Kenyah
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| Kenyah | |
|---|---|
| Total population | 45,000 |
| Regions with significant populations | Belaga, Bintulu, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, East Kalimantan, Indonesia |
| Language | Kenyah |
| Religion | Christianity & Bungan |
Contents |
[edit] The Kenyah people
The Kenyah are an indigenous, Austronesian-speaking people of Borneo, living in the remote Baram (Lio Mato, Long Selaan, Long Moh, Long Mekaba, Long Jeeh, Long Belaong, Long San, Long Silat, Long Tungan and etc), Data Kakus, Data Surau, Long Dungan, Long Busang, Long Beyak, Bintulu, Miri, Sungai ASAP, Long Bulan, Long Jawe and Belaga regions in Sarawak, Malaysia and the remote Apau Kayan, Bahau and Mahakam regions in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Kenyah race are divided into various tribe such as Uma Bakah, Lepo Anan, Lepo Tau, Lepu Jalan, Lepo' Tepu, Uma Kelap, Badeng (Jamok, Lepo Aga'), Bakung,Kayan, Penan, Lebu Kulit, Uma Alim, Uma Timai, Uma Lasan, Lepo Ma-ot, Sambop, Lepo Ke', Lepo Ngao, Ngurek, Kiput, Lepo Ke, Long Ulai, Long Tikan, Long Sabatu, Lepo Ga, Lepo Dikan, Lepo Pua, and etc.
[edit] Culture and economy
The Kenyah, traditionally being swidden agriculturalists and living in long houses (uma dado'), is an umbrella term for over 40 sub-groups that mostly share common migration histories, customs and related dialects. Kenyah lived in long houses in a small communities. Each long house consists of families who choose their own leader (headman). When they have any event or celebration such as harvest festival they will normally use the long house verandah (oseh bi'o) to gather and deliver speeches to guide their youngsters. Normally this harvest festival celebration (tau bio Ramay o o Ajau, pelepek uman) is a major festival because most of them are still farmers.
[edit] Religion
Almost all Kenyah are Christian. Before they became Christian they believed in 'Bungan Malan Peselong Luan' (a traditional form of animism). But now there are only a small number of Kenyah that still believe in Bungan. When they die they believe they go to Alo Malau (heaven) with their ancestors (tepun).
[edit] Population
Statistical figures, based on the Indonesian and Malaysian national censuses collected in 2000, recorded a total of 44,350 Kenyah in East Kalimantan and 24,906 in Sarawak.[1]
[edit] Origins
The Usun Apau (aka Usun Apo) plateau(in the Peliran river valley) or Apo Kayan Highlands (a remote forested plateau in Malaysian and Indonesian border) in the present-day Indonesian province of East Kalimantan was the largest concentration site of Kenyah populations between the late 19th century to the early 1980s.
[edit] Languages
The Kenyah languages are a small family of Austronesian languages.
[edit] Notes
- ^ See 2000 National Census, Jawatan Perangkaan Malaysia, 2000 and 2000 Population Census /Sensus Penduduk 2000, Central Bureau of Statistics Indonesia, 2000
[edit] Further reading
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- ^ See 2000 National Census, Jawatan Perangkaan Malaysia, 2000 and 2000 Population Census /Sensus Penduduk 2000, Central Bureau of Statistics Indonesia, 2000
