Iban

Iban are an indigenous ethnic group of Borneo, primarily in Sarawak, Malaysia, with communities in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan and in Brunei. They form the largest indigenous group in Sarawak and are part of the Dayak peoples. Historically they lived in longhouses and practiced shifting agriculture; the longhouse served as the center of social life and kinship. The name Iban means “people” in their language, and outsiders have historically referred to them as Sea Dayaks.

The Iban language, or Bahasa Iban, is a Malayic language within the Austronesian family. It has several dialects and is widely used in daily life, media, and education alongside Malay. In contemporary settings, many Iban are bilingual or multilingual, speaking Malay and English as well.

Culture has been shaped by a blend of traditional beliefs and Christianity. Traditional practices include ancestor worship and rituals tied to life-cycle events. The longhouse remains a symbolic and social hub, illustrating kinship and communal decision-making. Musical traditions feature the sape, a wooden lute, and weaving, beadwork, and tattooing are notable crafts. Today, many Iban are Christians—predominantly Baptist—though some maintain traditional beliefs or practice Islam.

In modern times, Iban communities participate in Malaysia’s economy, governance, and education, while efforts continue to preserve language and cultural heritage. The Iban are distinct from the International Bank Account Number, abbreviated IBAN, used in cross-border banking.