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Mat-making is a skill known to every Borneo society. The rainforest abounds in suitable raw materials: reeds, leaves, barks or rinds. These ever-renewable fibres were fashioned into mats for everyday use; until the early 20th century few longhouse dwellers had furniture other than maybe a storage chest inside their family rooms. Sitting, eating, sleeping was done on the floor, on mats. Read the rest of this entry »
The standard Iban mat is made of bemban, a white-flowering reed of the arrowroot family (Donax spp) that grows in swampy places. The village women tend the plants, and allocate appropriate harvesting rights to the mat-makers. Suitable lengths are cut, then the shiny outer skin is stripped off; this is the working material. Read the rest of this entry »
Kuching is a perfect destination for a traveller to start exploring Sarawak in Borneo, especially if you travel with children and are aware of responsible travel.
Kuching is a nice town offering a wide range of good museum – maybe among the best in Malaysia -, nice heritage buildings from the 19th century, wide and safe sidewalks that allow you to discover the place slowly – everything is at a walking distance – and the best sunset I have ever seen in Malaysia
Nature and wilderness – proboscis monkeys, orang-outan, turtles,birds, big spiders..- are easily accessible at less than one hour, as well as nice and quiet beaches. And no leeches waiting for your blood, that’s great!
The place offers also many opportunities to learn about the indigenous communities of Sarawak.
Check out the 2 posts we already published :
The Society Atelier, which conducts research and promotes the traditional craft of Sarawak, especially weaving. Now you can even have your lunch in the beautiful bungalow.
The Tun Jugah Fondation, Kuching, Sarawak : a must see museum for textile lovers especially for the indigenous ikat weaving of the Iban, called Pua Kumbu.
Check out our selection of useful links before I finish my writing about Kuching. Read the rest of this entry »
I am currently in Kuching, my favorite place in Malaysia.
I need to update some information, do some interviews and write about selected responsible destinations around Kuching.
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C.Bossis, 6th of May 2009
Who are they and what they do
Reita Faida Rahim, started Gerai OA in October 2004. She is currently the leader of the volunteer group but she prefers to be considered the coordinator.
Gerai OA defines itself as a “nomadic volunteer-run stall which sells handicraft made by Orang Asal (or Orang Asli), the indigenous minorities of Malaysia”. They are not a business, not an NGO, just a volunteer group.
Their main objective is to preserve the indigenous minorities’ craft heritage by helping them to find and develop a sustainable market for their crafts. They only facilitate the sale of the craft and encourage the indigenous communities to develop their own businesses.
Responsible Tourism and Travel in Malaysia 