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Ethnic groups
Sarawak has more than 40 sub-ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language, culture and lifestyle. Cities and
larger towns are populated predominantly by Malays, Melanaus, Chinese, and a smaller percentage
of Ibans and Bidayuhs who have migrated from their home-villages for employment reasons. Sarawak is rather
distinctive from the rest of Malaysia in that there is only a small community of Indians living in the state.
Dayak Iban
The Ibans comprise the largest percentage (almost 34%) of Sarawak's population. Formerly reputed to be the most
formidable headhunters on the island of Borneo, the Ibans of today are a generous, hospitable and placid people.
[citation needed] Because of their history as pirates and fishermen, they were conventionally referred to as the "Sea
Dayaks". The early Iban settlers who migrated from Kalimantan (the Indonesian part of Borneo south of Sarawak) via
the Kapuas River and crossed over the Kelingkang range and set up home in the river valleys of Batang Ai, the
Skrang River, Saribas, and the Rajang River. The Ibans dwell in longhouses, a stilted structure comprising many
rooms housing a whole community of families.[citation needed]
An Iban longhouse may still display head trophies or antu pala. These suspended heads mark a tribal victory and
were a source of honor. The Dayak Iban ceased practicing headhunting in the 1930s.[citation needed]
The Ibans are renowned for their Pua Kumbu (traditional Iban weavings), silver craft, wooden carvings and bead
work. Iban tattoos, which were originally symbols of bravery among Iban warriors, have become amongst the most
distinctive in the world.[citation needed] The Ibans are also famous for their tuak, a sweet rice wine which is served during
big celebrations and festive occasions.
A majority of Ibans practice Christianity. However, like most other ethnic groups in Sarawak, they still observe many
of their traditional rituals and beliefs. Sarawak celebrates colourful festivals such as the Gawai Dayak (harvest
festival), Gawai Kenyalang (hornbill, or the god of war festival), penuaian padi and Gawai Antu (festival of the dead).
Chinese
The Chinese first came to Sarawak as traders and explorers in the 6th century. Today, they make up 26% of the
population of Sarawak and consist of communities built from the economic migrants of the 19th and early 20th
centuries.
The first Chinese (Hakka) migrants worked as labourers in the gold mines at Bau or on plantations. Through their
clan associations, business acumen and work ethic, the Chinese organised themselves economically and rapidly
dominated commerce. Today, the Chinese are amongst Sarawak's most prosperous ethnic groups.
The Sarawak Chinese belong to a wide range of dialect groups, the most significant being Hakka (dialect|Hakka),
Hokkien(dialect|Hokkien), Teochew(Dialect|Teochew), Hailam(dialect|Hailam), Foochow(dialect|Foochow) and
Henghua(Dialect|Henghua). Whereas Hakka is spoken predominantly by the farmers in the interior, Hokkien and
Teochew are the dominant dialect spoken within the major trading towns and among early traders and businessmen.
Hailam were well-known as coffee-shop operators, the Henghua is famous as fishermen. (Notable differences from
those who presided in West Malaysia, the most common spoken dialect among all the differing groups was
Cantonese). Mandarin however was and still is the unifying language spoken by all the different dialectic groups.
(Both East and West Malaysia) The Chinese maintain their ethnic heritage and culture and celebrate all the major
cultural festivals, most notably Chinese New Year and the Hungry Ghost Festival. The Sarawak Chinese are
predominantly Buddhists and Christians.
Malay
The Malays make up 21% of the population in Sarawak. Traditionally fishermen, these seafaring people chose to
form settlements on the banks of the many rivers of Sarawak. Today, many Malays have migrated to the cities where
they are heavily involved in the public and private sectors and taken up various professions. Malay villages
(kampungs) - a cluster of wooden houses on stilts, many of which are still located by rivers on the outskirts of major
towns and cities, play home to traditional cottage industries. The Malays are famed for their wood carvings, silver and
brass craftings as well as traditional Malays textile weaving with silver and gold thread (kain songket).
Malays are Muslim by religion, having been converted to the faith some 600 years ago with the Islamification of their
native region. Their religion is reflected in their culture and art and Islamic symbolism is evident in local architecture -
from homes to government buildings.
Melanau
The Melanaus have been thought to be amongst the original settlers of Sarawak. Originally from Mukah (the 10th
Administrative Division as launched in March 2002), the Melanaus traditionally lived in tall houses. Nowadays, they
have adopted a Malay lifestyle, living in kampong-type settlements. Traditionally, Melanaus were fishermen and still
today, they are reputed as some of the finest boat-builders and craftsmen.
While the Melanaus are ethnically different from the Malays, their lifestyles and practices are quite similar especially
in the larger towns and cities where most Melanau have adopted the Islamic faith.
The Melanaus were believed to originally worship spirits in a practice verging on paganism. Today most of them are
Muslim and some are Christians, though they still celebrate traditional animist festivals such as the annual Kaul
Festival.
Dayak Bidayuh
Concentrated mainly on the West end of Borneo, the Bidayuhs make up 10% of the population in Sarawak are now
most numerous in the hill counties of Bau and Serian, within half an hour drive from Kuching.
Historically, as other tribes were migrating into Sarawak and forming settlements (particularly the Malays from the
neighbouring archipelagos as they shore up along the coastal areas and riversides) the peace-loving, meek-natured
Bidayuhs retreated further inland, hence earning them the name of "Land Dayaks n land owners". The word Bidayuh
in itself literally means "land people" in Biatah dialect. In Bau-Jagoi/Singai dialect, the pronunciation is "Bidoyoh"
which also carry the same meaning.
The traditional community construction of the Bidayuh is the "baruk", a roundhouse that rises about 1.5 metres off the
ground. It serves as the granary and the meeting house for the settlement's community. Longhouses were typical in
the olden days, similar to that of the Ibans.
Typical of the Sarawak indigenous groups, the Bidayuhs are well-known for their hospitality, and are reputed to be
the best makers of tuak, or rice wine. They also do arak tonok,some kind of moonshine.
The Bidayuhs speak a number of different but related dialects. Some Bidayuhs speak either English or Malay as their
main language. While some of them still practice traditional religions, the majority of modern-day Bidayuhs have
adopted the Christian faith.
Dayak Orang Ulu
The phrase Orang Ulu means upriver people and is a term used to collectively describe the numerous tribes that live
upriver in Sarawak's vast interior. Such groups include the major Kayan and Kenyah tribes, and the smaller
neighbouring groups of the Kajang, Kejaman, Punan, Ukit, and Penan. Nowadays, the definition also includes the
down-river tribes of the Lun Bawang, Lun Dayeh(mean upriver/far upstream), Berawan, Saban as well as the plateau-
dwelling Kelabits. The various Orang Ulu groups together make up roughly 5.5% of Sarawak's population. The Orang
Ulu are artistic people with longhouses elaborately decorated with murals and woodcarvings. They are also well-
known for their intricate beadwork and detailed tattoos. The Orang Ulu tribe can also be identified by their unique
music - distinctive sounds from their sape, a stringed instrument not unlike the mandolin.
A vast majority of the Orang Ulu tribe are Christians but traditional religions are still practiced in some areas.
Some of the major tribes making up the Orang Ulu group include :
Kayan
There are approximately 15,000 Kayans in Sarawak. The Kayan tribe built their longhouses in the northern interiors
of Sarawak midway on the Baram River, the upper Rejang River and the lower Tubau River, and were traditionally
headhunters. They are well known for their boat making skills, which they carve from a single block of belian, the
strongest of the tropical hardwoods.
Although many Kayan have become Christians, some still practise paganistic beliefs, but these are very rare
today[citation needed].
Lun Bawang
The Lun Bawang are indigenous to the highlands of East Kalimantan, Brunei (Temburong District), southwest of
Sabah (Interior Division) and northern region of Sarawak (Limbang Division).Lun Bawang people are traditionally
agriculturalists and practise animal husbandry such as rearing poultry, pigs and buffaloes. Lun Bawangs are also
known to be hunters and fishermen.
Kelabit
With a population of approximately 3000, the Kelabit are inhabitants of Bario - a remote plateau in the Sarawak
Highlands, slightly over 1,200 meters above sea level. The Kelabits form a tight-knit community and practise a
generations-old form of agriculture. Famous for their rice-farming, they also cultivate a variety of other crops which
are suited to the cooler climate of the Highlands of Bario. The Kelabits are closely related to the Lun Bawang.
The Kelabit are predominantly Christian, the Bario Highlands having been visited by Christian missionaries many
years ago.
Kenyah
With the population about ~22,000, the Kenyah are inhabitant of Upper Belaga and upper Baram. There are few
findings on the exact origin of the Kenyah tribe. Their heartland however, is Long San, along the Baram River and
Belaga along Rajang River. Their culture is very similar to that of the Kayan tribe with whom they live in close
association. The typical Kenyah village consists of only one longhouse and the people are mainly farmers, planting
rice in burnt jungle clearings. With the rapid economic development, especially in timber industry, many of them work
in timber camps.
Penan
The Penan are the only true nomadic people in Sarawak and are amongst the last of the world's hunter-gatherers.
[2] The Penan make their home under the rainforest canopy, deep within the vast expanse of Sarawak's virgin jungle.
Even today, the Penan continue to roam the rainforest hunting wild boar and deer with blowpipes. The Penan are
skilled weavers and make high-quality rattan baskets and mats. The traditional Penan religion worships a supreme
god called Bungan. However, the increasing number who have abandoned the nomadic lifestyle for settlement in
longhouses have converted to Christianity.
Sebob/Chebob
One of the least known tribes in Sarawak and be found in upper Tinjar river. Sebob are the first Tinjar settlers along
the Tinjar river and it is said that the other tribes came later(migrated) The sebob/chebob tribes occupies up to 6 six
longhouse in Tinjar namely; Long Loyang, Long Batan, Long Selapun, Long Pejawai,and Long Subeng.(All these
names come from small stream where they lived) Amongst the longhouses, Long Luyang is the longest and most
populated Sebob/Chebob settlement.It comprises almost 100 units. Most of these people have migrated and found
work in the cities.
MelanauFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Melanaus)
Melanau
Total population 500,000
Regions with significant populations Mukah,Sarawak
Language Melanau &Malay
Religion Islam &Christianity
The Melanau are a people who live on the island of Borneo, primarily in Sarawak,Malaysia, but also
in Kalimantan, Indonesia. They are among the earliest settlers of Sarawak, and speak a Northwest Malayo-
Polynesian language (see Melanau language).
[edit]Origins
The Melanau were in the 19th Century, settled in scattered communities along the main tributaries of the Rajang
River in Central Sarawak. Melanau or problematic Kajang [1] speaking tribes such as the Sekapan, the Rajang, the
Tanjung and the Kanowits gradually moved and assimilated into Dayak migrations settling in the Rajang. The
Punan [2] (or Punan Bah) today are closely linked to the last riverine dwelling Melanau communities previously
inhabiting the middle and upper Rejang tributaries. The Kajang language is kept relatively alive by the isolated
Sekapan communities Kapit division of Sarawak.
The Melanau are considered among the earliest settlers in Sarawak. The name Melanau was not used by the
Melanau to refer to themselves until recently. They call themselves a-likou meaning 'people of the river'. Legend has
it that the name Melanau was given by one of the Sultans of Brunei to the inhabitants of the coastal swamp flats and
riverbanks of central Sarawak.[citation needed]
Eda Green, writing in 1909, referred to "...the Milanaus, whose girls are as fair as any Europeans and the belles of
Borneo."[1]
[edit]Divisions
The Melanaus can be divided into six different groups which are: Melanau Mukah, Melanau Dalat, Melanau Oya,
Melanau Matu-DaroMelanau [Belawai-Rejang-Gelijih], Melanau Ba'ie (Bintulu),Melanau Balingian and Melanau Miri.
Each group has its own characteristic dialect but they share the same cultural and lingual background (except for
Melanau Bintulu dialect which can hardly be understood by the rest. Many linguists feel that it hardly fit into the
Melanau language grouping). The Melanau languages have been divided in the following eleven: Mukah, Balingian,
Oya, Dalat, Daro-Matu, Rajang, Kanowit, Sibu, Bintulu, Seru and Tanjong.[2]
There is one group that have been missed out, they are the Melanau Igan. They live in kampungs (example :
Kampung Skrang, Kampung Tengah,Kampung Hilir etc) near the river that borders the Mukah - (Matu-Daro) district.
The main languages are Melanau, some speaks Malays. This group of Melanau are almost 100% Muslim. The
Muslim side have adopt a culture that are similar of those of Malays culture and the rest remain with the Melanau
culture(Christianity, Pagan). Basically the original people of Igan were Malays who settled in the area. However their
mixed intermarriages with the Melanaus and today have instead produced a new generation who considered
themselves Melanaus.
Similar to the Igan Melanaus ancestral beginnings, many Melanaus who had migrated to different areas in Sarawak
experienced the same transformation. A group of Matu Melanaus settled in Bintawa Area in Kuching after World War
2. However their offspring are mostly Melanaus by blood but cannot speak the language. They are considered as
Malays. However as a point of interest, the new secondary school built in Bintawa Kuching in 2007 is named SMK
Matu Baru. Many areas in Kuching notably Petra Jaya, Lundu and Santubong do have a significant Melanau
population. Miri the oil town, Bintulu the gas town, Sibu the riverine town are also places where there is a significant
Melanau population. However the 'Bin' and 'Binti' factors in their names had confused the census workers (read the
following paragraph). There are some cases whereby the 'Bin' and 'Binti' are used by the Likou and Christians. One
of the reason the Muslim Melanau migrated to Malay is during the registration of birth of the new born, they will
automatically consider as Malay if the parent didn't inform the registertion officer.
[edit]Culture & economy
The Melanau were traditionally fishermen as well as padi and sago farmers. Some were skilled boat builders. They
used to live in tall stilted and long houses, but today (2007) they live in kampung (separated houses in a village
community) style. Because of religious similarity, the majority of Melanaus live socially and culturally like the rest of
the Malays in Malaysia.
It is one of the rare ethnic groups in Malaysia which hardly grows or increases in its population. This is because the
Muslim Melanaus that have migrated to bigger towns in Sarawak have "automatically" become Malays especially
during the National Census Operation as their names (and many times the language the elders use with their children
at homes) are inseparable from the Sarawak local Malays. This has helped the Malay population of Sarawak to have
significantly increased in the census.
All the Melanaus have a 'Bin' (son of) and 'Binti' (daughter of) in their names similar to the Malays and it is also likely
that the Christian Melanaus too were designated as Malays in the census.
The current population statistics showed the Melanaus at about 96,000(?). However amongst the Bumiputeras or
ethnic groups in Sarawak, Malaysia, the Melanaus has the highest population growth the last 5 years. The continuous
'cross-breeding' through inter-marriages between the Melanaus and other races in Malaysia has also caused the
mysterious disappearance of the Melanau identity. Data from some private research estimated that the actual
population of Melanaus is more than 500,000 people.
Being migrants in the early days, Melanaus are found almost everywhere in Sarawak. Sadly though their children
knew their roots, they cannot speak or even understand their grandparents dialects but registered themselves as
other races, mostly as Malays. The more extreme cases are parents, both Melanaus, speak to their children in Malay
or English. This happens in the towns and cities in Sarawak. There has been little efforts done to preserve the
Melanau dialects and teach the current Melanau generation continuous usage of their own dialects. Melanau Rajang
is one of the most low population among all Melanaus and can be hardly found around Sarawak. They settled at
Sungai Rajang, Kanowit.
The gradual disappearance of the Melanau cultures and dialects is further intensified when it is noted that there is not
even a Melanau staff member handling the documentation on the Melanaus cultures and history in the 'Majlis Adat
Istiadat' department in Sarawak. This department is involved in the preservation and documentation of the cultures
and histories of the various ethnic groups in Sarawak. The Melanaus are slowly being emulsified into other cultures.
The Melanau Kaul festival will only serve as a reminder of the Melanau Pagan ritual.
[edit]Religion
While originally animists, the majority of the Melanaus are now Muslim, although some of them, especially among the
Melanau Mukah, Rajang and Dalat are Christian. Nonetheless, many still celebrate traditional rites such as the
annual Kaul Festival. Despite their different beliefs and religions, the Melanaus, like the rest of East Malaysians
(Sabah and Sarawak) are very tolerant of each other and they rightly feel proud of their tolerance. We would still
come across a Melanau family with different child family members embracing Christianity and Islam while their
parents still have strong animist belief.
PenanFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Penan are a nomadic aboriginal people living in Sarawak and Brunei. They are one of the last such peoples
remaining.[1] The Penan are noted for their practice of 'molong' which means never taking more than necessary. Most
Penan were nomadic hunter-gatherers until the post-World War II missionaries settled many of the Penan, mainly in
the Ulu-Baram district but also in the Limbang district. They eat plants, which are also used as medicines, and
animals and use the hides, skin, fur, and other parts for clothing and shelter.
[edit]Demographics
The Penan number around 10,000; only 200 are nomadic[2] The Penan can be broken down into two loosely related
geographical groups known as either Eastern Penan or Western Penan, the Eastern Penan residing around the Miri,
Baram, Limbang and Tutoh regions and the Western Penan in and around Belaga district.[3]
They can be considered as a native group or 'tribe' in their own right, with a language distinct from other neighbouring
native groups such as the Kenyah, Kayan, Murut or Kelabit. However, in government censuses they are more broadly
classified as Orang Ulu which translates as 'Upriver People' and which contains distinct neighbouring groups such as
those above. Even more broadly they are included in the term 'Dayak', which includes all of Sarawak's indigenous
people.
[edit]Lifestyle
Penan communities were predominantly nomadic up until the 1950s. The period from 1950-present has seen
consistent programmes by the state government and foreign Christian missionaries to settle Penan into longhouse-
based villages similar to those of Sarawak's other indigenous groups.[4]
Some, typically the younger generations, now cultivate rice and garden vegetables but many rely on their diets
of sago (starch from thesago palm), jungle fruits and their prey which usually include wild boar, barking deer, mouse
deer but also snakes (especially theReticulated Python or kermanen), monkeys, birds, frogs, monitor lizards, snails
and even insects such as locusts. Since they practice 'molong', they pose little strain on the forest: they rely on it and
it supplies them with all they need. They are outstanding hunters and catch their prey using a 'lepud' or blowpipe,
made from the Bilian Tree (superb timber) and carved out with unbelievable accuracy using a bone drill - the wood is
not split, as it is elsewhere, so the bore has to be precise almost to the millimetre, even over a distance of 3 metres.
The darts are made from the sago palm and tipped with poisonous latex of a tree found in the forest which can kill a
human in a matter of minutes. Everything that is caught is shared as the Penan have a highly tolerant, generous
and egalitarian society, so much so that it is said that the nomadic Penan have no word for 'thank you' because help
is assumed and therefore doesn't require a 'thank you'. However, 'jian kinin' is typically used in the settled
communities.
Very few Penan live in Brunei any more, and their way of life is changing due to pressures that encourage them to
live in permanent settlements and adopt year-around farming.[5]
[edit]Penan resistance to deforestation in Sarawak
The Penan came to national and international attention when they resisted logging operations in their home territories
of the Baram, Limbang, Tutoh and Lawas regions of Sarawak. Since both the settled, semi-nomadic and nomadic
Penan communities were and are reliant on forest produce, they were hit hard by the large scale logging operations
that encroached on their traditionally inhabited territories. The logging caused the pollution of their water catchment
areas with sediment displacement, the loss of many sago palms that form the staple carbohydrate of Penan diet,
scarcity of wild boar, deer and other game, scarcity of fruit trees and plants used for traditional forest medicine,
destruction of their burial sites and loss of rattan and other forest products. Beginning in the late 1980s and
continuing today the Penan and other indigenous communities such as the Iban, Kelabit and Kayan (collectively
referred to as Dayak) have set up blockades in an attempt to halt logging operations on their land. These succeeded
in many areas but the efforts were hard to sustain and ended in large scale clashes between the indigenous
communities and the state backed logging companies, supported by the police and Malaysian army. The
confrontations ended with several deaths, many injuries and large scale arrests of indigenous people. Many of the
detained reported being beaten and humiliated while in custody. An independent Sarawakian organisation IDEAL
documented such claims in a 2001 fact finding mission entitled "Not Development, but Theft".[6]
The Penan explicitly outlined their wants and requirements to the Sarawak State Government of Abdul Taib
Mahmud in the 2002 Long Sayan Declaration.[7] The confrontation between the Penan and Sarawak State
Government has continued to the present day. Most recently the blockade setup by the Penan community of Long
Benali was forcefully dismantled on 4 April 2007 by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), with support from a
special police force unit and overlooked by Samling Corporation employees. Samling Corporation had been granted a
logging concession by the Malaysian Timber Certificate Council (MTCC) that included land traditionally inhabited by
the Penan of Long Benali and despite their continued petitions against the concession.[8]
[edit]Bruno Manser
Bruno Manser was an environmental activist and champion of the Penan's plight during their struggle in the 1990s.
Named lakei Penan(Penan man) by the Penan, he helped communicate the Penan's cause to the outside world,
firstly writing letters to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and later leaving Sarawak to educate the outside world
(especially timber importing countries in Europe and Japan) about the deforestation and related social problems in
Sarawak. He later conducted public awareness stunts such as paragliding onto the lawn of Chief Minister Abdul Taib
Mahmud and attempting a hunger strike outside the offices of Japanese shipping companies in Tokyo.
In 2000, Manser went missing when he secretly returned to Sarawak to reunite with a Penan group, his body and
belongings have never been found despite intensive searches. Theories of assassination by the Sarawak
government or logging companies have sprung up (due to a reputed US$40,000 bounty on his head). Other rumors
include those of suicide after years of unsuccessful campaigning or getting lost in the dense mossy forests
around Bukit Batu Lawi in the Kelabit Highlands, close to the border with Kalimantan. However, Manser had lived for
several years in the region with the nomadic Penan and was thus highly experienced.
[edit]Logging today
Logging continues to dominate politics and economics in Sarawak and the government's ambition on timber from
proposed Penan ancestral land also continues. Malaysia’s rate of deforestation is the highest in the tropical world
(142 km²/year) losing 14,860 square kilometres since 1990. The Borneo lowland rain forest, which is the primary
habitat of the Penan, but also has the most valuable trees, has all but gone.
'Despite the (Malaysian) government's pro-environment overtones, the… government tends to side with development
more than conservation.' Rhett A. Butler
The government's defence of large scale logging as a means to economic development has also been challenged as
unsustainable, indiscriminate of indigenous rights, environmentally destructive and marred in invested interests,
corruption and cronyism.[9] Prominent examples of this have been highlighted by the fact that the Ex Minister for
Environment and Tourism Datuk James Wong was also one of the state's largest logging concessionaires. Most
recently, the Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud himself is under investigation by Japanese Tax Authorities for
corruption over RM32 Million in timber kickbacks allegedly paid to his family company in Hong Kong in order to
lubricate timber shipments.[10] Such allegations are not new, as Malaysia Today claimed in 2005:
There is often a mutually beneficial relationship between logging companies and political elites, involving the
acquisition of large private wealth for both parties through bribery, corruption and transfer pricing, at the expense of
public benefit through lost revenues and royalty payments and at the expense of social, environmental and
indigenous communities' rights...The awarding of concessions and other licences to log as a result of political
patronage, rather than open competitive tender, has been the norm rather than the exception in many countries. [11]
[edit]The future of the Penan
The future of the Penan has been a controversial subject since the confrontation between indigenous rights and state
land use began. National and International Non-Governmental Organisations have been pressing for indigenous self-
determination and respect for Penan human and land rights in accordance with UN International Labour Organisation
Convention N. 169 (1989) that removes “assimilationist” orientated international standards towards indigenous rights,
[12] a convention that Malaysia has not adopted. However, many Malaysian politicians have criticised NGOs for
meddling in Malaysian domestic affairs and have accused them of attempting to inhibit development projects and
keep the Penan 'undeveloped' and unassimilated into mainstream Malaysian society. Most see the Penan's lifestyle
as uncivilised and antiquated (compare White man's burden), an example of this is a regularly recited poem by ex
Minister for Environment and Tourism Datuk James Wong.[13]
"O Penan - Jungle wanderers of the Tree
What would the future hold for thee?....
Perhaps to us you may appear deprived and poor
But can Civilization offer anything better?....
And yet could Society in good conscience
View your plight with detached indifference
Especially now we are an independent Nation
Yet not lift a helping hand to our fellow brethren?
Instead allow him to subsist in Blowpipes and clothed in Chawats [loincloths]
An anthropological curiosity of Nature and Art?
Alas, ultimately your fate is your own decision
Remain as you are - or cross the Rubicon!"
Many Malaysian organisations have joined the debate such as Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), Borneo Resource
Institute (BRIMAS)and Rengah Sarawak. These grassroots organisations have supported indigenous rights and
accused the Sarawak state government of repeated neglect of Sarwak's indigenous citizens and exploitation of
Sarawak's natural resources. The opposition party Parti Keadilan Rakyat has also taken up the cause of the
indigenous people's plight, claiming that they are "living lives of quiet desperation that now and then flares up in
action that invites police attention, not to mention the notice of the rest of Malaysians who don't quite know what it is
to be under the tyranny of geography."[14] With the help of such NGOs many Penan communities have mapped their
proposed ancestral lands and filed claims in Sarawak's courts in the hope of preventing and deterring illegal logging
of their forests. An important precedent was set in 2001 when an Iban village of Rumah Nor won a landmark court
victory against Borneo Pulp and Paper and the Sarawak Government for violating their Native Customary Right
(NCR) or adat. The victory was recently publicised in a short documentary - Rumah Nor - by the Borneo Project. The
verdict is being threatened by a Federal Court appeal by the State Government and Borneo Pulp and Paper.
However, 19 Penan communities have now mapped their NCR and four are beginning litigation and in others the
logging has more or less stopped in the territory where litigation is pending. Indigenous action has therefore shifted
from the human blockades of logging roads to empowerment through the political and legal system and international
publicity.
[edit]Penan language
The Penan language belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family. It forms an own
Group within the Borneo branch of the Borneo-Philippines languages. It may be somewhat related to
the Kenyah Languages and might show some evidence of a non Austronesian substrat that might be related to Orang
Asli type of language.[15] The Penan language is linguisticallyinteresting since it has six words for varying levels of
"we" depending on how extensive the described group in the society is at the same time as having no word to say
"thank you" or describe the status of a domestic animal. This provides a good example in discussion of thesubject-
object problem in philosophy and its relation to language and power.
Kenyah peopleFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kenyah people
Total population 45,000
Regions with significant
populations
Belaga, Bintulu, Miri, Sarawak,Malaysia and East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Language Kenyah
Religion Christianity & Bungan
The Kenyah people are an indigenous, Austronesian-speaking people of Borneo, living in the remote Baram (Lio
Mato, Long Selaan, Long Moh, Long Mekaba, Long Jeeh, Long Belaong, Long San, Long Silat, Long Tungan and
etc), Data Kakus, Data Surau,Sg. Senep, Long Dungan, Long Busang, Long Beyak, Bintulu, Miri, Sungai ASAP, Long
Bulan, Long Jawe and Belaga regions in Sarawak, Malaysia and the remote Apau Kayan, Bahau (Bau), Benua Lama
& Baru and Mahakam regions in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Kenyah people are divided into various tribes including the Uma Bakah, Lepo Anan, Lepo Tau, Lepu Jalan, Lepo'
Tepu, Uma Kelap, Badeng (Jamok, Lepo Aga'), Bakung, Kayan, Penan, Lepu Kulit, Uma Alim, Uma Timai, Uma
Lasan, Lepo Ma-ot, Sambop, Lepo Ke', Lepo Ngao, Ngurek, Kiput, Long Ulai, Long Tikan, Long Sabatu, Lepo Ga,
Lepo Dikan, and Lepo Pua
[edit]Culture and economy
The Kenyah people, traditionally being swidden agriculturalists and living in long houses (uma dado'), is an umbrella
term for over 40 sub-groups that mostly share common migration histories, customs and related dialects. Kenyah
people lived in long houses in a small communities. Each long house consists of families who choose their own
leader (headman). When they have any event or celebration such as harvest festival they will normally use the long
house verandah (oseh bi'o) to gather and deliver speeches to guide their youngsters. Normally this harvest festival
celebration (tau bio Ramay o o Ajau, pelepek uman) is a major festival because most of them are still farmers.
[edit]Religion
Almost all Kenyah people are Christian. Before they became Christian they believed in 'Bungan Malan Peselong
Luan' (a traditional form ofanimism). But now there are only a small number of Kenyah people that still believe in
Bungan. When they die they believe they go to Alo Malau (heaven) with their ancestors (tepun).
[edit]Population
Statistical figures, based on the Indonesian and Malaysian national censuses collected in 2000, recorded a total of
44,350 Kenyah people in East Kalimantan and 24,906 in Sarawak.[1]
[edit]Origins
The Usun Apau (aka Usun Apo) plateau(in the Peliran river valley) or Apo Kayan Highlands (a remote forested
plateau in Malaysian and Indonesian border) in the present-day Indonesian province of East Kalimantan was the
largest concentration site of Kenyah populations between the late 19th century to the early 1980s.
[edit]Languages
The Kenyah languages are a small family of Austronesian languages.
UkitFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ukit is a tribe found in Sarawak, Borneo. They are a small minority people who until recently were nomads in the
rain forests of Borneo. Some were settled at Rumah Ukit on the upper reaches of the Batang Balui or Balui River.
Most of the Ukits are found in the Upper Rajom and Tatau rivers, Baleh, Sarawak. Ukit's population is small in
numbers and suffer potential extinction due to many of the tribesmen being killed a long time ago. Heavy losses in
war to stronger Dayak tribes in Borneo (Iban, Kayan & others) resulted them being chased out of their homelands
(believed to be the Saribas, Kalaka and Krian areas). Intermarriages with other tribes is also another factor for their
decreasing population. Today, the Ukit population is estimated to be only about 120. However there may still be an
unknown number of Ukit living in their traditional way as forest nomads.
SelakoFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Selako is a branch of Dayak people from the Borneo island. The are found in the western most part of
the Borneo island. They are related to the Bidayuh tribe. Most Selakos are settled in areas such
as Lundu, Sematan, Bengkayang and Sambas. Their language is part of theMalayo Polynesian group and they are
categorized as Malayic Dayak. Many Selakos are Christians, having converted to Anglicanism andRoman
Catholicism following missionary work in the 19th century.
PunanFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An elderly Punan man performing Bungan rites. Photo taken at Punan Sama
Total population approx. 5,000 inSarawak
Office website Punan.Info
Region Malaysia
SarawakKapit and BintuluDivision
Language Punan Bah-Biau
Religion Christianity & Animist
Related Ethnic Groups Sekapan, Kejaman, Lahanan'
Punan Bah or Punan[1] is an ethnic group found in Sarawak, Malaysia. They are distinct, unrelated to the Penan and
also the other so called Punan found in Kalimantan the Indonesian part of Borneo. Their name stems from two rivers
along the banks of which they have been living time immemorial. They do have other names - Mikuang
Bungulan orMikuang and Aveang Buan. But these terms are only used ritually these days.
The Punan (or Punan Bah) have never been nomad. In the old days they base their living on a mixed economy.
Swidden agriculture with hill paddy as the main crop, supplemented by a range of tropical plants which include
maniok, taro, sugar cane, tobacco, etc. Hunting especially wild boar, fishing, and gathering of forest resources are the
other important factors in their economy.
However, in the late 1980s many Punan, notably the younger, more educated, gradually migrating to urban areas
such as Bintulu, Sibu, Kuching and Kuala Lumpur in search of better living. However, they didn't abandon their
longhouses altogether. Many would still return home - especially during major festivities such as Harvest Festival / or
Bungan festival as it is known among Punan.
Punan is a stratified society of 'laja' (aristocrats), 'panyen' (commoners), and 'lipen' (slaves). This is a fact determine
their historical traditions that have been preserved. Just like most of the history of European Middle Ages is linked to
and mainly concerned the various ruling monarchs, so are the historical and mythical traditions of Punan closely
connected to their rulings aristocrats.
[edit]Relation to the "other" Punans
Are all Punan related tribes/ethnic? There is this popular misunderstanding that all the so called Punan on the
island of Borneo are related and referring to the same tribe.InSarawak, for example, there is the confusion between
Punan and Penan. On the other hand, throughout the island of Borneo, the term Punan often indiscrimately used
referring to the then (unknown or yet to be classified) tribes as such as Punan Busang, Penihing, Sajau Hovongan,
Uheng Kareho, Merah, Aput, Tubu, Bukat, Ukit, Habongkot, Penyawung as Punan. Sadly this colonial heritage stick
until today.
As a result, there are now more than 20 different tribes / ethnics (unrelated to one another) found on the island
of Borneo - still being called Punan. These tribes include;
Punan Busang
Punan Penihing
Punan Batu
Punan Sajau
Punan Hovongan di Kapuas Hulu, Kalbar
Punan Uheng Kereho di Kapuas Hulu, Kalbar
Punan Murung di Murung Raya, Kalteng
Punan Aoheng (Suku Dayak Pnihing) di Kalimantan Timur
Punan Merah (Siau)
Punan Aput
Punan Merap
Punan Tubu
Punan Ukit/Bukitan
Dayak Bukat
Punan Habongkot
Punan Panyawung
These so called Punans are not related to the Punan or Punan Bah as being described in this page.
[edit]Ethnic classification
Officially, as under the Sarawak Interpretation Ordinance [2], Punan is group under Kajang together with Sekapan,
Kejaman, Lahanan and Sihan.
Unofficially, they are also included in the politically coined term Orang Ulu - popularized by a political association
known as Orang Ulu National Association or (OUNA). The association is a Kayan and Kenyah dominated association
which they established in 1969.
[edit]Punan longhouses
Where are the Punan to found? Punan are mostly found around Bintulu, Sarawak. Punan peoples can only be
found at Pandan, Jelalong and Kakus in Bintulu Division; along the Rajang River, their longhouses dotted areas
spanning from Merit District to lower Belagatown.
The Punan are believed to be one of the earliest peoples to have settled in the central part of Borneo, the Rajang
River and Balui areas together with the Sekapan, Kejaman and Lahanan. However the mass migrations of Kayans,
subsequently followed by the warfaring Ibansinto Rejang and Balui areas approximately some 200 years ago, forcing
the Punan communities living in these areas retreating to Kakusand subsequently to Kemena basin.
As in 2006, there were more than 10 Punan settlements (longhouses) found along the Rejang, Kakus, Kemena and
Jelalong river. These settlements (longhouses) are:
Punan Lovuk Sama ,
Punan Lovuk Ba [3],
Punan Lovuk Biau,
Punan Lovuk Meluyou,
Punan Lovuk Lirung Belang (name by Rumah Bilong before and now as known as Rumah Ado)
Punan Lovuk Mina,
Punan Lovuk Pedan (also Rumah Nyipa Tingang), and
Punan Lo'o Buong (Jelalong also known as Rumah Adi).
Total Punan population is estimated to be around 3000 - 5000 people.
[edit]Language
Punan speak a language categorized as Punan Bah-Biau, a sub Rajang-Sajau language. Although often confused for
the Penan, Punan language is actually closer to the language spoken by the Sekapans and Kejamans but not the
Penan.
Here some word spoken in Punan:
1. Nu denge? - How are you?
2. Nu ngaro no? - What is your name?
3. Piro umun no? - How old are you?
4. Tupu koman si - Do you have your lunch/diner/breakfast?
[edit]Religion & Beliefs
Punan traditional religion was a form of animist known as "Besavik". The Brooke era saw the arrival
of Christian missionaries, bringing education and modern medicine into Sarawak. But the Punan communities remain
with their traditional religion of Besavik and subsequently adopting a cult religion - Bungan brought by Jok Apui, a
Kenyah from Kalimantan.
However, the late 1990s showed an increase in the number of Punan converting to Christianity. This is partly due to
more and more Punan becoming educated and modernized. As of 2006 almost half of Punan are now Christian,
leaving only the elderly, less educated still remain observing "Bungan" religion.
The Punan have a unique burial custom. In the early days they did not bury their aristocrats or lajar. Instead they built
a pole known askelirieng of 50-meter height to lay down their beloved leaders. In Sarawak it is estimated that there
are fewer than 30 kelirieng left standing. The Punan still practice secondary burial ceremony, whereby the dead body
is kept at their longhouse for at least 3–7 days. This is partly to give more time for far away relatives to give their last
respect to the deceased.
BidayuhFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bidayuh
Bidayuh
Total population 158,700 (Sarawak only)
Regions with significant
populations
Sarawak & West Kalimantan
Dialects Bukar-Sadong, Singai-Jagoi,Biatah(Siburan, Padawan & Bia'),Bra'ang-Pinyawa, Sepug-Emperoh & Gumbang
Religion Christianity & Animist
Related Ethnic Groups
Bekati', Binyadu, Jongkang, Ribun, Salako, Lara, Sanggau, Sara', Tringgus, Semandang & Ahé.
Bidayuh is the collective name for several indigenous groups found in southern Sarawak, on the island of Borneo,
that are broadly similar in language and culture (see also Issues below). The name "Bidayuh" means 'inhabitants of
land'. Originally from the western part of Borneo, the collective name Land Dayaks was first used during the period
of RajahJames Brooke, the White Rajah of Sarawak. They constitute one of the main indigenous groups in Sarawak
and live in towns and villages around Kuching and Samarahan in theMalaysian state of Sarawak. Related groups are
also found in the Indonesian province ofWest Kalimantan. In Sarawak, most of Bidayuh population are found within
40 km of the geographical area known as Greater Kuching, within the Kuching and Samarahan division. They are the
second largest Dayak ethnic group in Sarawak after the Iban.
Contents
[hide]
1 Location
2 Language
3 Language issues
4 Religion & beliefs
5 Salako & Lara people issues
6 Musical heritage
7 References
o 7.1 Footnotes
o 7.2 Notations
8 External links
[edit]Location
Predominantly Bidayuh areas are: Lundu, Bau, Penrissen, Padawan, Siburan and Serian. Most of the Bidayuh
villages can be found in the rural areas of Lundu, Bau, Padawan, Penrissen and Serian district. The area in which
they live is mainly in the basin of the Sarawak Riverand hilly to mountainous forest, traditionally worked by rotational
agriculture and hunting based around farms populated from parent villages situated on the hills for protection. Today,
almost all the traditional longhouse-villages have been replaced by individual houses, by roads and there is some
plantation agriculture and a reduced emphasis on the growing of hill-padi. Fruit trees, especially durian, remain
important property markers. The distinctive architectural and cultural feature of the Bidayuh is the headhouse, now
adopted as a symbol.
[edit]Language
In Sarawak there are generally said to be three main linguistic groupings (Biatah; Bau-Jagoi; Bukar-Sadong) but
these can be broken down even beyond the list referenced below as most people can be distinguished by locals
down to village level through smaller differences in vocabulary and intonation. Each area speak its own dialect:
1. Lundu speak Jagoi, Salako & Lara
2. Bratak, Singai, Krokong and Jagoi speak Singai-Jagoi
3. Penrissen speak Bisitang
4. Siburan vicinity speak Biatah
5. Bidayuhs who live around Serian such as Tebekang, Mongkos, Tebedu to Tanjung Amo near the border of
Kalimantan Indonesia speak Bukar-Sadong.
6. Bidayuhs in Padawan speak several but related dialects like Bi-anah, Pinyawa, Braang, Bia', Bisepug &
Emperoh/Bipuruh.
The dialects are not mutually intelligible and English or Malay are often used as common languages.
[edit]Language issues
The Serian Bidayuhs have a distinct dialect known as the Bukar-Sadong Bidayuh, which is not intelligible to Bidayuhs
from other Districts. Here are some examples of the differences in the various dialects spoken in Serian, with their
English and Malay equivalents. Also included are two Philippine languages, Kapampangan and Tagalog:
English MalayBukar-Sadong
Bau-Jagoi
Siburan-
Padawan
Bra'ang-
Pinyawa
Lundu (Salako)
Kapampangan
Tagalog
Father Bapa Amang Sama Sama Sama'Apak, Bapak
Ibpâ, (Bapa - Uncle)
Amang, Ama
Mother Ibu Andĕ/ayang Sino Sinĕ Sin(d)oInuk, Indok, Umak
IndûInang, Ina
Food makanan pima-anpinguman
pimaanPinguman
Pamakanan
PamanganPagkain
Rice nasisongkoi/sungkoi
tubi tubi Tubi nasik nasi kanin
I aku aku oku Ěku aku aku aku/I-aku ako
You/thee
kamu/anda
amu/akammu-u/ingan
ku-u/kaam
(K)u'u/ ka'am
kauika (sing.)/ikayu (pl.)
ikaw
[edit]Religion & beliefs
Bidayuhs are traditionally animist, and vestiges of these beliefs still remain. The British colonial times (known as
the Brooke family era) saw the arrival of Christian missionaries, bringing education and modern medicine. The great
majority of Bidayuh are now Christians, majority of them being Roman Catholic.
Most Bidayuh villages have either a Roman Catholic or Anglican church or a mosque -- rarely more than one or the
village would tend to split. The Biatah people, who live in the Kuching area, are Anglican, while the people of the Bau
area are Catholic.
The Bidayuh of Bau have a unique tradition of hanging the bodies of the dead on trees and leaving them to rot away.
The skeletons are left on trees as a reminder of the dead. The tradition is rarely done nowadays.
[edit]Salako & Lara people issues
Although classified as "Bidayuh" by the Malaysian government, the Salako and Lara culture have little resemblance
to other Bidayuh groups and their oral tradition claim different descent and migration histories. Linguistically, the
Salako belong to another language family tree which is of the Malayic-Dayak family (the same family as the Iban).
[1] The Lara, although said to be more related to the Bidayuh (Jagoi-Singai), speak a language almost not mutually
intelligible at all with the Bidayuh but belonged to the same language family tree which is the Land Dayak.[1] Even
their customary rituals and rites differ from the other Bidayuhs (all Bidayuhs share almost the same ritual and
customary rites).
[edit]Musical heritage
Main article: Agung
The Bidayuh have a musical heritage consisting of various types of agung ensembles - ensembles composed of large
hanging, suspended or held, bossed/knobbed gongs which act as drone without any accompanying melodic
instrument.[2][3]
KelabitFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Kelabit, who have close ties to the Lun Bawang, are an indigenous people of the Sarawak highlands
in Borneo with a minority in the neighbouring state of Brunei. The elevation there is slightly over 1,200 meters.
Because there are few roads and the area is largely inaccessible by river because of rapids, the highlands and the
Kelabit are relatively untouched by modern western influences.
With a population of approximately 5,000 people, the Kelabit comprise one of the smallest ethnic groups in Sarawak.
Many have migrated to urban areas over the last 20 years and it is estimated that only 1,200 still live in their remote
homeland. There, tightly knit communities live in inherited longhouses and practice a generations-old form of
agriculture — they are cultivators of wet paddy, hill
rice, maize, tapioca,pineapple, pumpkin, cucumber, beans and fruit. Hunting and fishing is also practiced.
Domesticated buffalo are valued highly, seven of which are traditionally required for the dowry for an upper class
bride.
During the Second World War the Kelabit, like other natives of Borneo, were co-opted by the Allies into fighting the
Japanese. The English academic Tom Harrisson led the Semut I operations (one of four Semut operations in the
area), which parachuted into their midst in 1945 to make contact; they were supplied weapons by the Australian
military and played an essential role in the liberation of Borneo.
After the War this remote ethnic group received visits from Christian missionaries. The Kelabit are now predominantly
Christian. Prior to conversion they had a custom of erecting megaliths and digging ditches in honour of notable
individuals.
The Kelabit language, which belongs to the Borneo-Philippine branch of the Malayo-Polynesian languages, has
the ISO 639-3 codekzi.[1]
Lun BawangFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lun Bawang
Lun Bawang
Total population
c. 38100
Regions with significant populations
Indonesia 25000 (1987 census) [1]
Malaysia 12800 (1982 SIL) [1]
Brunei 300 (1987 Langub) [1]
Languages
Lun Bawang; dialects include Trusan, Lun Daye, Papadi, Lun
Dayah, Adang, Tabun,Treng, Kolur, Padas, Trusan & Lepu Potong
Religion
Predominantly Christianity, minorities are Islamand animist
Related ethnic groups
Kelabit, Lengilu, Putoh, Sa'ban & Tring
The Lun Bawang is an ethnic group found in Central Borneo. They are indigenous to the highlands of East
Kalimantan, Brunei (Temburong District), southwest of Sabah (Interior Division) and northern region
of Sarawak (Limbang Division). In the Malaysian state of Sarawak, the Lun Bawang are categorised under the Orang
Ulu people; whilst in the neighbouring state of Sabah and Krayan valley in Kalimantan, they are more commonly
known as Lundayeh or Lun Daye. At a regional level, the Lun Bawang people identified themselves using various
names, for example Lun Lod, Lun Baa' and Lun Tana Luun.
Lun Bawang people are traditionally agriculturalists and practise animal husbandry such as
rearing poultry, pigs and buffaloes. Lun Bawangs are also known to be hunters and fishermen.
[edit]Etymology
The word Lun Bawang means people of the country, whilst Lun Dayeh means upriver people or people of the
interior and Lun Lod meanspeople living downriver or near the sea. Other names are derived from geographical
reference to their rice cultivation, for example Lun Baa' (swamps) who lives near swampy areas and grow wet rice,
and Lun Tana' Luun (on the land) who cultivates dry rice.
While insisting that they never called themselves Murut, the Lun Bawangs were formerly identified as Murut by
the British colonists and by outsiders (other ethnic group).[2] In Lun Bawang language, the word Murut either means
'to massage' or 'to give dowry', and these meanings have little or no relation at all to the identity of the people [3]. The
name Murut might have been derived from the word "Murud", a mountain located near an old Lun Bawang
settlement, hence might have just meant 'mountain men' or 'hill people' but was instead used by the colonist to
identify this ethnic.
In addition to that, ethnologist found that the classification under the name Murut is confusing as the term is used
differently in Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, that is whilst in Brunei and Sarawak it is used to describe the Lun Bawang
people, in Sabah it is used to identify an ethnic group that is linguistically and culturally different from the Lun
Bawangs. [4] [5]
In Sarawak, the decision to replace the term 'Murut' to 'Lun Bawang' to identify this ethnic group was made
unanimously by Lun Bawang community leaders, and this decision was published in the Sarawak Gazette.[6][7] In the
early 1970s, the use of the term Lun Bawangbegan to gain popularity amongst ethnologist and linguist, and it is now
the most commonly used term to identify this ethnic group.
[edit]Origin
The Lun Bawangs made up of one of the ethnic natives that occupied the Borneo Island for centuries. According
to Tom Harrisson (1959) and S. Runciman (1960), the Lun Bawang Community is one of the earlier settlers in the
mountainous regions of central Borneo and they are related to the Kelabit tribe. It is said that their dialects have some
similarities as this may be due to the fact that the Kelabits are also another tribe from the mountainous regions of
central Borneo and the Lun Bawang dialect is of the Apo Duat lineage.
One theory suggests that the migration of the Lun Bawang people to the low lands and gradual spreading out is due
to various waves of migration of Lun Bawang people from different clans. The migration of Lun Bawang people from
one clan to a region already inhabited by another clan, causes the latter to move to another region, despite them
having similar culture and language. The strong clan identity of the Lun Bawang people is shown by their common
tradition of identifying themselves based on their village or geographical location, for example, 'Lun Adang' who once
resides the Adang river basin or 'Lun Kemaloh' who comes from the Kemaloh river.
Another theory suggests that the Kelabitic people were once natives of old Brunei, but were pushed upriver into the
highlands by the invading tribes such as Kayan, Kenyah and Iban people. The ones that remained downriver (Lun
Bawang people) were isolated from the ones who migrated to the highlands (Kelabit), causing their culture and
language to slightly diverged.
Sather (1972) however theorised that a similar occurrence happened in East Borneo (now East Kalimantan). The
Lundayeh people were once farmers in the lowlands downstream of Malinau river, living closely with
the Tidong people. However, attacks by Muslim raiders (Bugis and Tausug) probably in the 17th century, caused
them to migrate to the Kerayan highlands, whilst the Tidong people converted to Islam. [8]
Nevertheless, these theories have yet to be proven and there are no substantial evidence to trace the origin of the
Lun Bawang people or to prove any of these theories.
[edit]History
According to oral tradition, the Lun Bawangs (Murut) were brought under the rule of the Brunei kingdom by peaceful
measures during the reign of Awang Alak Betatar. This is said to be accomplished through dealings between the Lun
Bawang and Awang Alak Betatar's brother, Awang Jerambok.[9]
Under the rule of the Brunei kingdom, the Lun Bawang were subject to taxes and tribute. The local leaders from the
higher class (lun mebala or lun do') were apponted titles of nobility and were granted office in the sultanate. Some
Lun Bawang were assimilated into Malay culture.[10]
The earliest European written account of the Lun Bawang people is probably by Sir James Brooke in his journal
written on December 24, 1850, where he described the oppression that the Lun Bawang (then called Limbang
Muruts) people faced by Brunei aristocrats, and where some had fought against this tyranny. [11]
Earlier description of the Lun Bawang people by Europeans were normally brief. Since the beginning, the Europeans
had already called the Lun Bawang by the exonym Murut. For example, in Captain Bethune's Notes on
Borneo (1846), he described
The Muruts - Hill tribes of interior of Brune; much oppressed by the Kayans; little known; use the sumpitan.
In James Brooke's (and Henry Keppel's) book The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido For the Suppression of
Piracy (1846), the Murut people were described as inhabitant of Borneo interior, and that the Murut and Dyak people
had given place to Kayan people whenever they are in contact with each other. [12]
A more elaborate European account of the Lun Bawang people is by Spenser St. John in 1860, where he described
the impoverished condition of the Lun Bawang (then called Limbang Muruts) people under the rule of the Brunei
Sultanate. He also gave account of the aborigines (Murut and Bisaya) rise to insurrection, however these rebellions
were always suppressed by threat by the Brunei government to bring in Kayans to subdue the opposition.[13]
Spenser St.John also described the tyranny conducted by the Brunei aristocrats upon the Limbang Muruts, which
include seizing their children to be sold as slaves if taxes were not paid, and on one occasion, when the Brunei
capital were in a state of alarm by the marauding Kayan warriors, the Brunei aristocrat offered a whole Limbang
Murut village to be pillaged, in return for the safety of the capital.[14]
[edit]Culture
The Lun Bawang and Lundayeh practice agriculture, and cultivate both rice on hill called lati' tana' luun and rice from
paddy field called lati' ba.[15][16] Traditionally, cooked rice is wrapped inside banana leaves and is called Nuba' Laya.
Meat and fish are brined or pickled using salt and is stored in hollow bamboo stalk for a duration of a month and the
pickled food is called telu' . Meat and fish are also preserved by smoking. Salt is obtained by evaporating brine from
salt spring (lubang mein).
Cattles and buffaloes are bred for their meat, and can serve as a symbol of financial status. These animals are
commonly used as dowrythat are presented to the bride's family from the groom's side.
In the old days, the men wear jackets made of tree barks called kuyu talun. Cloth wrapped around the forehead is
called sigar and loin cloth is called abpar. A long machete (pelepet) is tied to the waist, especially when it needs to be
carried to tribal wars. As for the women, they wear pata on their head, beret on their waist, bane around the neck
and gileng or pakel is worn as ornaments on their hands and wrists.
The Lun Bawang and Lundayeh belong to a group termed as Nulang Arc group (Metcalf 1975). These ethnic (along
with other ethnics such as the Berawans, the Melanaus and the Kajangs) traditionally practiced an ancient tradition of
secondary treatment of the dead. In Lun Bawang, this is called mitang butung. Metcalf theorised that this practice is a
characteristic of the most ancient cultural tradition in Borneo, before the arrival of other invading ethnics that
influenced the diversification of culture and language in Borneo.[17]
[edit]Language
Main article: Lun Bawang language
The Lun Bawangs called their language Buri Lun Bawang or Buri tau, ''our language'' .
[edit]Festivals and Celebration
Lun Bawang people celebrates Irau Aco Lun Bawang (Lun Bawang festival) annually on the first of June
in Lawas, Sarawak. This festival is traditionally a celebration of the rice harvest, but now it showcases a variety of Lun
Bawang culture and events such as Ruran Ulung(beauty pageant contest) and ngiup suling (bamboo musical
instrument band).
[edit]Religion
Lun Bawangs were mostly animist before the 1920s. Under the rule of the White Rajahs (Vyner Brooke) in Sarawak,
Christian missionaries especially of the Borneo Evangelical Mission denomination had more access to the Lun
Bawang highlands and they also preached Christianity to the Lun Bawang people.[18]
The majority of the Lun Bawangs are Christians, predominantly of the Borneo Evangelical Mission denomination. A
small number are of other Christian denominations, such as True Jesus Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church,
the Roman Catholic Church, or of another religion, such as Islam and Buddhism.
BukitanFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bukitan
Total population 410
Regions with significant populations
Sarawak & East Kalimantan
Dialects Lugat
Religion Christianity & Animist
Related Ethnic Groups Ukit, Sian, Kejaman, Sekapan & Lahanan
Bukitan (also known as Baketan) is a small tribe living in the state of Sarawak, EastMalaysia. They are found
in Bintulu division. Not many of these people are left due to intermarriages with other tribes.
Their origin is from Palin, Kalimantan. They moved in to Sarawak via Lubok Antu and settled there for a few years
(legend has it was for about a few hundred years). Then, in came the marauding Ibans from Kapuas (in Kalimantan),
a powerful headhunting tribe at that time, attacking them and chasing them out of their homeland.
They fled to Saribas which is what is now in the Betong Division. There, they settled and built their community. During
those years, they co-existed with the Ibans, after a peace sealed by the marriage of the daughter of their
leader Entinggi to the son of the Iban chiefTindin. After many years, due to some misunderstandings, war broked out
with the Ibans and they lost. They again fled to various places before settling in Sg. Merit, Bintulu and its vicinity until
today.
Evidence of Bukitan existence can be found in areas such as the Saribas (Paku, Layar and Rimbas) and Lubok
Antu in the form of burial grounds, name of places & ancient orchards.
Kayan (Borneo)From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Kayan are an indigenous tribe from the island of Borneo. The Kayan people are categorized as a part of
the Dayak people of Borneo.
Being an indigenous tribe in central Borneo, Kayans are similar to their neighbors, the Kenyah tribe, with which they
are grouped together under the Bahau ethnic group.
The population of the Kayan ethnic group may be some 27,000.[1] They are part of a larger grouping of people
referred to collectively as the Orang Ulu, or upriver people. Like some other Dayak people they are known for being
fierce warriors, former headhunters, adept in dry-rice cultivation, and having extensive tattoos and stretched
earlobes amongst both sexes. They may have originated from along the Kayan river in the Indonesian part of Borneo.
They live along the upper Kayan and the middle Kapuas and Mahakam rivers. They seem to have expanded to the
south in Sarawak in historic times, generating some conflicts with the Iban that where expanding north at the same
time. They have settled in Sarawak on the middle Baram River, the Bintulu River and along the Rajang River, having
been pressed back a little during the late 19th century.
Their language belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family.
Their basic culture is similar to the other Dayak people of Borneo. Traditionally they live in long houses on river
banks. Their agriculture was based upon shifting cultivation techniques and the cultivation of dryland rice. They also
cultivate sago, and go hunting and fishing. Their society knows aristocrats. They are known for good carvings and
metalwork.
Pulau pinang(penang)
Food
Penang Island is a paradise for food lovers who come from all over Malaysia and evenSingapore to sample the
island's unique cuisine, earning Penang the title of the food capital of Malaysia. Penang was recognised as having
the Best Street Food in Asia by TIME magazine in 2004, citing that nowhere else can such great tasting food be so
cheap. Penang's cuisine reflects the Chinese, Nyonya, Malay and Indian ethnic mix of Malaysia, but is also strongly
influenced by the cuisine of Thailand to the north. For example, Laksa and Hokkien Mee. It's especially famous
"hawker food", sold and eaten roadside, strongly features noodles and fresh seafood. Places to savour Penang's
food are Gurney Drive, Pulau Tikus, New Lane, Swatow Lane, Penang Road and Chulia Street. Local Chinese
restaurants serve excellent fare too.
Food of PenangMalays ia i s a coun t ry o f d i ve rse cu l tu res and in te res ts . There a re numerous g roups o f peop le , t r i bes and c lans se t t l ed i n d i f f e ren t pa r t s o f t he coun t ry . You cou ld know more abou t the va r ied cu l tu res and wha t be t te r way to know than by tas t i ng some g rea t l oca l cu i s ine .
Food o f Penang re f l ec ts the ea t ing hab i t s o f t he mu l t i cu l tu ra l soc ie ty o f Penang . Mos t o f t hese cu is ines a re ava i l ab le a t road s ide s ta l l s and a re popu la r l y known as hawker food . Some o f the mos t fpopu la r fd i shes fa rekno ted jbe low.
Penang Laska i s a d i sh o f t h i ck round r i ce nood les i n a sp i cy and sour tamar ind -based f i sh soup . Satay i s a ve ry popu la r d i sh and i s the famous mea t -on -a -s t i ck . I t i s t yp i ca l l y made f rom mar ina ted mea t - ch i cken , mu t ton o r bee f , skewered on to bamboo s t i cks and g r i l l ed ove r ho t charcoa ls . There a re numerous Ch inese hawkers who ou tnumber Ma lay hawkers i n Penang p repare sa tay w i th po rk . A f resh sa lad o f cucumbers & on ions a re se rved toge the r w i th a sp i cy -swee t peanu t d ipp ing sauce fo r d ipp ing . Ketupat , a Ma lay r i ce cake , i s somet imes se rved toge the r jw i thhsa tay .
I kan Bakar i s a popu la r d i sh tha t means g r i l l ed o r ba rbecued f i sh . I kan Bakar i s a popu la r f i sh l oca l f i sh fo r g r i l l i ng . The f i sh i s usua l l y mar ina ted in sp i ces , coconu t m i l k , somet imes s tu f fed w i th samba l , t hen wrapped in banana leaves and g r i l l ed ove r ho t charcoa ls . Otak Otak i s a d i sh made o f f resh f i sh f i l l e t s tha t a re b lended l i gh t sp i ces , coconu t m i l k , ka f f i r l ime leaves and o the r a romat i c he rbs , i n to a so r t o f f i sh mousse . The f i sh mousse i s wrapped in banana leaves and s teamed jo r j g r i l l ed .
One can a l so come ac ross d i f f e ren t k inds o f sea food tha t a re se rved in severa l res tau ran ts i n Penang . Ch inese and Japanese food i s ex t reme ly popu la r he re . D im Sum i s a ve ry popu la r Can tonese d i sh tha t i s w ide ly ava i l ab le ac ross a l l res tau ran ts i n Penang .
The food o f Penang i s i ndeed exo t i c , de l i c ious and i s su re to sa t i sy eve ry appe t i t e . To know more abou t Penang , Ma lays ia v i s i t T ravour .
Johor
Cuisine
Dishes and cuisine in Johor are influenced by Arabs and the surrounding Malay archipelago. Some of the dishes are
a unique blend of ingredients not found anywhere else in Malaysia. Due to their difficult and sometimes complicated
recipes, some can only be sampled during celebrations and state banquets.
Laksa Johor is a cuisine originated from Johor. It differs from Laksa Penang by having coconut milk added
during cooking. It also differs from other laksas by using spaghetti instead of rice-based noodles.
Mee Bandung Muar is also a dish originated from Johor, specifically from Muar. The term 'bandung' is not
derived from Bandung,Indonesia but is a term for anything that is mixed from many ingredients. One of the most
important ingredient is dried shrimp.
Penganan Kacau keledek is a dessert normally reserved for the Johor monarch and elites. It is made from
sweet potatoes, a lot of eggs (at least 40), fresh coconut milk (not instant ones) and huge amounts of sugar. It is
mixed together and stirred on a simmering heat for at least 4 hours.
Mee rebus is the famous noodle dish which consists of Mee (a spaghetti like mixture of flour, salt and egg) and
is served with a tangy, spicy brown sauce. Usually crumbs and boiled eggs are added.
Arisa - A unique chicken dish that is very rare nowadays, and is normally served to the royalties and social elites
of Johor at formal functions and celebrations.
Sate
Satay - is a popular food in Malaysia. Made from marinated meat or chicken and burnt on charcoal grill. Cooked
satay is dipped in special peanut sauce. A favourite Malay food in Johor, mostly found in Johor Bahru and Muar.
Telur pindang - Eggs boiled together with herbs and spices, popular during wedding feasts in Johor.
Roti Jala or Roti Kirai(Wendy Li) - The name is derived from the Malay word 'roti' (bread) and 'jala' (net). A
special ladle with a five-hole perforation used to make the bread looks like a fish net (picture in the works). It is
usually eaten spicy with curry or sweet with 'serawa'. Serawa is made from a mixture of boiled coconut milk,
brown sugar and pandan leaf.
Nasi Beriani Gam - A biryani rice dish originating from India with a cooking method very similar to Hyderabad
biryani but with spices adjusted to suit the Malay palate. This dish is very popular in Batu Pahat District.
Ikan masak asam pedas - A
sour stew of fish (usually mackerel), tamarind, chili, tomatoes, okra and Vietnamese coriander (Malay:daun
kesum)
Kacang Pol- This dish is influenced by Arab Culture where special baked bread was served with special sauce
and a 'sunny side up' egg.
Pisang Salai or Gimpi smoked banana cooked into perfection
Otak-otak - Steamed/Grilled fish cake usually served wrapped in sticks of coconut leaves. Two of the most
popular varieties are Otak-otak Muar (spicy) and Otak-otak Gelang Patah (sweet).
Mee Soto[9] - This Indonesian origin food is very popular in Johor. People may have change noodles with rice or
vermicelli rice according to their preference. Combination of either noodle, rice or vermicelli rice is added with
peanut, beansprout and chicken meat. These combination then is poured with special soup. This soup was made
from chicken stock and some other spice. Enjoy it while its hot.
Mee Bakso - This is almost identical with soto, only this dish have meatball instead of slices of chicken meat.
Lontong - Dish using combination of pressed rice and special coconut soup with vegetables. Served with boiled
egg and chili.
Burasak - It is a type of Buginese food.
Halwa Maskat This dessert type food may be originated from muscat, Oman.
Kerutup ikan - Fish is steamed with variety of local fragrant leaves.
Pecal - It is a Javanese traditional cuisine which consists of long beans, slice of cucumber, beansprout, tauhu,
tempe mix with special peanut sauce.
Tauhu bakar- it is made from soybean where it is burnt on a grill and cut into cubes and dip with special sauce.
Pendaram
Mee Siput - It is a mixture of flour that will expand in term of size when deep fried.
Rojak Petis - It is a combination of local vegetables mix with special black colored sauce made mostly from
shrimp(Otak Udang).
ABC - ABC is abbreviation of 'Air Batu Campur' or known as Ice Kacang Johor. It is a special desserts created
from shaved ice added with corn, jelly, redbeans, groundnut, syrup, pasteurized milk, and liquid chocolate.
[edit]Javanese-influenced cuisine
There are a few Johorean dishes with Javanese influences. These include lontong, nasi
ambeng and bontrot or berkat - both traditionally served after feasts like wedding ceremonies, Yasinan and others;
and ungkep.[10]
The food of Johor is highly eclectic. The cuisine in Johor is influenced by the Arabs and the people l iving
in the surrounding Malaya archipelago. The food is delicious and is made from exotic herbs and spices.
Some of the dishes are made form ingredients that are not found in any other parts of Malaysia. The
tradit ional food of Johor is truly unique. There are different types of food in Johor.
The Laksa Johor is a tradit ional food of Johor. It is made with coconut milk. Then there is the Mee
Bandung , another tradit ional dish. Penganag Kacau keledek is a dessert made from sweet potato and
eggs. is a noodle dish, which is extremely popular in the Johor. Arisa is a chicken preparation and
normally a food of the royalt ies. Toady, however, this dish is extremely rare. Sate is a favorite dish of
Malaysia, mainly found in Johor Bahru and Muar. Telur Pindang is a popular dish prepared during
weddings. It is made from eggs, rice and exotic spices.
Another popular dish of Johor is Roti Kirai or Roti Jala . It is eaten with sweets, curry or
spices. Serawa is a popular sweet of Johor. It is made with coconut milk, brown sugar and pandan leaf.
Besides these, there are many other tradit ional dishes also that one can try out in Johor l ike Halwa
Maskat, Pecal, Mee Soto, Pendaram, Lontong, Nasi Briyani Gam, Nasi Ambeng, Otak-otak and many
others.
Apart from these, one can also find north and south Indian food as well as Chinese food in Johor. There
are numerous restaurants that offer cuisines of china and India in Johor. The Restoran Kerala offers
south Indian delicacies l ike banana leaf rice . Other Indian dishes available in Johor include Chicken
Biryani and other spicey preparations.
One can also find different kinds of seafood in the restaurants in Johor. Chinese and Japanese food is
extremely popular over here. Cantonese, Dim Sum and Chinese Hot Spot are some of the popular dishes
available over here.
One can also find Italian food over here l ike Spaghetti, Garden Salad, Garlic Prawns, Pizzas and many
other popular dishes.
Besides these there are other popular dishes that one can try out in Johor. These include Buttered
prawns, chilli squids, chilli / black pepper crabs with deliciously plain rice and many other mouth
watering delicacies.
There are numerous restaurants offering the different kinds of food of Johor. Some of the popular
restaurants include Lucky Food court, Menara landmark Food Court, RestaurantZ.Z., Vivo
restaurant, Seget Market and others.
The food of Johor is indeed exotic, delicious and fi l led with variety that wil l surely satisfy every palate.
langkawi
Langkawi boasts of a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society and the multiculturalism is reflected in the
Food of Langkawi. Each community has their favorite recipe thus adding variety to the food of Langkawi.
The most popular cuisines of Langkawi are Malay, Chinese and Indian. Thai food is also very popular in
the region as Langkawi is situated in close proximity to the country of Thailand. Western influences can
be perceived in the food of the region and while traveling in Langkawi you wil l see many American fast
food outlets in shopping malls and complexes.
The popular eating destinations of the region are Kuah Town, Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah, and Pantai
Kok. Kuah Town boasts of all the prerequisites to gratify your taste buds. Here you wil l f ind everything
from restaurants and cafes to fast food outlets and roadside food stalls.
Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah and Pantai Kok are beach destinations and are popular among the
gourmets. These places boast of avant-garde restaurants, bars and pubs where you can have tradit ional
Malay food, Chinese food, Indian and Thai food. Apart from these the restaurants are also famous for
their varieties of sea foods.
Besides the restaurants, Langkawi is also home to some of the international fast food chains along with
innumerable road side food stalls and food bazaars. Infact hawkers sell ing variety of foods, drinks and
fruits are a common sight in Langkawi.
Kuala LumpurI f you a re a gourmet then Kua la Lumpur i s the r i gh t p lace fo r you . Boas t ing o f peop le o f d i f f e ren t commun i t y , coun t ry and re l i g ion , Kua la Lumpur i s a mu l t i -e thn ic and mu l t i - cu l tu ra l soc ie ty . The food o f Kua la Lumpur na tu ra l l y re f l ec ts the mu l t i cu l tu ra l i sm o f the soc ie ty . Here you w i l l f i nd t rad i t i ona l Ma lay food , Ch inese food , Ind ian food , Tha i f ood and many o the rs . There i s no dear th o f res tau ran ts and pubs in the c i t y where you can ava i l f oods tha t w i l l g ra t i f y your tas te buds .
Ma lay food i s the mos t common ly ava i l ab le food in the c i t y . The Ma lay cu is ine has been heav i l y i n f l uenced by Ind ian , Ch inese , Tha i cu i s ine and the cu is ine o f M idd le Eas t . Ma lay food i s bas ica l l y sp i cy i n na tu re w i th a h in t o f swee tness . Herbs l i ke as l emon g rass , pandan leaves and w i ld g inger bus a re common ing red ien ts o f Ma lay d i shes . Ma lay de l i cac ies a l so make use o f bee f and f i sh f requen t l y .
A long w i th the Ma lay food , Ch inese food i s a l so w ide ly ava i l ab le . You w i l l f i nd coun t less Ch inese d i shes in the res tau ran ts o f Kua la Lumpur . Ch inese cu is ine inc ludes numerous va r ia t i ons o f nood les and f requen t l y i nco rpora tes mea ts such as ven ison , f rogs , shark f i ns , and sna i l s and occas iona l l y l i za rds a re a l so used in Ch inese rec ipes . Ch inese food i s m i ld i n na tu re i n compar i son to the Ma lay food .
There a re many Ind ians in the c i t y o f Kua la Lumpur and as a resu l t o f t h i s the re a re many Ind ian res tau ran ts i n the c i t y tha t p rov ides va r ie t i es o f I nd ian de l i cac ies to the Ind ians as we l l as the tou r i s t s o f t he c i t y . Cor iander , t u rmer i c , cumin and cu r ry a re common ing red ien ts o f I nd ian d i shes and ghee , yoghur t and ch i l i a re a l so used f requen t l y . I nd ian food can be bes t desc r ibed as e labora te , f rag ran t and ho t . Bes ides these you can a l so savor a r i ch va r ie t y o f sea foods in the c i t y . Mos t o f t he Ch inese res tau ran ts w i l l o f fe r you some avan t -ga rde sea food d i shes ; i n fac t you can tas te s teamboa t , wh ich i s one o f t he popu la r sea food d i shes ava i l ab le i n the c i t y . You can a l so ava i l a w ide va r ie t y o f Nyonya food in the c i t y .
There i s no shor tage o f res tau ran ts , pubs and ba rs i n the c i t y p rov id ing you a spec t rum o f d i shes f rom a l l co rne rs o f t he wor ld . There a re a l so i n te rna t iona l f as t f ood cha ins and road s ide food s ta l l s i n te rspersed a l l ac ross the c i t y and o f fe r ing you l i p smack ing d i shes tha t w i l l sa t i s f y your tas te buds .
Nasi Lemak
Nasi lemak is a must try! Nasi lemak, which means rice cooked in cream and in this case coconut cream, is traditionally a
breakfast dish. However, today it has also been added to the lunch and dinner menu. You can find it at the road side stall in
a cone shaped packet, or even at restaurants.
Nasi lemak is usually eaten with spicy sambal gravy, fried anchovies (ikan bilis), fried groundnuts, topped with fried or boiled
egg and slices of cucumber. The fragrant aroma of Pandan (screw pine) leaves makes it even more tempting. Add more
side dishes like fried chicken, squid or prawn sambal for a complete meal.
Banana Leaf Rice
Now, this one you have got to try! Banana leaf has always been synonymous with Indian food, and here heaps of rice are
piled on a banana leaf loaded with different curries, dhal, vegetables, rasam (tamarind soup) and fried papadoms and Indian
crispy. Game for Indian dessert? Then try the thick and sweet payasam to complete your lunch. The shop assistant moves
around with stainless steel containers and you just need to flag him for additional helpings. Best of all, it is cheap... and you
can really sample quite a variety of Indian dishes.
Chicken Rice
There are several variations of chicken rice but the most popular kind is that which originates from the Hainan province in
China. A very popular dish, it is made up of fragrant rice cooked in chicken stock and served with either roasted or steamed
chicken drizzled with a little soy sauce based gravy, sliced cucumber, a bowl of soup and a special chilli sauce. A delight for
weight watchers!
Roti Canai & A Hot Cup of Teh Tarik
The Roti Canai and Teh Tarik combo is a meal for any hour of the day, and it's usually available at Mamak stalls and
restaurants, which can be found almost everywhere in the city. Roti canai is the local Indian bread. Watch the skilled roti
canai expert stretch and toss the dough into the desired shape and thickness and then cook it on a flat iron skillet with a
generous amount of oil. Good roti canai is best eaten right off the skillet (when cold it can be chewy and tough). It is crispy
on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside and normally served with dhal curry (chickpea gravy). There are various
versions today, among which the roti canai bawang (onion) and roti canai sardine (sardine) being the most popular ones.
When at a Mamak stall, you are bound to hear, "Teh tarik satu" (One teh tarik) most of the times. It's that popular among the
locals. Teh tarik literally means 'pulled tea'. This is a frothy milk tea which has been skilfully pulled from one mug to another
to increase the aroma and hasten the cooling process. Malaysians tend to have sweet tooth and our 'teh tarik' can be very
sweet. So do ask for the 'kurang manis' (less sugar) version.
Satay
Bite size pieces of meat marinated in a variety of spices. The marinated meat is then skewered through thin bamboo strips
and barbecued over charcoal fire until golden brown. A wide range of meat can be used, like chicken, beef or mutton.
The sweetish and juicy 'satay' is normally served with sliced cucumbers, onions, ketupat (compressed rice cake) and a spicy
sweet peanut sauce for dipping. Satay is recommended as an appetiser during an evening meal.
Char Kuey Teow
Flat rice noodles stir fried over a very hot stove with minced garlic, chilli paste, fresh prawns, bean sprouts, cockles and
eggs. It is then seasoned with dark soy sauce and salt. Char Kway Teow can be eaten anytime of the day. Simply delicious!
Kopitiam
Kopitiam is the Hokkein word for 'coffee shop'. Take a trip to these coffee shops and try out the locally brewed coffee and
the 'kaya' toasted bread.
What makes the coffee special? Local coffee beans are roasted with margarine and grounded to give them more robust
taste. These grounded coffee beans are then brewed and served black, white or white with sugar. Kaya is the rich, delicious
and popular Malaysian 'jam' made of coconut milk, sugar and egg. The kaya mixture is spread over the toasted bread,
together with a thick helping of butter or margarine.
Seafood
There are loads of great seafood restaurants where you can choose really fresh seafood (some are caught straight from the
tank). Seafood is delicious, whatever style of cooking. You can try the chilli crabs (prepare to use your fingers here), butter
prawns, asam fish head curry, steamed fish, grilled seafood. the list goes on.
Hawker Food
Hawker food in Kuala Lumpur is varied, cheap and generally delicious. The casual (non-air-conditioned) hawker stalls and
food streets dining and ambiance are experiences not to be missed. This can be in the form of food courts or streets lined
with stalls which only operate from evening until late at night. Making a choice can be overwhelming. Just take the noodle
dishes for example. There is the Wantan, Kway Teow, Hokkein mee, Cantonese mee, varieties of laksa and more. The
atmosphere is vibrant and noisy. Some of the famous food streets are Jalan Alor, Petaling Streets, Jalan Imbi and Puduraya
bus stations. In the Golden Triangle area the best outdoor hawker centre is the Bukit Bintang (BB) Park, where a mouth-
watering array of stalls sell just about everything from tandoori to western grills. In Bangsar, the indoor Jalan Telawi Tiga
food centre is also a popular alternative.
Local Fruits
There are wide varieties of tasty and nutritious tropical fruits found in Malaysia - both locally grown and imported. They are
sold in supermarkets, stalls and open-air night markets. Some can be found year round, like papaya and watermelon while
others, like durian, rambutan and ciku, are seasonal.
There are many ways to eat the fruit. Some are best eaten fresh, while others, like banana and jackfruits can be made into
tasty fritters. The juicy ones like watermelon, starfruits are both eaten as dessert as well as pressed for juices. Some of the
fruits are also made into jam, preserves and pickle. Do make it a point to sample some of these fruits while you are in Kuala
Lumpur.
Malacca
Malacca is well-known for its food. Most notable of all is the traditional Malay dishes like ikan asam pedas, sambal
belacan and cencaluk.
Belacan, a Malay variety of shrimp paste, is prepared from fresh tiny shrimp of a species known as keragu in Malay.
These are mashed into a paste and dried in little mashed lumps, pounded and formed into large balls, dried again for
a week or so, wrapped in plastic and stored for future use. It is in this form that most of these blachan balls are sold.
Belacan is used as an ingredient in many dishes, or eaten on its own with rice. A common preparation is sambal
belacan, made by mixing belacan with chili peppers, minced garlic, shallot paste and sugar and then fried. The aroma
from the frying mixture can be unpalatable to Westerners who have not become accustomed to it, but is an absolute
delight to the Asian connoisseur.
Malacca is also famous for satay celup. Raw fish and meat are skewered onto sticks which is then cooked in a
peanut sauce. The satay celup is often self-service where you pay for individual sticks.
There is also Nyonya-Baba cuisine which is a mixture of Chinese (mostly southern Hokkien or Fujian influence),
Portuguese, Dutch, Indian, British and Malay cooking with most dishes being spicy in nature. Interesting dishes of the
Peranakan include Itik Tim (a soup containing duck and salted vegetables), Ayam Pong Teh (chicken casserole with
salted brown-bean sauce which is usually served with potatoes) as well as the famous Nyonya Laksa. Chicken Rice
Ball is another dish popular with domestic Chinese tourists.
Malacca's ethnic Portuguese population are the descendants of Portuguese colonists from the 16th and 17th
centuries. Even to this day, many of the ancient traditions passed down since the Portuguese occupation are still
practised, i.e. "Intrudu" from Portuguese word "Entrudo" (a water festival that marks the beginning of Lent,
the Catholic fasting period), "branyu" (traditional dance), "Santa Cruz" (a yearly Festival of street celebrations).
The Portuguese colonists contributed dishes like Devil's Curry and Portuguese egg tarts to the town's already rich
cuisine. Ikan Bakar (roasted fish) restaurants in Umbai, Serkam and Alai are also popular.
There is also a sizeable amount of Sikhs residing in Malacca. Devotees of Sikhism from all over Malaysia and the
world congregate each year at the well-maintained gurdwara (Sikh temple) situated in Jalan Temenggong during the
last weekend of May. The occasion marks the commemoration of the death of its former priest, Sant Baba Sohan
Singh Ji, who was elevated to a saint upon passing away. Visitors are welcome but are advised to follow rules and
common practices within the premises. Typical vegetarian punjabi cuisine will be served to everyone visiting the
gurdwara.
Terengganu
The most famous local food is Keropok Lekor, which is made primarily from a combination of dough (sago flour) and
pounded fish mainly from mackerel and sardines, fried and served with hot chilli sauce for afternoon tea. Keropok
Keping (fish crackers) are made from sun-dried slices of Keropok Lekor. Numerous keropok stalls are to be found on
the side of the highway that passes through coastal communities.
Budu, a very pungent and salty anchovy sauce is also popular among the locals. It is often mixed with sliced onions
and chillies as condiments.
Laksam (or laksang in local Malay dialect), a modified version of Laksa is made from rice flour (thick and soft slices).
It is served in a bowl of light fresh coconut milk mixed with boiled fish flesh (mainly mackerel), finely chopped
cucumbers, chillies, onions and long beans. It is eaten cold at breakfast.
Another Terengganu specialty is sata, a type of otak-otak or fish cake wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over a
grill.
Nasi dagang is also popular.
kelantan
Cuisine
The Kelantanese cuisine, heavily influenced by Thai cuisine, is quite popular among Malaysians. In fact, many
visitors come to Kelantan just to taste the special delicacies that cannot be found elsewhere. The use of sugar is a
must in every Kelantanese kitchen, and thus most Kelantanese dishes are sweet.
Kelantanese food makes more use of coconut milk than anywhere else in the country. Curries are richer, creamier,
and more influenced by the tastes of nearby Thailand.
[edit]Local specialties
Apart from delicacies imported from Thailand, there are delicacies which are invented by the Kelantanese themselves
such as:
Nasi Dagang
This is a mix of white rice and brown glutinous rice (special glutinous rice) which is cooked with coconut milk (santan),
blended onions and garlic and some spices (such as fenugreek) (Malay: halba). Fish or chicken curry comes as an
add-on to complete the dishes together with mildly brown sugared sambal (chili paste), so it's recommended to take
only a small portion as it is extremely filling. The Nasi Dagang is one of the tastiest dishes in Kelantan and goes well
with fish curry, pickle, hard-boiled eggs. See here for the main article about Nasi Dagang
Nasi Kerabu
Nasi Kerabu literally means "rice salad". Kelantan has a variety of Nasi Kerabu. Nasi kerabu biasa (normal) or nasi
kerabu putih (white) which comes with its own sambal tumis (a special coconut milk based gravy with local herbs and
spices, with a hint of chillies) or Nasi kerabu Hitam (black) though the actual color is blue (after the rice is soaked and
cooked with a local flower although some people use artificial equivalents) and nasi kerabu kuning (yellow) which use
tumeric in the preparation of the rice. Nasi Kerabu Hitam and Kuning does not require a sambal tumis, instead, it has
a watery chilly sauce which makes it slightly hotter. The “kerabu” (salad) could be any vegetables or edible leaves
though the more or less standard version will have daun kesum, taugeh (bean sprout), thinly cut; long green beans,
bunga kantan, cucumber (connoisseurs will insist “seeded”), and daun kadok. Apart from that it is also served with
fried breaded fish, keropok keping, salted egg, "solok lada" (chillies stuffed with minced fish and grated coconut), and
pickled garlic. note: traditionally the sauce used is budu (fish sauce) with lime juice, shredded shallots and bird-eye
chillies and not the chilli sauce those numbnuts sellers are using now.
Nasi Tumpang
Rice packed in a cone-shaped banana leaf. A pack of Nasi Tumpang consists of an omelette, meat floss, chicken
and/or shrimp curry and sweet gravy. It is traditionally meant for travellers.
Ayam Golek / Ayam Percik
Wood-fire broiled chicken dressed with sweet coconut gravy. Ayam Golek/Ayam Percik is eaten with white rice in
major family dishes and serve during a feast.
Nasi Berlauk
Most Kelantanese have Nasi Berlauk as their breakfast. Nasi Berlauk is rice served with fish or chicken and
vegetables cooked with tumeric and galangal infused yellow gravy.
Nasi Ulam
Ulam is the local term for raw vegetables - the meal consists of white rice served with a variety of raw vegetables,
and is considered one of the healthiest dishes found in Malay cuisine.
Keropok
These are Kelantanese crackers and can be made from fish, prawns or squid. The way they are made is basically the
same as Keropok Gote, but after they're steamed or boiled, they will be thinly sliced and dried for storage or to be
fried or grilled.
Keropok Gote
These are Kelantanese fish sausages. Made by combining fish flesh and sago or tapioca flour, keropok gote is rolled
into long firm sticks and then steamed or boiled. To enjoy it, one has to cut it into desired bite sized and deep fried.
Keropok Gote is probably the one snack which all Kelantanese children grow up with. It is a must at all school
canteens.
Laksa Kelantan
The Laksa dish, white noodles served with gravy (curry or otherwise) and vegetables, is made differently in every
state in Malaysia. The laksa Kelantan employs the creamy white gravy which is richer and has full-bodied flavour.
The main ingredient is fish flesh, although connoisseurs would certainly prefer the ones made of eels. Laksam is
another version with thicker noodle (similar to kuey teow). Laksa or laksam is served with ulam similar in nasi kerabu,
with a pinch of salt and belachan for added taste
Pisang Coklat
In English, 'Chocolate Banana' which is supposedly the favourite flavour of ice cream in the Kelantan district.
Coconut Shake
This yummy drink usually can be found and sold at some morning markets (so called Pasar Pagi in the weekend) and
night markets. It is made from young coconut juice, blend with its flesh and some ice, plus little amount of cream soda
drink and milk. It will form like ice blended, and usually served with vanilla ice-cream on top of the drink. It is hard to
find this drink sold outside Kelantan.
[edit]Thai-influenced dishes
Perhaps the most characteristic Kelantanese-Thai dish is 'kaeng matsaman'—a mouth-watering beef curry cooked
with peanuts, potatoes and chopped red onions in a thick coconut milk sauce. Other Kelantanese-Thai specialties
include: 'kaeng phanaeng kai'—savoury chicken and coconut curry. 'Kaeng som nom mai dong'—hot and sour fish
ragout with pickled bamboo. 'Pla see siad haeng thawt'—deep fried semi-dried pla see fish. 'Khao yam pak tai'—an
intriguing breakfast salad. The presentation is exquisite. A small pile of fragrant boiled rice, accompanied by finely
chopped heaps of lemon grass, peanuts, bean sprouts, green beans, sour mango and chopped makrut orkaffir lime is
served with spicy chilli pepper, fresh lime and a piquant sweet-sour sauce. It's unusual, elegant, and very typical of
Kelantan. Kelantanese dishes, like central Thai, are usually accompanied by generous helpings of 'khao suay', or
"beautiful rice"—the best of which, 'khao hawm Mali', or jasmine-fragrance rice, is steamed until each grain is tender
but separate. When something tastes this good, the Thais utter in full emotion:-"Pisek!"
Somtam
Somtam is a green papaya salad with a salty, spicy, and sour taste. The main items in it are young, unripe
papaya, soy sauce, groundnuts, fish sauce, lime juice, and chilies. These items are combined in a mortar,
pounded with a pestle for few seconds and served. The salty and lime juicy taste is very popular. This light
dish is widely available in regions with large numbers of ethnic Thais, such as Tumpat and Siamese wats.
Colek
Contrary to popular belief, Colek is not just a dipping sauce, but can also refer to a snack eaten with the
sauce. Colek comes in various forms, including meaty cholek, colek ayam (chicken), colek perut (cow tripe),
colek pelepong (cow liver), and also a variety of colek buah (fruits)m such as colek pauh (mango).
The sauce or "the colek" comes in various forms. • Colek manis (with brown sugar). • A sweet, sour and
very mildly hot version. This colek is different from other chili sauces because colek is very thin and
rather sweet. This dipping sauce is used for any kind of chicken, but also goes well with shrimp, fish
cake, spring roll, sausage, etc.
Budu
Budu is a salted (fermented) anchovy sauce eaten with rice, grilled fish and vegetables/salads (ulam). A bit
of lime juice, hot chilis and shallots are added on for taste. Also, tempoyak (fermented durian) or fresh
durian is added for good measure.
Once so combined, the purple-brownish condiment has a blend of salty and sour taste. Nowadays,
other types of fish are also used to create Budu. Famous budu maker villages are Kg. Tawang,
Bachok and Kg. Penambang near Kota Bharu. Similar sauces are found in the Philippines and
Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia).
Tempoyak
Tempoyak is a fermented durian dip, used with normal white rice. Most unforgettable is eating the
'tempoyak+budu+ulam'.
Those with high blood pressure should beware of the high salt content of this condiment,
however.
Phat phet
Another famous Thai dish is 'phat phet belut'. The main ingredient of this cooking is eel. Many Thai
restaurants around Tumpat and Wakaf Bharu make this dish their main attraction. Some customers prefer it
spicy, and some prefer it less spicy. This dish is not easy to cook; it needs some experience in handling the
heat, natural ingredients, salt, and the eel itself. This dish is also influenced by Chinese cuisine, for whom
there is a belief that eating this exotic food is more healthy.
Selangor
Satay is a Malaysian classic dish that is also very popular in Selangor. Satay is better known as Meat on
a Stick and is are cooked with chicken, mutton or beef on hot charcoal and served with fresh cucumber,
onion and a spicy peanut dipping sauce. The spicy peanut dipping sauce is what makes satay special.
Malay food is often described as spicy and flavourful and uti l ises a melting pot of spices and herbs.
A variety of Indian dishes are also on offer in Selangor. There are a number of North Indian restaurants
which are very popular and offer a complete dining experience. Western food can also be found all over
Selangor but it is always a good idea to pick and choose a restaurant serving Western Cuisine. This is
because the quality may not be the same that you are looking for.
A feature of Selangor is Hawker food. There are numerous hawker stalls prominently posit ioned along
the busy streets of Selangor. The hawkers offer a wide choice of food ranging from Satays to Nasi Lemak
and other popular Malay cuisine. Dim Sums are also available at these hawker stalls.
Selangor is also widely known for its Chinese cuisine. Dim Sums are available in all major Chinese
restaurants and is very popular.
Sabah
Malay food is very popular in Sabah especially around breakfast t ime. A very popular dish among locals
as well as visitors is roti with its various sauces. The tradit ional Malay dish of Satay is also popular
here. Satay is better known as Meat on a Stick and is are cooked with chicken, mutton or beef on hot
charcoal and served with fresh cucumber, onion and a spicy peanut dipping sauce. The spicy peanut
dipping sauce is what makes satay special. Malay food is often described as spicy and flavorful and
uti l izes a melting pot of spices and herbs.
Street food or hawker food is also very popular in Sabah just l ike any other state in Malaysia. These
hawkers serve everything varying from a number of local dishes as well as Italian cuisine. Most hawkers
however concentrate on rice and noodle dishes which are enjoyed by one and all.
Chinese food is also very popular here because of a large presence of Chinese people in most parts of
Sabah. The popular Cantonese dish known as Dim Sum are very popular and also in its varied forms.
A variety of Indian dishes are also on offer in Sabah. There are a number of North Indian restaurants
which are very popular and offer a complete dining experience. Western food can also be found all over
Sabah but it is always a good idea to pick and choose a restaurant serving Western Cuisine. This is
because the quality may not be the same that you are looking for.
Pahang
Malay food is very popular in the region. Malay food is spicy with a hint of sweetness. Herbs l ike as
lemon grass, pandan leaves and wild ginger bus are common ingredients of Malay dishes. Satay is a
popular Malay dish in the state The dish comprises of pieces of marinated meat which is cooked on an
open flame with the help of palm leaf sticks. The dish is consumed with a highly spiced peanut sauce,
cucumber, onions and ketupat or rice boiled in palm leaf cases.
The dish is extremely popular and it can be easily designated as the kebab of Malaysia. Rice also
popular with the Malays and there are many Malay dishes that incorporate rice. Nasi Lemak is one such
dish that is prepared by cooking rice with coconut milk and eaten with a piquant anchovy sauce, hard-
boiled egg, peanuts and cucumber slices.
Chinese dishes are also very popular in the state and there are many restaurants in Pahang that offer l ip
smacking Chinese delicacies. Chinese cuisine includes numerous variations of rice and noodles and
frequently incorporates meats such as venison, frogs, shark f ins, and snails and occasionally l izards are
also used in Chinese recipes. Dim sum is a popular Chinese dish available in the region.
Since a large number of Indians reside in the state therefore Indian food is easily available in Pahang.
Coriander, turmeric, cumin and curry are common ingredients of Indian dishes and ghee, yoghurt and
chil i are also used frequently. Indian food can be best described as elaborate, fragrant and hot. Both
North Indian and South Indian food are available in the region. Nasi Biriyani is a popular North Indian
dish in the state.
Seafood is a specialty in the state and one popular dish that you can avail in the region is Ikan baker or
gri l led fish. Pahang is also home to a large number of luscious fruits. Varieties of fruits are available in
the state l ike Rambutan, ciku, mango, watermelon, guava, mangosteen, papaya, pineapple and starfruit.
Besides these, there are a number of roadside stalls in the state from where you can avail delicious and
sumptuous food items.
Sarawak
If you tour Sarawak, then do not forget to taste the Sarawak Laksa; the dish has become a part of the
local culture in the state. It is a vermicell i dish prepared in Chinese style and served hot along with
chicken and egg shreds, prawns and beansprouts in a bowl of spicy coconut soup cooked with tamarind.
This process of preparing Laksa is absolutely different from the Laksa that you wil l f ind in other states in
the country. The popularity of the dish is because of the fact that it is cheap and is consumed by the
locals as breakfast or as a l ight meal throughout the day. This special Saarawakian delicacy is widely
available in the state; you wil l f ind it everywhere from roadside stalls to restaurants. Besides Laksa there
are other local dishes that are equally popular l ike Kolo Mee, fr ied Kway Teow, fried noodles (Mee
Goreng), Kueh Chap, and Mee Sua.
Sarawak is home to some of the delicious seafoods in South East Asia. Since many towns of the state
are situated in close proximity to the sea, therefore these places receive large supplies of f ish daily,
either from the South China Sea or f ish is imported from Thailand, Indonesia and Sabah, during the rainy
season at the end of the year. Some of the popular f ishes that are widely available in the state are
pomphret, red snapper, garoupa, Spanish mackerel, kurau, haruan, terubok and the ray fish. These
fishes are served in the restaurants and hawker stalls in numerous ways l ike steamed, fr ied, baked,
curried, gri l led or with sambal. Sambal is an indigenous spicy mixture made of onions, dried chil l ies,
candlenuts and belacan (prawn paste). Crabs, prawns, lobsters, clams, squids, oysters and bamboo
clams are also popular in the Sarawak.
Jungle ferns are also part of the popular local cuisine. Two popular jungle fern that are popular for their
texture and taste are midin and paku. The ferns are generally served with either garl ic or belacan.
Kedah
Known as the 'Rice Bowl of Malaysia', Kedah is particularly famous for its numerous rice dishes and rice
preparations. 'Nasi Ulam ' is an extremely popular dish, which is made by mixing rice with fresh
vegetables and rare spices. 'Pulut ' is another very popular rice dish, especially with people l iving in the
northern side. It is eaten with mango, durian and bananas. This particular dish also has numerous
variations which include Pulut Sambal ' , 'Pulut Inti ' and 'Tapai Pulut ' . Laksa is another very popular dish
of Kedah. The dish consists of rice noodles, which is eaten with f ish curry, cucumber and onion.
One can try out the numerous tradit ional local dishes sold in the food stall of Kedah. These dishes are
extremely tasty and made with exotic herbs, spices, vegetables and other ingredients. These dishes
include Gulai Nangka ' , 'Sayur Keladi ' and 'Pekasam ' .
Desserts and sweet dishes are also extremely popular in Kedah. In fact, the festivals are a great t ime to
try out the popular sweet preparations and dishes of this multi cultural state of Malaysia. The popular
sweet dishes include 'Baulu ' and 'Dodol ' . These are sweet cakes, which are made from flour, coconut
and sugar.
The island of Langkawi is famous for its local dish called ' Laksa Kuala Kedah ' . This dish is made of rice
vermicell i and fish gravy. The various seafood delicacies available in Langkawi and other coastal towns
of Kedah are simply irresistible and worth trying. Tan Kee RoastDuck is another popular preparation
having its origins from Lunas in Kedah.
Seafood is extremely popular in Kedah. One can try out the chilly crabs, grilled squids,
prawns or fish sold in the numerous food stalls found near the beaches. The food stalls in Pantai Murni
Esplanade are particularly famous for these dishes. Tanjung Dawai, a f ishing vil lage, is particularly
known for its seafood, which includes salted fish and fish crackers .
Apart from the tradit ional food of Kedah, one can also find Thai, Chinese, Indian and Japanese food in
the numerous hotels in Kedah. One can try out the Tom Yam Soup , a popular Thai dish or go for the
sushi and Dim sum . Indian food is extremely popular over here. The Dosas, Chapattis and spicy
curries served in the Indian restaurants are simply delicious and irresistible. Japanese food is extremely
costly in Kedah and one can also find German and Italians dishes in Kedah.
Food in Kedah is a extremely tasty and wil l surely satisfy your palate. It is the best way to get a taste of
the food of Malaysia and experience its rich culture.