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Central Kalimantan
in Indonesia is the biggest province on the
island of Kalimantan. Central Kalimantan occupies
a surface of 153,800 square kilometers and almost
eighty-percent of it is covered in jungle with
swamps, rivers and agriculture land making up the
rest. The northern area is mountainous and hard
to reach. Transportation facilities are limited
due to the rough terrain. The central area is
dense and fertile tropical forests, producing
important commodities such as rattan, resin and
timber. The southern area is swampy and has many
rivers. The climate here is both hot and humid.
Nature and wildlife are the main tourist attractions
in Central Kalimantan.
The three big Dayak
sub-tribes who inhabit this province are the
Ngaju, Ot Danum and Ma'anyan Ot Siang. The Ngaju,
like some other sub-tribes, moves from one
region to another. They adhere to the old
Kaharingan religion, which is a form of ancestor
worship mixed with elements of animism. They
have seen progress and many of them now live in
towns. The Ot Danum live in longhouses which
sometimes have as many as 50 rooms in one longhouse.
This unique longhouse is called betang and the
homes of these local tribes has become famous
places of interest in Central Kalimantan. With
approximately 6,000 people, the Ot Danum is the
largest among the three sub-tribes . They are known
for their skill in plaiting rattan, palm leaves
and bamboo.
These handicrafts,
made by the women, are sold in cities and towns
such as Banjarmasin, Kualakapuas and Sampit. Like
other Dayaks, the men are good hunters, using
simple tools. The art of Central Kalimantan
clearly bears the marks of the Kaharingan
religion, which is the traditional belief of the
Dayaks in the hinterland of Central Kalimantan.
Building styles, statues, carvings and other
products are related to the cultural elements of
the Hindus, Chinese and Hindu-Javanese. Aside from
their aesthetic properties, such products are
appreciated for their magic value.
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