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Why did Iban people show respect to an entire animal species linked to a protector spirit?

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totem fish mask — Totemism Totem fish mask from the Orokolo Bay area of New Guinea. Painted bark cloth over rattan frame with fringe of dried grass. Height 1.63 m.

Among the Iban of Sarawak, the respect shown to an entire animal species stems from the belief that the species serves as the physical manifestation of a personal protector spirit, known as a ngarong.1

When an individual dreams of an ancestor or deceased relative who appears as a helper spirit, that spirit identifies a specific animal or object as its embodiment. Because the Iban recognize the behavior of these animals as the actions of their protector spirit, they extend reverence to the entire species to honor that spiritual connection. This practice often includes providing meals and blood offerings to the spirit animal. Furthermore, individuals with these protector spirits may require their descendants to maintain this respect and observe specific taboos regarding the animal, ensuring the tradition is upheld across generations even if the descendants do not personally seek help from the spirit.1