BIDAYUH LONGHOUSE ADVENTURE

Located in the Padawan district lies Sarawak's more popular Bidayuh Longhouses. The Bidayuh originated from Kalimantan and while making their way into Sarawak back in the 16th Century, their journey has been interrupted 7 times by fights for domination of land, forcing them to disperse into 7 sub groups. Thus, each individual Bidayuh group speaks their own language quite different from each other. Confining their settlements to the valleys surrounded by undulating terrain, the Bidayuhs formerly called Land Dayaks by the British, live in longhouses accommodating from a mere 25 families to as large as more than 100 families.

Annah Rais Longhouse is the most popular one in the Padawan district. About 2 hours drive away from Kuching; the journey to Annah Rais is unique as it winds through scenic countryside along a zigzag road framed by hills and private plantations. A stop at a pepper plantation is optional. It was built along a stream of crystal clear running water, which the longhouse folks use to wash, bathe and fish. At least 5 longhouses are joined together to make Annah Rais a grand and unique longhouse, in the midst of it lies the Baruk (the HeadHouse). Generally, these longhouse folks are self sufficient farmers with their little extras earned from cash crops like pepper, rubber and cocoa.

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