East Kalimantan
As a major producer of oil and timber; East Kalimantan is at present the most industrially advanced province of the island and the second largest province in Indonesia. It is also the home of the original inhabitants of Kalimantan, the Orang Gunung or Mountain People. The tribes are collectivelly called Dayak, although this name is not embraced by many tribes-people themselves, who prefer to be known by sepa¬rate tribal names such as Iban, Punan and Banuaq. Local tribes traditionally live in the communal longhouses called Lamin or Umaq Daru. They are built on wooden piles, sometimes 3 metres high as protection against wild animals and flooding. The Punan people are nomadic hunter-gatherers, and only use the longhouse at the height of the rainy season. Steeped in tradition, the interior of the longhouse is typically divided into separate family quarters with communal areas connecting each of the families. It is in the communal areas that village meetings are held and ceremonies performed, thereby reinforcing the strong tribal bonds in the face of rapidly advancing 20th century’s technology.
Guardian statues are normally placed in front of longhouses to protect them against evil’s spirits who bring disease and bad fortune. The more remote and traditional tribes-people have pierced earlobes, which over the year have become stretched by the weight of heavy gold or brass rings, and beautifully elaborate tattoos. Traveling along the extensive Mahakam river system is a fascinating adventure. Ri¬ver boats slide unobtrusively through heavily silt-laden waters, wild orchids drip off trees. Proboscis monkeys signal your arrival to the crocodiles and legendary hornbills. A 5,000 acre Orchid Reservation close to the village of Kersik Luwai cultivates 27 different species of orchild including the very rare “Cologenia pandura” the Black Orchid.
Getting there:
Balikpapan is the gateway to East Kalimantan, Garuda Indonesia Airlines fly from Kuala Lumpur to Balikpapan via Jakarta. Balikpapan can be reach by flight directly from Jakarta, Manado and Surabaya as well as from Tarakan.
Tourism Events=]
Erau Festival, Tenggarong Mahakam River, East Kalimantan. Catch a rare glimpse of Dayak and their culture during the Erau festival. The event is held on Sept’ 08 to celebrate Tenggarong, Founding as the capital city of an ancient kingdom several centuries ago.
Places of Interest
Samarinda=]
Samarinda is a capital of East Kalimantan province known for its fine sarong. The Garden of Mulawarman University has the education forest with 62.4 ha arboretum, about 12 km north of Samarinda. A number of modest but comfortable hotels availablein Samarinda.
Balikpapan=]
Balikpapan, the center of Kalimantan’s oil industry, is also the gateway to East Kalimantan with air and sea connections to Jakarta and other major points in Indonesia. Balikpapan has a major number of good hotels, including one of the international standard, as well as recreation facilities. It has the second-busiest airport in the nation after Jakarta.
Tanah Merah Indah-Lempake=]
Tanah Merah Indah-Lempake. This is recreational park called Tanah Merah Indah-Lempake ith a water fall, located 16 km from downtown Samarinda. It can be reached by car or public transportation.
Tenggarong=]
Tenggarong, up to Mahakam river from Samarinda, is the capital of Kutai regency and was once the seat of the Kutai sultanate. The Sultan’s palace at the riverside is now a museum where the old royal paraphernalia are kept, as well as an excellent collection of antique Chinese ceramics. Dayak statues can be admired in the yard. A curious thing about the royal paraphernalia is that they display a strong resamblance with Java’s court traditions. Every 24th of September, the former palace becomes a stage of dance and music performances given to celebrate the town’s anniversary.
Berau=]
Berau. Found here are the remains of a king called the Keraton Gunung Tambur and The Keraton Sambaling.
Tanjung Isuy=]
Tanjung Isuy. This litle settlement around Lake Jempang, in the lake-studded East Kalimantan hinterland, has a traditional Da¬yak longhouse which has been turned into lodges for visitors. The grave of a Benuaq Dayak chief lies aside the hamlets’s only only road. Visitors are usually given a traditional Dayak Benuaq welcome. The trip over Tanjung Isuy over the Mahakam River is along but interesting one past floating village and forest scenery. See the magic dance of the “belian” a Dayak tribe‘s doctor. Dressed in skirt of leaves, cures his patients at night by performing the rites prescribed by ancestors to the frenzied accompaniment of gongs and drums. Many Benuaq Dayaks still prefer the old cures to the modern ones at the government public health centers which are nearby.
Derawan and Sangalaki Islands=]
'Derawan and Sangalaki Islands 3 hours by long boat from Tanjung Redep in the north, you can reach Derawan Island. There are many rare animals such as the green turtle, the scarlet turtle, star fruit turtle and sea cow. Derawan and Sangalaki islands hold an amazing marine environment, including fabulous coral formations, canary crabs, green turtles and pearls.
Muara Ancalong=]
Muara Ancalong-Muara Wahau Dances at the Kenyah Dayak are often performed here for visitors at a traditional longhouse.
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