I drove from Kuching to the foot of Mount Santubong, where the Sarawak Cultural Village is situated, to immerse myself in the diverse cultures and lifestyles of the various ethnic groups in the state of Sarawak.

This is a very fascinating village, a living museum, showcasing replicas of local houses and buildings, as well as portraying a comprehensive narration of various cultures and rituals of the Sarawakian tribes living in the beautiful Land of Hornbills.

The Sarawak Cultural Village features seven major ethnic groups in Sarawak – Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Chinese, Malay, Melanau, and Penan

The population of Sarawak comprises of 26 different ethnic groups. The two biggest ethnic groups within the Dayak community are the Iban (formerly Sea Dayak) and the Bidayuh (formerly Land Dayak); others include Orang Ulu, Melanau, Murut, Kenyah, Kayan, Kedayan, Kelabit, Berawan, Penan and Bisayah.

Sarawak’s rich ethnic and cultural diversity is one of the reasons what I love about the state and always looking forward to explore. The other is of course the amazing rich biodiversity of flora and fauna.