Ngajat is a traditional dance of the Iban people of Sarawak, believed to have existed since the 16th century. It was originally performed by warriors (bujang berani) returning from the battlefield to celebrate victory, and each of its movements represents the Hornbill (Burung Kenyalang). Today Ngajat is performed at Gawai Day celebrations and to welcome guests to the longhouse, with various types such as Ngajat Lesong, Ngajat Indu, Ngajat Pua Kumbu and Ngajat Ngiling Tikai.
- Ngajat is a traditional dance of the Iban people of Sarawak, classified as Performing Arts (Dance) in the JKKN cultural mapping
- Believed to have existed since the 16th century, originally performed by warriors returning from war or hunting
- The dance movements represent the Hornbill (Burung Kenyalang), the emblem of the Iban people
- Today it is performed at Gawai Day and to welcome guests to the longhouse
- There are various types: Ngajat Lesong (men), Ngajat Indu (women), Ngajat Pua Kumbu and Ngajat Ngiling Tikai
Who this applies to: Anyone who wants to understand the meaning, origins, types and performance context of the Ngajat dance of the Iban people of Sarawak.
On this page
In the gallery of a longhouse in Sarawak, a man with hornbill feathers on his head leaps, spins and stamps the floor — a sword in one hand, a shield in the other. This is Ngajat, the dance that once welcomed warriors home from the battlefield.
What is the Ngajat dance?
Ngajat is a traditional dance of the Iban people of Sarawak. In the cultural mapping of the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), it is classified under Performing Arts — Dance.
According to ICHLinks records, this dance is believed to have existed alongside the Iban people since the 16th century. It was originally performed by warriors returning from war or hunting, as a celebration of victory. Today its function has shifted to a celebratory performance.
Why do its movements resemble a bird?
Because that bird carries a special meaning. Every movement of Ngajat represents the Hornbill (Burung Kenyalang) — the bird that is the emblem of the Iban people and of the state of Sarawak, “Bumi Kenyalang” (the Land of the Hornbills).
The men’s dance is bold: it depicts a warrior heading to war or a bird in flight. According to ICHLinks records, male dancers wear a headdress of hornbill feathers, carry a long ornamented shield and a sword, and dress in a loincloth (cawat). By contrast, Ngajat Indu performed by women emphasises “the values of gentleness and modesty of Iban women”, with movements that mimic the work of weaving pua kumbu.
When is it performed?
Its original function as a war dance has now been replaced by two main contexts:
- Gawai Dayak Day celebrations and cultural events in Sarawak.
- Welcoming guests who come to visit the Iban longhouse.
What are the types of Ngajat?
Ngajat is not a single dance, but a group of dances. Among the types recorded by JKKN:
| Type | Main feature |
|---|---|
| Ngajat Lesong | Performed by a man who lifts a wooden mortar using his teeth — according to JKKN weighing up to 20 kilograms — symbolising a man fighting to win a woman’s heart |
| Ngajat Indu | Performed by women; gentle movements mimicking the work of weaving pua kumbu |
| Ngajat Pua Kumbu | Uses the pua kumbu cloth; formerly associated with welcoming a warrior returning bearing an enemy’s head (now replaced by a coconut as a symbol) |
| Ngajat Ngiling Tikai | ”Rolling up the mat” — marking the end of the Gawai Dayak celebration and informing the deities (petara) and spirits (antu) that the festival is over |
What is its music?
Ngajat is danced to the rhythm of traditional Iban music. ICHLinks records list gongs as well as percussion instruments such as enkeromong, bendai, canang, dumbak and ketebong. According to the JKKN page for Ngajat Pua Kumbu, the traditional music accompaniment that accompanies this dance is known as Taboh Iban.
What’s next
- Read Gawai Dayak to understand the harvest festival of the Dayak people of Sarawak, where Ngajat is the headline performance.
- See the JKKN cultural mapping records for official information on each type of Ngajat.
- Refer to the Sarawak page for the home state of this dance and the community that inherits it.
What is the Ngajat dance?
Ngajat is a traditional dance of the Iban people of Sarawak. According to the JKKN cultural mapping it is classified as Performing Arts (Dance). It was originally performed by Iban warriors returning from the battlefield, and today it is a headline performance at Gawai Day as well as at ceremonies to welcome guests at the longhouse.
What do the movements of Ngajat mean?
The movements of Ngajat represent the Hornbill (Burung Kenyalang), the bird that is the emblem of the Iban people and of the state of Sarawak. The men's dance is bold and depicts a warrior or a bird in flight, while Ngajat Indu performed by women emphasises the values of gentleness and modesty.
What are the types of Ngajat dance?
Among the types recorded by JKKN are Ngajat Lesong (performed by men while biting a wooden mortar), Ngajat Indu (performed by women with movements that mimic weaving pua kumbu), Ngajat Pua Kumbu (using the pua kumbu cloth) and Ngajat Ngiling Tikai, which marks the end of the Gawai Dayak celebration.
The following are deliberately unstated or described only qualitatively until confirmed by a subject-matter expert:
- Pautan entiti masyarakat asal: relasi 'related-to → orang-asli' telah dibuang kerana salah (kaum Iban ialah kaum Dayak/Orang Asal Sarawak, bukan Orang Asli Semenanjung). Sahkan sama ada wujud halaman entiti Dayak/Orang Asal Sarawak yang sesuai untuk diganti.
- Asal usul abad ke-16 dicatat ICHLinks sebagai kepercayaan tradisi ('strongly believed'), bukan tarikh sejarah yang disahkan. Sahkan sebagai kepercayaan komuniti.
- Berat lesung sehingga 20 kg (Ngajat Lesong) ialah keterangan deskriptif JKKN tentang aksi tarian, bukan ukuran piawai. Sahkan angka ini.
- Kredit penyumbang ICHLinks (MACPA) dibaca dari halaman langsung. Sahkan susunan kata kredit penyumbang terus pada rekod ICHLinks.
Sources
- Ngajat Indu — Maklumat Seni Budaya — Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara (JKKN)
- Ngajat Lesong — Maklumat Seni Budaya — Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara (JKKN)
- Ngajat Ngiling Tikai — Maklumat Seni Budaya — Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara (JKKN)
- Ngajat Pua Kumbu — Maklumat Seni Budaya — Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara (JKKN)
- Ngajat Dance — ICHLinks — disumbangkan oleh The Malaysia Arts Cultural Practitioners Association (MACPA)
Change history
| Version | Date | Change | By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01.00 | 1 Aug 2026 | Approved and published. | — |