Houses and living heritage
A longhouse is more than its length or roofline. The museum’s interpretation places communal life at the centre of this architecture. Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan and Kenyah have distinct contexts; a building associated with one community should not be used to represent all of them or every household’s present way of living.
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Sarawak Museum Department · Longhouse ModelTraditional locations
The Batang Ai landscape provides one documented setting for Iban longhouses and river-based visits. A photograph of longhouses elsewhere in Sarawak illustrates architecture, not the precise Batang Ai visit. The reservoir, nearby settlements and national park are related places with different functions and boundaries, which should be explained by local hosts.
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Sarawak Forestry Corporation · Batang Ai National ParkA respectful first visit
Arrange a hosted visit rather than treating a residence as an attraction open to any passer-by. Ask before photographing people or private rooms, and clarify meals, overnight arrangements and what the invitation includes. A staged demonstration in a cultural museum and a family’s everyday home can both teach, but they are different experiences.
