Kelabit

Kelabit refers to the Kelabit people, an indigenous ethnic group of northern Sarawak, Malaysia. They inhabit the highland area known as the Kelabit Highlands in the interior of Borneo, with Bario being the most well-known settlement. The Kelabit are a small community with a distinct language and cultural traditions.

The Kelabit language is spoken by the community and is typically transmitted orally, though many Kelabit are bilingual in Malay and English. The language is classified within the broader Austronesian language family, and efforts exist to document and revitalize it as younger generations increasingly use national languages. Most Kelabit today identify as Christians, largely Protestant, though some continue to observe traditional beliefs.

Traditionally, Kelabit society was organized around longhouses and subsistence farming, with hill rice cultivation, root crops, and foraged foods playing central roles. Craftwork such as beadwork, weaving, and wood carving is valued, and the people are known for distinctive textiles and jewelry. Rice wine (tuak) and ceremonial feasts accompany community events. In recent decades, ecotourism and diversification of agriculture have become important for the regional economy, especially in and around Bario.

Today the Kelabit maintain a distinct cultural identity within Malaysia, while participating in broader Malaysian society. They have community organizations and language programs aimed at preserving Kelabit language and traditions, and many members pursue education and careers beyond the highlands.