Singapore Hotels & Malaysia Hotels
About Singapore Malaysia

EAST MALAYSIA 2

Tropical rainforest accounts for more than 70% of Sarawak's total land mass, providing homes for not only exotic species of plants and animals, but for the different ethnic groups who are indigenous to the area. With more than 10 national parks and four wildlife preserves, Malaysia shows its commitment to conserving the delicate balance of life here, while allowing small gateways for travelers to appreciate Sarawak's natural wonders. A network of rivers connects the inland areas to the rest of the world, and a boat trip to visit tribal communities and trek into caves and jungles can prove to be the most memorable attraction going.

The indigenous peoples of Sarawak make up more than half the state's population. Early explorers and settlers referred to these people with the catch-all term Dyaks, which didn't account for the variations between the more than 25 different ethnicities. Of these groups, the Than are the largest, with more than 30% of the population of the state. A nomadic people by tradition, the Ibans were once located all over the region, existing on agriculture, bunting, and fishing They were also notorious warriors who would behead enemies-a practice ww Outlawed but that has retained its cultural significance. The Ibans fought 1at only with other tribes, but within their own separate tribal units as well.

The next largest group, the Bidayuh, live peacefully in the hills. Their long house communities are the most accessible to travelers from Kuching. The Melanu are a coastal people who excel in fishing and boatbuilding. Finally, the Orang Ulu is an association of smaller tribes mostly in the northern parts of the state. Tribes like the Kayah, Kenyah, Kelabit, and Penang, while culturally separate entities, formed an umbrella organization to loosely govern all groups and provide representation. These groups are perhaps the least accessible to outsiders.
1 2 3 4