Kayan people (Borneo)

The Kayan people are an indigenous tribe from the island of Borneo, living in areas of Sarawak in Malaysia and Kalimantan in Indonesia. They belong to the larger group known as the Dayak people and are closely related to the Kenyah people and the Bahau people, together forming the Apo Kayan people. It is important to note that these Kayan people are different from the Kayan people of Myanmar.

There may be around 200,000 Kayan people today. They are part of a group called the Orang Ulu, which means "upriver people." They are skilled at growing upland rice.

One interesting tradition of the Kayan people includes special body markings, such as extensive tattoos on women and stretched earlobes for both men and women. These practices are part of their rich cultural heritage and show their unique identity.

Origins

The Kayan people first lived near the Kayan River in North Kalimantan province in Borneo. They later moved south into Sarawak. Sometimes they had conflicts with the Iban people who were also moving into new areas. Over time, the Kayan settled along rivers like the Baram River, Bintulu River, and Rajang River. Some Kayan groups adopted Islam and joined new communities such as the Bulungan people and the Sultanate of Bulungan.

Language

The Kayan language is part of the Malayo-Polynesian group. This group is inside the larger Austronesian language family. The Kayan language shares similarities with many other languages spoken in parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands.

Main activities and culture

The Kayan people share many cultural traditions with other Dayak people of Borneo. They farm using shifting methods, mainly growing Upland rice, but also sago, corn, yams, pumpkin, and tobacco. Fishing and hunting, using tools like the sumpitan, are important activities. They also raise pigs and chickens, and keep dogs for hunting and special ceremonies.

Kayan artisans are skilled in many crafts. They make tools, build boats, work with wood, and create weaving, pottery, and masks. In the past, people would stretch their earlobes and some women had tattoos. Storytelling and singing were also important traditions, with special songs like "Alam Lening" and "Lung Kayaan Mendalam" used to entertain and welcome guests. Many of these traditions have changed over time due to outside influences, but efforts are being made to keep them alive.

Social structure

The Kayan people traditionally lived in large buildings called long houses near rivers. These long houses could be very long and hold many families. Everyone in the same long house was part of one community.

In Kayan society, there were different groups of people. The leaders were at the top, followed by regular community members, and then others who helped the community. Leaders often married people from outside their group, while others usually married within their own community. The leader was usually chosen from the highest class.

Religion

The Kayan people had their own special beliefs and practices. They had important ceremonies and traditions, including big feasts where warriors were honored and families celebrated together. In recent times, some Kayan people chose to follow Christianity, while others created a new way of practicing their old traditions called Adat Bungan after World War II.

Notable people

Some well-known people from the Kayan community include Liwan Lagang, who is the assistant Minister of Sarawak. Another notable person is Francisca Luhong James, who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2020. She has mixed Kayan, Kenyah, and Iban heritage. Other important members of the Kayan community are Adrian Jo Milang, who practices traditional oral art forms, and Hureng Emang, a respected storyteller. Victoria Mujan Nyeigok is an entrepreneur and village leader.