East Kalimantan The Province

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 to collectively called Dayak although this name is not embraced by many tribes-people themselves, who prefer to be known by Separate tribal names such as Iban, Punan and Banuaq.

Local tribes traditionally live in communal long houses 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 long house at the height of the rainy season. Steeped in tradition, the interior of the long house is typically divided into separate family quarters with communal areas connect-ing each of the families. It is in these communal areas that village meetings are held and ceremonies performed thereby reinforcing the strong tribal bonds in the face of rapidly advancing 20th century technology.

Guardian statues are normally placed in front of long houses to protect them against evil' spirits who bring disease and bad fortune. The more remote and traditional tribes -people have pierced earlobes which over the years have become stretched by the weight of heavy gold or brass rings, and beautifully elaborate tattoos. Local jewellery and designs are intricate and powerful, often giving messages to he passed down from generation to generation.

The most common starting points for many journeys and adventures inland are Balikpapan and Samarinda, the provincial capital. Traveling along the extensive Mahakam river system is a fascinating adventure. River boats slide unobtru-sively through heavily silt-laden waters, wild orchids drip off trees, Proboscis monkeyssignal your arrival to the crocodiles and legendary horn bills.

A 5,000 acre Orchid Reservation close to the village of Kersil Luwai cultivates 27 different species of orchid including the very rare Colo-genia Pandurata or black orchid.



Other places of interest:


Samarinda

Samarinda is known for its fine sarong cloth. The City shows some signs of being the capital of a prosperous province. New government office and public utilities arc rising everywhere. Samarinda has a number of modest but comfortable hotels.


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 number of good hotels, including one of international standard, as well as recreation facilities. It has the second busiest airport in the nation after Jakarta.


Berau and Marine Tourism on Derawan Island

Found here are the remains of a king called the Keraton Gunung Tambur and The keraton Sambaliungderawan island is + 3 hours by a long boat from tanjung Redep. There are many rare animals sush as green turtle, the Scalet turtle, star fruit turtle and sea cow.


Tanah Merah Indah - Lempake

This is recreational park called Tanah Merah Indah-Lemapake with a waterfall, located + 16 km from downtown Samarinda. It can be reached by car or public transportation.


Tenggarong

Tenggarong, up the Mahakam river from Samarinda, is the capital of the 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 cera-mics. Dayak statues can be admired in the yard. A curious thing about the royal paraphernalia is that they display a strong resemblance with Java's court traditions. Every 24th of September, the former palace becomes a stage of dance and music performances given to celebrate the towns' anniversary.


Tanjung Isuy

This little settlement around Lake Jempang, In the lake-studded East Kalimnantan hinterland, has a traditional Dayak long house, which have been turned into lodges for visitors. The grave of a Benuaq Dayak chief lies aside the hamlet's only road.Visitors are usually given a traditional Benuaq Dayak welcome. The trip to Tanjung Isuy over the Mahakam River is a long but interesting one past floating villages and forest scenery. If you are lucky, you can watch a belian, or witch doctor dressed in his 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 government public health center, which are nearby.


Melak - Kersik Luway

Melak is a little village further ustream on the Mahakam River in the heart of the land of Tanjung Dayak. Not far from the village is the Kersik Luway nature reserve, where the 'Black Orchid' grows.


Muara Ancalong - Muara Wahau
Dances of the Kenyah Dayak are often performed here for visitors at a traditional long house.

source www.travel-indonesia.com