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 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
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
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:
Chinese - Tionghoa
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.
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