Culture . History . Melanau
ABOUT MElanau
Melanau or A-Likou known as people of the river, are an ethnic group indigenous to Sarawak, Borneo. They are among the earliest settlers of Sarawak. Melanau is the fifth largest ethnic group in Sarawak.
In the 19th century, the Melanau's settled in scattered communities along the main tributaries of the Rajang River in central Sarawak. Melanau or problematic Kajang speaking tribes such as the Sekapan, the Rajang, the Tanjung and the Kanowit gradually moved and assimilated into Dayak migrations settling in the Rajang.
The Melanau are considered among the earliest settlers in Sarawak. The name Melanau was not used by the Melanau to refer to themselves until recently. They call themselves A-Likou meaning 'people of the river'. Legend has it that the name Melanau was given by the Malays of Brunei to the inhabitants of the coastal swamp flats and riverbanks of central Sarawak which might signifies "coast-dweller".
