DAYAK'S HANDICRAFT

As a biggest ethnic in Borneo, Dayak also has a lot of unique handicrafts and have a lot of function, for example Shield which is a tool to defense from enemy's attack. However, every single handicraft also have a long story and used for a long time. In this writing, i want to show you some of the the traditional handicraft from Dayak.

 

Shield/Kelembit
It is a tool to repel enemy's attack in a battle. The shield is made of wood so that it is light and not easily breakable. In front of the shield there are ornaments, however nowadays the ornament is composed with painting of white and red or white or black color. There are 3 basic motives for decorating the shield: 

1. Motif of Enggang Bird (Kalung Tebengaang) 
2. Motif of Dragon/Dog (Kalung Aso') 
3. Motif of Mask (Kalung Udo') 

Besides as protector from enemy?s attach, the shield also functions as: 

1. protection from fire  
2. War dance equipment  
3. Tool for break up a fight 
4. Equipment for Belian ceremony

Nowadays, shield is sold as souvenir / house decoration. 

KUNTILANAK

According to local people, the word Pontianak comes from word Kuntilanak. Kuntilanak is a ghost that frightening us in night. There are many stories about how kuntilanak, but here, i will tell you the trusted story of Kuntilanak. I got this story from old people in pontianak and other places.

A long time ago, there was a beautiful woman named Intan Lemang. Her beauty was well known to many villagers as she has big round eyes, a pointed nose and long black hair past her shoulders.  When she smiled at others, they always always smiled back. Her laugh sounded like melodies that comfort every heart. She was adored by everybody.

GAWAI DAYAK 2011

Have you heard Gawai Dayak? or perhaps you've been there to seen the biggest ethnic in west borneo when they hold a traditional party??
Gawai Dayak was successfully held in May 2011 at Betang House. As usually, a thousand of people came at that party to see the tradition party.
Gawai Dayak was a grateful ritual. it was held because God still blessed them life, food and what they need. However, the effect of ICT is also influences the ritual. The party has a improvisation every years but not omit the principal itself.

As a biggest land in the world, Wast Kalimantan has a lot of place that can attract you. Here, I will prescribe you the good place in West Borneo that you can visit with your friend or family and can reduce your stress if you get there.

1. Taman Pasir Panjang Indah

Taman Pasir Panjang Indah(TPPI) is one of the place where you can visit with your family to enjoy your holiday. If we start from Pontianak it takes 4 hours in the trip. The location of TPPI is in Singkawang City or well known as Amoy City. You will easy to find the place, because close the TPPI, you will see the sign how far you and TPPI. TPPI is very attracting to see, because the soft sand, blue water and etc. There you can hunt the hotel if you don’t have a family in Singkawang.

THE HIDDEN WATERFALL

There are many ways that we can do to spend our holidays. Mostly we can choose to visit tourism objects to relax and put away the problem for a while. In our region, West Kalimantan, there are many options that we can choose like Pasir Panjang beach, Samudra Beach and Rindu Alam in Singkawang.

But  if we want to get more challenges in the way to get recreation place, we can choose to go to the hidden waterfall, named Pancur Aji Waterfall in Sanggau  regency. Before we  get there, we must be well-prepared. We get there through long journey and the last we have to be on foot hiking to get to the waterfall.

A Young Boy and His Bicycle

Did you know desire can beat everything?  It can work in every condition and every situation that seems like impossible to do. It was happened to a boy who lives in Telok Pakeai especially in Arus Deras Village. Truly,we did not asked what his name was, but we just call him Budi. He was about 9 years old and he just an ordinary boy who lives his life normally.  His desire to study beat his limited facility that he had, and he inspired the committee and give a value about giving thanks to god about everything that he gave to us.

Cap Go Meh Festival

Singkawang is well-known as the city of thousand temples. This city has many temple that used by Chinese people to pray. Singkawang city is also known as the duplicate of Hongkong in China or Indonesian China – town. This is because there are many Chinese people live there as well as preserving their culture through many Chinese celebrations.

            One of the celebrations is called Cap Go Meh. This is a kind of celebration or ceremonial that conduct in every fifteen days after Chinese New Year celebration that known as Imlek. The ceremonial also meaning that the Imlek celebration is over. In this celebration there are many attraction performs in the up-town  from Barongsai or the dragon show, until Tatung performance, the person who has great and mystical power that resistant to sword and nails.