Multivariate statistical analysis on the physical interrelationship of native tribes in Sarawak, Malaysia

An anthropometric survey was made on the seven tribes in Sarawak, Malaysia. In order to study their physical interrelationship, the data obtained were used for multivariate statistical analysis including Mahalanobis's distance and two-dimensional representation of group configuration with canonical variates. The conclusions were as follows; the Land Dayak are different from other tribes; the Kayan and Kenyah resemble each other; the Iban, Malay and Kedayan are close enough to make a cluster; and the Land Dayak, Kedayan and Melanau, being different from one another, do not seem to be of the same origin.