Kayan people (Borneo)

The Kayan people are an indigenous group living in Borneo. They are closely related to the Kenyah people and the Bahau people, and all three are grouped together as the Apo Kayan people. The Kayan are part of the larger Dayak people and should not be confused with the Kayan people of Myanmar.

There may be around 200,000 Kayan people. They belong to a group called the Orang Ulu, meaning "upriver people." In the past, they were known as skilled hunters. They were also good at growing upland rice. Both men and women traditionally had extensive tattoos and very large stretched earlobes, which were signs of beauty and status.

History

The Kayan people may have started near the Kayan River in North Kalimantan province in Borneo. They lived along the upper Kayan and the middle Kapuas and Mahakam rivers. Over time, they moved south into Sarawak. Sometimes they had conflicts with the Iban people who were also moving. By the late 1800s, some Kayan settled along rivers like the Baram River and Rajang River. Later, many Kayan converted to Islam. This helped form a new group called the Bulungan people.

Language

The Kayan language belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian group. This group is part of the bigger Austronesian language family. It is related to many other languages spoken in Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands.

Main activities

The Kayan people have a culture like other Dayak people in Borneo. They used a method called shifting cultivation to grow food. They planted Upland rice and other crops like sago, corn, yams, pumpkin, and tobacco. They also fished and hunted using a sumpitan.

The Kayan were good at many crafts. They raised pigs and chickens, and kept dogs for special rituals. They were skilled in making things from metal, especially Mandau swords. They built boats, worked with wood, and made textiles on a Loom. They also made art, carved wood, created masks, and produced pottery.

Social structure

The Kayan people traditionally live in large buildings called long houses near rivers. These long houses can be very long, up to 300 meters, and hold many families. Sometimes up to 100 families or 400–600 people live there.

Inside, there is a shared area and many rooms where families live together.

The Kayan have different social groups. There are nobles, common people, and slaves. Nobles often marry outside their group, while common people and slaves usually marry within their community. The leader of the group is often chosen from the noble class.

Religion

The Kayan people had traditional beliefs with special ceremonies and rituals. Over time, many turned to Christianity. After World War II, some created a new form of their beliefs called Adat Bungan.

Culture

The Kayan people have many rich cultural traditions. They have beautiful songs that show their heritage and values. Two traditional songs are called "Alam Lening" and "Lung Kayaan Mendalam." These songs help keep their culture alive and share it with others.

Notable people

Some famous people from the Kayan community are Liwan Lagang, who is the assistant Minister of Sarawak. Another well-known person is Francisca Luhong James. She was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 and works as a model. She has mixed ancestry, including Kayan, Kenyah, and Iban heritage.