The Dayaks of Borneo, better known as head-hunters, make their home in the mountains that lie in the middle of the island which consists mainly of dense tropical forests. The word Dayak or, more precisely orang Dayak, means ‘man of the interior’. The name is used to describe all the primitive peoples of Borneo.

The Dayaks have earned themselves a sinister reputation because of their savage ways but they have a strong sense of family ties and tribal relationships. For this reason they live together in long house communities of several hundred people. In northern Borneo these houses are sometimes more than 200 meters long.

These large houses are designed to accommodate a whole clan the members of which live together collectively instead of being split up into families, each with its separate house. A single dwelling can house all the people in a village, or a community may have two or three houses.

Many Dayaks build their homes high above the ground on hardwood piles. These houses serve two purposes: defense against attacks from enemies and protection from the marshy ground below and frequent flooding from the rivers when they overflow in the rainy season.

Although they vary in size and internal arrangement, the Dayak houses are very simple structures built of wood and covered in reeds. The front of house has a large verandah, where everyone can gather, and there are inner family compartments. Entrance to the house is by a log or bamboo ladder.