THE SIGHTS OF SARAWAK
View of the West Mouth at Niah
NIAH CAVES
The caves are located close to the coast a couple of hours South of Miri. They are the sight of the earliest habitation by man in South-East Asia some 40 000 years ago. At the rear of the main cave is the smaller painted cave with its 1000 year old rock paintings of small canoe-like boats, which were possibly used as coffins, which indicates that the cave was probably used as a burial ground.
Archeological Site in the Great Cave
Niah also supports birds nest collectors who climb up spindly scaffolding
and poles to reach the roof of the cave some 50 metres above the floor
to collect the edible white birds nests formed by swiftlets which live
in the cave, and which are used in the famous Chinese dish - "birds nest
soup".
The caves are also inhabited by bats which deposit guano on the floor of the cave. Guano collection has become another thriving industry based in the vicinity of the caves.
As a result of the swiftlets and the bats living together, when evening
comes along there is a wonderful spectacle of the swiftlets arriving home
as the bats depart for the night.
photographs on this page are courtesy of Sarawak Tourism