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In Sarawak, the Iban people represent the majority of the ethnic group. 

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The British, who came into contact with the Iban people groups in the 1840s, mistakenly named them Sea Dayak, since they were formerly pirates and fisherman. They were also known as the most fearless headhunters on the island of Borneo. The Iban of today are no longer headhunters but are generous, hospitable, and peaceful people.

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Iban people are the largest people group in Sarawak and one of the main indigenous people groups in Brunei. The people groups under the Iban cluster, in addition to the Iban of Sarawak and Brunei, include the Balau, Remun and Sebuyau. All these Iban people speak different languages which are classified as a subgroup in the Malayic-Dayak family of languages.

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The Kadazan-dusun people groups are the largest indigenous grouping in Sabah.

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Kadazan-Dusun are an amalgamation of the two closely related indigenous peoples in Sabah, Malaysia that is Kadazan and Dusun people. This is the largest ethnic category in Sabah and is predominantly wet rice and hill rice cultivators. Their language belongs to the Dusunic family and shares a common animistic belief system with various customs and practices. Their ancient beliefs on the verity that everything has life - the rocks, trees, and rivers are all living things. They have souls and spirits that must be appeased from time to time through specific rituals.

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The Melanau people are regarded as among of Sarawak's original settlers. It was only lately that the Melanau began referring to themselves by the name Melanau. They identify as a-likou, which translates as "people of the river." According to legend, the people who lived in the central Sarawakian riverbanks and coastal swamp flats were given the name Melanau by one of the Sultans of Brunei.

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The Orang Ulu “peoples of the interior” is a name used by most of the native Dayak ethnic groups of Sarawak to describe themselves. Numerically they are the largest grouping in Sarawak, in 1980 accounting for 540,000 or 44% of the population. Other ethnic groups are Malays (22%), Melanau (6%) and Chinese (29%). The Dayaks are a diverse group, with many different tribes and sub-tribes, and are part of the much larger Dayak community of the island of Borneo, three-quarters of which is the Indonesian provinces of Kalimantan.

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The Murut are a group of people who live in various parts of Borneo Island, such as Brunei, Kalimantan (Indonesia), and the states of Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia. Although Sabah is home to the majority of them, some also live in Brunei's rural Temburong District. They were among the final Borneo tribal tribes to give up headhunting. Tagal, Tidung, Timugon, Sembakung, Paluan, Bookan, Kalabakan, and Serundung Murut are the major Murut people groupings. There are about 1,200 people living in Brunei, compared to over 135,000 in Sabah Murut.

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The Melanau live in a low-lying swampy plain covered by dense tropical forest in the coastal region of Sarawak. They are mostly located in and near the towns of Mukah, Matu, Daro, Dalat, Bintulu, Kanowit, and Sibu.

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The modern Melanau are Sarawak's most tolerant and religiously diversified community. Living in harmony together in one location or community as Christians, Muslims, and Animists is commonplace. They even enjoy each other's feasts and celebrations, respecting each other's beliefs. The people's traditional beliefs and customs are still very much alive. A shaman is a person who is considered to be "a master of spirits." They might be men or women. If the Melanau are unwell or troubled by spirits, they still go to a shaman for assistance. The Kaul festival is one Melanau event that involves a ceremony to placate the spirits of the land, sea, forest, and agriculture.

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The majority of Sarawak's ethnic groups, including the Iban, have historically practiced animism. Many people still firmly adhere to their customs and beliefs, many of which have a strong connection to the planting and harvesting of rice. A highly ritualized endeavor, rice farming is actually a way of life rather than just a business venture. Their religious rituals are almost entirely focused on making sure the crop is successful. The Iban believe that rice has a soul. Many Iban come together to watch the rice spirit appeasing rite at the yearly Gawai Dayak, the rice harvest festival.

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Although the Kadazandusun were originally animists, they have been impacted by both Islam and Christianity. Many of the people the government considers to be Christians are descended from a church tradition that holds that a kid born into a Christian home is automatically regarded as Christian. Those who practice traditional religions still believe in a spirit world that plays a significant role in both the big life events and the rice-cultivation cycle. Despite their belief in a single, all-powerful being, they also connect spirits to a variety of natural objects, including plants, animals, and birds. The "rice spirit," in particular, figures prominently in their beliefs and practices. Some of the Kadazandusun people groups are noted for their use of bobohizan 'priestesses' for controlling the spirits.

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The vast majority of Orang Ulu are Christians, of various denominations, but old animistic beliefs still persist in some areas, along with Bungan, a modern adaptation of traditional religions.

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Many of the Murut peoples in both Sabah and Brunei characterize their entire people group as being Christian. However, this is often done to distinguish their culture from their earlier culture and from the predominant Muslim culture than to characterize individual beliefs. Many of those that call themselves Christian are nominal believers. Among church members, there is a mix of Roman Catholic and Protestant affiliations. Brunei statistics reveal that the Murut community is 58% Muslim, 30% "tribal religionists" (animists) and the rest Christian. Malaysian census data count the Murut in Sabah as about 82% Christian, 13% Muslim, and 5% other religions. These numbers can be misleading since they count all those in a household as having the same belief as the head of the household.

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CPH Travel Agent | Tour and Travel Kuching

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Once infamously known as the Land of the Headhunters, a trip to Borneo will be incomplete without a visit to the homes of these once fearsome tribal warriors who remain as heroes in protecting their land which they highly safeguard for ancestral rights. These last few authentic longhouses are what remains in the interiors of Borneo which families of the old and young get through their lives as farmers and forest foraging. A visit enables you to experience the simple life of longhouse dwellers where visitors are nowadays warmly welcome into their daily life. At the longhouse guests are entertained by a simple cultural dance followed by servings of traditionally brewed rice wine. Although highly skilled in the art of war and defense, these dwellers are as well excellent craftsmen in weaving, woodcarving and longboat building which is one of the modes of transportation to commute along the mighty rivers and lakes. Therefore, a trip to the longhouse will enquire you to travel the same to reach the interiors.

Other activities at the longhouse are blowpipe shooting and a walk exploring the surroundings of the longhouse and nearby farms.
Tour Inclusions

Boat Fee

Accommodations as Stated

Meals as Mentioned

English Speaking Guide

Stopover as Serian Farmers Market and a Pepper Farm

Return Transfers / Entrance Fees

* Pickup Time 0830Hrs (with a journey of approximately 225 kms ahead)
Accommodation Options
Longhouse homestays - A truly unique experience where guests are given the opportunity to rough it out for the night at the ruai (common area) where mattresses, pillows, clean sheets and mosquito nets are provided.* Options:

Mengkak Longhouse

Ukum Longhouse

Aiman Batang Ai Resort - An option for those who would like to experience the adventure however not neglecting comfort. Enjoy the lodges hospitality and facility which includes an optional canopy walk and a swimming pool in the middle of the rainforest.
Package Options for Longhouse Visits

2D 1N Iban Longhouse (1 night in longhouse)

3D 2N Iban Longhouse(2 nights in longhouse)

2D 1N Iban Longhouse & Batang Ai Combination (1 night in resort with a daytrip visit to longhouse)

3D 2N Iban Longhouse & Batang Ai Combination (1 night in longhouse and 1 night in resort)

3D 2N Aiman Batang Ai Resort Deluxe (2 nights in resort with a daytrip visit to longhouse)

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Iban Longhouse Tours - CPH Travel Agent | Tour and Travel Kuching

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Best Longhouse tour package at Batang Air, Kuching. Package and accomudation options available for Longhouse homestay and Aiman Batang Air Resort.

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The long-houses that represent the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak in Mini-Malaysia in Melaka, stand out from the houses of Peninsula Malaysia. The long-houses represent an earlier version of life in a ‘kampong’ or village. The long-houses are multi-family houses that could make up a whole village unit. Since the Kadazan-Dusun peoples, who inhabited what is now Sabah, did not live throughout the Iron Age, clearing the dense jungle and starting a fire in the wet forest would have been extremely difficult. It is therefore not surprising that they cohabitated in large family units and shared workspaces. The "parang," or machete, was necessary for "slash-and-burn" shifting agriculture because the jungle and the river supplied enough food for them. Even later on, came sedentary agriculture.

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Bamboo for the walls and floors and rough hewn timber for the post and beam structure

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The Melanau traditional house is a type of a longhouse famously known by its’ height. Therefore, it is named as the tall longhouse and consists of three levels; first level, main level, and upper level. Every area of the house is loaded with tradition artifact belonged to the Melanau tribe. The structures of this house built using conventional materials which are readily available from the jungle and all of these materials are known to be hardy and water resistance. Melanau Tall Longhouse has its own historical background, contradict to other traditional longhouses in Sarawak. The building structure and height can be named as part of the uniqueness of this building. Unlike other traditional longhouses in Sarawak, Melanau Tall Longhouse is built 40 feet high from the ground and consists of 20 to 30 living spaces for each family staying at that tall longhouse.

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Belian tree trunks used as the main structural components of this house especially for the columns and the stairs. The wall structure and flooring are made out of nibong tree trunks. The main economical source for the Melanau community, sago leaves, is use to build the roof, while the trunks will be sliced into planks and can be used as a part of the wall materials

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Melanau traditional house flooring is made out of double layer nibong trunks and are arranged in a criss-cross pattern with tiny gaps in between, making sharp weapons such as lances and blades to hardly pass through. Those tiny gaps work as a part of the house protection from their enemies of other warring tribes, especially from the Headhunters, the Iban ethnics. The Melanau community will pour boiling water onto the floor when attacked by other tribes from below.

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Traditionally, an Orang Ulu longhouse was built to last. Many of these people practise settled agriculture, and have developed rice field irrigation to a fine art. This makes the search for new farmlands unnecessary. The solid ironwood houses are designed to last for many generations.

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Sit on the verandah of the Orang Ulu Longhouse nest with the friendly craft-ladies as they do their intricate beadwork whilst in the background, floats the melodiously haunting tune of the sape, their stringed musical instrument, these are the Orang Ulu, gentle and graceful people – as reflected in their songs, music and dances. Other sights of interest are the art of body tattooing, Parang Ilang, their fighting sword, Klirieng, their burial pole (totem pole).

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Orang Ulu, “up-river dwellers”, is a useful if vague term to describe the central Borneo people living in Sarawak. Accounting for 5.5% of the total population, the Orang Ulu comprises the Penan, the Kayan and Kenyah, living in the middle and upper reaches of Sarawak’s longest rivers, the Kelabit and Lun Bawang groups in the highlands proper.

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In the past, the orang Ulu were famous throughout the region as sword-smiths. They extracted iron from the ore found in their area, they forged it into excellent blades which they tempered in the cold mountain streams.

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The Murut used to live in communal longhouses, usually near rivers. Today, they have abandoned this style of living for individual family houses. These modern-style Murut villages are still located in the areas of their former longhouse communities. They are a very hospitable people. Traditionally, they used the rivers as their highways. They planted hill rice and tapioca, and hunted and fished for a living. The men were skilled hunters, using blowpipes, spears and hunting dogs. Today, cultivating hill rice is their main occupation. Saw milling, timber processing and military careers are other means of livelihood.

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One unique lifestyle of the tribe is the wooden trampoline or Lansaran, built within the longhouse. Come the big days, such as the Harvest Festival, groups of men and women will hop on to the wooden platform and dance the night away by bobbing up and down on the platform.

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In this video, we can learn that Lansaran is a trampoline that are used to play a game.

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Lansaran is a traditional trampoline powered by the spring power of a stack of bouncy wood. Lansaran is commonly found in the longhouse of Murut people. About 10 feet on top of lansaran is a hanging object called "Kinkilat". To play game, they would hang a prize such as cash and jewelry on Kinkilat. Whoever can reach the item will win the prize. In old days, a lock of girl's hair would be placed on the Kinkilat, as a prize for the guy who wanted to marry her. #sabah #malaysia #borneo #sabahmalaysia #murut #lansaran #trampoline #longhouse

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@mysabah.com
Lansaran is a traditional trampoline powered by the spring power of a stack of bouncy wood. Lansaran is commonly found in the longhouse of Murut people. About 10 feet on top of lansaran is a hanging object called "Kinkilat". To play game, they would hang a prize such as cash and jewelry on Kinkilat. Whoever can reach the item will win the prize. In old days, a lock of girl's hair would be placed on the Kinkilat, as a prize for the guy who wanted to marry her. #sabah #malaysia #borneo #sabahmalaysia #murut #lansaran #trampoline #longhouse
♬ original sound - Murphy - Murphy

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1.0 Iban

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Location

1.3 Beliefs

1.4 Iban Longhouse

2.0 Kadazan-Dusun

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Location

2.3 Beliefs

2.4 Kadazan-Dusun Longhouse

3.0 Melanau

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Location

3.3 Beliefs

3.4 The Melanau Tall Longhouse

4.0 Orang Ulu

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Location

4.3 Beliefs

4.4 Orang Ulu Longhouse

5.0 Murut

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Location

5.3 Beliefs

5.4 Murut Longhouse

6.0 Reflection & References

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Longhouse headmen are respectfully addressed as “Tuai Rumah”. Hence, when addressing him during conversations, he should customarily be addressed as “Aya (uncle) Tuai Rumah”.

Each longhouse is led by a Tuai Rumah. He is usually appointed by his own group of people; the criteria for selection include leadership qualities and success in life.

In the olden days, more was required. He needed to present proof of his bravery - a human skull or two would suffice as credentials. This was when head-hunting was rife. Succession was fairly straight-forward. Usually the eldest son takes on the mantle of headman if he possesses the same leadership qualities, and has the trust of his community. If this isn't possible, the post goes to a younger sibling, or next-of-kin such as an uncle or cousin.

Thus the Tuai Rumah is not a dictator, as we understand in accordance to the definition what it is today. His decision in all matters affecting his anembiaks (those under his leadership) is usually final but only after they are consulted. A good Tuai Rumah is exemplary in all his activities, a sterling example for his anembiaks. Therefore, close rapport and dialogues, known as randau ruai (which means general conversation conducted in the longhouse verandah) is a daily affair, particularly in the evening. Normally, each longhouse is named after the Tuai Rumah.

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This is a Rungus Longhouse ( The Rungus are a sub-group of the Kadazan-Dusun)

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A Rungus longhouse (known as Vinataang in local language) is made up of 7 to 15 or more family apartments co-joined laterally. Most residents in a longhouse are relatives among themselves. If new family is added, the owner would extend the longhouse at one end. A Rungus village consists of 1 or more longhouses (usually 5 or 6). Longhouse is common in northern part of Sabah, from Matunggong, Kudat, Kota Marudu to Pitas.