The Sarawakian

Collectively known as Dayaks, the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu are the major ethnic groups in the state of Sarawak. Typically, they live in longhouses, traditional community homes that can house 20 to 100 families.

Iban

The largest of Sarawak’s ethnic groups, the Ibans form 30% of the State’s population of 2.5 million. Sometimes erroneously referred to as the Sea Dayaks because of their skill with boats, they are actually an upriver tribe from the heart of Kalimantan.

The male Iban is dressed in Baju Burung or vest and sirat woven loin-cloth which is a warrior’s outfit. They also wear accessories such as a belt, armlet and anklet made from silver and a headgear decorated with hornbill feathers. The Iban maiden wears the ceremonial dress consisting of the bidang cloth, marek empang which is a chest adornment, the sugu tinggi headdress and other silver ornaments such as the coin belt and bangles.

Source – http://oimalaysianculture.blogspot.com/2012/09/culture-of-malaysia-clothes.html

Bidayuh

Peace-loving and easy-going, the gentle Bidayuh are famous for their hospitality and tuak or rice wine. Making their homes in Sarawak’s southern regions, they are mostly farmers and hunters.

The traditional Bidayuh costume set for women comprises the short-sleeved or sleeveless blouse, ‘jomuh’ (skirt), and matching accessories such as the ‘selapai’ (sash), ‘pangiah’ (bead necklace), ‘porik’ (copper/ metal belt) and ‘sipiah’ (headgear).

The men wear a ‘tawuop’ or ‘tahup’ (long loin- cloth wrapped around the body with one end hanging down in front and the other at the back), the ” burang sumba” (headgear) and occasionally the “kima” (armlets).

The Bidayuh vest is a sleeveless garment covering the upper body. The sleeveless, waist or hip-length garment, with a front opening and worn over a shirt, blouse, dress, or other cloth for style. Very practical to wear during any function and celebration like Gawai, official meeting or dinner.

It is a Bidayuh identity and a must have for a Bidayuh men. Like any fashion, the vest can also be worn by other community for its practicality. The Bidayuh vest comes in black colour cloth with white and red stripe, the colours for Bidayuh community. With yellow added to the stripe, it makes the vest looks more vibrant to anyone who wears it.

The “pangiah” (bead necklace) is made of high quality ceramic beads and pendants that is worn around the neck. Its pendants are either from the tooth of wild animals or artificial tooth that add a modern touch to the necklace.

The “pangiah” is a very colourful rows of beads stitched/tied together with strings of nylon or small wires stripe. It is an ideal accessory for Bidayuh women which can be worn during official functions, cultural dinners and also for everyday use. The “pangiah” is one of the Bidayuh’s identities and a must have for Bidayuh ladies.

Source – https://dbna.org.my/blog/the-bidayuh-costume/

Melanau

Some 130,000 or 6% of the population of Sarawak are Melanau, believed to be among the original people to settle in Sarawak. Their language has different origins to the other ethnic groups of the state and today they are found mainly along the rivers and coastal plains of central Sarawak.

The traditional Melanau costume for men is called the Baban. This costume bears strong resemblance to the traditional outfit worn by Malay men, called the baju melayu, and it even incorporates the wearing of a samping around the waist. Accordingly, the traditional costume for the Melanau womenfolk closely resembles the baju kurung donned by Malay ladies.

A handsome fit in jacket cut tunic with brocade samping, and a Javanese styled headgear.

Astro Awani – Baju Lelaki Melanau

Astro Awani – Baju Wanita Melanau

Source – http://sabahsarawakcostumes.blogspot.com/2014/07/traditional-costumes-for-melanau.html

Orang Ulu

27 of the inland tribal groups of Sarawak are collectively called Orang Ulu or upriver people . A total estimated population of around 100,000 people belong to tribes varied in size from 300 to 25,000 individuals. 27 of the inland tribal groups of Sarawak are collectively called Orang Ulu or upriver people .

The Orang Ulu wear hand-loomed cloths as well as tree bark fabrics.