The Kelabit, who have close ties to the Lun Bawang, are an indigenous race of the Sarawak highlands--the remotest and highest of Borneo's mountains. The elevation here is slightly over 1,200 meters. Because there are few roads and the area is largely inaccessible by river because of rapids, the highlands and the Kelabit are relatively untouched by modern western influences. One major western influence that did penetrate this remote ethnic group was the arrival of Christian missionaries. The Kelabit are now predominantly Christian. State motto: no State motto Capital Kuching Governor Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Hj. ... Borneo (including the Kalimantan provinces of Indonesia, Sabah and Sarawak of Malaysia, and Brunei) is the third largest island in the world. ... A rapid is a section of a river where it loses elevation over a relatively short distance (that is, the stream gradient is locally steepened), causing an increase in water flow and (usually) turbulence. ... A Christian is a follower and believer in Jesus of Nazareth and the religion of Christianity. ...

The Kelabit still lead a traditional life in their inherited longhouses. In tight knit communities they practice a generations-old form of agriculture--they are cultivators of wet paddy, hill rice, maize, tapioca, pineapple, pumpkin, cucumber, beans and fruit. They are also great hunters and expert fisherman.

The Kelabit also raise buffalo, which they value very highly. Traditionally, the dowry for the upper class bride must consist of at least seven buffaloes. A buffalo is one of several species of bovine. ...

In the Second World War, the Kelabit were supplied weapons by the Australian military and played an essential role in the liberation of Borneo.