Back إيبان Arabic ايبان ARZ Ібан Byelorussian Iban (ètnia) Catalan Iban (Volksgruppe) German Iban DTP Ibanid Estonian مردم ایبان Persian Ibanit Finnish Iban (peuple) French
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| approximately 700,000+ | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Borneo: | |
 Malaysia (Sarawak) | 702,579[1] |
 Indonesia (West Kalimantan) | 19,978[2] |
 Brunei | 17,000[3] |
| Languages | |
| Predominantly: Iban (native) Also: Sarawak Malay, Brunei Malay, Standard Malay, Pontianak Malay, Sambas Malay, Ulu Kapuas Malay,[4] English and Indonesian | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity (Majority) (Catholicism and Mainly Anglicanism), Islam, Animism, Irreligion (Minority) | |
The Iban are an indigenous ethnic group native to Borneo, primarily found in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, Brunei and parts of West Kalimantan, Indonesia. They are one of the largest groups among the broader Dayak peoples, a term historically used to describe the indigenous communities of Borneo.[5] The Iban are best known for their rich cultural traditions, which include distinctive practices in agriculture, music, weaving and social organisation.
Historically, the Iban were known for their warrior culture, particularly the practice of headhunting, which was a central element of their societal structure and spiritual beliefs until the early 20th century. The Iban’s traditional social units are based around longhouses, which serve as communal living spaces for extended families.[6][7] In terms of agriculture, the Iban have long practiced shifting cultivation, particularly of rice, as well as hunting and gathering.
The Iban trace their origins to the Kapuas basin in Kalimantan Barat, specifically the Ketungau tributary which is considered their ancestral homeland prior to their migration into the territory of modern-day Sarawak from the middle of the 16th century.[8] Their migration was influenced by factors such as tribal conflict, territorial expansion and the search for fertile land. Under the colonial administration of the Brooke family in the 19th century, the Iban played an important role in military campaigns, where they were recruited as soldiers and contributed to the defense of Sarawak and later, Malaysia. Over time, their migratory culture extended beyond Borneo, leading to the establishment of visible diaspora communities in Peninsula Malaysia.[9]
In the contemporary context, the Iban remain a prominent ethnic group in Sarawak, constituting 28.8% of the total population. Despite the influences of modernisation, they have preserved a strong cultural identity. The Iban continue to uphold traditional practices, including their language, Pua Kumbu weaving and ceremonial music, while also participating actively in the region’s contemporary social and economic spheres.
- ^ "Penemuan Utama Banci Penduduk Dan Perumahan Malaysia 2020.PDF".
- ^ "Ekspresi Cinta dan Kehidupan Orang Dayak Iban {Id}". Kompas. 20 November 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "The Iban of Melilas Longhouse, Brunei Darussalam".
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Papan Turai Gawai Batu: Historical Significancewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Tillotson (1994). "Who invented the Dayaks? : historical case studies in art, material culture and ethnic identity from Borneo". Open Research Library. Australian National University: 2 v. doi:10.25911/5d70f0cb47d77. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ "Borneo trip planner: top five places to visit". News.com.au. 21 July 2013. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ Sutrisno, Leo (26 December 2015). "Rumah Betang". Pontianak Post. Archived from the original on 29 December 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
A History of Migrationswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Hari Gawai disambut meriah, DAP rai masyarakat Iban di Johor". July 2014.