Malaysia / Population / The Ibans

The Ibans are mobile people, fishing in the rivers, hunting in the forests and cultivating hill rice in the jungle. They live in longhouses comprising several family bilik or apartments.

In the past, the Ibans were feared as warriors who practiced headhunting as a means of survival against enemies. Headhunting has long ceased but their colourful festivals still centre on dances that tell of heroism, spiritualism and are a form of thanksgiving for a good harvest.