Bahau people

Bahau or Kayan Mekam people is a sub-ethnic group of the Apo Kayan people who inhabit West Kutai Regency (9.3%),^[3] East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Bahau people
Dayak Bahau

Dancers wearing Hudoq performing a mask dance during the sowing celebration of the Bahau Dayak, Upper Mahakam, circa 1898-1900.
Total population
22,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
Indonesia (East Kalimantan)
Languages
Bahau language, Indonesian language
Religion
Bungan (Folk religion),[2] Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Kayan people (Borneo), Kenyah people

They are found in regional districts of :-

• Long Iram district, West Kutai Regency^[4]
• Long Bagun district, Mahakam Ulu Regency^[5]
• Long Pahangai, Mahakam Ulu Regency^[5]

Language

The Bahau language is part of the Kayan-Murik languages.

• Kayan-Murik languages (17 languages)
  • Kayan language:
    • Bahau language, Bahau people of the Mahakam Ulu Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
    • Busang Kayan language, Busang Kayan people of the West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
    • Wahau Kayan language, Wahau Kayan people of the Wahau river mouth, East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
    • Mahakam Kayan language, Mahakam Kayan people of the West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
    • Kayan River Kayan language, Kayan River Kayan people of the Malinau Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
    • Baram Kayan language, Baram Kayan people of Sarawak, Malaysia
    • Rejang Kayan language, Rejang Kayan people of Sarawak, Malaysia
    • Mendalam Kayan language, Mendalam Kayan people of the Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia
  • Modang language:
    • Modang language, Modang people of the West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
    • Segai language, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
  • Punan Muller-Schwaner:
    • Aoheng language, Aoheng or Penihing people of the West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
    • Punan Aput language, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
    • Punan Merah language, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
    • Uheng-Kereho language, Uheng-Kereho people of the Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia
    • Bukat language, Bukat people of the West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
    • Hovongan language, Hovongan people of the Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia
  • Murik language:
    • Murik Kayan language, Murik people of Sarawak, Malaysia

Culture

Folk Song

• Panau-Panau^[6]

Dance

• Hudoq dance^[7]