Iban

The Iban, formerly known as Sea Dayaks, are a branch of the Dayak people, an indigenous group of Borneo. They are primarily found in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, Brunei, and the Indonesian province of Kalimantan. Historically renowned as skilled headhunters and riverine warriors, they are now predominantly agriculturalists. Their traditional longhouse communities (rumah panjai) and distinctive art, including intricate tattoos and woven textiles (pua kumbu), are central to their cultural identity. Their language is also called Iban.

Iban meaning with examples

• The village elders gathered in the longhouse, their Iban language echoing through the community as they discussed upcoming harvest festival preparations. The intricate carvings and woven pua kumbu hang on the walls of their dwellings, reflecting the Iban's commitment to their heritage. The Iban children listened, absorbing stories of their ancestors and their rich history to pass down.
• A team of ethnographers visited the rural areas of Sarawak to study the Iban's traditional farming techniques and their sustainable practices. The researchers were keen to learn about the unique methods passed down through the generations. They documented the Iban's approach to rice cultivation and other crops, and other cultural practices to understand the group's cultural diversity.
• The Iban warriors of old, famous for their bravery and skill in combat, once defended their territories from invaders with great ferocity. Now, a more peaceful approach to life is embraced, although their strong sense of community and their cultural independence continues. The stories of their prowess in headhunting are now legendary within the group's history.
• Local communities, including the Iban, are working to protect the rainforests in Borneo, their ancestral homelands from deforestation, which is a vital area of land for the Iban's survival. They are partnering with conservation organizations to maintain the biodiversity of their ancestral lands and the rainforest, as part of their culture.