Iban

IBAN is also an acronym for International Bank Account Number

The Ibans were formerly known during the colonial period by the British as Sea Dayaks and are a branch of the Dayak peoples of Borneo. At the time a fearsome warrior race, the Iban were renowned for practising headhunting and piracy.

Today the Iban population is concentrated in Sarawak, Brunei, and part of Indonesia. The Ibans live in longhouses, rumah panjai, but today's longhouses are modern (that is,with electricity and lots of other modern facilities). Younger Ibans are mostly found in urban areas, and visit their hometowns during the holidays.

Significant festivals include the rice festival Gawai Dayak, and the spirit festival Gawai Antu. The Gawai Dayak festival is celebrated every year on the 1st of June,at the end of the harvest season. On this day,the Ibans get together to celebrate, often visiting each other. The Iban traditional dance, the ngajat, is performed with the accompaniment of the taboh, the name of the Ibans' traditional music. Pua kumbu, the Iban traditional cloth, would be used to decorate houses. Tuak, which is rice wine,would be served to guests.