East Kalimantan, the custodian of nature’s secrets, stands as a guardian of a lengthy history. Its people, such as the Dayak and Kutai ethnic groups, embrace diversity with 16 melodic regional languages.

At the East Kalimantan pavilion in TMII, visitors can catch a glimpse of its diversity through the Lamin traditional house, meaning “large”. No nails are used in the construction of this sturdy ulin wood house; instead, pegs and rattan strings serve as its pillars. Stairs guide visitors into this elevated house, typically shared by multiple families. From this practice, a spirit of communal cooperation grows into a strong tradition.

The central space, designated for receiving guests, transforms into a stage showcasing ethnographic objects such as Bening Aban (baby carrier), traditional attire, royal jewelry, and Dayak cultural paintings. The traditional house is adorned with Enggang bird ornaments that symbolize nobility and virtuous character, dragon ornaments that carry meanings of power, heroism, and strength, squid ornaments that depict a spirit of democracy, and mask ornaments that represent peace. Each color also has its own meaning, starting from majesty for yellow, courage for red, devotion for blue, and purity for white.

DID YOU KNOW?

“Ruhui Rahayu”, the motto of East Kalimantan engraved in the provincial emblem below, is firmly held by the local residents as a philosophy for community living. This motto depicts the hopes and goals of the people of East Kalimantan to achieve social harmony filled with happiness, justice, and prosperity, in a peaceful and blessed atmosphere gifted by Allah.