Murut Of Sabah

Murut Cultural Centre was opened in 1991. Located 10 km from Tenom Town at Kampung Pulong.

The centre has an area of 33 acres beside the Pegalan River. The impressive buildings cover an area of 20 acres.

An interesting gallery displays many artefacts of the Murut people of Sabah.

The buildings are mainly constructed of local timber. Giant pillars feature elements of local Murut architecture. Wood carvings on the pillars and pannels inside the building give visitors a real feel of Murut traditions, which is enhanced in the museum gallery in the upper floor with its many artefacts, such as jars, gongs, traditional designs and general information on the Murut.

Murut are the third largest indigenous group in Sabah, after the Kadazandusun and the Bajau.

There are sub-groups called Baukan, Gana, Timugon, Tahol, Serundung, Selungai, Paluan, Okolod, Murut Beaufort and Keningau.

Many of the Murut, especially those in the far interior, still live in their traditional longhouses, and practise agriculture. Others have taken up skilled and remunerated work in town

Tapai is a Murut traditional rice wine

The Kalimaran Festival - An annual festival held in Tenom Murut Cultural Centre that celebrates and honours the Murut traditions.

TIMUGON MURUT (TIMUGON, TIMOGUN, TIMIGAN, TIMIGUN, TIMOGON, TUMUGUN, TEMOGUN, TENOM MURUT) [TIH] 7,200 to 8,700 (1982 SIL), including 1,200 to 1,700 in Beaufort Murut (1982 SIL). Tenom District along the Padas River from Melalap to Batu, and Beaufort District along the Bukau and lower Padas rivers. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Murutic, Murut. Dialects: KAPAGALAN, POROS, BEAUFORT MURUT (BINTA'), TIMUGON, SANDIWAR (SANDEWAR), DABUGUS, LOWER MURUT, MURUT PADAASS, BUKAU (BUKOW). Bahasa Malaysia is widely understood. Muslim. Bible portions 1986-1990. Work in progress.



KENINGAU MURUT (CENTRAL MURUT) [KXI] 4,000 to 5,200 (1982 SIL), including 1,000 to 1,200 Dusun Murut (1985 SIL); 34,282 in all countries all Murut in Sabah (1980 census). Keningau District within a 10-mile radius to the north of Keningau town along the Pegalan River. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Murutic, Murut. Dialects: NABAY (NABAI, NEBEE, DABAY, DABAI, RABAY, RABAI), AMBUAL, DUSUN MURUT. Closely related to Baukan and Timugon. No one under 20 uses Nabay as first language. Survey needed.

SELUNGAI MURUT [SLG] 300 in Sabah (1990 SIL); 800 in all countries (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Pensiangan District, 1 village, along the Sapulut River from the confluence with the Pensiangan River south to the Indonesian border. Also along the upper reaches of the Sembakung River in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Murutic, Murut.

SEMBAKUNG MURUT (SIMBAKONG, SEMBAKOENG, SEMBAKONG, TIDONG, TIDOENG, TIDUNG, TINGGALAN, TINGGALUM, TINGALUN) [SMA] 5,000 in all countries (?) (1981 Wurm and Hattori). Along the Sembakung River in northern Kalimantan, Indonesia, from the mouth upstream possibly as far as Sabah. Mainly Indonesia. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Murutic, Tidong.

SERUDUNG MURUT (SERUDONG, TAWAU MURUT, TIDUNG) [SRK] 1,000 (1989 SIL). Tawau District along the Serudung River and one village 12 miles from Tawau town. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Murutic, Tidong.

TAGAL MURUT [MVV] 28,000 to 48,000 in Sabah, Malaysia (1987 SIL); 2,000 Alumbis in Kalimantan (1987 SIL); 30,000 to 50,000 in all countries (1991 SIL). Pensiangan, Keningau, Tenom, Sipitang districts over the whole southwestern portion of Sabah, south into Kalimantan, Indonesia. Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Western Malayo-Polynesian, Borneo, Northwest, North Sarawakan, Dayic, Murutic, Murut. Dialects: RUNDUM (ARUNDUM), TAGAL (TAGGAL, TAGUL, TAGOL, NORTH BORNEO MURUT, SABAH MURUT), SUMAMBU (SEMEMBU, SEMAMBU, SUMAMBUQ), TOLOKOSON (TELEKOSON), SAPULOT MURUT (SAPULUT MURUT), PENSIANGAN MURUT (PENTJANGAN, LAGUNAN MURUT), SALALIR (SADALIR, SEDÁLIR, SARALIR), ALUMBIS (LUMBIS, LOEMBIS), TAWAN, TOMANI (TUMANIQ), MALIGAN (MAULIGAN, MELIGAN, BOL MURUT, BOLE MURUT). Those who have been to school can use Sabah Malay for routine topics. Closest to Paluan. 20% literate in Bahasa Malaysia. Christian, traditional religion. NT 1984-1991. Bible portions 1965-1990.