Because Natalia is part-Indonesian, I thought it would be good for her to get to know Bornean culture. After all, most of Borneo is in Indonesia. So we headed to the Sarawak Cultural Village at Damai.
The place was a mess as it was undergoing renovations. There was a temporary entrance and the usual walkways had disappeared in parts in favour of a new one that wasn’t there yet. Things get worse before they get better.
We went to the musical instrument collection, Bidayuh and Iban houses before it was time for the 1130 cultural show. As usual, the show was stunning with its costumes and colour. But I always like the Melanau man who spins on top of a pole like a helicopter, and the blowpipe hunter.
We continued to the rest of the traditional dwellings. The Melanau high house and the Orang Ulu longhouse (which was high) were very impressive.
I didn’t realise that Natalia had a background in anthropology. Everything here seemed to be up her alley and she was able to enjoy it at a deeper level than an everyday visitor.
We had lunch at a nearby food court before heading home to rest. That evening, Mum’s domestic helper had prepared a feast for welcoming my step-sister home. OMG, what a spread it was! We had beef rendang, chicken rendang, lemang, karedok, spicy potatoes with petai and capcai.
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- Melanau dancer spinning on a pole on his belly.
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- Melanau tall house.
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- Orang Ulu longhouse.
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- Dayak designs have inspired tattoos on bodies around the world.
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- Damai Beach.
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- Feast at home with family.
