West Kalimantan

West Kalimantan Province

The Capital City of West Kalimantan Province is “Pontianak”

West Kalimantan is easily accessible from Jakarta or from Singapore by air. One of it’s main attractions is the culture of it’s Dayak ethnic groups. Most of Dayak live in log houses along the rivers which crisscross the province. West Kalimantan covers an area of 146.700 square kilometers. It’s low plains are swampy and it’s rivers more than hundred counted so farplay a vital role in communications and in the economy.Scattered across the swamp areas are several lakes and villages and often linked by bridges. The provincial capital, Pontianak, exactly on the equator so that is called as “The City of The Equator”. It’s a fast growing city devided into three parts by the Kapuas river and the Landak rivers. Pontianak is also one of the gates too enter West Kalimantan through Supadio Airport lying 17 kilometers out of the city center.

Kapuas about 1.143 kilometers is the longest river in West Kalimantan even the longest in Indonesia, connecting Pontianak with Sanggau regency, Sintang and Kapuas Hulu.Among the branches of Kapuas river the Landak, Kubu, Punggur, Melawi and Sekayam river. While the Sambas river on the north and the river of Pawon on the south are both play important role for public transportation and trade. Among the several lakes are the Luar, the Sentarum and the lake of Belida which produce a lot of fish.

West Kalimantan is one of Indonesia Province, which has cope building in reach the aspiration for the shake of prosperity of it public. This region unfold northerly straight to south along the length of more than 600 km and about 850 km from west easterly, broadly regional 146807 km (7,53 percentage of Indonesia wide or 1,13 wide Java island) and become the fourth widest Province after Irian, East Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan.

West Kalimantan area is as one of area, which common called as "A Thousand Rivers" province. This nickname is suitable with its geographical condition, which has hundreds great and small rivers and is often navigated. Some great rivers till now, is still be a main line for hinterland transportation, although land road infrastructure have been able to reach most of district, although partly small of West Kalimanta regions are water territory went out to sea, however West Kalimanatan has tens of big and small island (partly not dweller), which spread over along the length of Karimata Strait and Natuna Sea that is abutting on Riau Province region, Sumatera.

West Kalimantan Resident embraces various religions, like Islam, Catholic, Protestant, Buddha, Hindu and believe follower to the one supreme God. Most of West Kalimantan resident works in agricultural sector, plantation, fishery and commerce. West Kalimantan Province is formed based on the constitution Number 25 in 1956 determined that West Kalimantan region as autonomous area province with its capital in Pontianak and because the constitution applied since 1 Januaries 1957, hence the West Kalimantan Province anniversary is commemorated on that date.

The population of West Kalimantan consists of the Dayaks, Malays, Chinese and some other Indonesian’s ethnic groups. The Dayaks dances describe respectfulness, heroism, welcoming dance association with thankfulness and curatility. It is recommended to visitors for a river trip and stops for overnight stays at villages where dance performances are organized on advance notice.

Pontianak

The capital of West Kalimantan, Pontianak has some interesting places to visit. Among others of Equator Monument, Kadariah palace in Kampung Dala, the State Museum of West Kalimantan, Kapuas and Landak bridges with it’s river view and it’s floating market or just stay relax in the recreational park Tirta Ria. The beach resort of Kkijang and Temajoh Island are good places for diving, fishing and suitable for sailing.

With a population of about 300,000 Pontianak, West Kalimantan's provincial capital, known as the city on the Equator, is a bustling economic hub as well as the center of administration in the province. Pontianak was initially the center of the Pontianak sultanate the last kingdom in West Kalimantan, which was established at the same time as that of the Dutch administration in the second half of the 18th century. The founder of the sultanate was Syarif Abdurrahman. As the seat of the kingdom, Pontianak was founded on October 23, 1771 on a spot covered by jungle at the mouth of the Kapuas Kecil and Landak rivers.

Pontianak has since, served as a kind of cultural gateway through which influences from the outside reached the population of the hinterland. People from the hinterland also come to the city and mixed with Malays, Javanese, Chinese, Bugis and other peoples. For the Japanese, Pontianak has a special significance because the first battle occurred in this city. Pontianak lies on the Kapuas river where many houses are built over the water and are connected with each other by wooden bridges. Small boats sail up and down the river to transport people and goods from one place to another. Pontianak is known as a producer of oranges, although the fruits are actually grown in the Tebas district, 300 kilometers north of the city. Pontianak has some attractive tourism objects.

The city is located on the equator, at the north of the rivers Kapuas and Landak. The Kapuas is 1,143 kilometers long. It is the most important river in the area, and can be navigated by small boats weighing up to 1.000 tons up to Putussibau, the capital of the Kapuas Hulu regency, 814 kilometers from Pontianak. A small motorboat can even go further upstream. Pontianak's links with various other cities inside the province and outside are smooth. Air transportation is available to and from Jakarta (381 miles), Balikpapan (456 miles), Singapore (344 miles) and Kuching (Malaysia -118 miles).From Pontianak planes fly to various small towns throughout West Kalimantan where airstrips exist.

Traditional Costumes  

Traditional costume of Dayak, the native costume of the people of West Kalimantan is called King Baba (men's cloth) and King Bibinge (women's cloth).The costume made of tree bark that processed to be soft.Recently the costume is unpopular and changed by Baju Burai King Burai and Baju Manik King Manik.The latest mode of traditional costume is Baju Manik King Manik for women, with clam shell accessories. Accessories on the head called Tengkulas with Ruai bird feather.The men put on similar costume completed with vest, trosers, and cloth belt.

Naik Dango Custom Ceremony

It is the custom public Dayak Kanayatn presentation of thanks feel to Sang Jubata (God) for the paddy crop successful. It is done every 27 Aprils every year with location by rotation in 10 hinterland Districts tribe resident, which majority by Dayak Kanayatn. This ceremony is started with ' Arakan Panompo ' from each district courier, caught up dance 'Candle Paddy' by Dayak Kanayatn girls, and its top moment is pray read ritual by one of the Leader in Pontianak regency. West Kalimantan regency functionaries, Pontianak District functionaries and the invitations always attend this ceremony.

Diamonds

The sites for panning diamonds are found along the Landak river, from Ngabang to the highlands, and around Sanggau. During the Dutch colonial period, the mining was done by a Dutch company, Erdman & Sieleken, near Landak. As a result of those efforts, the diamond reserves have been almost depleted. Since the old days, panning was also carried out by the people. During the long dry seasons, when the river is shallow, the local people still pan for the mineral along the area. Besides diamond, kaolin, mica, iron, gold, mercury, copper, silver, manganese, lead, zinc, salt and other minerals are also found in West Kalimantan in general, the Sambas region in particular.

Singkawang, the capital of the Sambas regency, is located on the west coast, 145 kilometers from Pontianak. It is often also referred to as the Hongkong of West Kalimantan, probably because the Chinese are the majority in this town. The dominance of the Chinese cultural tradition can be seen in the various aspects of daily life in the town.There are Chinese temples everywhere. The houses are Chinese. The daily language is Chinese.

The Hidden Paradise in The Heart of Borneo

The Hidden Paradise in The Heart of Borneo. The beauty of nature, a tropical ca¬nyon, lush jungle, fill with rapids and various flora and fauna. With a view of the Schwaner mountains. Come to NOKAN NAYAN where hidden paradise is waiting for you, in the heart of Borneo. There two amazing waterfalls, Nokanayan and Nokan Jengonoi both have a heigh of more than 200 meters hight with more than 50 meter width. With cantons and beauty virgin surrounding.

Myriad Array of Malay

Myriad array of Malay. Furthermore, the musical instrument gambus, ketipang, rebana and tar-tar of the Malay dance with its vibrant color of dresses with the men’s motive of Teluk Belanga tied around the waist and wear a hat. For women called “Baju Kurung” and weaving Sarung completed with scarf. Ranging from fascinating array of attractions of the Dayak Dancing and ritual ceremonies to magical treatment, Cap Go Meh Chinese Dancing Dragon with the Ma¬gical Tatung, Robok, Malay Traditional Music and Dance with its weaving clothes in vibrant colors, Cannon Barrage Festival by Malay in Pontianak and much more become the most significant events for the visitors world wide.

The objects interests are:

The Equator Monument, The Enchanting Kapuas And The Equator, Museum Of Pontianak, National Park and Nature Reserve, Palung National Park, Kendawangan Nature Reserve, Bugis Dalam, Pasir Panjang Beach, Mandor, Melanggar Waterfall, Remabo Waterfall, Long house, Palace Of Mempawah Kingdom, Nanga Sepuak, Tanjung Pura, Kijing Island.

Eria Park, Pasir Panjang Beach, Mount Poteng, Batu Payung Beach, Pemangkat, Sintete, Tanjung Batu, Pemangkat, Tirtayasa Recreation Park, Sambas, Lanting, Beautiful Traditional Handicrafts, Lake Sebedang, Sanggau Ledo, Tampenan Village, Ketapang Pawan River, Tebas, Paloh Beach, Bekati, Balairung Segetar Alam Cannon, Mosque Of The Sanggau Kingdom, Samboja Recreation Park, Bengkayang, Sepogot And Sekaruh, Sanggau, Sompu Waterfall, Sintang, Buddha, Batu Kundur, Dara Juanti Museum, Baning Recreation Forest, Putussibau, Simoanglida River, Panembahan Saunan, Negeribaru, Maya Karimata, Serutu Island, Karimata Island, Maya Island, Dange, a Kayan Feast, Chinese Tradition, Khek, Toh Peh Kong, Kapuas Hulu, Menager Multi-Level Waterfall, Baning Nature Reserve.

Chinese - Tionghoa

As one of the highest concentration of ethnic Chinese or locals “Tionghoa”, in West Kalimantan the Singkawang city provides the Spectacular Magical Tatung and Dan¬cing Dragon during the Chinese happy New Year with its Cap Go Meh – Imlek – Xong She Fat Xoi. The most attractive traditional musical instrument displayed on special occasion of:

Xong Xi Fat Choi or Wedding party. Ama¬zing Singkawang Chinese Tionghoa Dancing Dragon with the Magical Tatung.

Handicraft & Choices Of Souvenirs

Handicraft & Choices Of Souvenirs. The most conspicuous handicrafts of West Kalimantan. The most well known cloth in the region of West Kalimantan with its various motif in vibrant colors. Kain Sambas (Weaving cloth) and the Dayak weaving cloth of Ensaik Panjang, Sintang. Cual, Corak Insang, Lunggi Woven, Kalengkang embroidery, and West Kalimantan’s batik. Choices of handicraft, woven material, rattan, philodendron and wood of West Kalimantan.

Pandanus Plaited bag, bamboo plaited baskets, dishes covers, mat, souvenirs Khatulistiwa monument miniature, bandong traditional boat miniatures, Dayak scimitar, key holders, and woodcarving, ceramics, tie woven beads. It is advisable to come over the Indonesia National Crafts Council (DEKRANASDA) at Jl. Hasanudin Pontianak, Souvenir Shop at Jl. Pattimura, Koperasi KERTA at Jl. Adi Sucipto Pontianak. Further Sambas is renowned with its Weaving Cloth. The most well-known cloth in the region of West Kalimantan with its various kinds of motif in vibrant colors. Meanwhile, Dayak weaving cloth is made by locals Dayak at Ensaid village in Sintang Regency becomes the most wanted by Europe countries and other overseas countries. Dayak Scimitar, or locals Mandau made by the Dayak people in Melawi Regency. This unique replica of Mandau with its scabbard made in big scale of more than 2m x 0,5 height by the Dayak in Melawi Regency creates the best souvenir as its unique style, intricate paintings, design and carving.

For complete information you could have on the “Text Book Guiding To Indonesia” By F. I. Fatrick.