Only a handful of families still live in it. Nevertheless, the longhouse is still a vital repository of cultural heritage, where traditional ceremonies, music, dance, and oral traditions are practised and passed down through generations.
While modernization and evolving needs have led to modifications, especially in roofing materials and design, the longhouse still maintains its traditional wooden architecture.
This is Kampung Segu Benuk longhouse, one of the oldest Bidayuh longhouses in Sarawak, located about 34 KM from Kuching City in Penrissen.
It is more than just a dwelling as it serves as the heart of the community where families live under one roof, share resources, and engage in communal activities.
The structure itself, with its shared veranda and individual family apartments, fosters unity and cooperation among over 1,000 villagers, including those residing in separate houses.
Although only 25 families currently reside in it, the Kampung Segu Benuk longhouse retains its key features, particularly a long central corridor known as the “awah” and the “tanju”.
In the past, traditional longhouse structures were bound with rattan, woody vines, or creeper fibres and roofed with sago leaves. Over time, renovations have led to changes in materials, especially for the roofs, due to the limited lifespan of sago leaves. Today, materials like zinc and aluminium are commonly used for repairs.
The main pillars of the longhouse are still crafted from ‘belian’ wood, ensuring the structure’s enduring strength.
Despite modern alterations, the Kampung Segu Benuk longhouse continues to offer a window into the past, highlighting the unique architecture and cultural practices of the Bisegu Benuk and the Bidayuh people as a whole.
Apart from the first seven doors at the main entrance, floored with split bamboo, most of the “tanju” and “awah” floors are covered with hardwood planks, eschewing concrete.
Distinct yet interconnected, the “tanju” and the “awah” play vital roles within the longhouse. The “awah” serves as an open-air platform for drying items and social gatherings, while the “tanju” functions as a covered veranda providing access to family units and hosting communal activities.
Kampung Segu Benuk holds a significant place in Bidayuh heritage, as detailed in the book “History of the Bidayuh in Kuching Division Sarawak” by Dr. Chang Pat Foh.
According to an interview with Tua Gawai Paka ak Otor of Kampung Benuk, the Benuk/Segu group has resided in the village for approximately ten generations, spanning 250 years.
Being likely the first Bidayuh longhouse in Sarawak, the Kampung Segu Benuk longhouse stands as one of the few remaining traditional longhouses in the Bidayuh community.
At the end of the longhouse lies a traditional community hall known as the “Panggah” or Ritual House. According to Cassidy Teka, the current Ketua Kaum of Kampung Segu Benuk, the Panggah houses artefacts like human skulls collected by headhunters before the 1970s and tools used for rituals.
Despite the historical and cultural significance of the longhouse, balancing modernization with heritage preservation poses a challenge to the community.
Rising costs of traditional materials and labour have prompted some residents to consider demolishing the longhouse in favour of individual modern homes.
Cassidy acknowledges the shifting preferences towards modern and safer living spaces among longhouse dwellers, leading to increased expenses for upkeep and repairs. Government grants are being sought to maintain key features like the “tanju” and the “awah”.
Cassidy emphasizes the importance of preserving the longhouse, as it embodies a pivotal part of their cultural heritage.
While many villagers have transitioned to modern homes over the years, efforts are underway to promote and conserve the longhouse, including organizing cultural events and establishing it as a tourist destination.
The annual “Brarak & Bipajak Gawai Bisegu” has successfully attracted visitors, demonstrating the potential for tourism activities within the community.
