Kelabit lady

Kelabit, at approximately 5,000 people, is one of the smallest indigenous groups in Sarawak, Borneo predominantly from Bario located on the Kelabit Highlands.  Kelabit people are well-known for their warmth, hospitality and friendliness and, also renowned for their famous Bario rice, beadwork, basket making and great generosity of spirit…..indeed simple desire and life – so refreshing esp in our today’s ever fast-changing and materialistic world. 

Like tattoo, once, extended earlobes (left pic) is part of kelabit culture and were regarded as a sign of beauty  (also in the pic, the beaded cap is called peta in kelabit). Everyone would have them done. The earlobes that are pierced with a sharp bamboo or needle will be slowly enlarged by hanging a pair of brass ear rings called hornbill ear rings (or abey in Kelabit).  However, this practice has since slowly disappeared.  It’s a bit like the Chinese traditional bind feet, in time to come this will be a total history.

Bario, Malaysian Borneo:  May 2007