The Iban People of Borneo: History, Religions, and Traditions

The Iban people, also known as Sea Dayaks, are an indigenous Austronesian ethnic group native to northwestern Borneo. Primarily concentrated in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, as well as parts of Brunei and the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan, the Ibans are one of the most extensively documented Dayak groups, particularly for their rich cultural heritage, which includes traditional customs, religious beliefs, music & dance, and Iban tattoos.

Religion and Spirituality

For centuries, the Iban followed a traditional animistic belief system centered around a pantheon of deities led by the supreme being Bunsu Petara, who was believed to be the creator of the universe. Under Bunsu Petara were various gods, each governing different aspects of Iban life. Sengalang Burong, the god of war, was highly revered, especially in headhunting and battles, while Menjaya, the god of medicine, played a vital role in healing and shamanistic practices. These deities guided the Iban through divination, omens, and ritual ceremonies, often involving animal sacrifices and offerings.

One of the most important traditional rituals is the Miring, a ceremonial offering where specially prepared plates of food (piring) are presented to gods as an act of prayer to seek blessings, protection, or guidance. The offerings are accompanied by poetic incantations and sometimes animal sacrifices (genselan) of chickens or pigs. The number of offerings follows a sequence of odd numbers, each with its own symbolic significance.

With the arrival of European missionaries during the James Brooke era, many Ibans converted to Christianity, though some continue to observe ancient traditions. Alongside their Christian faith, many modern-day Ibans have adopted Anglicized biblical names.

In Brunei, some Ibans have converted to Islam, often due to intermarriage with Malays. Despite diverse religious beliefs—Christianity, Islam, or the traditional pagan faith—the Iban community remains closely knit, emphasizing unity and mutual support across different faiths.

Community Life

The Ibans maintain a strong communal bond, which is traditionally reflected in the longhouses, known as rumah panjai. These longhouses symbolize the Iban social structure, with multiple families living under one roof. Although not all Ibans live in longhouses today, the sense of community remains central to their way of life.

These longhouses are often frequented during the festive holiday of Gawai, transforming the longhouse into a vibrant place of celebration where families and friends gather to share meals and alcohol while enjoying each other's company.

Traditions

Music and Dance

Iban music is percussion-driven, with a focus on traditional agung ensembles. These ensembles consist of large hanging gongs and other instruments like the engkerumong (a xylophone-like arrangement of small gongs), the tawak (a "bass" gong), and the ketebung or bedup (single-sided drums). The music often accompanies ngajat, a traditional Iban dance that holds deep cultural significance within the community.

Ngajat Folklore

The history of Ngajat dance traces back to the ancestors of the Iban community, who followed the movements of the common hill myna and the great argus. According to an oral interview with an Iban individual from Lubuk Antu, Sarawak, these ancestors dreamed of arriving at a remote village, seeking a place to cultivate rice and hunt. Upon discovering the footprints of the common hill myna, they were inspired by its movements, which mirrored what would become the Ngajat dance. As they looked up the mountain, they also observed the great argus, whose wing movements resembled a human hand. This combination of inspirations led to the creation of “Bungai Ajat” or “Bunga Ajat,” the foundational movements of the dance.

While the precise origins of Ngajat remain unclear, it is strongly believed to have been performed by the Iban ethnic group since the 16th century, particularly by warriors returning from battle. Today, Ngajat is celebrated during significant cultural events, most notably the harvest festival, Gawai Dayak, and is often performed to welcome important guests to longhouses.

Dancing Attire

During the dance, male performers don headgear crafted from the tail feathers of the hornbill—though artificial feathers are now commonly used to protect the bird populations. They wield a long sword in one hand and an ornately decorated shield in the other, adorned with necklaces made of beads and cowrie shells, while wearing a ceremonial loincloth known as a cawat. The dance is characterized by slow, deliberate movements, akin to stalking an enemy, interspersed with dramatic prances that emulate leaping forward to attack.

Iban Tattoo

Historically, Iban tattoos were deeply symbolic, representing personal achievements and social status. Both men and women adorned themselves with tattoos, but young men would traditionally receive their first tattoo, the "bunga terung," before embarking on their bejalai journey—a rite of passage in which they sought wealth and fame. The "bunga terung," which depicts the flower of a local aubergine species, was tattooed beneath the collarbone, where backpack straps would rest, symbolizing strength for the journey. As the young man traveled to different Iban communities, he would earn additional tattoos, each representing milestones and accomplishments, with his body ultimately serving as a map of his adventures.

For women, tattoos were awarded upon mastering particular skills, making them equally significant markers of achievement. These designs were specific to each area, and the tattoos told stories of the wearer’s experiences and contributions to their community.

Tattoo Folklore

Legend has it that the tradition began with an Iban man named Gendup. While on a hunting expedition, Gendup encountered a bathing girl who invited him to her longhouse. There, he was introduced to the art of tattooing, which was considered a prestigious honor. Over three days, the elders of the longhouse adorned Gendup with tattoos, making him the first human to bear these marks. He was entrusted to share this sacred knowledge with future generations.

Modern Day Tattoo Iban Tattoo Significance

Despite the near eradication of the tradition after World War II, due to missionary efforts labeling the practice as pagan, Iban tattoos have experienced a resurgence in recent years. Many young people are now seeking to reconnect with their cultural roots through the revival of this ancient art form. This resurgence has helped preserve the stories and meanings behind the tattoos, ensuring they continue to be passed down through the generations.

Today, Iban tattoos symbolize much more than just physical achievements or rites of passage. They represent a person’s journey of exploration and the wealth of information and skillsets gained from said exploration. Each tattoo now signifies something new that the individual has learned, embodying a lifelong connection to their personal growth, cultural heritage, and the knowledge accumulated through their unique experiences.