Dayak LongHouseStay
The Mattress
This is made from wild thick fern, strewn woven together at various sizes and length. It is cool and gentle to the skin leaving ones invigorated and rejuvenated each time one rests on it. Perfect comfort when one is not so well with fever.
The Pillow
The pillow is Elegantly crafted from rare immortelle light wood of nearby jungle in various heights meant to ease heavy head and tired neck. It can be a passive masseur for the lower legs. In the olden days, this wooden pillow was considered one of the most relaxing, rejuvenating sleeping tools especially after hard core activities such as farming and hunting for wild animals. Higher pillows are best for those who are heavy weight as well as those suffering from respiratory ailments such as upper respiratory tract infection, bronchial asthma, rhinitis and chronic obstructive airway diseases.
The Flattened Flexible Bamboo Floors
The floors are made from ‘giant’ bamboo, flattened and spread down as bed. It helps to contour the alignment of the body from the head down to the toes at the most comfortable position with every turning. It is so unique, not even thought of. Thanks to the brilliant idea of stepping into time wrap by BDLS pioneer designer and owner ‘Mr. Agro’ – James Janum who converts every piece of bamboo rusted preciously to gold.
The antique Roofs and Walls
These ‘copper’ roofs and walls are shelters for the Dayaks and some other indigenous tribes way back in the early centuries. In modern times it reminds us of our wise great ancestors challenging the adversity of living in the wild virgin forest. Sago leaves are singularly woven together supported by a piece of wood to form roofs and walls. It camouflaged as jungle for enemies. It gives significant cooling effect both during the day and at night.
Before the discovery of wool, the Dayak community commonly uses the “kayu pelaie log” as their head resting gear each and every time they call it a day. It is light, floatable on water and has the soothing effect especially the neck area.
The wooden made pillow was considered as one of the most relaxing, rejuvenating sleeping tools during the days of hardcore farming and animal hunting for the Dayak communities in the 18th century. It not only comforted them to rest and sleep, it also strengthened the body parts particularly the back bones in order to sustain with their daily activities as they grew older. As time moves on, an innovation of soft padding is added to the wooden pillow meant for children.
Equipped with the specially woven Dayak mat, the Dayak have already been given extra strength to weighed jungle products for at least 15KG and walked for miles every day. Carrying weight with a specially made basket called “tambuk” and strapped to the forehead requires the strength from the cervical bones right down to the heels and tarsals of the feet. Thus, the pillow and the mattress have been providing a good healing process along the way which has made the Dayak one of the strongest race and once the fiercest in Sarawak.
The sleeping remedy is practically practiced by Borneo Dayak, the true native of the beautiful island of Borneo. Stay in a Dayak Long house, live like a Dayak – a true real experience.
