Ethnic
diversity, is what attracts most visitors to Sarawak. There
are 27 distinct indigenous ethnic groups in Sarawak, that
speak 45 different languages and dialects and are proud
to call Sarawak their home. That's the official figure.
And that's not counting the Malays and the many different
Chinese groups with all their different dialects that have
also settled in Sarawak. Some anthropologists want to sub-divide
the ethnic groups even further to include ethnic sub-groups.
One fact, however, remains undiminished: Sarawak has ethnic
diversity aplenty.
Iban, is the most famous of Sarawak's ethnic groups. They
were once the legendary warriors of Borneo; the most feared
of the headhunting tribes. Thankfully they now no longer
headhunt, and have adopted a peaceful agrarian lifestyle.
A visitor to an Iban longhouse will find that they are a
generous, hospitable and placid people. |
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There
are, of course, 26 other tribes who are also the most gracious
and engaging of hosts. There are the Bidayuh, formerly known
as the "Land Dayaks", who so enchanted the first
White Rajah with their gentleness. Then there are the Melanau
fisherman of the littorals of Central Sarawak, and the multitude
of upriver tribes who collectively form the Orang Ulu, which
are the people of the headwaters; the nomadic Penan, guardians
of the rainforest.
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