The Iban of the Engkari: A History of Migration and Settlement.
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THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL |
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Title :
The Iban of the Engkari: A History of Migration and Settlement. |
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Author :
Christine A. Padoch |
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Abstract:
Iban migratory expansion,a process remarkable in its scope, rapidity and its frequent accompaniment by warfare and headhunting, has been described and discussed in a large number of works. A general account of Iban movements, from the time of their entrance into the Batang Lupar drainage until the coming of the Brookes, has been given by San din (1967a, b), and their movements since the establishment of the Brooke Raj have been recounted by Pringle (1970). Descriptions of the settlement of specific rivers are found in works by Freeman (Baleh River, 1955, 1970), Sandin (Niah, 1957), King (Leboyan and Embaloh, 1976), and Brooke (Katibas, 1866), as well as in numerous Brooke officers’ reports. In this article I shall presenta brief history of the first entrance of the Iban into the valley of the Engkari River,a tributary of the Batang Ai (Sarawak, Second Division), and go on to describe population movements in the area since its original settlement. In recounting this history, I shall point out those aspects that may be of more general application,as well as mention the events and conditions peculiar to the settlement history of the Engkari which limit the generalizations that can be made. Many chroniclers of the processes of Iban expansion have echoed Pringle’s statement that “the story of the Iban migrations... is not a simple one” (1970:247). Indeed, although this article representsan attempt to order, summarize and simplify some confusing and at times contradictory oral and written information, the considerable complexity of Iban migration history remains evident. If there is any generalization that the data to be presented point to, it is that the rates and modes of Iban expansion have varied greatly in particular times and particular areas, and that resource use and other Iban behavioral patternscan be expected to have varied also.
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| DOI: XXXX |
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How to cite:
Padoch, C. A. (1984). The Iban of the Engkari: A History of Migration and Settlement. The Sarawak Museum Journal, XXXIII (54): 1-14 |
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References
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