TRIP TO ANNAH RAIS LONGHOUSE

An amazing place to visit and see how the Bidayuh lived in the past and it exists over 200 years ago. This ethnic also the second largest in Sarawak.  Besides, you can also buy a bottle of their fine home brown herbal rice wine. Greeted by two friendly ladies offering Rice Wine, our driver showed us round the long house we got to chat to the residence and see them going about their day drying peppercorn and rice to sell. It's incredible how many people live there and how many family members live in each house.If you've never been to a longhouse you should visit one when at Kuching and the Bidayuh one is about 45 minutes’ drive away from the town center. Get to see how the locals live in the longhouse. There's also a homestay programmed if you would like to experience life as a local for a few days, Annah Rias Village already exist around 200 years ago, it is taking around 45 minute drive from Kuching. The way to annah  rais is roller coaster and it is very extreme.

For the traditional Bidayuh costume set for women comprises the short-sleeved or sleeveless blouse,  ‘jomuh’ (skirt), and matching accessories such as the ‘selapai’ (sash), ‘pangiah’ (bead necklace), ‘porik’ (copper/ metal belt) and ‘sipiah’ (headgear).Then for men is wear a ‘tawuop’ or ‘tahup’ (long loin- cloth wrapped around the body with one end hanging down in front and the other at the back), the ” burang sumba”  (headgear) and occasionally the “kima” (armlets).

BIDAYUH CULTURE

 Bidayuh are mainly Pagans or animist and they believe in ancestral worship and they also believe in the ancient spirits or nature. Due to that, they would have big celebrations like the Gawai which is a celebration to please the padi spirit for good harvest. They would also hold small praise and worship sessions occasionally to the River and Jungle spirits to cure illness and ward of bad luck. However, at least 50 % of the Bidayuh community have converted into Christianity since the arrival of missionaries into Sarawak. 

BIDAYUH FOOD

Asam siok (pronounced: a-sum see-yolk) or chicken with rice in bamboo (or bamboo chicken in short) is an authentic Bidayuh

delicacy served normally during special occasions such as Gawai, gatherings or welcoming of special guests/VIPs. The Iban version of bamboo chicken is known as manok pansuh . The preparation of the meal is very simple indeed. Nevertheless, the cooking part requires extra care and attention to avoid from over burning of the bamboo. The use of bamboo is a natural way of cooking that seals in the flavours and produces astonishingly tender chicken, perfumed with lemongrass and bamboo. The ingredients; whole chicken, steam rice, salt, ginger, lemon grass, tapioca leaves and of course, a little bit of water to boil.

History of Annah Rais

Everyone wants to know about history, history is the most important thing in the world. Annah Rais is known for its history, some of the information that I get from the receptionist is that long house were more than 200 years old. There are also place there where there put a skull called as “Panggah

House”, this is the place where all the head were gathered since the headhunter period. Some believe that the head will give extra safety to the long house. There are also an old cannon there where the history said that the cannon were given to the village chieftain by Sultan Brunei as token of their friendship. This is also can be the proof that the village already exist for a long time

Building

 The Longhouse one of the architectural building in Sarawak, The architecture style of the annah rais longhouse is also the same as other longhouse where there have a series of interconnecting part of the house that is arranged in a linear manner. This way can give them their distinctive rectangular shape.

 For our conclusion is we are very proud to the people at Annah Rais. We can know about their daily life and their culture. We also get knowledge about so many things that we did not know. Bidayuh people have their believe and spiritual that is very unique that we must know and understand. Besides, we also can see the agriculture and the nature that is very beautiful. Bidayuh people also until now use their old culture, costume and unique food.

  

by: GLAY

      KRIZTNI

      ZHAFRI

      HAFIZZI