What attracts most visitors to Sarawak is its ethnic diversity. There are 27 distinct indigenous ethnic groups that speak 45 different languages and dialects and are proud to call Sarawak their home.

That's the official figure. And that's not counting the Malays and the many different Chinese groups with all their different dialects that have also settled in Sarawak. Some anthropologists want to sub-divide the ethnic groups even further to include ethnic sub-groups. One fact, however, remains undiminished: Sarawak has ethnic diversity aplenty.

The Iban are the most famous of Sarawak's ethnic groups. They were once the legendary warriors of Borneo; the most feared of the headhunting tribes. Thankfully they now no longer headhunt, and have adopted a peaceful agrarian lifestyle. A visitor to an Iban longhouse will find that they are a generous, hospitable and placid people.

There are, of course, 26 other tribes who are also the most gracious and engaging of hosts. There are the Bidayuh, formerly known as the "Land Dayaks", who so enchanted the first White Rajah with their gentleness.

Then there are the Melanau fisherman of the littorals of Central Sarawak, and the multitude of upriver tribes who collectively form the Orang Ulu (people of the headwaters); the nomadic Penan, guardians of the rainforest.