pole at the boat landing jetty of Tanjung Issuy

pole at the boat landing jetty of Tanjung Isuy

Somewhat run-down Dayak village at the edge of the lake, supporting a fine longhouse and lots of hampatongs

 

Tanjung Isuy is, according to our guide book, the most popular and most often visited Dayak village in the Mahakam area. Hmmm. The village is somewhat run down, and looks depressive, with many of the houses boarded up, if not falling apart. Located at the edge of the Lake Jempang, one arrives at a jetty, but soon sets foot on firm ground. A dirt track leads into the village, and to the longhouse – lamin in local language -, which serves as tourist accommodation.

 

entrance to the longhouse

entrance to the longhouse

patongs in the longhouse yard

patongs in the longhouse yard

another good example of a patong

another good example of a patong

patongs are also placed in front of ordinary houses

patongs are also placed in front of ordinary houses

one of the older, and more attractive houses in Tanjung Issuy

one of the older, and more attractive houses in Tanjung Isuy

board walk towards the other side of the village

board walk towards the other side of the village

A longhouse is the traditional centre of a Dayak community, shared by many families who occupy a room, or just a part of the longhouse partitioned off with a curtain or something. But the tradition is fading, people can afford their own house these days, and many of the longhouses are falling in disrepair. But with government support some, like the one in Tanjung Isuy, have been restored, and given a new life as tourist centre, complete with dance performances and, in this case, accommodation. But it is low season, and there are no tourists, and thus no dance performances.

The longhouse, as well as many of the other houses in the village, is decorated with patongs – wooden sculptures, of a rather coarse nature. Patongs, or Hampatongs, are the collective name of Dayak sculptures of ancestors and super-natural guardians, the protectors against evil spirits and illness. They are usually placed along the paths towards villages, and in front of houses.

From Tanjung Isuy it is a short trip to the mouth of the Sungai Ohong, one of the most scenic tributaries of the Mahakam (or jump to the next Dayak village, Mancong).

view of the village, from across inundated flats at the other end of the board walk

view of the village, from across inundated flats at the other end of the board walk

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