IBAN’S

ATTIRES
MADE BY: SHARVENA
DHANYAALETHUMI
PAVITRA
DIHAALINI
HI FRIENDS, TODAY MY FRIENDS AND I ARE GOING
TO PRESENT ABOUT IBAN’S ATTIRES……

SO LET THE FUN BEGIN!!

 MALE ATTIRE: KELAMBI AND
SIRAT
• The traditional garment of Iban men is called kelambi and “sirat”. There are two types of
kelambi which is sleeved and sleeveless. Kelambi worn by men Iban during certain ceremonies.
Cutting of kelambi is very simple which consists of a rectangular piece of cloth folded double.
• The loincloth is a garment of great antiquity, is now distinctively ignored among
modern Ibans. Barkcloth is the original material for loincloths. The way to tying a
"sirat" is take a strip of material about 10 inches wide and 10 to 12 feet long, the end
of the cloth is decorated with beautiful embroidery or weaving. Men's traditional
Iban costumes wear “sirat” with a very long loincloth around the waist and between
the two stocks, one end through the legs hanging in front which is dress like a apron
and the other end around the waist. There should be a little “tail” (iko sirat in Iban) in
the back. The loincloth worn in this way is quite secure and will not fall off.
Furthermore, they also wear accessories such as a belt, armlet and anklet made from
silver and a headgear decorated with hornbill feathers.
HERE ARE SOME IMAGES OF THE
MALE ATTIRE
 FEMALE ATTIRE
• The Iban ngepan (or traditional attire) is generally worn for special occasions (Gawai), ceremonies,
rituals and dances. The Iban comprises about 30% of Sarawak’s population, with varying differences in
terms of dialect, tradition and ngepan. Most famous of the use and promotion of the ngepan in current
times is for the Kumang Gawai. Kumang is the Mother Goddess of the Iban back in the animistic days.
Considered a supreme beauty and great weaver, she is now embodied in the annual Pekit Kumang, a
beauty pageant that showcases the traditional attire of the female Iban as well as other qualities
commonly associated with the great Kumang. The winner of the competition is crowned Kumang, which
is held in many parts of Sarawak at various levels.

• Due to the huge distances and location between different groups of Iban, each has developed its own
different and and yet somewhat signature ngepan indu (female costume/attire). However, now a modern
standard has been set that only allows a potential Kumang to wear a specific set of ngepan with its
accompanying accessories, roughly based on the Iban of Saribas’ ngepan to be worn for Pekit Kumang.
 
 IMAGES:

SUGU TINGGI
Marek Empang/ Tangu (Worn
around the shoulder)
 
3. KAIN KARAP 4. Lampit (Silver Belt
THANK YOU….