Visited witch doctors, went to a ceremony for the dead where the dig up and pay respects to people who dies sometime ago (in this case 100 days) and generally learnt a bit about the Dayak traditions. The 'black magic' of the Dayaks seems somewhat similar to the Caribbean in both look and actions. Having a meal in the 'house of the dead' in the midst of the wailing and the dancing was a tad confronting and I didn't manage to eat much!

Most interesting was that the Dayak history was 'modern' history rather than past. For example, they took us to see the monument built to celebrate and encourage peace between the tribes, the Dayak's and the Madurese. The Malay's and the Chinese were also drawn into the conflict which saw over 600 deaths in the late 1990's including more than 100 decapitations in line with the Dayak's headhunting ways.

This monument was built in 2006. Modern History. I was driving the kids to Waimea Heights Primary School at the time!

We were also taken to a Catholic Church where they are also trying to bring together the different cultures and groups. Jesus was not only black in most of the depictions but there were symbols and references to other religions and cultures throughout the church. Not sure at what level it was 'approved' by the church hierarchy, but promising and interesting nonetheless.

Much of Indonesia's indigenous populations have disappeared either because of the Dutch or the Indonesian's themselves. But here in Borneo they still remain in significant numbers. A fascinating place.