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Crafts & Textiles

Ikat Weaving at the Ensaid Panjang Longhouse

Kapuas Hulu & Sintang, West Kalimantan

Photo: Zhilal Darma · CC BY-SA 4.0

Duration
3 days
Group size
Max. 8 people
Category
Crafts & Textiles
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for almost everyone; plenty of stops and light walking.
Language
Indonesian, English

About this journey

Three days in a Sintang longhouse learning Dayak Desa ikat weaving from the weavers themselves.

The Ensaid Panjang longhouse stands not far from Bukit Kelam and is the last traditional longhouse in its village. On its gallery, women sit at gedogan looms turning tied and dyed threads into patterned cloth; Sintang ikat often appears at exhibitions and state events. You learn each stage of ikat, from tying the motif and dyeing to weaving, while staying with a family in one of the longhouse rooms and joining their daily routine.

Hosted by the local community in Kapuas Hulu & Sintang

What you'll experience

  • Stay in a longhouse room
  • Learn to tie, dye and weave
  • Views of Bukit Kelam
  • Buy ikat directly from the weavers

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrive at Ensaid Panjang

    Drive from Sintang, welcome by your host family, afternoon tour of the longhouse.

  2. Day 2

    Weaving day

    Learn to tie motifs and dye threads, then weave on the gallery with the weavers.

  3. Day 3

    Departure

    Finish your weaving in the morning, farewell to the family, return to Sintang.

What's included

  • 2 nights in the longhouse
  • All meals
  • Weaving class and materials
  • Transport from Sintang
  • Local guide from the community
  • Contribution to the village fund

Not included

  • Flights to Sintang from Pontianak
  • Purchase of ikat cloth
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Tips for guides and hosts (optional)

Before you go

Practical notes so your trip is comfortable and your hosts feel respected.

What to bring

  • Insect repellent
  • Light rain jacket
  • Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees
  • Some cash; ATMs are scarce on site
  • Sandals for inside the longhouse

Local etiquette

  • A longhouse is home to many families; follow your hosts on which spaces you may enter
  • Ikat motifs can carry customary meaning; ask before photographing or buying
  • Take off your shoes before entering a home
  • Use your right hand to give or receive things

Getting there

Fly to Pontianak, then take a limited connecting flight to Tebelian Airport in Sintang or Pangsuma Airport in Putussibau. Overland from Pontianak is long: about 8–10 hours to Sintang and more to Putussibau.

Meeting point

Bandar Udara Tebelian, Sintang

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