tenggaring Village. It is a hike of 2 hours through the forest, farms and rubber plantations, until we arrive to the Katingan River, which one of the longest rivers in Central Kalimantan, flowing north south from the Schwaner Mountain catchment to the Java Sea.
Here you’ll take a kelotok (motorized canoe) downstream to Tumbang Hiran (about 2,5 hours from Penda Tenggaring) Along the way, the life of Dayak Katingan people can be seen along the riversides. From there you will hop into vehicles and travel along logging roads to the village of Tumbang Manggu. In the village you will see a modern long house and a lot of beautiful, tribal woodcarvings. After spending some time in the village you will continue your drive toward Palangkaraya, arriving in the evening. (B/L/D)
