Kelabit Ethnography: A Brief Report.
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THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL |
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Title :
Kelabit Ethnography: A Brief Report. |
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Author :
Robert Lian R. Saging @ Balangalibun and Lucy Bulan @ Sina Raban Bala |
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Abstract:
The Kelabits are an indigenous people who inhabit the high intermontane valleys, above the furthest reaches of the navigable rivers of the Baram and Limbang Districts in the most remote corner of the interior of Northern Sarawak. They have close cultural and linguistic ties with the Lun Bawang Muruts to their North in the Lawas and Limbang Districts and the Kenyah and Kayans to their South in the Ulu Baram, LHu Apoh and Ulu Tutoh areas of the Baram Districts. The Kelabits, with a population of 3821 in 1980 and an estimated population of 5059 in 1987, are a progressive people, always ready to meet the challenges brought by change, accepting and adopting useful new ideas for their further progress. In this process of accepting changes and new ideas the Kelabits have discarded and are discarding many of the ways of the past, which are considered out of date and thus a hindrance to progress. The Kelabits have probably one of the highest literacy rates amongst the numerous indigenous ethnic groups of Sarawak, considering that the first school in the Kelabit Highlands was only opened in 1946. It is estimated that all Kelabits below the age of 45 have reached a good standard of literacy. Whereas the older Kelabit population remains in the longhouses, the majority of the younger Kelabits are to be found in the towns where they are engaged in all sorts of occupations, many having attained tertiary and college education.
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| DOI: XXXX |
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How to cite:
Saging, R. L. R & Bulan, L. (1989). Kelabit Ethnography: A Brief Report. The Sarawak Museum Journal, XL (61): 89-118 |
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References
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