Orangutan tour at Tanjung Puting National Park Central Kalimantan

CENTRAL KALIMANTAN OVERVIEW

Palangkaraya is the capital of Central Kalimantan province, covering a 153,800 square kilometers, more then 80% of the area is covered with dense jungle, while swamps, rivers, and lakes take approximately 2 % and agriculture land about 3 % of the area. Palangkaraya connecting the hinterland of Central Kalimantan by the Kahayan river.

The northern area is mountainous and reaches far into the hinterland, which is difficult to reach. Transportation facilities are limited and the terrain is rough. Many rapids found along the Kahayan River. The central area is dense and fertile tropical forest. Almost four-fifths of Central Kalimantan is made up of tropical forests, producing valuable commodities such as rattan, resin and the best woods products of Indonesia. 

Central Kalimantan is inhabited by just about two million people, several indigenous Dayak tribes, comprising the sub-tribes Ngaju, Ot Danum, Ma'anyan Ot Siang, Lawangan, Katingan and some others. Ot Olong-olong and Penyawung people live in the upper-stream areas of the Barito near the Mahakam river. Their livelihood is still traditional in harmony with the nature, hunting, and as nomadics moving from one region to another. They have no fixed settlement. They adhere to the old Kaharingan religion beliefs, which is a form of mixed elements of animism and dynamism. The Ot Danum inhabit at the upstream regions of the Kahayan, Barito, Kapuas or Timbering Miri, including the upstream area of the Kahayan river. They live in longhouses called "Betang" with sometimes as many as 50 rooms. A Sandung, is a wooden building to keep the ashes of the dead people, after cremation. You can find old Sandungs at Tuwung village, in the upstream area of the Kahayan River and in  Bukit Rawi (north of Palangkaraya) and Pohandut (near Palangkaraya). The roof of a sandung is ornamented with the enggang (hornbill) or dragon motif. The enggang is a ruler's symbol and a carrier of the sole to heaven as their beliefs. The dragon is a symbol of common people.

Orangutan Tours Program