Iban communities should form closer ties — Rayong
KAPUAS HULU, Indonesia: The Iban communities in Malaysia and Indonesia should form a greater partnership to share knowledge on their history and culture.
This is because both communities, despite being citizens of different countries, are the same group of people whose territories were divided almost a century ago by British and Dutch colonial masters, suggested Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa.
He said due to colonialism, the territories were separated into modern- day Sarawak and Indonesian West Kalimantan province.
Rayong was recently on a visit to a few places in West Kalimantan, including the Keruin Iban longhouse in Hulu Kapuas to learn more of the racial ties from his Indonesian counterparts.
“Our ancestors migrated from modern- day Hulu Kapuas to modern- day Sarawak hundreds of years ago. There might be some knowledge about our cultures, which are lost in Sarawak but still found in West Kalimantan,” he noted.
Thus he hoped that Ibans from both countries would form closer ties with each other, either at official or unofficial level, to discover and share their common heritage.
Untam Ngelambong, an Indonesian Iban community leader (also known as ‘ Patih’) from Sebindang, Hulu Kapuas who accompanied Rayong during his visit, commented that it is good that Ibans from both countries work together to preserve and share their oral history, heritage and culture.
“We (Ibans in Indonesia) can help if our assistance is needed. The very close relationship between
Our ancestors migrated from modern-day Hulu Kapuas to modern-day Sarawak hundreds of years ago. There might be some knowledge about our cultures, which are lost in Sarawak but still found in West Kalimantan. Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa, Engkilili assemblyman
the Ibans from both countries has always been in existence even though we are divided according to countries,” he said.
He commended Ibans in Sarawak for being very knowledgeable about their tradition and heritage and for preserving and practising them.
According to sources, there are approximately 745,400 Ibans living in Malaysia while 281,000 are in Indonesia.
Once known as fierce head hunters and island savages by Westerners, the Ibans towards the 21st century to this day are peace loving people who are known for their warrior tattoos, hand woven blankets ( pua kumbu) and warrior dances, which are very popular cultural trademarks of Malaysia.