A visit to Sarawak or to any other part of Borneo would not be complete if a taste of longhouse hospitality is omitted in the itinerary.

The unique down to earth hospitality with no ulterior motive attached, might have been lost in most urban dwellers - is the very thing that make longhouses a refreshing place to visit. It's more like replenishing a missing part - the human value of just being friendly and welcoming. Not only that longhouses exudes hospitality but it also serves as a centre of the continuing flow and preservation of a rich cultural heritage. In this particular aspect, the Ibans.

Thus in Bintulu, despite its vigorous industrialisation process, the value of the longhouses is still very much preserved especially in the upper part of Kemena river. For that reason alone, river cruise to longhouses should also be promoted here. For tourism purposes, Kemena river cruise also has its own attraction and history.

According Datuk Michael Buma in his book "Iban Customs and Traditions", the Ibans in Borneo originally migrated from Java Island to Borneo while others came from Kamoja (sounds like Kampuchea), from a place called Bukit (Mount) Mensuat or Wat. He said the reason for their migration was that they did not want to be ruled by a fierce and stronger tribe called Kamarau (sounds like Khmer Rouge).

Thus the Iban leader named Datu Ayu and his followers got themselves together into some rafts and set sail to whatever direction the wind blows but eventually they arrived in Merudu Bay in Sabah (pronounced Saba in Iban). While intending to settle down in the Merudu Bay area they were subjected to frequent raids by the people from Sulu Island (now part or the Southern Philippines).

As they could not tolerate the terrible life there, they got into the rafts again and this time they arrived at what is known as Bintulu. Datu Ayu was later nicknamed Kemena by his people.

Kemena River, the main waterway of Bintulu was named after him or he after the Kemena River. Another version says that the river was named by the British when a local asked "Ke mana" when he did not understand what the foreigner asked. The Tatau River is believed to be named in the same way when the local says "Tak Tahu".

Aside, Datu Ayu planned to settle in Bintulu and make it his political base and administrative centre, but the Brunei Sultanate was so powerful then that Datu Ayu and his followers were compelled to move elsewhere.

For about 21 generations away from the historic migration of Datu Ayu, the Ibans had now more or less fulfilled Datu Ayu dream of setting up a settlement along river Kemena. Today, the abundance of Iban longhouses of various sizes intermingle with the one occupied by other natives, can be found sprawling along the Kemena River. It even went to the very heart of Borneo and beyond.

Hence, if Skrang River cruise had been promoted as one of the tourists' destination in Sarawak, there is a great chance that Kemena river cruise will be the nest alternative destination.