Penan

The Penan are an indigenous ethnic group of Borneo, primarily in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, with a smaller population in Brunei. They are among Borneo’s last remaining nomadic hunter-gatherers, traditionally living in forest camps and moving seasonally to follow food resources. Their subsistence historically centers on hunting with blowpipes and darts, fishing, gathering fruits and tubers, and processing sago starch from the sago palm. They construct simple huts in forest clearings or semi-permanent longhouses when settled, though many still maintain a nomadic pattern.

Language and identity: The Penan speak Penan languages, a small group of related languages within the Austronesian family; most also speak Malay or other Dayak languages for wider communication. Social organization is flexible and kin-based; decisions are often made by elders or through community consensus.

Culture and religion: Traditional beliefs emphasize animist spirituality with reverence for forest spirits, complemented in many communities by Christian denominations due to missionary influence.

History and contemporary issues: In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Penan communities faced significant pressure from logging, mining, and plantation development on ancestral lands. This has led to conflicts, road blockades, and legal actions to defend land rights. Some Penan have settled in villages around towns and participate in modern economies, while others continue forest-based livelihoods.

Population: Estimates place the Penan in the tens of thousands, concentrated in Sarawak, with smaller communities in Brunei.