Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani (Sungai Haji Dorani Village)
located in Sabak Bernam, Selangor, is a dream village surrounded by
endless squares of paddy fields and rows of centuryold
canals.

This quaint little settlement of 2,000 inhabitants is perfect for
visitors seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. It offers
a unique insight into a rice farming community's way of life, culture
and traditions.

Founded in 1916, Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani is steeped in
history. The irrigation canals built by the British for the rice fields
about 100 years ago are still in good condition and lend a rustic look
to the lush yellowgreen village of wooden houses amid rice fields.

Some 40 families are involved in the homestay programme in
Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani since its inception eight years ago. The
villagers are mostly of Malay, Javanese and Banjar descent. To date,
the village has become a preferred destination for tourists from
Europe, Japan, Korea, Middle East and Singapore.

The villagers normally welcome their homestay guests with a
fresh green coconut drink and teach them the Javanese word kabarekabare
which means "how are you" in English. As part of the
welcome gesture, guests are given the opportunity to colour the
pieces of near completed batik (wax and dye) material, which they
will then keep as a memento of their visit.

There is never a boring moment for guests are kept busy with a
myriad of activities, especially during the harvesting season (between
July and early August). Many visitors get a firsthand
experience of harvesting and fishing in the traditional way. It is fascinating to catch
fresh water fish like puyu and eel in the paddy field using a bamboo
trap called bubu. At the kitemaking session, guests are taught how
to make and fly kites.

More adventurous visitors who catch their own crabs and
cockle by the sea, just two miles from the village, can also grill and
eat their catch there.

A popular agricultural activity in the village is mango farming.
Traditional wooden houses are surrounded by more than 400
hundred mango trees. Visitors get to taste the freshly cut and juicy
mangoes served by their host. If they wish to buy the mangoes, they
can pluck them from the trees heavy with fruits. Mango is sold at
RM3.50 per kilogramme.

Guests also learn how to make bahulu (a small traditional
sponge cake) and banana chips in the homes. The village is famous
for its delicious local snacks such as bahulu, banana chips and "love
letters" (a wafer biscuit).

At night, the gamelan (a traditional musical instrument) is
played and homestay guests can learn to dance the kuda kepang (a
traditional Javanese dance performed in rich costumes using woven
"horses") and the silat (a traditional Malay martial art).

In the dark hours after sunset, hundreds of owls come out
looking for prey and most homes there have their own owls to help
protect their rice fields from rats.


The Firefly Park Resort at Kampung Bukit Belimbing is about
an hour away from the village. The glow of hundreds of fireflies at
night is a sight to behold.

Visitors willing to cruise along the river in total darkness and
eerie silence are rewarded with a dazzling view of fireflies decorating
trees with their synchronised twinkling lights. It is an enchanting and
unforgettable experience.

The Firefly Park Resort has chalets and a seafood restaurant .
It also offers activities such as fishing and boat rides to visitors.

The Kampung Sungai Haji Dorani villagers do not receive
guests during the fasting month and Hari Raya. But they often do not
have the heart to refuse requests made by tourists, especially
Singaporean Muslims to experience the fasting month and Hari Raya
at their village.

Visitors can take a day trip for only RM50 or a twoday/
onenight stay for only RM80 per person.

How To Get There
Hop on the Sabak Bernam express bus at Puduraya Bus
Station in Kuala Lumpur and get off when you arrive at the Kampung
Sungai Haji Dorani junction. A representative from the village will be
there to pick you up.

For more information, please contact Encik Abdul Rahman
Daud at +6 013 6077 025 or email doranihomestay@yahoo.com.

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Issued by Communications Division, Tourism Malaysia
Date: 14 September 2005
For more info, please contact Siti Rahmah Lehan at 032615 8188 or
email sitirahmah@tourism.gov.my
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