PEAKING INTO A LONGHOUSE
The Dayak people are known for their traditional longhouses, which are still home to families all across Borneo. In the province of East Kalimantan, the Lamin traditional house is an integral part of the Dayak culture, and it is significant for numerous sub-ethnic groups, including the Wehea Dayak.
Lamin traditional houses sit on stilts and can be up to 300 metres long and 15 metres wide. They are custom-built from Bornean ironwood, which now poses a problem as overexploitation by industrial timber companies has dwindled the number of these trees.
The historic buildings are not only strong but also beautiful. The tips of the roof and the ends are adorned with the distinctive carvings of the Dayak people. The edges of the floors and doors are painted white and decorated with characteristic Dayak patterns.
In the photos, you can see a traditional Lamin house in the village of Nehas Liang Bing. It is located in the middle of the residential area, with its back facing the Wahau River. Next to the traditional house is an ironwood bridge and a pier along the riverbank, which locals can access via a boardwalk.
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- The traditional Lamin house is custom-built from ironwood.
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- Longhouses are an integral part of the Dayak culture.
Mud damage and time have taken their toll
Unfortunately, mud severely damaged the bridge and pier during a flood, rendering both unusable for daily activities. However, the Dayak people still use the pier on special occasions for traditional activities on the river, such as boat battles during the Lom Plai festivities.
Over the years, the Lamin traditional house in the village has become dilapidated as the tropical conditions and time have taken their toll. Even though it may look unmaintained, the hardy ironwood still stands strong.
Another exceptional traditional building in the Nehas Liang Bing Village is the Great Wehea Dayak Traditional Institute. This building is still used as a communal area for village youths. There, they can gather, chat, and play traditional musical instruments.
While these activities could happen elsewhere, opening up traditional buildings to the community fosters a closer connection with their unique culture and preserves their irreplaceable knowledge for future generations.
