From Migrants to Citizens: The Iban of Melilas Longhouse, Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

There are an estimated 14,000 to 20,000 Iban living in Brunei Darussalam, most of them in the Belait and Temburong districts. They migrated to Brunei from Sarawak just before the Second World War in search of new land and an opportunity to improve their livelihoods. Not recognised as one of the seven indigenous ethnic groups (puak) by the state, the common narrative is that they face challenges of incorporation into the sultanate. In the Sukang subdistrict in Belait, there are eight Iban longhouses. This case study of the Iban of the Melilas longhouse documents how one particular community has successfully negotiated and managed their acceptance as full citizens of Brunei while retaining their Iban identity.