nstructions: Read the texts carefully and answer all the questions that follow.

There is something cooking at the Bidayuh Longhouse that one finds totally irresistible. As I walked
into the Bidayuh Longhouse at the Sarawak Cultural Village near Kuching, a distinctly tantalizing
aroma wafted through the air. I was immediately drawn towards the source, like an ant to sugar.

I saw several foot-long bamboo poles carefully arranged over a smoldering charcoal fire. As I drew in
another breath of the heavenly smell, the head of the Bidayuh longhouse approached and asked if I
would like to sample some. I said ‘yes’ almost immediately and without shame. Sijan anak Eson, who
spoke fluent Malay, informed me that the dish was a traditional Bidayuh favourite.

‘We call it Ayam Panchoh and the chicken is cooked inside the freshly-cut bamboo, he explained
while scooping generous portions of chicken and gravy onto my plate. The chicken was so tender
and the accompanying gravy was simply marvelous. I could taste the various ingredients that Sijan
had used to marinate the chicken, in particular the young ginger and aromatic lemongrass.

As I ate my last mouthful, Sijan began preparations to cook the dish all over again for a group of
Australian tourists who had just arrived. My eyes followed his every move and his deft hands told
me that I was observing a master at work. Fresh tapioca leaves are used to line the inside of the
bamboo before it is filled with chicken. Then, it is left to cook for 30 minutes. Sijan carefully turned
the bamboo at five-minute intervals to ensure that the chicken is cooked uniformly.

The cooking programme is part of the Sarawak Cultural Village’s (SCV) year-long Theme Village Stay
programme. Tourists have the option of staying in Bidayuh, Iban or Orang Ulu longhouses. The
package includes SCV passport (you get it stamped at every house you visit in the village),
accommodation, meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper), village tours, cultural show and a
variety of lessons to choose from that includes dance, music, crafts, arts and culinary.

These packages that provide an insight into the lives of the locals are also open to walk-in visitors to
the Cultural Village. Those who opt for a whole-day package will be charged RM20 per lesson while
visitors who do not have much time to spend at the village can register for the hourly classes at only
RM5. All participants must buy the entrance ticket to the Cultural Village- RM45 (adult) and RM
22.50 (children aged 6-12). Daily lessons begin from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a two-hour break from
noon to 2 a.m. Most of the classes will be conducted at the Arts Learning Centre. The Sarawak
Cultural Village is open from 9 a.m. to 5.15 p.m. The cultural shows are timed at 11.30 a.m. to 12.15
p.m. (morning session) and 4 p.m. to 4.45 p.m. (afternoon session). Visitors can catch a shuttle bus
that leaves Holiday Inn Kuching, Crown Plaza Riverside and other major hotels in town at regular
intervals.