IBAN PEOPLE

                      

It was the biggest ethnic group in Sarawak. they comprising  approximately 34% of Sarawak population.The Ibans are a branch of people of the Borneo . In Malaysia, most Ibans are located in Sarawak, a small portion in Sabah and some in west Malaysia. They were formerly known during the colonial period by the British as Sea Dayaks. In ancient times the Ibans were a strong and successful warring tribe in Borneo.The word Iban, in Kayan dialect “livan” means “wanderer” or iban’s own version means “person” .They are formerly known as Sea Dayak because they use boats and stay along the rivers. Pre-brooke Ibans identified themselves with the river system where they stayed such as Batang Ai Iban , Skrang Iban , Saribas  Iban and Batang Rajang Iban. In the term ” Sea Dayak ” was coined by the Iban originated from Kumpang Valley which includes the northern of Kapuas and Ketungau , West Borneo ( Kalimantan, Indonesia ) as early as 1540s. They entered Sarawak by way of the low-iying water-shed between Kapuas and Batang Lupar /down to such places as Lingga and Sebuyau today . Besides , Iban population one end and up to Lawas district at the other end Sarawak.The Iban culture, typically known for their gruesome tradition of head-hunting, are a race who can offer us a great deal of information into the complex societies of southeast Asia and who are fascinating to learn about.