East Kalimantan / East Borneo Island
A major producer of oil and timber, East
Kalimantan is at present the most industrially
advanced province of Kalimantan. Its
population is less than two million, and the
density figure of seven people per kilometre
is among the lowest of Indonesia, although
relatively high for Kalimantan. More than 80
percent of the area, or over 17 million
hectares is covered by forest. This is where
the "Black Orchid" and many other orchid
varieties grow within the sheltered confines
of nature reserves.
The Banjarese
and Kutainese are mostly the coastal
population, living in towns and cities. The
Dayak peoples form the overwhelming majority
of the population of the hinterland, who live
in longhouses called umaq daru. It is
customary for one whole extended family or
even one clan to occupy one long house. Each
family is given a separate compartment with
the chief of the clan occupying the central
chamber. Guardian statues are normally placed
in front of the long house to protect it
against evil spirits who bring disease and bad
fortune. Such longhouses, however, are
gradually disappearing and many have been
converted into meeting halls or stages for
dance and music performances. The Dayaks are
also known for their artistry, making
beautiful cloths and ornaments for their
traditional houses. The Tunjung Dayaks still
make a kind of cloth called doyo, which is
woven from certain plant fibres, used in the
past in rituals. These are now offered for
sale to visitors. Oil and natural gas are
found along the entire east coast, with
refineries centred at Balikpapan
and
Bontang
PLACES OF INTEREST
Samarinda
- Samarinda is known for its fine sarong
cloth. The city shows some signs of being the
capital of a prosperous province. New
government offices and public buildings are
rising everywhere. Samarinda has a number of
modest but comfortable hotels.
Balikpapan
- Balikpapan, the centre of Kalimantan's oil
industry is also the gateway to East
Kalimantan with air and sea connections to
Jakarta and other major points in Indonesia.
Even the trip to Samarinda, begins in
Balikpapan. Living up to its importance,
Balikpapan has a number of good hotels,
including one of international standard, as
well as recreation facilities. It has the
second busiest airport in the nation after
Jakarta, due to its strategic position.
Berau and Marine Tourism on Derawan island
- Found here are the remains of a king called
the Keraton Gunung Tambur and The Keraton
Sambaliung. Historic objects can be seen here.
Derawan island is about 3 hours by a long boat
from Tanjung Redep (The Capital of Berau
Regency) or via Tarakan.
There are many rare animals such as the green
turtle, the scarlet turtle, star fruit turtle
and sea cow. Also of interest are rare species
of marine plants, coral reefs, iguanas, sea
birds, crab and the location for pearl
diving.
It
is also good for scuba diving, fishing,
swimming, and other water sports.
Bontang
- Located in the regency of Kutai with an area
of about 200 000 ha, Bontang has rare flora
and fauna. The Kutai National Park near
Bontang is worth visiting for the wonderful
scenery, especially at Beras Basah.
Bulungan
- Bulungan is the place for the
adventure-seeking visitor. You will also find
ancient remains, art collections and
traditional ceremonies, with a background of
beautiful panoramas of the jungle and
mountains.
Tanah Merah Indah - Lempake
This is a recreational park called Tanah Merah
Indah-Lempake with a waterfall, located about
16 km from downtown Samarinda. It can be
reached by car or public transport.
Tenggarong
- Tenggarong, up the Mahakam river from
Samarinda, is the capital of the Kutai regency
and was once the seat of the Kutai sultanate.
The Sultan's palace on the riverside is now a
museum where the old royal paraphernalia are
kept, as well as an excellent collection of
antique Chinese ceramics. Dayak statues can be
admired in the yard. A curious thing about the
royal paraphernalia is that they display a
strong resemblance with Java's court
traditions.
Each year on 24 September, the former palace
becomes a stage of dance and music
performances given to celebrate the town's
anniversary.
Tanjung Isuy
- This little settlement around Lake Jempang
in the lake-studded East Kalimantan
hinterland, has a traditional Dayak longhouse
which has been turned into lodges for
visitors. The grave of a Benuaq Dayak chief
lies aside the hamlet's only road. Visitors
are usually given a traditional Benuaq Dayak
welcome. The trip to Tanjung Isuy over the
Mahakam River is long, but interesting,
passing floating villages and forests. With
luck, you can watch a belian, or witch doctor,
dressed in his skirt of leaves, cure his
patients at night by performing the rites
prescribed by ancestors, to the frenzied
accompaniment of gongs and drums. Many Benuaq
Dayaks still prefer the old cures to the
modern ones at government public health
centres which are nearby.
Melak - Kersik Luway
- Melak is a little village further upstream
on the Mahakam River in the heart of the land
of Tanjung Dayak. Not far from the village is
the Kersik Luway nature reserve, where the
"Black Orchid" grows.
Muara Ancalong - Muara Wahau
- Dances of the Kenyah Dayak are often
performed here for visitors at a traditional
longhouse. Also various handicrafts can be
viewed and purchased.
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