ANIMISTIC BELIEFS AMONG

THE IBANS COMMUNITY

• The ibans were traditionally animst, although the majority are now Christian,
many continue to observe both Christian and traditional ceremony, particularly
during wedding and festivals.
• Traditional name to a Hebrew-based “Christian name”. A minority still maintain
their traditional name or combine both traditional and Christian name.
• The iban religion involves worshipping and honouring at least four categories or
beings. The supreme god called Petara and his seven deities, the holy spirit of
orang panggau libau and gelong, the ghost spirit and the souls of dead ancestor.

• Some iban categorizes these gods into beings from the sky (ari langit) which
refers to the gods of living in the sky, from tree tops (ari pucuk kayu) which refers
to omen birds, from the soil (ari tanah) wich refers to agury snakes and animals,
and from the water (ari ai) which refers to the fish.
Supreme god and his seven deities
• The supreme god is called Bunsu (kree) petara sometimes called Raja Entala.
• Seragindi which makes the water, seragindah which makes the land and
seragindu which makes the sky.
• There are seven main petara (deities or god or regents) of iban dayaks who act
as the messenger between human being and god. These deities is the children
of Raja Jambu and the grandchildren of Raja Burong.
• Sengalang Burong as the god of war for protection and sustenence
• Biku Bunsu Petara (female) as the high priest
• Sempulang Gana as the god of agriculture along with his father-in-law Semarugah as the
god of land
• Selempanda/Selempete/Selempotoh as the god of creation and procreation

• Menjaya Manang as the god of health

• Anda Mara as the god of wealth

• Ini Anadan/Inee (female)as the natural born doctor and god of justice
• Mystical people called Pangau Libau and “Gelong”.
• Help people successful in life and adventure.

• Other spirit called Bunsu Jelu (animal spirit), antu untai tumboh (plant spirit)
and antu (ghost).
• Can be helpful, cause sickness or madness.

• The souls of the dead ancestors are invoked by iban when seeking their
blessing and showing their respect usually during Gawai Antu and when
visiting their grave.
• THANK YOU