 A group of native Kelabit men, 1912. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| approximately 6,000 (2013) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Borneo: | |
 Malaysia (Sarawak) | 6,600[1] |
 Indonesia (North Kalimantan) | 790[2] |
 Brunei | no census |
| Languages | |
| Kelabit language,Malay language (Sarawakian Malay),Indonesian language | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity (predominantly),Animism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Apo Duat peoples (Kiput, Berawan,Lun Bawang,Sa'ban), OtherOrang Ulu peoples | |
TheKelabit are an indigenousDayak people of theSarawak/North Kalimantan highlands ofBorneo with a minority in the neighbouring state ofBrunei. They have close ties to theLun Bawang. The elevation there is slightly over 1,200 meters. In the past, because there were few roads (only poorly maintained logging roads, which tended not to be too close to the Bario Highlands) and because the area was largely inaccessible by river because ofrapids, the highlands and the Kelabit were relatively untouched by modern western influences. Now, however, there is a relatively permanent road route on which it is possible to reach Bario by car from Miri. The road is marked but driving without a local guide is not advisable, as it takes over 11 hours of driving to reach Bario from Miri through many logging trail junctions and river crossings.
With a population of approximately 6,600 people (2013), the Kelabit comprise one of the smallestethnic groups inSarawak. Many have migrated tourban areas over the last 20 years and it is estimated that only 1,200 still live in their remote homeland. There, tightly knit communities live in inheritedlonghouses and practice a generations-old form of agriculture. Hunting and fishing are also practised. Domesticatedbuffalo are valued highly, seven of which are traditionally required for thedowry for an upper-class bride.
Kelabit is the misnomer ofpa Labid, wherebypa is the Kelabit word for 'river' andLabid is the name of the river where the Kelabit people traditionally settle along. Hence,pa Labid is meant to be "the people of the Labid river".[3][4] Also, other group names such as Lun Bawang, Lun Dayeh, or Southern Muruts are often associated with the Kelabit people. The Kelabit people belong to theDayak people (it is a large ethnic group of closely related people groups that includes about 200 tribes). With a population of approximately 6,600, the Kelabit people are the smallest people group in the state ofSarawak.
During theSecond World War, the Kelabit, like other natives of Borneo, was co-opted by theAllies into fighting the Japanese. The English academicTom Harrisson led theSemut I operations (one of four Semut operations in the area), which parachuted into their midst in 1945 to make contact; they were supplied with weapons by the Australian military and played an essential role in the liberation of Borneo.[5]
After the Second World War, the Kelabit people received visits fromChristian missionaries of theBorneo Evangelical Mission. The Kelabit are now predominantly Christian. Prior to conversion, they had a custom of erectingmegaliths and digging ditches in honour of notable individuals. As the Kelabit people began to Christianize in the early 20th century, so did the process of ethnic consolidation were also intensified.[6]
The Kelabit people usesLatin script that was introduced to the island by the colonialist from Europe. TheKelabit language belongs to theNorth Bornean branch of theWestern Malayo-Polynesian languages.[7] TheKelabit language is used in one of the most remote areas of the Borneo island in theBario highlands of Kalimantan and northernSarawak. There are several dialects in theKelabitic languages such as Lepu Potng, Padas, Trusan, and so on.
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There is a strict order (rule) of inheritance, which includes the need for one person to organize expensive commemorative celebrations (perhaps, a wake) for people who inherit from them. The conflict between older brothers and sisters can be particularly noticeable in connection with these circumstances. In any case, the Kelabit family is a cooperating unit.[8]
Adults are calledlun merar, which literally means "big people". In order to attain adulthood, one must have three things:-[9]
In rural communities, there is a division of castes namely, the nobility, the ordinary community members, and the descendants of those who were in slavery. The leader always comes from the nobility. He must have things that are regarded as special prestige among the Kelabit people. These are ancient items of Chinese origin such as, porcelain vases, beads, or gongs, as well as items that are made from pearls.
Kelabit villages usually include only onelonghouse, in which all the inhabitants of the community would live in. Alonghouse can stretch as long as 75 meters in length. Such house does not have partitions that divide into rooms.[6]
In traditional society, men wear traditional loincloths, and women would wear a skirt made ofTapa cloth (material from the inside of the tree bark). Some would prefer Westernized clothing. The custom of tattooing and dulling of teeth have also become less prevalent.[6]
Rice, for the Kelabit people, symbolizes the true human food. Kelabit people mainly eat rice, as well as meat, fruits, vegetables, corn, and sugar cane.[10] Some of the traditional Kelabit cuisines are the following:-[11]
2019 dates are 25th, 26th, 27 July
Pottery, blacksmithing, and wood carving are all traditional crafts of Kelabit people. The form of the stone adze (chopping tools) of the Kelabit differs noticeably from the types previously recorded in Southeast Asia; where its 'quadrangular' is fromMalaysia, and there is no 'round ax'.[12] Agriculture is a traditional occupation of the Kelabit people. Other traditional occupation includes needle-working. There are 69 items with pearls (necklaces, hats, and belts) decorations. Pearl jewelry is a sign of prestige, just like Chinese porcelain vases. Necklaces are worn by both men and women, while headdresses are exclusively for women.[13] Kelabit people are interested in precious stones. Earlier before they became Christians, the Kelabit people had stone amulets.
The traditional occupation of Kelabit people is agriculture. The main cultivar is rice. They distinguish between wetpaddy field and driedpaddy field. In the north of the Bario Highlands, there are only wetpaddy field areas. In other parts of the Highlands, driedpaddy field areas have also been made, as well as other crops that have also been planted in thesepaddy field areas. The Kelabit people are also cultivators ofmaize,tapioca,pineapple,pumpkin,cucumber,beans, coffee, lemongrass, taro, and variousfruits like passion fruit and strawberry. Livestock development is limited. Meat is a special problem, as traditionally the Kelabit people used it only for sacrifices, and even today almost no animals are slaughtered for daily consumption (since, at present, there are still many Kelabit people who are adherents of traditional beliefs).[14] Subsequently, they began to raise animals for dairy products and meat. The forest is the main source of wild fruits and vegetables. Forest gathering, hunting, and fishing are common.[15] Kelabit people engage in salt extraction; which plays a significant role in their economy. With salt, they would exchange from other people for their own necessities.
