Punan Bah

The Punan, also called Punan Bah are an ethnic group and belong to the indigenous people of the island of Borneo. They live in the Malaysian state of Sarawak in the north of the island. They are counted among the Dayak. Despite the similar name, the Punan are a different ethnic group than the also living in Borneo Penan. However, they are described in some literature as a subset of the Penan (Leigh, 2002). It is believed that the Punan among the first settlers of the central region of Borneo, the Rajang and the Balui area were. However, the immigration of large quantities of Kayan, followed by the warlike Iban in these areas about 200 years ago have forced the resident Penangemeinschaften to retreat into the valleys of Kaku and Kemena.

Previously, the Punan have their nobles ( lajar ) not buried, but erected a tall pole, which was designated as kelirieng. In this hut was built, in which the body was laid to rest.

There are currently more than 10 Punan longhouse settlements. These are:

• Punan Sama Lovuk
• Punan Ba Lovuk
• Punan Lovuk Piao
• Punan Lovuk Meluyou
• Punan Lovuk Lirung concern
• Punan Lovuk Mina
• Punan Lovuk Pedanus
• Punan Lo'o Buong ( Jelalong ).

Lovuk means " long house ". The number of Punan was estimated in 2005 to about 3000 to 5000.