Iban Festival Essay

The Iban is a group of former headhunters that is found throughout Borneo but is particularly concentrated in Sarawak. Also known as the Dayak and Sea Dayak, they have traditionally lived along the mid levels hills and delta plains of Borneo. The activities of a small group of Iban pirates on the Borneo coast on the 19th century earned them the name Sea Dayaks.
The largest of Sarawak's ethnic groups, the Ibans form 30 percent of the State's population of 2.5 million. Sometimes erroneously referred to as the Sea Dayaks because of their skill with boats, they are actually an upriver tribe from the heart of Kalimantan. In the past, they were a fearsome warrior race renowned for headhunting and piracy. Traditionally, they worship a triumvirate of gods under the authority of Singalang Burung, the bird-god of war. Although now mostly Christians, many traditional

Most Ibans are devout Christians and follow the Christian faith strictly.
Despite the difference in faiths, Ibans of different faiths do help each other during Gawais and Christmas. Differences in faith is never a problem in the Iban community. The Ibans believe in helping and having fun together. This is ironic for a tribe who once waged war with others due to differences.
Taboos of Iban :
1. During pregnancy prohibited from building a dam as found in wet paddy fields and fish traps, otherwise she will have complications during labour.
2. Pregnant mother cannot eat anything inside a mosquito net as this can mean that their child will get stuck in the womb during birth.
3. Whenever the pregnant woman goes to another place, she must return by using the same route so that her child will be born through the normal passage.
4. Pregnant mother must not cut creepers that grow n waters and along roadsides, otherwise she will hemorrhage while giving