Bidayuh kampungs (villages) have been benefitting development brought to them by the government and during pre-independence days, by the missionaries. Longhouses are slowly being replaced by individual homes. Traditional hunter-gatherer jobs are now replaced by professional careers such as teachers, engineers, doctors, lawyers etc in the government and private sectors.
The 21st century Bidayuh generations now only recognised a Bidayuh longhouse based on what they see and experience at Sarawak Cultural Village.
Realizing that one day, these longhouses would banish permanently due to modernisation, three kampungs in Serian took a pro-active action to preserve this Bidayuh heritage for the future generations. All the three kampungs, Bunan Gega, Mujat and Mongkos are neighbouring each other.
Kampung Bunan Gega is the first village that you will approach as you arrived from Serian town. The longhouse is a non-living longhouse. It is a heritage center where all data and history about the Bunan Gega Bidayuhs are being preserved. It is also a museum where traditional Bidayuh items such as gongs, farming tools and paddy seeds are being displayed. This longhouse is excellent for educational trip. The entire Kampung Bunan Gega is very well kept. It is very clean and well organised. The kampung folks are very friendly perhaps due to being so used to receiving visitors/tourists. No doubt Kampung Bunan Gega was awarded Anugerah Desa Cemerlang Peringkat Kebangsaan (best village at the national level) for 2007.
Kampung Mujat is the farthest among the these three kampungs. Their longhouse is practically inhabited by a few villagers as most of the dwellers had moved out to build single homes around the area. The abandoned units were converted into homestay houses for overnight visitors.
Kampung Mongkos is nested between Bunan Gega and Mujat. It is a two storey longhouse and much longer than the other two kampungs. Kampung Mongkos’ longhouse is more established and commercialised in terms of tourism industry. There are also more inhabitants in this longhouse compared to Kampung Mujat. Kampung Mongkos offers homestay program to the adventurous soul that wish to experience a Bidayuh lifestyle. You can find out more info about the program here.
silverstar < geng, they need to improve the infra. at least build a more comfy room for the visitors.
geng,
i click on the link to the homestay program but find it rather confusing cos at first it says package include trip from Kuching to longhouse at midday then in small print it says not include transportation and admin charges!
anyway glad that you highlight the homestay program as it will help the kampung folks to earn some cash.