Culture of Sarawak

The different colourful traditions and customs of each indigenous group would represent the culture of Sarawak. There are a total of 28 indigenous groups; each has its own unique form of lifestyle and arts, ranging from weaving, to woodcarving to tattooing. The Iban, Bidayuh, Penan, Orang Ulu and Melanau are some of the larger indigenous tribes in Sarawak. Iban is the largest group in Sarawak, which take up about 30.1% of the whole population, followed by the Chinese, Orang Ulu (includes Bidayuh, Melanau and other native tribes of Sarawak) and then the Malays.

Most tribes live in longhouses, which Sarawak is famous for, and they can be located near a river and rainforest. The historical longhouses are popular among the tourist as they can stay in the longhouse together with a tribe and experience the way of life in the past.

The variety of old but unique culture and craftsmanship has also contributed to the natural beauty and wonders in Sarawak; especially the legends of head-hunter and blowpipes which explains the history of Sarawak and the detailed handcrafts of each equipment which shows their talents in decorative arts.