Ethnologue: Areas: Asia
Malaysia, Sarawak
1,294,000 (1979). Literacy rate: 55%; male 64%, female 46% (1980 Sarawak Gazette). Data accuracy estimate: B. The number of languages listed for Malaysia, Sarawak is 46. Of those, 45 are living languages and 1 is extinct.
BALAU (BALA'U) [BUG] 5,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Southwest Sarawak, southeast of Simunjan. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundic, Malayic, Malayic-Dayak, Ibanic. May be intelligible with Iban. Survey needed.
BERAWAN [LOD] 870 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Tutoh and Baram rivers in the north. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Berawan. Dialects: BATU BLA (BATU BELAH), WEST BERAWAN, LONG PATA, LONG TERAWAN, LONG JEGAN. Survey needed.
BIATAH (KUAP, QUOP, BIKUAB, SENTAH) [BTH] 20,100 in all countries (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Sarawak, 1st Division, Kuching District, 10 villages. Also in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Land Dayak. Dialects: SIBURAN, STANG (SITAANG, BISITAANG), TIBIA. 71% lexical similarity with Singgi. Siburan is the prestige dialect. 'Bidayuh' is a political cover term fo all Sarawak Land Dayak groups plus Selako. Speakers cannot understand Bukar Sadong, Silakau, or Bidayuh from Indonesia. 45% literate. Radio broadcasts in Biatah. 'Siburan' is speakers' name for themselves. Agriculturalists: sago, wet rice, vegetables, fruit, rubber, pepper; animal husbandry: pigs, poultry; government employees. Christian, Muslim (1 village), traditional religion. NT 1963. Bible portions 1887-1912.
BINTULU [BNY] 4,200 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Northeast coast around Sibuti, west of Niah, around Bintulu, and two enclaves west. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Bintulu. Could also be classified as in Baram-Tinjar Subgroup or as an isolate within Rejang-Baram Group. Not close to other languages. Coastal. Survey needed.
BISAYA, SARAWAK (BISAYAH, BISAYA BUKIT, VISAYAK, BEKIAU, LORANG BUKIT) [BSD] 7,000 (1984 SIL). Southeast of Marudi, 5th Division. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Sabahan, Dusunic, Bisaya, Southern. Dialects: LOWER BISAYA, MID BISAYA, UPPER BISAYA. 58% lexical similarity with Sabah Bisaya, 78% to 79% with Brunei Bisaya, and lower with other Dusunic languages or any other language in Sabah. Radio broadcasts. Access by boat, road. Radio broadcasts. Agriculturalists: hill and wet rice, fruit, vegetables, rubber; sago palm; animal husbandry: water buffalo; fishermen. Christian, Muslim, traditional religion. Bible portions 1938.
BUKAR SADONG (SADONG, BUKA, BUKAR, TEBAKANG, SERIAN, SABUTAN, SEPUTAN, SAPUTAN) [SDO] 34,600 in all countries (1981 Wurm and Hattori)). Serian 1st Division, Sarawak, 30 or more villages. Also Indonesia. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Land Dayak. Dialects: BUKAR BIDAYUH (BIDAYUH, BIDAYAH), BUKAR SADONG, MENTUH TAPUH. Radio broadcasts in Bukar Sadong. 57% lexical similarity with Bahasa Malaysia. Work in progress.
BUKITAN (BAKITAN, BAKATAN, BEKETAN, MANGKETTAN, MANKETA, PAKATAN) [BKN] 410 in all countries (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Kapit, 7th Division. Also Kalimantan, Indonesia.Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang. Christian. Survey needed.
DARO-MATU [DRO] 7,600 including 4,800 Matu, 2,800 Daro (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Matu River from north channel of Rejang River to the sea, around Daro and Matu. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau. Dialects: DARO, MATU. May be intelligible with Melanau. Survey needed.
IBAN (SEA DAYAK) [IBA] 400,000 in Sarawak (1995 P. Martin); 15,000 in Brunei (1995 Martin); 415,000 in all countries. 1,000,000 including second language users (1991 WA). From Sadong River north to Bintulu, Sibu, one village in Tawau District of Sabah, and west and northern Kalimantan, Indonesia. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundic, Malayic, Malayic Dayak, Ibanic. Dialects: BATANG LUPAR, BUGAU, SEKARANG (SKARANG), DAU, LEMANAK, ULU AL, UNDUP. Largest language group in Sarawak. 35% literate (1980). Iban taught in some primary schools. Dialect of Second Division is the norm for literature. Radio broadcasts. Typology: SVO. Agriculturalists: dry and wet rice, fruit, rubber; fishermen. . Bible 1988. NT 1933-1952. Bible portions 1864-1968.
JAGOI (SARAWAK DAYAK, JAGGOI, BAU-JAGOI) [SNE] 19,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Bau, 1st Division, Sadong, Samarahan and Lundu rivers, about 20 villages. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Land Dayak. Dialects: GROGO, SENTENGGAU JAGOI, KROKONG, GUMBANG, SERAMBAU (SERAMBO), EMPAWA, ASSEM, SINGGE (SINGGAI, SINGGI, SINGGIE, SINGHI, BISINGAI), SUTI, TENGOH, DONGAY, TAUP (TAHUP). 69% lexical similarity with Bukar Sadong. Related to Singgi, Tringus, Taup. Radio broadcasts in the language. Work in progress.
KAJAMAN (KAYAMAN, KEJAMAN) [KAG] 500 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Near Belaga on the Baloi River in central Sarawak, 7th Division. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang. May be intelligible with Sekapan. Limited comprehension of Iban. Survey needed.
KANOWIT [KXN] 170 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Middle Rejang River, below Tanjong language, 3rd Division. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau. Being absorbed by Iban. Survey needed.
KAYAN, BARAM (BARAM KAJAN) [KYS] 4,150 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Baram River area, Upper Sarawak. Not in Brunei. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Kayan-Murik, Kayan. Dialects: LONG ATIP, LONG AKAHSEMUKA. Access by river. Trade language. Agriculturalists: wet and dry rice, sweet potatoes, bananas, tobacco, sugarcane, maize, rubber; hunters; fishermen; rattan sellers, beeswax, camphor. Christian, traditional religion. Bible 1990. NT 1970. Bible portions 1956-1965.
KAYAN, MURIK [MXR] 1,120 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Below Long Miri (Banyuq) and below Lio Mato (Semiang) on the Baram River. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Kayan-Murik, Murik. Dialects: LONG BANYUQ (BANYUQ), LONG SEMIANG (SEMIANG). Not closely related to other languages. Survey needed.
KAYAN, REJANG (REJANG KAJAN) [REE] 3,030 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Rejang, Balui river areas. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Kayan-Murik, Kayan. Dialects: MA'AGING, LONG BADAN, UMA DARO, LONG KEHOBO (UMA POH), UMA JUMAN, LONG MURUN, LONG GENG, LEMENA, LISUM. Limited comprehension of Baram Kayan. Survey needed.
KELABIT (KALABIT, KERABIT) [KZI] 1,650 in all countries (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Northern Sarawak, in the remotest and highest of Borneo mountains. Also in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Kelabitic. Dialects: BRUNG, LIBBUNG, LEPU POTONG, BARIO, LON BANGAG. Speakers highly educated, strongly independent. Inaccessible by river because of rapids. Agriculturalists: paddy and hill rice, maize, tapioca, pineapple, pumpkin, cucumber, beans, fruits; hunters; fishermen. Christian. Bible portions 1965.
KENYAH, BAKUNG (BAKONG, BAKUNG, BAKUNG KENYA) [BOC] 2,000 in all countries (?) (1981 Wurm and Hattori). South central, near Kalimantan border. Mainly in Kalimantan, Indonesia.Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Kenyah. Dialect: OGA BAKUNG. Muslim. Survey needed.
KENYAH, SEBOB (SIBOP, SEBOP, SEBOB, SABUP, SAMBUP) [SIB] 1,730 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). On the upper Tinjar River in northern Sarawak, 4th Division, between the Rejang and Baram rivers, several large villages. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Kenyah, Sebob. Dialects: TINJAR SIBOP, LIRONG, LONG POKUN, BAH MALEI (BA MALI), LONG ATUN, LONG EKANG (LONG IKANG), LONG LUYANG. Not closely related to other languages. Muslim (Lirong).
KENYAH, TUTOH (TUTOH KENYA) [TTW] 600 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Northeast, Tutoh River. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Kenyah. Dialects: LONG WAT, LONG LABID, LUGAT. Not closely related to other languages.
KENYAH, UPPER BARAM (UPPER BARAM KENJA, KENJA, KENYAH, KINJIN, KINDJIN, KANYAY) [UBM] 2,660 in all countries (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Upper Baram River near the Kalimantan border. Also in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Not in Brunei. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Kenyah, Main Kenyah. Survey needed.
KENYAH, WESTERN (WESTERN KENYA, KENJA, KINJIN, KINDJIN, KANYAY) [XKY] 1,250 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Balui, Belaga, Kalua, and Kemena rivers. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Kenyah, Main Kenyah. Dialects: LONG BANGAN, KEMENA PENAN, KAKUS PENAN, UMA BAKAH (LONG BULAN), LUNAN. 80% lexical similarity between Madang and Lepu Kulit. Madang may be a dialect. 25% literate. Agriculturalists: wet and dry rice, sweet potatoes, bananas, tobacco, sugar cane, maize, rubber; hunters; fishermen. Christian, some Muslim. Survey needed.
KIPUT (LONG KIPUT) [KYI] 2,460 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Northeast around Marudi. Not in Brunei. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Lower Baram, Central, A. Dialects: KIPUT, LEMITING. Related to Narom, Lelak, Tutong 2, Belait, and Berawan. Muslim. Survey needed.
LAHANAN (LANUN, LANAN) [LHN] 350 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Central, east of Belaga, southwest of Long Murum. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang. Not the same as Illanun of Sabah or Iranun of the Philippines. Closest to Kayaman. Survey needed.
LARA' (LURU) [LRA] 12,000 in all countries (1981). Two small villages on Pasir River, Lundu, 1st Division, Also Kalimantan, Indonesia. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Land Dayak. Related to Bukar-Sadong.
LELAK [LLK] 220 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Northeast, east of Sibuti (Dali) and the Tinjar River (Lelak). Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Lower Baram, Central, B. Dialects: LELAK, DALI. Related to Narom, Kiput, Tutong 2, Berawan. Muslim. Survey needed.
LUNDAYEH (LUN DAYAH, LUN DAYE, LUN DAYEH, LUN DAYA, LUN DAYOH, LUNDAYA, LUN LOD, SOUTHERN MURUT) [LND] 10,000 in Lun Bawang dialect in Sarawak (1987); 2,800 in Lun Daye in Sabah (1982 SIL); 25,000 in Kalimantan, Indonesia (1987); 450 in Brunei (1987); 38,250 in all countries. Southwestern border of Sabah and Sarawak. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Kelabitic. Dialects: LUN BAWANG (SARAWAK MURUT), LUN DAYAH, ADANG, BALAIT (TABUN, TRENG), KOLUR, PADAS, TRUSAN (LAWAS, LIMBANG), LEPU POTONG. Not Murutic, although sometimes called Southern Murut. Radio broadcasts. Agriculturalists: wet and dry rice, coffee, sugar cane, maize, cucumber, pumpkin, tapioca, coconut, banana, pomelo, papaya, durian, mango; animal husbandry: chicken, pigs, buffaloes; hunters, fishermen. Christian (Lunbawang and some Lundayeh), traditional religion (others). Bible 1982. NT 1962. Bible portions 1947.
MADANG (BADANG, MEDANG, MALANG, LEPO TAU KENYAH, LEPO TAU KENYA) [MQD] Tinjar River, 4th Division. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Kenyah, Sebob. May be intelligible with Sebob Kenyah. 25% literate. Christian. NT 1978. Bible portions 1957.
MELANAU (MILANAU, MILANO, BELANA'U) [MEL] 25,320 in all countries (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Coastal area of the Rejang delta up to the Balingian River, 3rd Division. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau. Dialects: MUKAH-OYA (MUKAH, MUKA, OYA, OYA', OGA), BALINGIAN, BRUIT, DALAT (DALAD), IGAN, SARIKEI, SEGAHAN, PREHAN, SEGALANG, SERU, SITENG. 52% literate. Tropical forest. Agriculturalists: sago, rice, coconut, rubber; fishermen; loggers; animal husbandry: chickens, goats, water buffalos; traders with Iban. Traditional religion, Muslim, Christian, secular.
MILIKIN (MILLIKIN) [MIN] 4,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Southwest, south of Simunjan. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundic, Malayic, Malayic-Dayak, Ibanic. Survey needed.
NAROM (NARUM) [NRM] 2,420 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). South of the mouth of the Baram River around Miri and to the south. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Berawan-Lower Baram, Lower Baram, Central, B. Dialects: NAROM, MIRI. Survey needed.
OKOLOD (KOLOUR, KOLUR, KOLOD, OKOLOD MURUT) [KQV] 1,000 in Sarawak; 100 to 200 in Sabah (1987 SIL); 2,000 to 3,500 in all countries (1985 SIL). Sabah southwest of Tenom and Sipitang districts on some of the plantation estates and some along the headwaters of the Padas River. Primarily in Sarawak and Kalimantan, Indonesia. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Murutic, Murut. 82% lexical similarity with Okolod of Sabah; 70% with Pensiangan Murut (Tagal), 34% with Lundayeh. 1 school in Sarawak. Traditional religion, Christian. Work in progress.
PUNAN BAH-BIAU [PNA] 450 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Central, around Merit, Rejang River, 7th Division. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Rejang-Sajau. Dialects: PUNAN BAH (PUNAN BA), PUNAN BIAU. Nomadic. They get salt from the Kayan. Hunter-gatherers. Survey needed.
PUNAN BATU 1 [PNM] 50 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Central, west of Long Geng, southeast of Belaga. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang. May be intelligible with Bukitan. Distinct from Punan Batu 2, a dialect of Sajau Basap in Kalimantan. Nomadic. They get salt from the Kayan. Hunter-gatherers. Survey needed.
PUNAN-NIBONG (PENAN, NIBONG, NIBON) [PNE] 9,000 in Sarawak (1988 Lian); 50 in Brunei (1988); 9,050 in all countries. Upper Baram and Balui rivers around Mt. Dulit, 3 villages, 4th to 7th Divisions, and Nibong branch of the Lobong River, a tributary of the Tinjar River. Also in Brunei. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Punan-Nibong. Dialects: NIBONG, BOK PUNAN (BOK), PUNAN SILAT, PUNAN GANG (GANG), PUNAN LUSONG (LUSONG), PENAN APO, SIPENG (SPENG), PUNAN LANYING, JELALONG PUNAN. Not closely related to other languages. Traditionalists are nomadic and semi-nomadic; Muslims are settled. Schools. Tropical forest. Subsistence agriculturalists, hunter-gatherers. Muslim, traditional religion. NT 1974, out of print. Bible portions 1958-1967.
SA'BAN [SNV] 1,000 in all countries (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Northeast on the Kalimantan border, northeast of Ramudu, Upper Baram, 4th Division. Also in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Kelabitic. Bible portions 1969. Survey needed.
SEBUYAU (SIBUYAU, SABUYAU, SIBUIAN, SIBUYAN, SABUYAN) [SNB] 9,000 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Lundu, 1st Division, mouth of the Lupa River, west bank around Sebuyau. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundic, Malayic, Malayic-Dayak, Ibanic. May be intelligible with Iban. Survey needed.
SEKAPAN (SEKEPAN) [SKP] 750 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Belaga, 7th Division. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang. May be intelligible with Kajaman. Christian (1 village). Survey needed.
SELAKO (SELEKAU, SALAKAU, SILAKAU) [SKL] 3,800 in Sarawak (1981 Wurm and Hattori); 100,000 (?) in Kalimantan, Indonesia (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Saak, Lundu, 1st Division, 22 villages.Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Sundia, Malayic, Malayic-Dayak. Gradually being adopted by the younger speakers of Lara'.
SERU [SZD] Kabong, 2nd Division. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau. Extinct.
SIAN (SIHAN) [SPG] 70 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Belaga, 7th Division. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang. May be intelligible with Bukitan, Ukit, Punan Batu 1. Survey needed.
SIBU (SIDUAN, SIDUANI, SEDUAN-BANYOK) [SDX] 420 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Sibu, 3rd Division, Rejang River. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau. Dialects: SEDUAN, BANYOK. May be intelligible with Melanau. Survey needed.
TANJONG [TNJ] 100 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Rejang River above the Kanowit language area, below Song village, Kapit, 7th Division. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Melanau. Survey needed.
TRING [TGQ] Long Terawan village, lower Tutoh River. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Kelabitic. Not the same as Tringgus. Survey needed.
TRINGGUS (TRINGUS) [TRX] 350 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Southwest of Kuching, south of the Jagoi, on the Kalimantan border. Some in Kalimantan. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Land Dayak. Dialects: TRINGGUS, SEMBAAN (BIMBAAN). Each dialect has a few villages. Closer to Biatah than to Jagoi. A different language from Tring. Survey needed.
TUTONG 1 [TTX] 25,000 in all countries (1981 Wurm and Hattori); 15,000 in Brunei (1995 P. Martin). Along the lower Limbang River. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Sabahan, Dusunic, Bisaya, Southern. Distinct from Tutong 2 in Baram-Tinjar Subgroup. May not be in Sarawak. Survey needed.
UKIT [UMI] 120 (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Upper Rajom and Tatau rivers, Baleh, 7th Division. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, Melanau-Kajang, Kajang. It may be intelligible with Bukitan, Sian, Punan Batu 1. Distinct from the Punan Ukit dialect of Bukitan. Survey needed.
External Links*
Part of the Ethnologue, 13th Edition, Barbara F. Grimes, Editor.
Copyright © 1996, Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc. All rights reserved.
If you have questions, comments, or updates on the Ethnologue, go to the Feedback page.
[Asia | Areas | Ethnologue Home | SIL Home]
