The Eban Name

Eban was named after a tribe of Headhunters in Sarawak called the Iban tribe. According to the author, Charles Allen, in his book "Tales from the South China Seas" the Iban or Sea Dayaks were the largest of these tribal groups who lived along the coastal belt and the rivers in the southern half of Sarawak. He described them as being '...all equally 'nature's gentlemen' - a hackneyed phrase but nevertheless apt, since they were hardworking, very courteous and very charming.'

Another explorer, Anthony Richards, spent most of his early years amongst the Iban and came to regard them with great affection: '... they were so open and democratic.' The tribe had its leaders but they didn't have a hierarchy. They would acknowledge status but their social behaviour cut right across and that was very impressive. When they came into a room, for instance, ......'they strode in as if they were making a stage entry, usually with a hand outstretched as one gentleman to another'.

Extract from Tales from the South China Seas by Charles Allen