IBAN HOUSE

By Nik Suzana Mat Tahir

On close inspection, the iban house bears close resemblance to the bidayuh house. The longhouse is built of local timbers tied together with naturally-harvested fibre woods. Since the real Iban longhouses are often erected near the major rivers of Sarawak, the design emulates a raised floor concept to ensure the occasional surge of river flow will not enter the longhouse.

Among the traditional activities showcased in the iban house are kuih jala making (yes, if the malanau are known for tebaloi, the Iban are famous for their sweet kuih jala ),kain pua kumbu weaving (an exquisitedecorative clothes that Sarawak is famous for) and tuak processing (alcoholic beverage made from rice wine). The house also showcases a variety of tools and equipment for hunting (yes, head-hunting and for animals too),musical instrument such as drums and gongs, et cetera.

In the front yard of the longhouse is an open-air communal area where you can meet Iban ladies in colourful traditional dresses as well as the much revered elders of the longhouse.