Ba’kelalan & the Lun Bawang community
It is not only special places but also people that we celebrate within the responsible tourism movement, and so it is striking to us that the indigenous Lun Bawang people of Sarawak translate their name literally as People of the Place. And what a place, their homelands a central pinnacle of the state, located right in the middle of the Central Highlands, and poised on the far northern borders like glistening ancient jewels in this state’s crown.
Sarawak family vacation
An action-packed vacation got the whole family to enjoy!
From
£995
9 days
ex flights
Sarawak wildlife & beach vacation
Encounter orangutans and hike through virgin rainforest
From
US $1687 to US $1975
10 days
ex flights
Borneo 8 day tour, the wild heart of Borneo
A unique experience in the untouched, beautiful Sarawak.
From
£998
8 days
ex flights
Singapore and Sarawak vacations
A wildlife and Cultural Vacation to Singapore and Sarawak
From
US $2875
14 days
inc UK flights
Luxury beach vacation in Borneo & Orangutans
Relaxation in one of nature's most picturesque settings
From
£3150
13 days
inc UK flights
Borneo wildlife vacation, Sarawak
A light trekking and jungle adventure vacation in Sarawak
From
US $2760
13 days
ex flights
There are in fact nine cultural gems where the Lun Bawang live, together known as Ba’kelalan, and where they maintain their rich culture and heritage, from hill rice growing to bamboo instrument making. This collection of nine villages is in the Meligan Highlands, which rise to 910m above sea level and is where, over the years, the Lun Bawang people have used the land creatively and wisely to keep their communities in good health.
Over the years, producing rice in paddy fields and, unusually, on hillsides, has been central to the Lun Bawang’s livelihoods. Indeed, the rice harvest is the community’s most full-on festival, and takes place in Lawas, Sarawak’s northernmost town, during the first weekend of June. If you are in Sarawak at this time, head north, and revel with the Lun Bawang as bamboo instrument bands gather from all over the region, Lun Bawang food is everywhere and the all around ‘giving’ culture that is innate to the Lun Bawang people adds much sparkle to this Sarawak culture fest.
Pineapple growing is also a big feature at Long Semadoah, one of the nine villages, and highland salt production is also a thriving community endeavour. A more surprising aspect of Lun Bawang rural life that you will come across in Ba’kelalan is that of apple growing. Delightfully incongruous in a world of paddies and pickled fish, the Lun Bawang have successfully been growing apples here since the 1990s, with planting and harvesting adapted to the climate and terrain, including an artificial wintering when the leaves are removed.
Over the years, producing rice in paddy fields and, unusually, on hillsides, has been central to the Lun Bawang’s livelihoods. Indeed, the rice harvest is the community’s most full-on festival, and takes place in Lawas, Sarawak’s northernmost town, during the first weekend of June. If you are in Sarawak at this time, head north, and revel with the Lun Bawang as bamboo instrument bands gather from all over the region, Lun Bawang food is everywhere and the all around ‘giving’ culture that is innate to the Lun Bawang people adds much sparkle to this Sarawak culture fest.
Pineapple growing is also a big feature at Long Semadoah, one of the nine villages, and highland salt production is also a thriving community endeavour. A more surprising aspect of Lun Bawang rural life that you will come across in Ba’kelalan is that of apple growing. Delightfully incongruous in a world of paddies and pickled fish, the Lun Bawang have successfully been growing apples here since the 1990s, with planting and harvesting adapted to the climate and terrain, including an artificial wintering when the leaves are removed.
The tourism scene in the Ba’kelalan region is also looking rosy, with homestays, birding and hiking trips slowly becoming part of the local economy. Their highlands remain very much untouched and so eco explorers have a wealth of mountain jungle to discover with expert local guides. Spiritual pilgrimages are a growing feature, for example, up to Mount Murud summit. Considered a sacred mountain by Lun Bawang people, now predominantly Christian, its peak is certainly heading towards the heavens at 2,423m. Local people congregate for an annual pilgrimage up to one of its plateaus, where there is a church camp that can sleep 1,500 people.
Our top trip
Borneo 8 day tour, the wild heart of Borneo
A unique experience in the untouched, beautiful Sarawak.
From
£998
8 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Sarawak or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
For everyday tourists, however, this is not a summit to be tackled alone, and tourists must always have an expert guide to lead the way. There are also responsible tourism adventure companies that will guide you up the challenging route to the summit, whether you are religious or not, or on the annual pilgrimage or not. Because for many, of course, nature is the only sort of nirvana they seek. Seek and they will find, with treats such as the endangered nepenthes murudensis pitcher plant, a carnivorous species that is endemic to the montane habitat of this particular summit.
Getting to Ba’kelalan is still somewhat of an adventure for travelers, who have several options. They can fly to Miri or Lawas and then do some fairly tough driving in definite four wheel drive terrain. Another way is via the cross-border route from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah to Lawas, followed by another 4WD foray. However, with the Lun Bawang on the case, ever committed to sharing and developing their ecotourism products and culture, they will no doubt manage to grow their necessary infrastructure with time. These guys can grow apples in the jungle after all. The Lun Bawang are a people who know what they are doing with their place, and they are doing it just beautifully.
Responsible Travel would like to thank the Sarawak tourist board for their sponsorship of this guide
More Sarawak articles
Learn the best time to visit Sarawak in terms of the weather with our practical month by month guide.
Learn all you need to know about traveling in Malaysia’s largest state with our useful Sarawak travel guide.
Make the most of your time in Sarawak with our map of highlights and some suggested itineraries.
There's lots to do in Sarawak from trekking to tribal homestays, and exploring the story of the White Rajahs.
There are an incredible 30 national parks in Sarawak, all of them impressive in very different ways.
Sarawak adventure vacations take you into some of Asia's most spectacular natural landscapes.
The Rainforest World Music Festival is one of Sarawak's greatest cultural events.
Community led conservation projects in Sarawak offer you a memorable experience.
With over 20 Important Bird Areas and plenty of national parks too, Sarawak is birdwatching bliss.
Batang Ai National Park is a superb place to see endangered orangutan in the wild.
Exploring the fascinating culture in Sarawak is one of the key reasons you should visit the Land of the Hornbills.
Discover the picturesque riverside gateway to Sarawak and Malaysian Borneo - Kuching.
The joys of a short tour to Sarawak are as clear as the waters of its many dive sites.
The fascinating heritage of the Brooke dynasty can be seen across Sarawak.
Sarawak wildlife ranges from endangered orangutans to proboscis monkeys and sea turtles.
Sarawak multi activity vacations explore stunning natural landscapes and tribal culture.
Sibu is the gateway to the Rajang river basin, which offers a distinct tribal culture.
Narrowing our favourite Sarawak trips down to just ten was a tricky business, but we finally managed...just.
Traveling in Sarawak with kids involves activities they'll enjoy and learn from at the same time.
If you’re searching for reliable Sarawak travel advice, check out these tips from our expert partners.
Wildlife issues are integral to responsible tourism in Sarawak - read on to learn more.
