A Message in a Bottle: Elder Nelson Visits Legendary Land of Headhunters and Longhouses: Borneo

"A Prophet is coming! A prophet is coming!" These are the words used to announce the visit of Elder Nelson to Borneo. The news traveled as though on the wings of the famous native hornbill bird. This was the event of a lifetime for these people!

As President Ingkon summarized it: "These are the happiest two days of my life!"

With a couple of hours left before his plane departed; Elder Nelson asked if we knew of an authentic longhouse nearby. We drove him to the Gua Longhouse. The most authentic and beautiful Long house that we have seen

Inside the Longhouse: floors are made of poles, covered with handmade mats. On the walls are hand carved shields, baskets, and tapistries woven on the traditional backstrap loom.

The Nelsons at the door of the Longhouse. I think think is the best picture I took of them. They looked happy and relaxed. The walls are of split bamboo.

The steps one must climb to get to the first level of the longhouse. They are hand hewn from one large log. I nearly had a heart attack thinking of the possibility that he could slip... But he did great without one comment about their steepness or narrowness!

Doors of the adjoining Longhouse

I loved the play of color and pattern...of leaves and native design

Beautiful traditional folk art painting on the doors. It is the authentic Iban design (similar to the sarongs we used at the luncheon)

The birds are the famous hornbill bird: symbol of Sarawak

A long view of the Long House! They speak of their longhouses as to the number of doors that they have....20, 50, up to 300! One family lives behind each door. The veranda is a communal space for weaving, drying food, dancing, sleeping, visiting...