*Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Adil Katalino Bacuramin Kasaruga Basengat Ka Jubata*
West Kalimantan is a province rich in cultural diversity. Home to Dayak, Malay, and Chinese communities, many of whom live along the Kapuas River—the longest river in Indonesia—this region exemplifies harmony in diversity.
The hot climate is a familiar part of life for the people here, as the province sits directly on the equator. In Pontianak, the capital city, you can witness a rare natural phenomenon during the equinoxes in March and September, where the sun is directly overhead and shadows disappear. This moment can be experienced at the Equator Monument, a replica of which is on display at the West Kalimantan Pavilion in TMII.
The pavilion’s first structure is inspired by the Kadriah Palace, built in 1771 by Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie. Inside, visitors will find figurative statues of the Sultan and his consort, Utin Chandramidi, dressed in traditional Malay attire: Telok Belanga and Baju Kurung. The display is complemented by miniature cannons, the royal flag, and various examples of Malay traditional crafts and garments from West Kalimantan.
The second structure is the Rumah Betang, or Longhouse, the traditional dwelling of the Dayak people. Typically inhabited by dozens of families, this home is supported by many bulian (ironwood) pillars, with a long, handrail-free staircase carved from a single tree trunk. The front section is used for drying harvests, the middle for ceremonial activities, and enclosed rooms along the sides serve as private quarters for extended family members.
Other traditional structures include the Sandung, a small shrine used for storing human remains, and the towering Baluk house of the Dayak Bidayuh tribe. The Baluk serves as a sacred site for the annual Nyobeng ritual, an all-male ceremony of blessing, peace, and harmony.
A visit to the pavilion offers an unforgettable cultural journey through artifacts such as mandau (Dayak sword), blowpipes, shields, sarang palilit (a traditional women’s headdress), and damak (blowpipe darts). At certain times, visitors may also enjoy traditional dances from West Kalimantan, including the Jepin and Luing dances.
DID YOU KNOW?
West Kalimantan hosts a vibrant celebration known as the Karbit Cannon Festival. The cannons, with diameters of up to one meter, produce thunderous booms that echo across the city. This tradition dates back to the time of Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie, the founder of Pontianak, who ordered his guards to fire cannons to drive away spirits disturbing the construction of the Kadriah Palace.
