Sarawak Is a Land Colourful Cultures
Sarawak is a unique land making up a population of 1.8 million, colourful cultures boasting 27 ethnic groups, 45 languages and dialects.
About 30 percent of population is Iban, 21 percent Malay, Chinese another 30 percent and the 20 percent is made up of various other tribal groups. Melanau, Bidayuh, Berawan, Murud, nomadic Penan, Bisayah, Kedayan and Orang Ulu include these groups.
The Ibans or famously known as the legendary headhunters of Borneo constitute the biggest ethnic group (29.6 %) in Sarawak. They are originally from Kalimantan, and so their culture and traditions are very similar to the Dayaks in Kalimantan.
The majority of the population live in a few large towns and cities, but a significant percentage still live in longhouses and villages in the remote areas.
Iban
The Ibans are well known for their intricately-built longhouses normally located near a river, which are made up of a longhouse that are compartmentalised into individual units.The Ibans traditional settlements are located in the river valleys of Batang Ai, the Skrang River, Saribas, and the Rajang River. Primarily a communal group, the Ibans community practices their own brand of democracy, with the elders having an important role in major decisions. These longhouses may have anywhere between six to nearly a hundred units! longhouse located in newly opened areas are typically made of bamboo and tree bark, but more established and prosperous longhouses can be made of precious and long-lasting hardwoods.
Malay
The Malays originally migrated from Sumatra. The Malays have been in Sarawak for a long time and they form 25% of the population of the state.The Malay kampungs along the Sarawak River still contain a lot of beautiful traditional wooden Malay houses, and the people are very warm and friendly.
Chinese
Most of the Chinese populations in Sarawak live in cities. A majority of Chinese are Buddhists, although a number of them have adopted Christianity. However, most of them still adhere to taboos and beliefs traditionally held in the Chinese culture. The Chinese migration into Sarawak began under the British rule, when James Brooke, the British Resident of the time, brought in labourers from China to work tin mines here.
Melanau
A majority of them are either Christians or Muslims. The Melanaus, believed by many to be the oldest settlers in Sarawak, make up about nearly 6% of Sarawak’s total population and are geographically concentrated in the central coastal region, between the Rajang and Baram rivers. In their heartland of Mukah, better known as the 'Cradle of Melanau civilisation', the Melanaus have abandoned living in their traditional tall houses and now favour coastal kampung-style villages, having adopted a Malay lifestyle.
Bidayuh
They particularly reside in in the Kuching and Samarahan division; Lundu, Bau, Penrissen, Padawan, and Serian. The Bidayuhs consists of many groups and sub-groups, with the main groups consisting of the Bukar-Sadung of Serian District, Bau-Jagoi of Bau District and Salako-Lara of Lundu District. In the past, the Bidayuhs have been known to work the land, shifting their agricultural and hunting bases every so often, in areas surrounding their permanent villages.
Orang Ulu
(includes the major)
Kayan (15,000) and Kenyah tribes, the Kajang, Kejaman, Punan, Ukit, and Penan (10,000) tribes, and recently, the tribes of Lun Bawang, Lun Dayeh and Berawan and Kelabits highlanders (3,000). Collectively these different tribes make up about 5.5% of Sarawak’s population.
The Kayan tribe, who build their longhouses in the northern interiors of Sarawak midway on the Baram River, the upper Rejang River and the lower Tubau River, were traditionally headhunters.
The Kenyah culture is similar to that of their neighbours, the Kayans, and both tribes are believed to have come from the Kayan River valley in eastern Borneo.
The Kelabits is a tight-knit community that practices the traditional form of agriculture. Mainly rice farmers; the Bario Highland rice is a famous product of the Kelabits. The Kelabits have also cultivated various temperate-climate fruits including apples and grapes.
Penan
The Penan, nomadic people. They are hunter-gatherers who roam the deep interiors of Sarawak’s jungles, and are spread out among the hilly regions of Sarawak, and neighbouring Brunei and Kalimantan.
Borneo Cultural Festival
However, a feature common to all festivals in Sarawak is the open house tradition, where friends, relatives and strangers drop by homes and are welcomed with all the special food and drink appropriate to the event.
Gawai Dayak
First celebrated on 1st June 1965, it is the feast for the eyes with its colourful rituals, traditional music, cock fighting, feasting and games. Gawai is an occasion for parties, fun and games, processions and open houses. Tuak (rice wine) and an array of traditional food are generously served. In remote villages, guests are expected to taste tuak and eat at each household. This festival is the best and the most interesting time to visit Sarawak as you can see and sample the lifestyle and its festivities. You can go to The Skrang River (Iban Longhouse),The highlight of any visit to a Skrang longhouse is the entertainment by the longhouse residents featuring traditional dances and music. The Lemanak River (Iban Longhouse), This longhouse is home to 23 families. All resides under one roof. Have a chat with the Iban old folks to understand more of their culture and the history of headhunting. Batang Ai (Iban Longhouse), Explore and visit the longhouse where you will see many things such as human skull hanging from the rafters, antique Chinese jars dated back hundreds of years and some 25 families living together under one roof. Annah Rais (Bidayuh Longhouse), Annah Rais is one of the most famous Bidayuh longhouse in Sarawak, which located about 100 km east from Kuching city and quite close to the Indonesian border.
Pesta Kaul
Kaul is a traditional festival celebrated by the Melanau living along the coast of Sarawak. The festival is a ritual of purification and thanksgiving as well as one of the propitiation for good fortune. It is celebrated at the end of the northeast monsoon and it marks the beginning of the Melanau New Year. You can go to Mukah is accessible from Sibu, by express boat and Kuching or a short flight by Twin-Otter planes from Kuching and Lamin Dana is the place to head for if you want to take part in this local festivals.
Pesta Benak
The unique phenomenon of tidal bore occurs in Batang Lupar. Pesta Benak (Tidal Bore Carnival) in Sri Aman is one of the yearly activities in the Sarawak. Tidal bore or locally known as benak, occurs everyday with different wavelengths and heights. The 'benak' continues its journey another 30 km inland, ending near the small village of Engkilili. You can go to Batang Lupar, Batang Sadong, Batang Samarahan and Batang Saribas. Sri Aman is situated about 194 km by road from Kuching City.Batang Lupar flows from the Klinkang Range to South China Sea with river length of 275 km. Batang Lupar river is a home to a crocodile; Bujang Senang. 'Bujang Senang' or 'Happy Bachelor' was the name for a huge crocodile that grew to 19 feet and 4 inches.'Bujang Senang' was well known back in 1993, when it went on its killing rampage around the Sri Aman area. The crocodile is notorious as a man-eating 'monster'. It had a well-formed and worn canines on its huge jaw.
Sarawak Regatta
They were first held at the Baram River to settle local rivalries without resorting to war and headhunting. Now, this adrenaline-rushed annual event, held on the first week of September sees friendly competitors outpacing themselves in paddleboat, powerboat and canoe competitions along the Sarawak River. You can go to the popular Kuching Waterfront at Kuching city.
Kuching Festival
The Kuching Festival materialised the following year, and has been held annually ever since.The anniversary of the declaration of Kuching as a city is celebrated every August. The idea of the Kuching Festival was first suggested in November 1985. The first Kuching Festival was initiated in April 1986, by the Kuching Municipal Council.
The Rainforest World Music Festival
Sarawak Cultural Village as the backdrop, you will be enveloped by the sweet sounds of nature and ethnic music from talented musicians. TRWMF is a unique festival that brings together on the same stage renowned world musicians from all continents and indigenous musicians from the interiors of Borneo. Performers and fans flock from around the world and participate in musical workshops or they can just lay back and enjoy the evening concerts. You can go to Sarawak Cultural Village tucked on the foothills of Mount Santubong. It is 35km away from Kuching city.
Balleh Kapit Safari
The sport is very challenging. Participants need to steer their rafts through treacherous rapids. The Safari started in 1996 and normally takes place in the month of April. The best part of the sport is that, participants will get the chance to see various ethnic diversity and cultural heritage of the indigenous riverine communities.
Mooncake Festival
(Tang Lung)
It is celebrated by Chinese around the world every year on the month of eight of Chinese lunar calendar. You can go to Carpenter Street, Kuching city.
Miri International Jazz Festival
This musical event usually attract large crowd of jazz lovers to the town. Enjoy the talented performances from Europe, Australasia, Africa and Asia presented in jazz funky latin, oriental jazz, caribbean roots, blues, contemporary fusion and many more. All the different genres of jazz music find their way to the northern city in Sarawak for an outdoor international festival with the ambience of intimate jazz clubs for the easy relaxed people in Miri resort city.
Sematan Carnival
Sematan is a seaside town located 110 km west of Kuching. Visitors will revel in the festival-like atmosphere and at the same time taste the local specialties being sold at the stalls.
World Harvest Festival
The Gawai festival has always been one of the celebrated festivals in Sarawak. The festival originated from the folklore that tells of the adventure of men travelling to the world of the gods and spirits. Every second weekend of May the Sarawak Cultural Village will host an evening of festivities in celebration of the harvest festival.
You have to come and see it for yourself!
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