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Question: Exploring Indigenous Tourism in Sarawak: An Adventure into Culture and Community

Answer:
The wooden longboat glides up the river, taking you deep into Sarawak’s rainforest. The Iban community greets you with smiling faces as you approach a rickety longhouse built on stilts. Inside, the air is heavy with the scent of classic dishes—grilled fish, wild ferns and rice steamed in bamboo. You are offered a glass of sweet tuak rice wine, and before you know it, you are dancing with a ring of dancers. Afterwards, you sit with a woman, stringing beads and weaving baskets while chatting about how they live. As the sun goes down, you understand: this isn’t merely a visit—it’s a way to connect with a life that has been lived for centuries.


Sarawak is a land of breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and vibrant indigenous traditions. Indigenous tourism in Sarawak involves staying in traditional longhouses, engaging with the natives, participating in cultural festivals, buying eco-friendly products and exploring the pristine landscapes that indigenous people have cared for over generations. Come and connect with the local people and their age-old traditions. Learn from the diverse ethnic groups their history, beliefs and way of life. Through sharing their heritage with visitors, they celebrate and preserve their cultural identity.


Here are some indigenous tourism experiences among the many that Sarawak offers.

1. Longhouse Visits

Stay with indigenous families in traditional longhouses to experience their daily routines, food and hospitality. Visitors can engage in time-honored activities such as weaving and cooking. Learn how they navigate and survive in the rainforest. Try your hand at traditional methods of fishing or farming. You can check their homestay programs, join a tour or engage a guide.

Annah Rais Longhouse is a large traditional Bidayuh longhouse, accommodating more than 80 families. It is over 150 years old and offers a unique insight into their lives, showcasing their customs, rituals and communal living. Visitors can enjoy their traditional cuisine and culture, including music, dance and handicrafts. You can also visit the hot springs and nearby waterfalls, go rafting and do jungle walks. The drive from Kuching city takes about 1 hour. You’ll see the beautiful rainforest and Padawan mountain along the way.

The longhouses at Batang Ai, Sri Aman division, are considered the oldest Iban settlements in Sarawak. Dive deep into the lively Iban culture through music, dancing and traditional dishes. Situated in the thick rainforest near Batang Ai National Park, these longhouses are accessible via a scenic four-hour drive from Kuching, where travelers pass through charming countryside and small towns. When you arrive at Batang Ai Dam, you can board a native boat for an upriver expedition to the longhouses. This journey is an adventure in itself, and you get to appreciate breathtaking natural landscapes.

Near Sibu town, the Bawang Assan longhouses comprise a captivating group of nine Iban longhouses that date back to the 18th century. This collection showcases a unique mix of traditional and contemporary features, allowing visitors to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Iban community. The drive from Sibu to Bawang Assan takes about 40 minutes.

2. Cultural Festivals

Cultural festivals honor the vibrant traditions and artistic expressions of indigenous peoples. Attendees can engage in ceremonies, enjoy music and dance performances, join rituals and savor authentic cuisines. These events attract tourists from around the globe, supporting indigenous livelihoods and preserving their cultural heritage.

Held annually in Kuching, the Rainforest World Music Festival brings together musicians from around the globe to celebrate music and culture. It provides indigenous artists a platform to showcase their traditional music and dances to an international audience while also creating job opportunities in event management, hospitality and transportation. Additionally, workshops led by these artists offer visitors insights into their music, instruments and crafts, fostering a deeper appreciation of their culture.

The Gawai Dayak Festival is an annual harvest celebration for the Dayak community in Sarawak, occurring on June 1st and 2nd. It marks the end of the rice harvest and the beginning of a new farming cycle. Celebrations take place across Sarawak, especially in longhouses and villages. Visitors can engage in the festivities by joining traditional ceremonies in longhouses, savoring local delicacies and enjoying cultural performances. They can participate in dances like the Ngajat, taste local tuak rice wine and observe the unique customs of the Iban people. Major events are hosted in cities like Kuching, showcasing street parades and diverse cultural activities.


There are numerous festivals held throughout the year in Sarawak. Check local event calendars for these festivities or contact a local tour operator to arrange these visits.

3. Cultural Centres

Cultural centres play a crucial role in preserving and educating visitors about Sarawak's indigenous heritage. They serve as living repositories of traditional knowledge, artifacts, and practices. By highlighting their cultural heritage, these centres foster a sense of pride and identity within the indigenous communities.

At the Kuching division, Sarawak Cultural Village serves as a living museum that highlights traditional village homes from diverse ethnic groups. It features demonstrations of various traditional crafts like weaving, beadwork, cake making and performances of the traditional sape musical instrument. Participants can also enjoy live sessions of traditional music and dances with the chance to join in on stage at the end of the performance.


The Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching city is a modern gateway to Sarawak’s rich heritage. There are five levels of themed galleries, which have everything from traditional artifacts and handicrafts to interactive exhibits that bring history to life. The centre can also arrange educational programs for students to explore Sarawak's cultural and heritage of the indigenous communities.


The Sibu Heritage Centre is also like a museum which explores the interesting history and heritage of Sibu. You’ll learn interesting stories about the various Chinese dialect groups and other ethnic groups of Sibu. You can also purchase some local handmade souvenirs here.

4. National Parks

Many of Sarawak's national parks are home to diverse ecosystems traditionally managed by indigenous communities. The greater involvement of these locals in conservation efforts respects their knowledge and instills a sense of ownership in them. Explore the rainforest with indigenous guides who will teach you about medicinal plants, hunting techniques and survival knowledge.

The UNESCO Mulu National Park in Miri Division is well known for its spectacular karst formations and rich biodiversity. Take a walk on the wild side through one of the world’s longest treetop walks — the Canopy Walk, which transports you through the rainforest high above the ground. Guided tours take you into the enormous caverns of remote cave systems in Deer Cave and Clearwater Cave, where the geology and cultural significance of the caves are covered. If you are very fit, consider joining adventures like the Pinnacles Summit Trek. There are numerous programs to choose from depending on your interest and fitness level.

The UNESCO Niah National Park near Miri city is famous for its archaeological importance, as some human remains found in the Niah Caves date back to more than 65,000 years. Take guided tours of the Great Cave and Painted Cave to see archaeological sites and ancient cave paintings. Hike through the rainforest and discover its flora and some birds.


Other notable national parks include Bako National Park, Lambir Hills National Park, Similajau National Park, Talang Satang National Park, Batang Ai National Park, Tanjung Datu National Park and Gunung Gading National Park.

5. Culinary Arts & Crafts

The Sarawak Craft Council at the Kuching Waterfront was set up to preserve and promote Sarawak’s traditional crafts. It helps the indigenous people living in the rural areas to have an alternative source of income. It’s a cultural attraction for tourists who are interested in purchasing authentic, high-quality, handmade Sarawakian handicrafts. They can visit the council’s gallery to see these products. Workshops on traditional craft making need to be pre-arranged.

In Kuching, Miri and other towns, local artisans, crafters, and traditional chefs provide private workshops or run their own shops. You can arrange these experiences through local tour operators or by reaching out to the artisans directly. Engage in cooking traditional dishes with local ingredients and learn crafts such as beadwork, basket weaving, pottery and wood carving from skilled natives.


Additionally, explore historic streets to find traditional crafts and souvenirs. Look out for galleries to appreciate the intricate artwork of local artists.

(Source: Sarawak Tourism Board, 05 May 2025)

Source Link: https://www.sarawaktourism.com/web/stories/story-view/exploring-indigenous-tourism-in-sarawak-an-adventure-into-culture-and-community