Sea Dayaks or Ibans

The Ibans are a part of the Dayak peoples of Borneo. Most Ibans in Malaysia lives predominantly in Sarawak, though a small portion in Sabah. The arrival of Europeans in native lands caused headhunting- a practise by many Dayaks including Iban's- begin to fade out. They live in longhouses or rumah panjai which is still in use to this day. The interior though, have changed with modern facilities being used with the presence of elctricity and water supply alongside with proper roads to connect the longhouses with the outside world. Longhouses which are more tradisional are dissapearing day by day as the Ibans begin to live in the city.

The Ibans have a rather unique way of dressing just like most of its other Dayak's ethnic subgroups. Their traditional clothes are usually worn when they are doing the ngajat dance. The men's clothing are a Sirat (loincloth) ,baju burong (bird shirt) ,baju buri (bead shirt) ,baju gagong (animal skin cloth) ,Engkerimok ,Unus Lebus ,Simpai Rangki ,Tumpa Bala (five on both sides) ,Labong Pakau or lelanjang (headgear). The women's clothing are a Kain Batating (Petticoat with decorated bells at the bottom end) ,Rawai Tinggi (High Corset with Rattan Coils inserted with small Brass Rings ) ,Sugu Tinggi (High headgear) ,Marik Empang (Beaded Chain) ,Selampai (Long Scalp) ,Lampit (Silver Belt) ,Tumpak (Armlet) ,Gelang kaki (Anklet) ,Antin pirak (Silver stud earrings) ,Buah pauh purse.

The Ibans have various musical instruments which they use for multiple occasions where they play those instruments. Iban's music is percussion-oriented. Their musical heritage consists fo various types of agung ensembles, composed of large hanging, suspended or held, bossed or knobbed gongs which acts as drones without any accompanying melodic instruments. The people of the longhouses are known to be skilled in playing gendang musics. It is usually played during religious festivals. The taboh on the other hand is made by playing a set of four musical instruments called engkerumong, tawak, bebendai and ketubong. Sape is another unique music instruments played by the Ibans though originally the Orang Ulu (Kayan,Kenyah and Kelabit).

Ibans traditional food are called Pansuh food, which simply means foods cooked in bamboo stems. These method of cooking is super easy and hygienic. All the foods (meat, chicken, fish, vegetables and rice with spices) are put into the bamboo stems will be directly placed into the open fire to be cooked. Since the time the Ibans first settled in Malaysia, they have been using to large rainforests as their grocery stores to get their materials to make their foods. Another great creation from the Ibans is the tuak. It is an alcoholic beverage made of palms, yeast and sugar brewed by other Dayak tribes especially the Ibans.

Menyumpit is not really a game but is a method for the Ibans to hunt food in the past. Today, the activity is more towards being a game especially to the general population. In the colonial days, this was the only weapon for the natives of Borneo to fight off the British.