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." Like other Dayak groups, the Kayan were once known as skilled warriors and were involved in traditional practices such as headhunters. They are also 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 originally lived near the Kayan River in North Kalimantan province in Borneo. They later moved south into Sarawak, where they sometimes had conflicts with the Iban people who were also moving into new areas. Over time, the Kayan settled along several rivers, including the Baram River, Bintulu River, and Rajang River. Some Kayan groups adopted Islam and became part of new communities such as the Bulungan people and the Sultanate of Bulungan.

Language

The Kayan language is part of the Malayo-Polynesian group within the larger Austronesian language family. This means it 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 practice farming 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, tattooing was common, with women applying detailed tattoos to signify womanhood, while men had tattoos for decoration. Both men and women would stretch their earlobes. 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 as long as 300 meters and hold up to 100 families, with a shared area in front and private rooms for each family. Everyone living in the same long house was considered part of one community.

Within the Kayan society, there were different groups of people. The highest group were the leaders, followed by regular community members, and then others who served the community. Marriages among leaders often happened with people from outside the group, while others usually married within their own community. The leader of the group was typically chosen from the highest class.

Religion

The Kayan people had their own special beliefs and practices, including important ceremonies and traditions. These included big feasts where warriors were honored and families celebrated together. In more 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 currently serves as the assistant Minister of Sarawak. Another notable figure is Francisca Luhong James, who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 and is a part-time model with mixed Kayan, Kenyah, and Iban heritage. Other important members of the Kayan community include Adrian Jo Milang, who practices traditional oral art forms called Parap and Takna', and Hureng Emang, a respected storyteller from the Tubau Kayan community of Uma Awe. Victoria Mujan Nyeigok is recognized as an entrepreneur and village leader from Apo Kenyiwan in Tubau.