I tend to err on the side of hesitation, wary of attractions that claim to provide visitors with the full cultural experience in a park setting. They tend to resemble Epcot more than the place they’re supposed to represent, little more than caricatures. Hilltribe villages in northern Thailand immediately come to mind. But this is where Sarawak Cultural Village differs.
Sarawak itself is different from the rest of Malaysia and even the rest of the island of Borneo. The pace is slower, the cities smaller and the countryside even more rural. In fact, the first thing our guide told us upon landing in Kuching was that Sarawak wasn’t the same as Selangor, the state where Kuala Lumpur is located.
And like the area itself, Sarawak Cultural Village is much more than a museum, but is a living village devoted to the history and culture of the local tribes on 14 acres of relatively untouched forest.
Located 35 kilometers from Kuching in the valley of Mount Santubong, the village is home to the Rainforest Music Festival, which brings in acts from around the world. On a regular afternoon, visitors can wander from house to house, each built in a different traditional style, to see artisans working on different crafts. You’ll find ladies in native dress making local snacks, weaving baskets and making jewelry.
The houses themselves are built in longhouse, Chinese and Malay styles from different purposes and periods, each offering you a stamp for your official SCV passport. The houses allow visitors to see how the locals live without actually going to a traditional longhouse. It adds historical context to the architectural features of the houses, which were the norm until the 1950s.
Most visitors come to Sarawak Cultural Village for the performances, held twice daily, that feature dances from the tribes that once inhabited the area. Some were used in ceremonies, while others, including the one pictured above, would have been performed by men from headhunting tribes. The dances pull from those of the Bidayuh and Orang Ulu groups.
Sarawak Cultural Village was created in the late 1980s at a time when most Malays and tribal groups were moving out of their traditional homes. The village serves as a way to preserve their way of life, long after those who remember it are gone.
Getting There
Sarawak Cultural Village is located at Damai Beach Resort, 93762 Kuching, Malaysia, located around 45 minutes from the city. From Kuching you can arrange a shared van or taxi or alternatively join a group tour. Entrance costs 60 ringgit ($20 USD) for adults and lasts all day. The village is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
I visited Sarawak Cultural Village as a part of a trip arranged by Tourism Malaysia.
Leave a Reply