Bakalalan history

Foundation and Origin of the Name

Bakalalan represents a unique formation—it is not a classic city, but a union of nine villages in the highlands of the state of Sarawak, Malaysia. The history of this place is inextricably linked with the Lun Bawang people. The name of the settlement speaks volumes about the reasons for its foundation: in the local dialect, "Ba" means wet rice fields, and "Kelalan" is the name of the river flowing through the valley. The first settlers arrived here attracted by the fertile lands and fresh water sources, which were ideal for agriculture.

Key Development Factors

The formation of the settlement as an important centre in the Borneo highlands was driven by several key factors:

• Geographical Location: Situated at an altitude of approximately 900 metres above sea level, the area enjoys a cool climate distinct from the heat of the lowlands, creating favourable conditions for life and work.
• Agricultural Potential: The abundance of mountain rivers allowed for the creation of a complex irrigation system necessary for cultivating rice in wet paddy fields.
• Natural Resources: The presence of natural salt springs became a significant economic advantage for the region in ancient times.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Self-sufficiency and a close connection with nature lay at the heart of the early economy and culture. The main asset of the local residents became the "Adan" rice variety, renowned for its quality and cultivated here for generations. Additionally, the production of mountain salt, evaporated from the water of local springs, played a vital role. This salt, along with rice and buffaloes, served as the primary currency in trade exchanges with neighbouring tribes and inhabitants of other valleys, forming stable economic ties in the region long before the appearance of modern roads.

Key Historical Milestones

• Early 20th Century: The final formation of Lun Bawang settlements in the territory occupied today by Bakalalan.
• 1930s: Arrival of missionaries from the Borneo Evangelical Mission in the highlands, marking the beginning of the spread of Christianity in the region.
• 1945: The Allied forces conducted the special operation "Semut II" to liberate the interior regions of Borneo from Japanese occupation.
• 1963: The state of Sarawak joined the federation of Malaysia, determining the region's national affiliation.
• 1963–1966: The period of the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, when the settlement's border location made it an important strategic point.
• 1984: "The Ba'kelalan Revival"—a religious event that had a profound impact on the social structure and culture of the local residents.
• 1988: The beginning of experiments to grow apples in the cool mountain climate, which subsequently brought the valley fame as the "Apple Garden of Borneo".
• 1990s: Stabilization of regular air services via the local airport (STOLport), opening the region to a wider circle of travellers.
• 2002: Establishment of the Pulong Tau National Park, designed to protect the unique ecosystem of the mountain forests surrounding the valley.
• 2010s: Active development of ecotourism and the receipt of Geographical Indication status for regional products (Adan rice, mountain salt).
• 2020s: Implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects to construct an all-weather road connecting the highlands with the coast.

Key Development Stages and Their Significance

The development history of the Bakalalan region is a journey from isolated mountain communities to the status of an important centre for ecotourism and agriculture. The following milestones were decisive in shaping the modern appearance of these territories:

• Missionary Activity and Social Consolidation. The arrival of missionaries in the first half of the 20th century and the subsequent "Spiritual Revival" in the 1980s transformed scattered tribal groups into a unified community.
  Significance for the region: This ensured social stability, a high level of literacy, and the eradication of internal conflicts, creating a safe environment for life and future tourism.
• Construction of the Highland Airfield (STOLport). The organization of regular air services to the cities of Miri and Lawas was a breakthrough in overcoming geographical isolation.
  Significance for the region: The airport provided emergency medical links with the outside world, allowed for the supply of essential goods, and opened doors for the first travellers.
• Branding of Adan Rice and Obtaining GI Status. The traditional rice variety grown in the cool climate received official Geographical Indication status.
  Significance for the region: This event turned local agriculture into an economic driver, allowing farmers to sell produce at premium prices and establishing the region as a renowned gastronomic brand.
• Agrotourism Project "Apple Orchards". In the late 1980s, a bold experiment was launched here to grow apples, which are atypical for a tropical climate.
  Significance for the region: Although the project did not grow into a large industry, the fame of being "the only place in Borneo where apples grow" became a powerful magnet for tourists, stimulating the development of hospitality infrastructure.
• Creation of a Network of Community Homestays. Local residents organized a shift towards a model of hosting tourists in their homes, rather than building large hotels.
  Significance for the region: This allowed the authentic atmosphere of the villages to be preserved, provided direct income to families, and prevented landscape destruction by mass construction.
• Improvement of Road Infrastructure (Jiwa Murni Project). Modernization of logging roads and the construction of new transport routes to the coast.
  Significance for the region: The appearance of a land route, albeit difficult, reduced dependence on weather conditions affecting flights and lowered the logistics costs for delivering heavy cargo and construction materials.

Urban Planning Features and Layout

Unlike classic cities with dense development, Bakalalan represents a unique example of dispersed rural settlement dictated by the complex mountain terrain. "Urban planning" here developed organically, following the curves of the river and the contours of the fertile valleys. The nine villages that make up the settlement stretch in a chain along the wet rice fields, forming a picturesque landscape ensemble where nature and human dwellings exist in close symbiosis.

Architectural Styles and Historical Eras

The architectural appearance of the region does not feature pompous styles like Gothic or Baroque typical of European capitals. The history of architecture here is an evolution from traditional tribal structures to the modern functional architecture of the Malaysian highlands.

• Era of Traditional Architecture (until the mid-20th century):
  Style: Borneo Vernacular Architecture.
  Initially, the Lun Bawang people built longhouses on high stilts, where the entire community lived under one roof. The main materials were bamboo, rattan, and hardwoods (such as Belian "ironwood"), while roofs were covered with palm leaves. Stilts protected against floods and wild animals, and the design ensured natural ventilation in the humid climate.
• Missionary Period (from the 1930s):
  Style: Colonial Functionalism and Religious Architecture.
  With the arrival of Christian missions, churches began to appear in the centre of every village. These are typically the largest and most well-maintained buildings in the settlements. Their architecture is simple and ascetic, often featuring wooden walls and peaked roofs topped with crosses, becoming a visual landmark against the backdrop of residential buildings.
• Modern Stage (late 20th century to present):
  Style: Modern Rural Modernism.
  With improved logistics in Malaysia, local residents began using industrial materials. Traditional palm roofs were replaced by practical metal profiles (zinc), and bamboo walls by painted boards and concrete. Houses retained the stilt design but became individual units, often painted in bright colours, giving the valley a festive look.

Landmark Buildings and Sites

The appearance of the area is shaped not by palaces, but by functional and culturally significant objects reflecting the lifestyle of the highlanders:

• Buduk Nur Village: The administrative and social centre of the valley. It houses the school, clinic, and the main airport building (STOLport), the architecture of which is purely utilitarian and adapted for receiving small aircraft.
• Salt Springs (Salt Barns): Unique utility structures located at the salt springs. These are simple wooden sheds with furnaces, the design of which has not changed for centuries, serving as a living monument to the engineering ingenuity of ancestors.
• Homestays: For example, the well-known Apple Lodge. These buildings combine comfort for tourists with elements of traditional decor, demonstrating the adaptation of local architecture to the needs of the hospitality industry.

Prominent Figures of the Region

The history of the highlands is inextricably linked with the names of individuals whose labour, faith, and leadership qualities transformed remote villages into a thriving region. Here is a list of key figures who influenced the development of the Bakalalan settlement and the Lun Bawang community.

• Baru Bian
  Role: Politician, lawyer, human rights advocate.
  A native of the region who became the first representative of the Lun Bawang people to hold the post of Federal Minister in the government. Known for his many years of work defending Native Customary Rights (NCR) regarding land in the courts, which helped save many territories from logging and industrial exploitation.
• Dr. Judson Sakai Tagal
  Role: Doctor, statesman.
  A former Deputy Minister and member of the legislative assembly who tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2004. He played a decisive role in attracting government funding for the development of highland infrastructure, including roads and communications. The local college bears his name.
• Pak Tagal Paran
  Role: Community leader, innovative farmer.
  Founder of the famous "Apple Orchards" (Apple Lodge). It was his bold experiment with saplings brought from Indonesia that proved that Malaysia could produce its own apples in the cool highland climate. This discovery launched a unique trend of agrotourism in the region.
• Datuk Mutang Tagal
  Role: Politician, President of the Senate.
  A distinguished statesman who became the first representative of the Lun Bawang ethnic group to hold the post of President of the Dewan Negara (the Upper House of the Malaysian Parliament). He actively promotes the interests of the residents of Sarawak's interior regions at the national level.
• Tom Harrisson
  Role: Anthropologist, officer, researcher.
  A British commander who led the guerrilla operation "Semut II" during World War II. He was based in the Kelabit Highlands and coordinated actions with local tribes to liberate the island from occupation, laying the foundations of friendship between the highlanders and the Western world.
• C. Hudson Southwell
  Role: Missionary, linguist, educator.
  One of the pioneers of the Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM). His contribution to creating a writing system for the Lun Bawang language and developing the education system became the foundation for the cultural and social progress of local residents in the 20th century.
• Agung Bangau
  Role: Spiritual leader, pastor.
  A key figure in the religious movement of the 1980s known as the "Spiritual Revival". His sermons and activities contributed to a deep social transformation of society, the rejection of harmful habits, and the unification of scattered villages into a single peaceful community.