Journey to Melanau Heartland

Journey to Dalat takes about 2 hour by speedboat and about 2 ½ hour by land. The transport cost from the wharf terminal in Sibu town to Dalat town is take about RM 20.00, and from Dalat town we go to Mukah town by land and arrived at Mukah around 45 minute later.

Mukah is the 10th Division in Sarawak and have been declared as Division on 1st March 2003. Usually visitors like myself preferred using express boat or speed boat rather than using bus or car to Mukah. It is because the beautiful scenary is more better than using by land.

( Speedboat or Express Boat is the one of the main trainsport go to Mukah )

Near Retus river, we stop at Tugau Memorial Park that is take about 60KM from Sibu town by river Park to see the remenants of Tugau. Based on local legend, Tugau is the warrior of Melanau people and he is the one that create law of melanau people on that time. He lived around 5th century and the one that ordered Melanau people on that time build the tall house so they can prevent the iban people from attacking their home. So, my conclusion is, Tugau is the father of Melanau civilization because many of the Melanau people culture is based on Tugau legend. Tugau is the good placed to visit because it is starting of the Melanau culture before we continued journey to Dalat.

(One of the remenant of Tugau settlement)

Arrived at Dalat, we noticed there is an old cemetary, 100 meters from the wharf. It is an old chinese cemetary where some of the tombstone is dated around 18th century and some the tombstone is written with japanese character.

( The Old Cemetery in Dalat town )

After that we relaxed a while in Dalat town and see the Jerunei stand alone near Taman Bulatan Dalat. Jerunai is one of the remains of the ancient Melanau. Jerunai was used as the burial place of the Melanau aristocrats or royalists, nobles, dignitaries and merchants who were philanthropists. It was made from large, fully-matured Berlian wood as such wood was long-lasting and could withstand heat and torrential rain for hundreds of years. Two or three holes were bored into the Berlian pillars whereby the bottom and middle openings were meant for the dead or bones of the dead person and valuables needed in the nether world.

( One the Jerunei that still left in Mukah)

From Dalat town to Mukah town is taking about half an hour. On the way to Mukah, we stopped at Kueh Sepit cookies of Kpg Judan, Mukah. We learnt about how to make kuih and it is famous around local people throughout Sarawak. Instead of Kuih Sepit, we also stopped at Tebaloi Factory in Mukah. It is located at at Kampung Tutus Hilir that is about 3 km from Mukah town. This traditional Sarawak snack is a delicacy of the Melanau People of Sarawak. It is taken as a snack and served to guests with tea and coffee. The unique taste of Tebaloi is so special that it has become a very popular snack for all races in Sarawak.

(Up : The old lady preparing Kuih Sepit in Kpg Judan, Down : One of the family preparing Tebaloi in Kpg Tutus Hilir)

For visitors who want to experience an old Melanau tall house, they should stay in Lamin Dana Cultural Boutique and Handicraft Centre. Lamin Dana which is traditional house in archaic Melanau dialect is a home that accepts guests and visitors. It was built in 1999 and to date Lamin Dana has received guests from all over the world. As well as being a tall-house homestay tourist project, Lamin Dana represents an effort to preserve or re-create a culture which is on the brink of disappearing forever. It is a live museum where visitors can learn everything about Melanau culture from dances, crafts, costumes and musical instruments. Lamin Dana is a must visit for any guests visiting Mukah.

( Lamin Dana Cultural Boutique can be find at Kpg Telian)

At the night time, we go to the Nibong Seafood Restaurant to eat some Mukah local food such as Sago Worms, Umai Sambal, Umai Jep, Ikan Terubok and Sago Pallet (Tumpi). Nibong Seafood Restaurant is also located 5Km from the Mukah town. It is best placed to visit becaused it offering many delicacies and fresh seafood cuisine.

( One the the food that served in Nibong Seafood Restaurant )
(From Right to Left : Umai, Tumpi, Fried Sago Worm, Fried  Terubok with Lemon )

The next day, our group go to river cruise at the Sg Tellian. Along Sg Tellian, we stop by at Sago processing factory and Sago Pallet (Tumpi) processing. There many beautiful scenary along Tellian River and  Tellian River is also famous venue to see locals transfer Sago log to Mukah town. From Sg Tellian, we go to Mukah by speedboat.

( Some of the local activity that happen along Telian River in Mukah )

In Mukah town, we stop at Tanjung Pedada Mangrove Walk opposite of fish market. The wooden trail at Tanjung Pedada Mangrove Walk is about 10-km belian wood plank and the best moment to visit for the tourist and visitors is after sunset, where firefy can be seen in this area.

(Up : Tanjung Pedada Mangrove Walk (picture taken from AzuanZahdi.com)
(Down : Some activity that happen in Fish Market in Mukah Town )

Fish Market is also a must visit if you arrived in Mukah town. Many fresh sea and river fish is sell in fish market, instead of fish, there are also sell dry food product such as fruit, sago worms and many more. Mukah is the best placed to visit because it is full with culture, history and nature. The best period to visit Mukah during at Mukah Kaul Festival that is fourth week of april every year.