Ethnics/Languages of Sarawak Cultural Village

ETHNIC is a

characteristic of a sizable group of people sharing a common and distinctive racial, national, religious, linguistic, or cultural heritage.

Here in this post, readers are ensured that they will get a better understanding towards their ethnics as well as languages. :) 
The attractive places that will be discussed in Sarawak Cultural Village are as below: 
♥ Orang Ulu Long House
♥ Melanau Tall House
♥ Bidayuh Long House 
♥ Iban Long House
♥ Malay Kampung House
♥ Chinese Farm House

♥ Orang Ulu ♥

The term Orang Ulu is not ethnically correct per se, mainly because it consists of various well-distinguished ethnic groups such as the Kayan, the Kenyah, the Kelabit (found in the famous Bario Highlands), the Lun Bawang and to a certain extent, the Penan. Nonetheless, the term Orang Ulu is associated with the tribes living in the inaccessible interior regions of Sarawak rainforests. In fact, orang (means "people") and ulu (means "interior or up-river regions") is often useful to signify the "up-river dwellers" who often settle in the middle and upper reaches of Sarawak's many great rivers.

 

In general, the Orang Ulu are famous for their unique musical instrument called sape, elaborate beadworks, extensive body tattooing, sword-making (or called parang ilang), exquisite totem poles and intricate native arts.

♥ Orang Melanau ♥

Ethnic Melanau makes up about 6 percent of the total state population of Sarawak. A majority of Melanau professes the religion of Islam and the ethnic is commonly associated with ethnic Melanau. Their concentration is quite restricted to the central coastal region of the Rajang River delta in towns such as Oya and Mukah.

The ethnic Melanau is considered very unique for a few reasons - they consume sago in preference to the more commonly found rice. The sago is commonly cultivated from the sago palm trees (Metroxylon sagu) often found in the coastal swamps and marshland in the river delta. In general, sago is not much different from rice or bread in term of carbohydrate composition and versatility in cooking methods.

♥ Orang Bidayuh ♥

Ethnic Bidayuh accounts for about 8 percent of the total Sarawak population. They live mostly along the water catchments of Sungai Sarawak and Sungai Sadong. Ethnic Bidayuh is somewhat similar to ethnic Iban (the latter used to be known as Dayak Laut while the former was known as Dayak Darat). 

The Bidayuh are less dependant on the ocean for their daily living as compared to the Iban. Nonetheless, both ethnic tribes possess almost identical longhouses, except that for the Bidayuh, the longhouses hold less significant importance in the community living.

The Bidayuh ethnic group is further divided into smaller sub-tribal communities such as Jagoi, Biatah, Bukar-Sadong, Selakau and Lara. Most of Bidayuh longhouses are built along the hill slopes of Sarawak's interiors and their main activities include rice farming, fishing and arts crafting.

 

 

 

 

 

 ♥ Orang Iban ♥

 

The ethnic Iban actually forms the majority of Sarawak's tribal composition, an important fact that is considered alien even among most Malaysians. Once known as the Dayak Laut tribe (while the Bidayuh are known as Dayak Darat), ethnic Iban mostly thrive along the coastal areas with some have made settlement inland and further up-rivers. At present day, there are quite a number of the ethnic tribe members are living in urban areas such as Kuching, Miri and Bintulu. 

The Iban also live in longhouses, a communal living concept that still exists even in present days. The long house is often considered as a village by itself, with a leader called Tuai Rumah, often elected by the majority of the tribe members. 

 

 

 

That fact itself is small paradox to the common practice of certain countries or kingdoms which the leadership thrones are passed from one of similar descendant to another. In an Iban longhouse, the leader is elected based on merits, hence the progenies of the previous chief will not necessarily be taking up the vacant position. 

 

 

In short, despite often being labeled as heartless headhunters and savage pirates in the days of yore, the Iban is a democratic lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 ♥ Orang Melayu Sarawak ♥

The ethnic Malay of Sarawak is pretty much similar to its counterpart in the Peninsula of Malaysia with the exception of some local dialects commonly associated in Sarawak. The Malays make up about one-fifth of the total population in Sarawak. They are commonly known to be politicians and businessmen with strategic influences all over the state. In fact, the current Chief Minister of Sarawak is an ethnic Malay.

In general, ethnic Malay is often associated with ethnic Melanau when it comes to religious beliefs (both mostly profess the religion of Islam) and some similarities in cultural practices.

 

 

 ♥ Orang Chinese Sarawak ♥

 

The ethnic Chinese in Sarawak mostly consists of Hakka (which speak Hokkien) and Foochow descent (mainly found in Sibu). About one-third of the state population of Sarawak is of Chinese descent. They migrated from various parts of mainland China in the early 1900s under a special immigration programme spearheaded by the-then Rajah of Sarawak to develop the state's farming industry. Today, the Chinese of Sarawak has been transformed into a powerful middle-class society that operates and owns various lucrative economic activities such as logging, construction, manufacturing, etc. Ethnic Chinese can be found mostly in various town centres around the state such as Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu.

 

 

 

Name             : Vivienne Ng Shiehlyi
ID                 : 1081103896
Responsibility : Ethnics/Languages of Sarawak Cultural Village

(i) Description on the individual ideation of the link

This particular link is to let readers further understand the ethnics or languages used by the peoples in Sarawak. It is an important aspect as each an every one of us communicate through our own mother tongue. Therefore, readers can gain more knowledge in this particular link.

 

 

 (ii) Objectives of the links

 ♥ to know the languages used by the people in Sarawak

 ♥ gain knowledge regarding Sarawak's ethnics/languages

 ♥ to ensure that the ethnics of theirs are not forgotten as well

 

 

 (iii) Design of GUI

  

        

 

 

 (iv) Flowchart

 

 

 

 

 References:

http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/sarawak/destination/rumah-orang-ulu.shtml

http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/sarawak/destination/rumah-melanau.shtml

http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/sarawak/destination/rumah-bidayuh.shtml

http://www.malaysiahotelreview.com/sarawak/destination/rumah-iban.shtml

 

 

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