Borneo Cultures Museum — Attraction in Borneo

I read a comment that said: “It’s been awhile to see the public so excited about a museum” that reflects the excitement the locals have for the museum. The anticipation was built from witnessing the construction of the building and doubled with the delay to its opening.

Using the usual review format, I’ll start with the positives. It’s a pretty museum. It is very instagrammable with plenty of backdrops and large facade for your social media pictures. It’s still shiny and new, for now. I went on the second week that it was open to public so I don’t know how well it is maintained since. Cosmetic beauty unfortunately is the only good thing that O can say about the museum.

For a museum as large as BCM (as it is now oft abbreviated) it sure feels empty. I have a feeling that it was rushed to be open (as it should due to the long delay) and they were just making do with the bare minimum display wise. But that’s my unsubstantiated feeling. I joked about the ampallang display at the old museum, about how it was taken away (with a note stating its absence) and sadly the penile jewellery has been excluded in the new museum. Maybe it was too savage, maybe they are embarrassed by their forefather’s kinkiness.

The display felt unimportant as the accompanying text do not escalate the objects. Most descriptions provided are basic: the name of the object, it’s colour, where it was discovered and it’s function. I joked that if i want to see old things, I might as well head to Bong Gallery at waterfront and the owner might have more stories about the objects to inform me. The function of a museum is to tell you why the object you see is important. Or else it is just like a kitchen in a rumah panjang strewn with everyday objects. There is no standout object- say a sword or a rifle, surrendered during an important event. Not any other sword or rifle, but THIS ONE right in front of you, owned by the museum that you can only see here, that gives the wow factor.

Was asking a few of my other friends after their visit and they were appalled that “superstitious” (tahyul) was used to describe the local pre-Christian beliefs at some of the displays. They find it insulting and inappropriate for such term to be used. They too find that the description of the objects insufficient.

Well go at least once to see for yourself. I went to all levels except for the kids section. I cruise by the displays after a series of disappointing descriptions. Hope the museum will continue to improve itself continuously instead of just letting the display as it is, as its final state of being. You can do more BCM! Give more fundings...

In my recent trip to Sarawak, I was impressed with the digitalisation of information presented at the Borneo Cultures Museum -- the main state museum in Kuching. As a natural-born history buff, I've made many a direct beeline to as many museums as I could in all the cities I've visited. The most memorable must be the Egyptian Museum in Cairo some 20 years back because I couldn't get enough of the mummies, while at the same time, the rest of the tour group --consisting of many makciks (now I am a makcik too but hoping a much cooler makcik) --was pressing the tour guide to move on to the Souqs and literally dragging me out of the place. Now it seems as if history is repeating itself. Though there were no makcik's on this trip nagging me on, I was pressed for time because the museum closed way too early at 4:30 pm -- and I was essentially rushed into leaving by the guards.

But the point I wanted to make-- and one that I have never before experienced -- well maybe except at Universal Studios, was the fact that the museum used some extraordinarily cool technology to enhance their displays --making the information absorption process entertaining and engaging. Touch screens and mere hand gestures would move the pages of giant virtual books, stamp you with a virtual tattoo, and moving heavy digital beams would reveal a tale of love and consequences (of fighting over men, ehem.. Puteri Santubong). I am sure adults and children alike would find a trip to this museum highly enjoyable. Well, I certainly did.

I would put this Museum way at #1 among the best Museums in Malaysia, right before Petrosains. And believe me, I have been to most of the museums in Malaysia if not all --whenever I can--and the nerd in me even check back regularly...

Absolutely amazing museum with loads of information about Sarawak, the rainforest, the history and culture of the different ethnic groups as well as the political history of the country. They really put a lot of effort into this museum and it was by far the best museum we have been in South East Asia (if not in our lives).

There are five different galeries to explore over three different floors and each gallery is filled with beautiful artwork, easily readable information and local crafts. Some of the most beautiful crafts we have ever seen. Moreover, the galleries are very interactive and invite you to use your senses to understand the Sarawak culture through multiple angles. Scent of spices, soundscapes & music, audio-visual informations, augmented reality experiences and touch-sensitive stations are part of the tour.

We arrived at 3:15pm and the museum shuts at 4:45pm, which gave us 1h30. This was not really enough time for use and we wished to have stayed more so we would recommend planning 2h30-3h00 to visit the entirety of the museum without rushing.

The entry fee of RM50 per adult (foreigner) and RM25 per student (foreigner) is more than fair for the experience provided and the cleanliness of the place.

There is a souvenir shop available to purchase some mocks of the traditional crafts displayed in the museum, however the items tend to be quite pricey.

The only issue we had was that they do not accept card payment for the tickets. Unfortunately this was not clear enough on their website which meant that we arrived with no cash and it took us about 15 minutes to get to the ATM and back.

Overall, one of the best place in Sarawak to learn about...