The Iban are the largest Indigenous ethnic group in Sarawak and one of the most prominent communities across Borneo. Traditionally known as skilled farmers, hunters, and riverine navigators, the Iban have historically lived in longhouses—communal dwellings that serve as both homes and centers of social, political, and cultural life. These longhouses foster strong bonds of kinship, cooperation, and mutual support, forming the backbone of Iban society.

The Iban are renowned for their rich cultural heritage, which includes ornate weaving (Pua’ Kumbu), intricate tattoos, elaborate beadwork, and traditional music and dance. These artistic expressions are not merely decorative; they carry profound spiritual and social significance, telling stories of ancestry, mythology, and the natural environment. Pua’ Kumbu, for instance, is a sacred textile used in rituals and ceremonies, while Iban tattoos historically symbolize courage, accomplishments, and social identity.

Agriculture, particularly shifting hill rice cultivation, forms a central part of Iban life, reflecting a deep knowledge of the rainforest and sustainable environmental practices. The Iban have long maintained a strong spiritual connection to the land, rivers, and forests, with animist beliefs and rituals guiding interactions with the natural world.

While many Iban communities have adapted to modern life, including education, commerce, and urban migration, they continue to preserve their traditions, language, and cultural practices. Festivals such as Gawai Dayak, the harvest celebration, remain vibrant expressions of communal identity, gratitude, and continuity.

Today, the Iban are recognized not only for their cultural resilience and creativity but also for their role as guardians of Borneo’s rainforest heritage, bridging centuries of ancestral knowledge with contemporary life.