Sungai Rayu Longhouse

 

The bigger, older section of the longhouse

A couple of weeks ago I went down towards Matang. I was told there is an Iban Longhouse there. Which I think makes it the closest Iban Longhouse to Kuching as most Iban settlements start further away from the city. The drive is quite short, follow the road to Matang Mountain but keep going straight at the last junction (by the shop) instead of turning left. Shortly you come to a big junction with lights, turn left again and follow the road until you see signs for the Matang Wildlife Sanctuary. Turn off to the right when you see the sing for the Sungai Rayu Kampong (slightly misleading that).In the Longhouse you can see all the usual activity like the Rice cultivation cycle, rubber tapping (popular again since the prices went up)

Drying Hill Rice

 

Drying Rubber sheets

Small plots of vegetables, like this changkuk manis patch, surround the longhouses

The longhouse itself is much like any other Iban Longhouse anywhere else in Sarawak, about 30 doors, though divided into two sections, it has a nice river near by where you can swim. It may not be the best place to go if you are looking to spend a few days in an “authentic” Iban Longhouse, but it i a good place to visit if your time is very limited and you are only in Kuching for a day or two.

The shorter and newer section of the longhouse behind the main building