Not too long ago, I was still wondering when I could visit to longhouse. Being born and raised up in the land of headhunter, I always dream of visiting to longhouse one day. Well, I’m pretty happy to say that my dream has been materialized because I’ve been to Iban longhouse four days ago. It was a great experience for me!

Iban people are the original inhabitants of Borneo Island. For centuries, they have lived in communities known as longhouses, Rumah Panjang in Malay, Rumah Panjai in Iban. Iban people were notorious headhunters as recent as 50 years ago, but now they only express their heroism and spiritualism through dance. If not, I won’t be able to locate my head and share my experience to you here. LOL!

The longhouse I visited is called ‘Rumah Tuan’. It’s about 45minits drive from Mukah. The longhouse looks exactly like its name implies. It is a long (several hundred meters long), one-story wooden dwelling where the various family groups all live under one roof.

The longhouses share one common design feature – they are built raised off the ground on stilts.

Being raised, cooling air could circulate as well as have the living area above ground where any breeze is more likely.

Following the stair up, a wide open corridor stretches the length of the building was waiting for me. Iban calls it ruai and it serves as a communal space for social interaction.

Each family in the longhouse has its own private unit, bilik.

This is the room for both living and sleeping (all in one room).

Interesting finding – Skylight brings in the natural sun light.

The kitchen, dapor, is attached to the back of the bilik.

Further out there is a utility area.

Water tank – collecting rain water.

Real portion of the longhouse.

Some of the things I saw in ruai.

Family photos.

The longhouse folks.

Iban ladies.

Many of the Iban folk are now Christians.

Kids with cat.

More Iban kids.

Kungfu Kids?!

Looking out through window.

Although I didn’t spend long time in this longhouse, I was really impressed by the harmony and generosity of the residents here. Looking at their simple living style and how smoothly its residents get along, deep in my heart I start to feel a bit of restored faith in humanity…