![]() Longhouses were typical in the olden days, similar to that of the Ibans. ![]() ![]() It serves as the granary and the meeting house for the settlement's community. The traditional community construction of the Bidayuh is the "baruk", a roundhouse that rises about 1.5 metres off the ground. In Bau-Jagoi/Singai dialect, the pronunciation is "Bidoyoh" which also carry the same meaning. The word Bidayuh in itself literally means "land people" in Biatah dialect. Historically, as other tribes were migrating into Sarawak and forming settlements including the Malays from the neighbouring archipelagos, the Bidayuhs retreated further inland, hence earning them the name of "Land Dayaks" or "land owners". Most will return home during the Gawai Dayak.Ĭoncentrated mainly on the west end of Borneo, the Bidayuhs make up 9.4% of the population in Sarawak are now most numerous in the hill counties of Lundu, Bau, Penrissen, Padawan, Siburan and Serian, within an hour's drive from Kuching. ![]() Sizeable Iban communities are also present in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, likewise seeking employment. Gawai Batu (Whetstone Festival), Gawai Benih (Seed Festival), Gawai Ngemali Umai / Jagok (Farm-Healing Festival), Gawai Matah (Harvest-Starting Festival) and Gawai Basimpan (Paddy Safekeeping Festival), Gawai Tuah (Fortune Festival) that comprises Gawai Namaka Tuah (Fortune-Welcoming Festival), Gawai Tajau (Jar Festival) and Gawai Pangkong Tiang (House Post Banging Festival), Gawai Sakit (Healing Festival) including Pelian by a manang shaman, Renong Sakit and Sugi Sakit by a lemambang bard, Gawai Antu ( festival of the dead) to honour ancestors and the rarely celebrated but the most elaborate and complex Gawai Burong (Bird Festival) with nine ascending stages in the Saribas/Skrang region or Gawai Amat (Real Festival) in the Baleh region with eight degrees as listed by Masing.ĭue to the natural culture of bajalai (sojurn) among Ibans mainly in search of jobs, there is a thriving Iban population of between 300,000 and 350,000 in Johor, found mostly in the area between Pasir Gudang and Masai on the eastern end of the Johor Bahru metropolitan area. The major festivals of the Iban people are Gawai Bumai (Rice Farming Festival) that includes at least four stages i.e. Sarawak Iban celebrates colourful festivals such as the generic all-encomposing Gawai Dayak ( harvest festival) which is a recent invention and thus held by all Dayak tribes including Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu regardless of their religion. However, like most other ethnic groups in Sarawak, they still observe many of their traditional rituals and beliefs. The large majority of Ibans practise Christianity. The Ibans are also famous for a sweet rice wine called tuak, which is served during big celebrations and festive occasions. Iban tattoos, which were originally symbols of bravery among Iban warriors, have become amongst the most distinctive in the world. The Ibans are renowned for their Pua Kumbu (traditional Iban weavings), silver craft, wooden carvings and bead work. The Dayak Iban ceased practising headhunting in the 1930s. These suspended heads mark tribal victories and were a source of honour. Īn Iban longhouse may still display head trophies or antu pala. The Ibans dwell in longhouses, stilted structures with a large number of rooms housing a whole community of families. They crossed over the Kelingkang range and set up home in the river valleys of Batang Ai, the Skrang River, Saribas, and the Rajang River. The early Iban settlers migrated from Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo south of Sarawak, via the Kapuas River. īecause of their history as farmers, pirates and fishermen, Ibans were conventionally referred to as the "Sea Dayaks". Formerly reputed to be the most formidable headhunters on the island of Borneo, the Ibans of today are a generous, hospitable and placid people. Iban is native to Sarawak and Borneo has the highest number of Ibans in worlds. The Ibans comprise the largest percentage (more than 40%) of Sarawak's population. The family adds to the corset dress as the girl ages and based on her family's wealth. Sea Dayaks (Iban) women from Rejang, Sarawak, wearing rattan corsets decorated with brass rings and filigree adornments.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |