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Sarawak is one of the largest states in Malaysia and lies at the northern heart of the island of Borneo. Its location has long been strategic, both geographically and historically, because for centuries it has served as a meeting point for cultural currents from the Nusantara, China, and the wider Malay world.
Along major rivers such as the Rejang, Baram, and Batang Lupar, a long history of migration and interethnic interaction remains embedded in the daily lives of local communities. Sarawak is therefore not merely a modern administrative unit within the Malaysian federation, but a social laboratory in which diversity is actively lived and sustained.
With a population of approximately 2.5 million people, Sarawak is widely regarded as one of the most ethnically complex regions in Southeast Asia. At least twenty seven major ethnic groups coexist within layered social networks that include inland Indigenous societies, coastal communities, and urban populations.
This diversity represents more than cultural abundance. It stands as concrete evidence of Sarawakian society’s capacity to cultivate harmony across difference. At a time when many societies are unsettled by sectarian tensions and identity politics, Sarawak offers a persuasive example of pluralism functioning as a collective strength rather than a source of fragmentation.
Among these groups, the Iban constitute the largest population, numbering approximately 723,000 people. They are often described as the dominant ethnic group in Sarawak and have become the most widely recognized representatives of the Dayak peoples.
The Iban embody a long continuity between past and present, linking ancestral traditions with the demands of modern life. They are particularly known for their monumental longhouses, in which entire communities live communally while sharing space, labor, and responsibility.
Within the longhouse, social relations, ritual practices, and economic activities are integrated into a single organic system. One of the most distinctive expressions of Iban culture is the weaving of pua kumbu textiles, a tradition transmitted across generations.
This textile art functions not only as an aesthetic form, but also as a spiritual medium. It expresses a worldview that emphasizes the relationship between human beings, the natural environment, and ancestral spirits.
For the Iban, tradition is not perceived as a burden inherited from the past. Instead, it is understood as cultural capital that enables them to engage the future with confidence. Many Iban today belong to an educated urban middle class in cities such as Kuching, Sibu, and Miri.
Despite their urban presence, they continue to uphold collective values rooted in ancestral heritage. During celebrations such as Gawai Dayak, Iban migrants return to their villages, gather in longhouses, and reaffirm their shared identity and communal solidarity.
Such moments reveal that tradition serves not only as a mechanism of preservation, but also as a dynamic force shaping contemporary consciousness. It fosters a distinctive sense of belonging as a modern Dayak society of Borneo that remains firmly grounded in its roots.
Following the Iban, the Chinese community represents the second largest ethnic group in Sarawak, with a population of approximately 633,000 people. This community has played a central role in the economic and social development of the region, particularly in commerce, industry, and education.
Since the nineteenth century, Chinese migrants have settled in Sarawak’s port cities, bringing with them commercial expertise, artisanal skills, and Confucian values. These values emphasize diligence, self reliance, and education as key pathways to social mobility.
Cities such as Kuching and Sibu continue to display visible traces of Chinese cultural heritage. This presence is reflected in temple architecture, traditional shophouses, and annual cultural festivals, including Lunar New Year and the Hungry Ghost Festival.
The Malay population, numbering approximately 558,000 people, occupies a significant position within Sarawak’s political structures and the development of Islam in the region. Historically, Malay communities served as intermediaries between local traditions and the colonial administrative system during the Brooke period from 1841 to 1946.
This intermediary role has continued into the era of modern Malaysia. Islamic values and Malay customs have contributed to a distinctive social fabric in Sarawak, characterized by an emphasis on religiosity, civility, and social order.
The Malay language functions as a lingua franca across the state and plays a crucial role in interethnic integration. It facilitates communication across cultural boundaries and supports everyday interaction among diverse communities.
Beyond these three major groups, Sarawak is also home to the Bidayuh, who number approximately 201,000 people. The Bidayuh primarily inhabit the highland regions surrounding Kuching and Serian.
They are known for their egalitarian social organization and their sophisticated agricultural knowledge. Their traditional architecture includes circular structures known as baruk, which function as meeting spaces, ceremonial centers, and defensive shelters.
Along the coastal areas live the Melanau, with a population of about 140,000 people. They are widely recognized for their maritime expertise and long standing seafaring traditions.
Distinctive foods such as sago and umai, a raw fish dish, are central to Melanau cultural identity. These foods symbolize a deep and enduring relationship with the sea as a fundamental source of life and livelihood.
