BENGKAYANG

Bengkayang

Bengkayang connects various small cities in the Sambas regency with the West Kalimantan hinterland. And the route into Sarawak, East Malaysia begins in Bengkayang.

Bengkayang's proximity to Singkawang, only about 70 kilometers away, has caused Bengkayang to grow rather rapidly in the past years.

To travel to the border between West Kalimantan and Sarawak, one usually starts from Singkawang, then proceeds towards Bengkayang over a distance of 70 kilometers. The trip continues towards the north, to the small town of Ledo, at a distance of the 40 kilometers. Then the trip continues again to Sanggauledo 20 kilometers away, and to Seluas. The distance between Sanggauledo and Seluas is 31 kilometers. Entekong is the last stop on the Indonesian side of the border. There is an immigration post here. From Entekong, walk for another 20 minutes before entering Malaysian territory.

People have crossed the border for many generations over this road, despite the absence of legal provisions. The local people are given a special passport by the provincial government of West Kalimantan, to enter Sarawak and to trade on a small scale and buy their daily needs.

After walking for about 20 minutes from Entekong, one comes to the first check point in the Malaysian territory. There is a terminal for taxis that can take the traveler to Kuching and other place in Serawak.

Meeting the Bekati in Bengkayang

Bekati

From Bengkayang, one can travel into the hinterland and meet the Bekati people, one of the Dayak sub-tribes living in West Kalimantan.

Sepogot And Sekaruh

At one point, one must leave the main road and walk for about one kilometer to Sepogot and Sekaruh, where about 600 Bekati people live.

The Bekati live in the mountains, around the Teriak river. Linguistically, they belong to the Kendayan Dayaks, but they dislike being called Kendayans.

The Bekati chiefs consider themselves as having come from the region around Sambas, finally to settle around Bengkayang as they moved from place to place, practicing shifting agriculture. The Bekati live in comparative isolation. Besides tilling dry fields, they also tap rubber. They are also known as depth hunters.

The traditions of the Bekati people are still largely preserved, although the penetration of outside influences has already begun. Bekati longhouses differ from those of other Dayaks in Kalimantan. The Bekati longhouses has no pillars, but rests on the ground. It functions as a place for the holding of ceremonies, meetings, and as kind of hostel for travelers.

Many Bekati people are illiterate and faithful adherents of the old ancestral beliefs. Many wooden ancestor statues are found around Bekati villages. These wooden statues are more than one meter tall and have no arms.