Good News or Bad News? Welcome to Mancong
If you are planning to visit Mancong in West Kutai, East Kalimantan, there is one thing you should know before you arrive.
The interesting part actually starts before you even enter the village. When you arrive, you will be asked a question:
“What did you bring with you, good news or bad news?”
Yes, that is really the question.
For first time visitors, it can be a little surprising. You have travelled all the way to Mancong, and instead of being asked your name or where you are from, you are asked whether you brought good news or bad news.
Luckily, the answer is easy.
“Good news.”
If you answer good news, you will be welcomed and allowed to enter the village. Traditionally, if you answer bad news, you may be asked to turn around and go home.
So, if you are planning a trip to Mancong, make sure you bring good news with you. It might be the most important thing in your bag!
As a local guide, I think this is one of the little things that makes Mancong special. It is not something you simply read about in a travel guide. You experience it yourself as soon as you arrive.
Mancong is a Dayak community in West Kutai, surrounded by the landscapes that make Borneo so special. The journey to get there is part of the adventure, and once you arrive, you get to see a different side of life in Kalimantan.
One of the places you can visit is Lamin Mancong, a traditional Dayak longhouse. The building is an important part of the community and gives visitors a glimpse into traditional Dayak life.
But honestly, for me, the best part of visiting Mancong is meeting the people.
You can sit, talk, ask questions, listen to their stories, and learn about the traditions that are still part of their lives today. These small interactions are often what visitors remember most after the trip.
As a guide, I also think this is what makes travelling to places like Mancong different. We are not just bringing guests to see a destination. We are introducing them to the people and stories behind it.
And that is why I always enjoy taking people to places that are not yet widely known.
Mancong may not be the first place that comes to mind when people think about travelling in Kalimantan. But sometimes, the places that are less known are the ones that give you the stories you remember the longest.
So, if you ever visit Mancong and someone asks you:
“Good news or bad news?”
Don't overthink it.
Just smile and say:
“Good news.”
Then you are ready to enter Mancong.