The Saban (pronounce as Sa'ban), are an indigenous race of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is categorised under the Orang Ulu groups and have a close ties with Kelabit people.
With a population of approximately less than 1,000 people, Saban considered as one of the smallest ethnic groups in Sarawak. Over the last 20 years, most of the population had moved to urban area (mainly to Miri) for better living and employments. Yet, the rest of population are still living in the homeland, Long Banga, Long Puak (formerly known as Long Ballong) and Long Peluan.[1]
Being an off-shoot of Kelabit tribes, they share a lot of thing in common especially in term of cultures, traditions and customs. Most of Saban people could understand Kelabit language very well, this is because there are similarities in the language itself.
Some simple phrases in Saban
| Saban Phrase | Pronounnciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Eek | egg | I, Me |
| Ceh | You | |
| Mai pah ceh | my pah ceh | Where are you going |
| Mau | Yes | |
| Am | arm | No |
| Non | What |
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