Kelabit people

Kelabit people
Orang Kelabit / Kalabit

A group of native Kelabit men, 1912.
Total population
approximately 6,000 (2013)
Regions with significant populations
Borneo:
Malaysia (Sarawak)	6,600[1]
Indonesia (East Kalimantan)	790[2]
Brunei	no census
Languages
Kelabit language, Malay language (Sarawakian Malay), Indonesian language
Religion
Christianity (predominantly), Animism
Related ethnic groups
Lun Bawang, Sa'ban people

The Kelabit are an indigenous Dayak people of the Sarawak/North Kalimantan highlands of Borneo with a minority in the neighbouring state of Brunei. They have close ties to the Lun Bawang. The elevation there is slightly over 1,200 meters. In the past, because there were few roads (only poorly maintained logging roads, which tended not to be too close to the Bario Highlands) and because the area was largely inaccessible by river because of rapids, the highlands and the Kelabit were relatively untouched by modern western influences. Now, however, there is a relatively permanent road route on which it is possible to reach Bario by car from Miri. The road is marked but driving without a local guide is not advisable, as it takes over 11 hours of driving to reach Bario from Miri through many logging trail junctions and river crossings.

With a population of approximately 6,600 people (2013), the Kelabit comprise one of the smallest ethnic groups in Sarawak. Many have migrated to urban areas over the last 20 years and it is estimated that only 1,200 still live in their remote homeland. There, tightly knit communities live in inherited longhouses and practice a generations-old form of agriculture. Hunting and fishing are also practised. Domesticated buffalo are valued highly, seven of which are traditionally required for the dowry for an upper-class bride.