Orang Ulu

people

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July 17, 2026

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The Orang Ulu are a diverse group of indigenous peoples residing primarily in the interior regions of Sarawak, Malaysia. This ethnic category encompasses various distinct groups, including the Kenyah, Kayan, Kelabit, Bisaya, and Penan, among others. Many Orang Ulu communities trace their origins to the southern mountains bordering Indonesia. They speak a multitude of distinct Austronesian languages, often with multiple dialects, reflecting their rich cultural tapestry. Traditionally, many Orang Ulu groups have lived in longhouses, which are communal dwellings raised on stilts, housing multiple families. Their livelihoods often involve shifting agriculture, cultivating crops like rice.123

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Malaysia
Sarawak
…indigenous groups, such as the Orang Ulu—an ethnic category embracing the Kenyah, Kayan, Kelabit, Bisaya (Bisayah), Penan, and others—also contribute much to Sarawak’s ethnic and cultural character. The Kenyah, Kayan, and Kelabit generally trace their origins to the southern mountains on the border with
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…indigenous groups, such as the Orang Ulu—an ethnic category embracing the Kenyah, Kayan, Kelabit, Bisaya (Bisayah), Penan, and others—also contribute much to Sarawak’s ethnic and cultural character. The Kenyah, Kayan, and Kelabit generally trace their origins to the southern mountains on the border with
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