Melanau
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Melanau | |
|---|---|
| Total population | 35,000 |
| Regions with significant populations | Mukah, Sarawak |
| Language | Melanau |
| Religion | Islam & Christianity |
The Melanau are a people who live on the island of Borneo, primarily in Sarawak, Malaysia, but also in Kalimantan, Indonesia. They are among the earliest settlers of Sarawak, and speak a Northwest Malayo-Polynesian language.
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[edit] Origins
The Melanaus believe that they are a descendant of a group of people from the Philippines. They migrated to Sarawak because of war in Mindanao in the 16th century. Their original settlements were on the Sarawak coast between Bintulu and Sarikei, in what is now Mukah Division.
[edit] Divisions
The Melanaus can be divided into six different groups which are: Melanau Mukah, Melanau Dalat, Melanau Oya, Melanau Daro, Melanau Ba'ie(Bintulu) and Melanau Miri. Each group have their own characteristic languages but the share the same cultural background. The Melanau languages have been divided in the following six: Daro-Matu, Kanowit, Melanau, Sibu, Seru and Tanjong. [1]
[edit] Culture & Economy
The Melanau were traditionally fishermen and skilled boat builders. They used to live in tall stilted and long houses, but today (2006) they live in kampong (separated houses in a village community) style.
[edit] Religion
While originally animists, the majority of the Melanaus are now Muslim, although some of them, especially among the Melanau Mukah, are Christian. Nonetheless, many still celebrate traditional rites such as the annual Kaul Festival.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Melanau Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version
- ^ Stephen, Edward Subeng (26 April 2003) "Ten of Thousands Expected for Kaul Celebration in Mukah" Bernama The Malaysian National News Agency;
