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Iban

people
Also known as: Sea Dayak

Quick Summary

The Iban are an indigenous people primarily residing in Sarawak, Borneo. They are also referred to as the Sea Dayak. Historically, the Iban were known as formidable warriors and are recognized for their traditional practice of individual totemism, where a person might have a protector spirit manifested in an animal.1234

The Iban people speak an Austronesian language that is related to, but distinct from, Malay. In rural areas, their traditional economy is based on shifting agriculture, primarily cultivating rice. The Iban are one of the main ethnic groups in Sarawak, making up over a quarter of the state's population.12

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