Tidong of Sabah

The Tidong live o­n the eastern coast of Bulungan Regency, in the province of East Kalimantan, to the northeast of Putoh. They are more open to outsiders than many other groups, because they live in a coastal region. This openness and exposure to the modern world has lead them to be influenced by the outsiders? cultures. This has been heightened by the fact that most of their living areas have become transmigration areas. The Tidong speak their own language, Bahasa Tidong (Tidong language).

The Tidong make their living mainly as farmers. They grow sweet potatoes, cassava, lentils, fruits and vegetables. The Tidong practice migratory agriculture (shifting from o­ne field to another), mainly because they cannot maintain the soil?s fertility. New farm land is opened by cutting down trees and burning the underbrush. This farming method is often accused of being the main cause of forest fires in Kalimantan. However, even though this process does cause some damage, it is not comparable to the destruction done by businessmen who hold "Forest Enterprise Rights" from the government.

Some of the Tidong are ocean fishermen. The Tidong harvest rice, coconuts, and wood from their land. Petroleum is also produced o­n Bunyu and Tarakan islands.

Some of the Tidong young people choose their own marriage partner. However, some of them marry partners chosen for them by their parents.

The birth of a child is gladly welcomed and celebrated by a kenduri (ritual feast), which is a party led by a religious leader. Neighbors are invited to come to the feast in which the child is given a name (tasmiah). Usually, the celebration is held after the child is o­ne or two weeks old. At the party, there is a naik ayun (swing riding) ritual. In this ritual, the child?s parents put the child in a swing and cut the child?s hair and cover him/her with flour.

Generally, the Tidong are Muslims. They perform religious ceremonies in Islamic ways. Islam was brought to the Tidong by merchants from Sulawesi. Their division of inheritance is based o­n Islamic laws.""Despite their Muslim religion, some of the Tidong also practice animism, which is the belief that spirits are in all places and influence mankind. Thus, their traditional ceremonies are focused upon seeking protection through magic, by either appeasing or controlling both good and bad spirits. A spiritual leader called a dukun (shaman/healer/occultist) plays an important role in their society, and is often asked to heal sicknesses with spells.

Since the Tidong are nomadic, most of them do not have opportunities for a formal education from public schools. Typically, o­nly those who are settled are educated formally. The Tidong are open to advances of the modern era. Their openness can be used as an asset to improve and develop their human resources. They also need assistance to be more productive and creative in managing plantations as well as farms and fisheries.

Tagahas of Sabah

The Tagahas is a particular group of the Kadazan people inTambunan. They were very barbarous and strong, and their basic occupation was hunting. They came to Tambunan long ago in search of suitable hunting grounds.

There was another Kadazandusun tribe, called the Tambunan (hence the name of the district today), who were believed to be the first settlers in this area. These two tribes were always challenging each other into fights as they possessed the supernatural powers, which was their main weapon. Montuk, the leader of the Tagahas mastered most of the magical powers and was also a very volatile character. He was feared by his subjects but sometimes there were daring characters who tried to be superior and challenged him. However, many perished trying to fight the invincible Montak.

The Tagahas' most exciting games were war dancing and head hunting. Men were not able to marry if they could not hunt human heads. Before the Tagahas set out on their head hunting sprees, they would have a long period of dancing, accompanied by the beating of gongs and drums. As the Tambunan people were able to hear that terrible sound, it was also a signal that warned them that danger was on its way to their village. The Tagahas would overrun every village, burning houses and killing defenders. After a night of pillaging and head hunting, they would celebrate the victory. They drank alcoholic drinks from the fermented tapioca root and ate all the hunted meat. The heads they had acquired were put into a huge jar and placed in the centre of the celebrating people.

The Tambunan people, who suffered constant defeats decided to leave their village and resettled on the opposite side of the Kapagalan river. They built several longhouses that could be occupied by ten families in order to stay closely together as a defensive measure. They also put sentries all over the surrounding village as well as relentlessly upgrading their fighting skills. They also defeated the Tagahas when they tried to ambush their village. This is because one of the Tagahas betrayed his own tribe and told the Tambunan that Montuk was preparing his men to attack them. But the betrayer was captured and sentenced to death.

Today, head hunting is a thing of the past for the peaceful Tagahas people of Tambunan. Regardless of tribes, the Kadazandusun people live in harmony as one in Tambunan and celebrate various festivities together.

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.

Iban of Sabah

The Ibans are a branch of the Dayak peoples of Borneo. They were formerly known during the colonial period by the British as Sea Dayaks. Ibans were renowned for practising headhunting and tribal/territorial expansion. A long time ago, being a very strong and successful warring tribe, the Ibans were a very feared tribe in Borneo. They speak the Iban language.

Today, the days of headhunting and piracy are long gone and in has come the modern era of globalization and technology for the Ibans. The Iban population is concentrated in Sarawak, Brunei, in the West Kalimantan region of Indonesia. They live in longhouses called rumah panjai or rumah panjang [1]. Most of the Iban longhouses are equipped with modern facilities such as electricity and water supply and other facilities such as (tar sealed) roads, telephone lines and the internet. Younger Ibans are mostly found in urban areas and visit their hometowns during the holidays. The Ibans today are becoming increasingly urbanised while (surprisingly) retaining most of their traditional heritage and culture.

Bajau of Sabah

The Bajau people came from 2 tribes : 1) Bajau tribes of Kota Belud and 2) Bajau Laut tribes of Semporna

The Bajau tribes of Kota Belud are known for horse-riding while the Bajau Laut tribes of Semporna are known for their seafaring skills.

Bajau Laut tribes are known as the sea gypsy people like other island people of the Pacific Ocean in southern Philippines and other small islands.

For many years Bajau Laut lived in the ocean on make-shift house boats. Only in recent years they made settlements on coastal area with houses built on stilts. The ocean is still their main source of living - fishing, collecting clams and mussels, and pearl farming in Bodgaya Island and Boheydulang Island.

Cocos of Sabah

The Orang Cocos are originally from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands who settled this area in the 1950s. Along with them they brought their unique blend of scottish and malay desent.

The Orang Cocos of Sabah are mostly living in Lahad Datu, Kunak, Sandakan and in Tawau.

Orang Cocos now has a population of 4,000 in Sabah. (About 10 times larger than the population remaining in the Cocos Islands themselves) and with a home village of Kampung Cocos near Lahad Datu in Tawau Division in Sabah.

Their ancestors in Cocos Island worked in coconut plantations owned by the English. These early Cocoa Malay families shown a remarkable flair for adaptation. Elements of the English-Scottish traditions were absorbed into Cocos Malay cultural practices. Certain foods, dances and musical influences have a western flavour.

Bugis of Sabah

Bugis of Sabah, are a Bugis tribe residing in Sabah, mainly on the east coast and particularly around the districts of Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu

The expansion of the Bugis influence to Sabah began in the 16th century when members of the tribe migrated from Sulawesi to Java, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. However, only in 1840 did some move to Tawau, where they settled at Ranggu, which was founded by the chief village K.K. Salim's grandmother of Sungai Imam village, Bombalai. The settlers were traders, and later others came as workers on plantations established by the British. Later, Petta Senong, who was a member of the Bone royalty, resided in the same village. He was sent by the Sulu government to stop the piracy around the Sulu Sea. The Bugis continued to explore new places to develop Tawau town; among the Bugis settlers were Puang Ado, Daeng Mappata, Wak Neke, Wak Gempe and Haji Osman.

Looking at this tribe's social aspects, because of their close connection with royalty they place strong emphasis on an individual's status as well as family relationships. The Bugis prefer to marry close relatives and they are strongly against divorce because they believe it can destroy family relationships and it is not really encouraged by their religion, Islam.

The Bugis people use their own dialect known as Basa Ugi as well as their own script, called aksara Ugi, which has existed since the 12th century, during the expansion of the Hinduism in the Indonesian islands.