Dayak Heritage Powers Samarinda's Pampang Village Tourism

RRI.CO.ID, Samarinda - The living cultural heritage preserved within the community is the principal asset of Pampang Cultural Village in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, in attracting more visitors. The Samarinda City administration is seeking to develop this potential without diminishing the cultural identity of the Dayak Kenyah people, which remains the destination’s main attraction.

Head of Tourism Development at Samarinda’s Youth, Sports and Tourism Agency, Diana Pida, said Pampang Village’s strength lies not only in its tourist attractions, but also in the cultural wealth that continues to thrive within the community.

“Pampang’s strength lies in its preserved culture and local wisdom. These are its selling points and advantages as a cultural tourism destination in Samarinda,” said Diana in connection with the East Kalimantan (Kaltim) Fest 2026 awards received by Pampang Cultural Village in Samarinda on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

At the event, Pampang Cultural Village won the Cultural Category award and was also named the 2026 Arindama winner for Best Cultural and Local Wisdom Development.

The award from the East Kalimantan Provincial Tourism Agency was presented alongside the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on tourism-village development at Big Mall Samarinda.

Diana emphasized that the Samarinda City Administration is committed to making Pampang Village’s cultural potential a driver of tourism that delivers sustainable economic benefits to local residents.

In addition to destination development and human-resource capacity building, strengthening supporting facilities and infrastructure remains a priority for the local administration to ensure visitor comfort amid fiscal constraints.

“We want tourists not merely to come and see, but to have a memorable experience. Therefore, service quality, facilities, and community capacity must continue to be improved,” she said, as quoted by Antara.

She added that community development for tourism is also aimed at improving communication skills, including foreign-language proficiency, to welcome international visitors. According to Diana, tourism development must not erode the cultural identity that forms the spirit of the destination.

“What we are developing is not only the tourist destination, but also its people. Culture must remain Pampang’s primary identity,” she said.

In terms of marketing, the Samarinda City Administration will maximize various communication channels and media platforms to introduce Pampang to domestic and international markets. Diana expressed hope that this year’s achievement would provide a foundation for a higher target next year: winning the overall championship.

Through synergy between development programs and promotion, Pampang Cultural Village is expected to continue growing as an icon of Samarinda’s cultural tourism, while remaining a living space that preserves ancestral heritage. Pampang Cultural Village is a traditional Dayak Kenyah settlement in Sungai Siring Subdistrict, North Samarinda, East Kalimantan, about 23 kilometers from downtown Samarinda.

The cultural village, inaugurated in 1991, holds weekly performances every Sunday featuring traditional dances, including war dances, blowpipe dances, and guest-welcoming dances. Residents also continue to preserve distinctive Dayak traditions, including elongated earlobes and traditional body tattoos. ***