Origins of The Kenyah Leppo' Ke

Written sources on the history of Kenyah Leppo' Ke are very rare and limited. But much can be learned from local oral traditions, even though these often contain differences. According to "Social Science Research and Conservation Management in the Interior of Borneo", at the end of 17th century Kenyah Leppo Ke lived in Belaga river in Sarawak and were led by a chief Known as Apoi Laing. Below are the historical settlements of the Kenyah Leppo' Ke.

Sungai Belaga > Apau Julan>Hulu Iwan> Bawang Ipung>Apau Urung>Long Bena>Long Apan>Sawa Bio'>Long Beraa>Nggon Putton(+/-1860)>Apau Aii'(+/- 1870)>Tokok Dok (+/- 1875)>Ngau Liang(+/-1875)> Lg Pengayan(+/- 1905)>Ka'Buang(>Apau Ping>Long Banga>Lg Semiang>Lg Selaan

Second group was move from Nggau Liang>Nda' Pa(19050)>Long Lat (1930),Lg Tekolah (1988)> Lg Loreh (1972)

Third group move from Nggau Liang> Uma' Lasan (1905)>Long Lio'(1925)>Long Tebulo (1973)>Gong Solok(1975)

In the past, the frequent movements of groups of Kenyah leppo' Ke were generally caused by their search for better land. The selection of a location for settlement was based on the consideration of several important factors: size of the area, soil fertility which was crucial for meeting subsistence needs, security and defence in order to avoid hostile attacks and health to prevent outbreaks of diseases. In addition, there were frequent disagreements among the high aristocrats in a village which caused groups to break up.

The most important event in the lives of Kenyah Leppo' Ke in the last three decades, however, has been the mass movement out the the sub district of Pujungan especially to the Baram River area in Sarawak which took place during the Confrontation (Long Banga Village 1963) and to what was then the neighbouring district of Melinau (The villages of Long Tekolah, Gong Solok and Long Loreh between 1966 to 1975)

These mass movements originated in the people's desire to find easier and more pleasant living conditions than those prevailing in the very isolated area of the upper Bahau River. Also conditions that would provide education, health and access to market. Individual and family move also taken place to the coastal area in effort to seek work or pursue higher education and in search of waged work.