SARAWAK COMMUNITY IN MALAYSIA INTRODUCTION Sarawak, on the northern coast of the huge island of Borneo, had become synonymous with piracy, slavery and wild head hunters (known as Dyaks) with its critical location alongside the busy South China Sea routes. It was generally thought of an as an area to avoid. The Dutch had long since seized control of much of the valuable spice trade throughout South East Asia as a whole , but even they gave Northern Borneo a wide berth due to the hostile tribes and easier pickings elsewhere. It should be said though that it was Dutch mercantalist and monopolist policies that contributed to the presence of much of the pirate activity in the first place.

religion of sarawak

It is ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse; major ethnic groups including Iban, Malay, Chinese, Melanau, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu. English and Malay are the two official languages of the state; there is no official religion.

LANGUAGE OF SARAWAK Bahasa Sarawak, or 'Sarawak Langauge' is a common language used by most Sarawakians. This variant is related to Bruneian Malay, spoken in the districts of Limbang & Lawas Sarawak & Pontianak Malay, which is spoken in the neighbouring West Kalimantan province in Indonesia. It is more similar to Ibanic languages compared to Malay variants in Sumatra and the Malayan Peninsula, which makes it mutually unintelligible for Malay speakers outside of Sarawak and Borneo.

TRADITIONAL FOOD OF SARAWAK Midin is a wild fern found only in Sarawak. It is one of the most commonly consumed vegetables there and it is paired with almost all traditional delicacies such as Manuk pansuh, Ka Chang Ma, etc. Many call it the official vegetable of Sarawak!

MIDIN

Umai is a traditional dish of the Melanau tribe. The term ‘Melanau’ is a name that is only recently being used. Prior to this, the Melanaus called themselves A-Likou which means people of the river. This is because the Melanau tribe would settle along the main tributaries of the Rajang River in Central Sarawak.

UMAI

traditional attire The Iban traditional costume for women is purposely for the queen of festivals called 'Pesta Menuai Sarawak'. The men wear Baju Burung or bird clothes. The Ulu velvet costume is made of beads with dragon motifs and this ethnic is famous for their culture of wearing heavy copper earrings to stretch the earlobes. The men usually wear clothes made from goat leather. The Bidayuh costume is made from satin for both women and men and have some decoration from wood. The Melanau costume is also made from satin and is mixed with the songket for both genders.

TRADITIONAL DANCE The Ibans perform a unique dance called the ngajat. This type of dance is the most popular in Sarawak and Borneo island itself. There are many types of dances include : Ngajat Induk Ngajat Bebunoh Ngajat Lesong Ngajat Semain Ngajat Berayah Ngajat Ngemai Antu Pala

traditional music

Sape Touted as the Sarawak’s most celebrated instrument, the sape is crafted from a bole of wood. The lute – which measures between 76.2cm and 121cm –is a traditionally performed by the Kenyah and Kayan tribes. This chordophone instrument has a few strings (some have three, four, six or even eight) where one string is always for melody, and the rest are for bass. Dumbak This carved drum is used among the Iban community during ceremonies like Hari Gawai, and other festivals. This membranophone drum is made of wood that is perforated lengthwise. The drum’s surface is fitted with goat hide (or deer and other livestock). The instrument is played using the palms of the hand and is often played in pairs. Jatung Utang This wooden xylophone comprises 10 or 11 kerutong (bars), tied on a rope and attached to a wooden block. Each kerutong is struck with a wooden mallet to produce a pleasant hollow sound. It is one of the most popular musical instruments from the Orang Ulu community. Selingut Also known as keringot, this five-hole nose flute is one of the instruments of the Kayan community. The selingut is made from bamboo, and it is played by streaming air through it by the nose.

Engkerumong Made from bronze, the engkerumong comprises a set of small gongs arranged on a horizontal rack. This instrument is often played during Hari Gawai or other festivals by Iban womenfolk.

engkerumung

selingut

festival celebration Gawai Dayak is an annual festival celebrated by the Dayak people in Sarawak, Malaysia and West Kalimantan, Indonesia on 1 and 2 June. It is a public holiday in Sarawak and is both a religious and a social occasion recognised since 1957

traditional game Nyabung Manuk, Cock fighting is a traditional game that the Iban universally play in Sarawak, it's a game said to be first played by the deities.

Sumpit has become one of the traditional games for competitions in Sarawak and is enjoyed by people from all walks of life.