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leisureTalk<br />
Rumah Patrick Libau Homestay<br />
Exploring an Iban<br />
way of <strong>life</strong><br />
Many visitors to Sarawak know<br />
about the Ibans, the biggest ethnic<br />
group here but few can truly say they<br />
have experienced their <strong>life</strong>style. Now,<br />
this unique experience is possible as<br />
a community based homestay project<br />
is set up in Miri with the support<br />
from the Sarawak and Federal Ministry<br />
of Tourism.<br />
Located just 15 minutes from the<br />
internationally famous Niah Cave<br />
National Park, this Iban community<br />
with over 100 families where 76<br />
are still residing in the traditional<br />
longhouse, is open to welcome visitors.<br />
In all 23 families are involved in the<br />
project and guests will stay with<br />
individual families in their own bilik<br />
(rooms) and share the community<br />
<strong>life</strong>style. This means sharing the ruai<br />
or open space in front of the rooms<br />
where it is used to hold discussions<br />
40 | BorneoTalkOct-Dec2008<br />
between friends and neighbours as<br />
well as <strong>for</strong> the traditional dances by the<br />
women folk and warriors.<br />
Wake up early to catch the morning<br />
dew and savour home brewed coffee<br />
or tea and then follow the villagers<br />
to their farms as they tend to their<br />
fruit trees, rice fields or simply fishing<br />
in the river, the traditional way.<br />
There are plenty to see and learn<br />
along the way and coming back, it<br />
is not uncommon to pick vegetables<br />
<strong>for</strong> the evening meal. Guests may<br />
venture into the kitchen <strong>for</strong> the meal<br />
preparation and pick up local cuisine<br />
tips from their landlords! Evenings<br />
are the ideal time <strong>for</strong> folk tales and<br />
songs, dance and some may even<br />
do weaving of baskets and other<br />
age-old handicrafts using rattans,<br />
bamboo and hard wood.<br />
Trips to the Niah Cave to see the<br />
historic site can be arranged with<br />
the host. As many members of the<br />
longhouse are also expert birds’ nest<br />
collectors, the trip could be a double<br />
thrill as guests will enjoy visiting the<br />
caves while witnessing the task of<br />
collecting the nests up on the roof<br />
of the caves. This nerve wrecking<br />
endeavour, is not <strong>for</strong> those with<br />
weak hearts!<br />
The longhouse homestay programme<br />
starts from as low as RM40 <strong>for</strong> a single<br />
room only, while a family of five in a<br />
double room complete with meals<br />
cost only RM150. This is definitely not<br />
your everyday adventure holiday as<br />
there are no modern com<strong>for</strong>ts of <strong>life</strong><br />
like air-conditioning and phones but<br />
then again, this promises to be the<br />
adventure of a <strong>life</strong>time!<br />
For further in<strong>for</strong>mation, please contact: Patrick Libau Homestay, Tuai Rumah. Libau ak Sullai, Sungai<br />
Tanggap, Niah, 98200, Niah, Miri, Sarawak. H/P: (6) 019 8052415 • C/O National Park HQ, Niah National<br />
Park, 98200 Batu Niah, Sarawak. Tel: (6) 085 737450 • Visitor’s In<strong>for</strong>mation Centre Miri, Lot 452 Jalan<br />
Melayu, 98000 Miri, Sarawak. Tel: (6) 085 434181 Fax: (6) 085 434179
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