MALAYSIA

Johor   Kedah   Kelantan   Kuala Lumpur   Labuan   Melaka   N. Sembilan   Pahang   Penang   Perak   Perlis   Putrajaya   Sabah   Sarawak   Selangor   Terengganu

Sarawak ~ The Museums

� The Pavilion and The Textile and Costume Museum � Sarawak Museum �
� Cat Museum � The Chinese Museum �

The Pavilion and The Textile and Costume Museum
This museum is housed in the Pavilion, three storey rectangular building that was built in 1907. Used as a hospital and as the Education Department Headquarters, the architectural enigma of its design is reminiscent of the buildings in the southern states of America - a mixture of late English renaissance and colonial architecture.

The museum house and display the authentic local textile and costume made by the ethnic community in Sarawak. The display starts from the weaving stages and ends up with the complete finishing product. The Pua Kumbu Museum, on the 4th Floor, displays a superb collection of kumbu textiles, both antique and modern, as well as exquisite Iban silverware and jewellery. You can also watch the weavers at work, or even learn the craft yourself
Location - Opposite the General Post Office


Sarawak Museum
This is one of the best museum in Asia and it should not be missed. Originally built in 1891 to house and display arts and crafts of the indigenous people of Borneo, the Sarawak Museum has gained a reputation for having the single most comprehensive collection of Borneo artifacts to be found anywhere.

It consists of two sections, old and new, connected by a footbridge. The old wing, the original 1891 building was designed in style of a Normandy town-house and was extended to its present structure in 1911. The ground floor of the museum holds the natural history collection and specimens of Sarawak fauna � reptiles, mammals, birds, etc, The first floor displays exhibits of ethnographic artifacts such as models of longhouses of the various ethnic groups in Sarawak, musical instruments, various kinds of fish and animal traps, handicrafts, models of boats and others.


The new wing just across the road, was built in the 1970s and has mostly items such as the colorful jars, brasswares, Chinese furniture, longhouse gallery and others. Substantial amount of archaeological materials excavated in Sarawak is also being displayed on this floor as well as a reconstruction of life in the prehistoric Niah Caves.
Location: Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg



Cat Museum
Kuching meaning "Cat" in Malay, has a somewhat of an obsession with cats. The Cat Museum, the only one of its kind in the world, is located on the top of a hill called "Bukit Siol" inside Kuching North Council Hall (DBKU). which stands 60 metres above sea level with a beautiful view of the city of Kuching.

This museum will delight cat lovers as it displays all kinds of feline memorabilia, along with displays detailing the evolution and natural history of the cat family, and the development of the different breeds of domestic cat. There are 2000 exhibits, artifacts, statues about cats from all over the world and several small galleries feature among others the benefits the cats have bestowed on their owners.

The Cat Museum certainly caters to all ages and tastes. Examples of feline art were everywhere � posters, paintings, album covers, sculptures, porcelain figurines, etchings, bas-reliefs � you name the medium and somebody has used it to portray cats. As well as the exhibits in the museum, there is also a small shop where you can buy all manner of cat souvenirs
Location: At the Kuching North City Council



The Chinese Museum
Once housed was the former Chinese court. Recently added are a restored Chinese pavilion, an observation tower, a tea terrace, a water fountain and several sculptures.

The 3rd Rajah, Charles Brooke constructed the museum building in 1912 and became the court for the Chinese population of Kuching. The museum documents the history of the Chinese in Sarawak, from the early traders of the 10th Century to the waves of Chinese immigration in the 19th Century. In 1930 it became the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

The museum aims at portraying the rich and fascinating history of Sarawak�s diverse Chinese groups. Most significantly it endeavors to educate the present generation to appreciate the struggles and values as encountered and instilled by the early pioneers. Visitors will acquire in-depth historical knowledge relating to the origin of each Chinese dialect group, their respective traditional skills and cultural heritage, and progress achieved throughout the years.