Long Laput

Long Laput is one of the biggest villages along the Baram River and the majority of the inhabitants belong to the Kayan tribe.[3] The estimated population is 2000 people, most of whom live in longhouses.[4] In the late 1950s the main longhouse was reputed to be the longest in Borneo, being 700 metres in length.[5][6] The main source of income is agriculture, including rice, pepper, rubber and increasingly palm oil; one oil palm estate extends to 2500 acres.[7] Livestock include freshwater fish farming and cattle which graze the oil palm plantation.[8]

The history of the village dates back at least to the 1920s, but a significant change started in 1950 with the arrival of the Borneo Evangelical Church, followed by Roman Catholics in 1956. Schools were built in 1956 and a health clinic was opened in the village. The longhouses were constructed from bamboo and thatched with leaves. Unfortunately, a 70-family longhouse was destroyed by fire in 1987. Longhouses are now constructed using bricks, and the village now has modern infrastructure,[9] including running water, electricity, sports facilities, a public library and public telephones.[10] The library also provides internet access, photocopying and scanning.[11] The school, Sekolah Kebangsaan Long Laput, provides education and accommodation for 192 students, with a teaching staff of twelve.[12]

If the Baram Bam hydroelectric project goes ahead, Long Laput will be one of the villages affected by the flooding of 389,000 hectares of jungle.[13]

Neighbouring settlements include:[2]

• Lirong Kawit 0.7 kilometres (0.4 mi) southeast
• Long Lama 4.7 kilometres (2.9 mi) northwest
• Batu Gading 7.7 kilometres (4.8 mi) north
• Long Puak 9.1 kilometres (5.7 mi) north
• Rumah Ingkot 12.7 kilometres (7.9 mi) west
• Long Banio 13.1 kilometres (8.1 mi) north
• Uma Bawang Kanan 14.1 kilometres (8.8 mi) south
• Uma Bawang Kiri 14.8 kilometres (9.2 mi) south
• Rumah Banyi 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north
• Rumah Jelian 15.2 kilometres (9.4 mi) northwest