Page 85 - The Guide To Sarawak

THE GUIDE TO SARAWAK
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Other Groups
The smaller groups, the Beketan, Bhuket, Lisum and Punan Vuhang, have been subject to a great deal of social and cultural influence from their larger neighbours and little of their own culture remains distinct, except for the use of language in some cases. To the untrained eye their customs and cultures are usually indistinguishable from their Kayan-Kenyah or Kajang neighbours.
THE ORANG ULU TODAY
Every Orang Ulu group has seen dramatic changes
in the last half Century.
In general they appear to have fared well in adapting to the modern world, with some groups performing exceptionally well. Significantly, the earliest converts to Christianity appear to have benefited
to the greatest extent economically, not necessarily because of their beliefs but because of their relatively early introduction to education. The Kelabit, the Lun Bawang, the Bisaya and the Tagal fared well among the ethnic communities in Malaysia. The larger groups such as the Kayan and Kenyah and the Kajang have also done well, particularly where they have had access to good schools. Not to
be overlooked, are those remoter groups with more recent access to education
- the Penan and some of the smaller groups affiliated to
The Orang Ulu are always proud to display their heritage. Here a group of Orang Ulu visitors enjoying a Hari Raya open house celebration.
the Kajang - are catching up rapidly, both economically and educationally. They should enjoy full economic parity within the next decade, when they have all experienced at least two generations of modern education.
The greatest change has been the weakening of social stratification. Many aristocrats possessed extensive land holdings, birds nest caves and
other valuable resources, so it was frequently the commoners who took advantage of education to improve their lives. As
a result, many commoners
have progressed further becoming lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers and highly skilled workers.
The achievements since
the introduction of education in the last 70 years are remarkable, having produced renowned artists and musicians, doctors, lawyers, scientists, engineers, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs and administrators, including a few in politics at ministerial levels. They appear determined and are capable to use their heritage and their resourcefulness to help build a brighter future for themselves and all Malaysians.
A group of Kayan and Kenyah ladies perform the famous Long Dance, which depicts the flight of the Hornbill.