Punan
The Punan , also called Punan Bah , are an ethnic group and belong to the indigenous population 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 Penan who also live on Borneo . However, they are described as a subgroup of the Penan in some specialist literature (Leigh, 2002). It is believed that the Punan were among the first to settle in the central region of Borneo, the Rajang and Balui areas. However, the immigration of large numbers of Kayan , followed by the warlike Iban into these areas about 200 years ago, forced the Penan communities living there to retreat to the valleys of Kakus and Kemena .
In the past, the Punan did not bury their nobles ( lajar ), but instead erected a high stake, which was called kelirieng . A hut was built on top of it, in which the body was laid to rest.
There are currently more than 10 Punan longhouse settlements. These are:
- Punan Lovuk Sama
- Punan Lovuk Ba
- Punan Lovuk Biau
- Punan Lovuk Meluyou
- Punan Lovuk Lirung concern
- Punan Lovuk Mina
- Punan Lovuk Pedan
- Punan Lo'o Buong (Jelalong).
Lovuk means "long house". The number of Punan was estimated at around 3,000 to 5,000 in 2005.
