Baluk traditional house becomes cultural identity, border tourism attraction

The Government of Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, has stated that the Baluk Traditional House in Sebujit, Siding District, serves as a symbol of cultural identity for the Dayak Bidayuh community and holds significant potential as a cultural tourism attraction in the Indonesia-Malaysia border region. According to Bengkayang Regent Sebastianus Darwis, the Baluk Traditional House is not only of high historical and cultural value but also stands as proof that indigenous communities in Bengkayang Regency continue to safeguard and preserve their ancestral heritage amidst modern developments. “The Baluk Sebujit Traditional House is an invaluable cultural treasure for Bengkayang Regency. It is not only the identity of the Dayak Bidayuh people but also a cultural asset that can attract both local and international tourists to visit our region,” Darwis said while attending the 2026 Gawai Nyobeng (Nibakng) of the Dayak Bidayuh Sebujit on Monday. He explained that the Baluk Sebujit Traditional House has been nationally recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia based on Decree Number 3040/F4/KB.09.06/2022 dated 21 October 2022. The traditional house stands approximately 12 metres tall with a circular structure. “The Bengkayang Regency Government invites the entire community to support and promote the cultural wealth of the Dayak Bidayuh, particularly the Baluk Traditional House and the Nyobeng tradition in Sebujit, so they become more widely known and provide benefits to the community,” he stated. Darwis said that the preservation of culture and local wisdom also plays a crucial role in maintaining cultural identity, honouring ancestral heritage, and safeguarding traditional knowledge passed down through generations. According to him, these values align with the government’s efforts to strengthen national resilience, including promoting food self-sufficiency through the wise and sustainable use of natural resources, especially in border areas. “The preservation of culture and local wisdom not only functions to maintain the nation’s character but also serves as an important foundation for achieving sustainable resilience,” he said. He added that the preservation and advancement of regional culture have a strong legal basis as stipulated in Law Number 5 of 2017 concerning the Advancement of Culture, which affirms the state’s responsibility to advance Indonesia’s national culture through protection, development, utilisation and guidance. Darwis expressed hope that the Baluk Traditional House and the Nyobeng tradition can continue to be passed on to the younger generation so they remain a source of pride for the Dayak Bidayuh community while strengthening harmony amidst the diversity of Bengkayang society. “Customs and culture must become a fortress for defending values, strengthening the identity of the community, and serving as a noble heritage for future generations,” he concluded.