Introduction

Introduction to Central Kalimantan

The huge province Kalimantan Tengah (KalTeng) is the least visited province of Borneo. The Dayak who live there belong to the most traditional of the island. The officially recognized kaharingan-religion, in which dozens of religious themes are kept, spread to other provinces from KalTeng. A visit to Central Kalimantan demands courage and the readiness to travel like an inhabitant of Borneo yourse (...)

Kaharingan	Focus of traditional culture

In the pre-colonial time, the Ngaju in the catchment area of the Kahayan, were more open to technological and cultural influences from outside than most other Dayak. With the arrival of the Dutch and - in 1835 - the missionary Rheinische Mission (later followed up by the Basler Mission, many converted to christianity. The missionaries founded very good schools, so that the christiani (...)

Travel	New asphalt and old totems

After the imposement of the province of KalTeng in 1957, the capital, Palangkaraya, was truly cut out of the jungle. The Russians, back then allies of the Indonesian president Soekarno, gave 40 km of paved road to the new province, which connected Pandahut (a village which became capital) and Tangkiling. Along this road, which has now been extended to Kasongan (85 km from Palangkaraya), transmigra (...)

The Barito River	Main focus of life in South Kalimantan

Many travelers to Kalimantan agree that Banjarmasin, with its busy waterways, floating market and traditional gem mining, is far and away the most interesting city on the island. For those looking to immerse themselves in the local culture, Banjarmasin also has an interesting riverbank settlement, though at first glance it appears ugly and dirty. In the morning, riverbank people bathe, (...)

Borneo festival	There's so much of interest in Borneo island

An hour before Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik arrived at the open-air venue to open the biannual Borneo Festival, a group of musicians from Hulu Sungai Tengah regency, South Kalimantan, rehearsed the compositions in a casual manner and apparently exuberant mood. Wearing casual attire instead of flashy uniforms -- some with a cigarette glued to their lips -- they did not pretend to be e (...)