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Sabah
: : Ethnic People
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| Sabah
is a unique land, a melting pot of many indigenous and immigrant groups.
The population comprises over thirty-one different ethnic races and
80 over different languages or dialects. The beautiful thing is all
these diverse ethnic groups live together harmoniously while at the
same time preserving their own culture, traditions, festivals and
customs. The indigenous group in Sabah include the Kadazan Dusun,
Bajau, Murut, Rungu, Lotud, Brunei, Orang Sungai, Kadayan, Bisaya
and many others sub-groups. |
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| The
Chinese form the largest non-indigenous group. The largest single
Chinese group in Sabah are Hakka(Kek), although Cantonese, Hokkien,
Teochew, Hainanese, Henghua and other groups found. The Chinese have
intermixed with the local population, mainly the Kadazan Dusun, often
creating the confusing situation ethnically whereby a person with
a Chinese name may not be Chinese. This may only be an indication
of some Chinese ancestry. He may be Kadazan in appearance, culture
and language. |
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| The
largest ethnic group, the Kadazan Dusun make up about a third of the
population are found mainly on the West Coast from Kudat to Sarawak
border and in the interior areas of Ranau, Tambunan and Keningau.
These are the prosperous agricultural rice producers of Sabah, although
in recent times, many have found success in modern professions. They
are well known for their unique customs that feature female priestesses
called "bobohizan" presiding over still practised ancient
rituals. They are many sub-groups, which include the Rungus, Lotuds,
Tambanuos, Kimarangans, Sanayos, Minokoks, Orang Sungai, Kuijau and
Tenggeras. The majority of the Kadazan Dusun people are Christians. |
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Bajaus, the second largest indigenous group are believed to have come
to Sabah around the 18th and 19th centuries from the Southern Philipines.
The Bajaus have often been called sea gypsies because they were fearless
sailors. But nowadays they are the famous 'Cowboys of the East' as
they are expert horsemen rearing ponies, buffaloes and cattle as well
as being as rice farmers. On festive occasions, they will be riding
brightly on decorated ponies. |
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Muruts, third largest indigenous group live mostly in the South West
region of Sabah and remote parts of the interior residency between
the town of Keningau, Tenom and Pensiangan. The Muruts were great
hunters, using spears, blowpipes and poisoned darts and dogs; once
feared for their head hunting. Some of the Murut tribes included the
Nabai, Bokan, Tagal, Nabas and Timogun. Some Muruts still practice
shifting cultivation, living in the more remote areas. |
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the most popular festival in Sabah is the 'Pesta Kaamatan'. This is
a Harvest Festival of the Kadazans and Dusuns during the month of
May, featuring traditional dances including one of the high priestess
bobohizan in search of rice spirits in a trance.This is a ritualistic
celebration greeting the successful harvesting of rice. Other celebrations
include the Chinese New Year celebrated by the Chinese, and the Hari
Raya celebrated by the Muslim community. |
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| Tamu |
 'Tamus'
are a periodic local open trade fairs in rural towns. These are spontaneous
hustle of marketing activities as natives gather to buy and sell or
barter their farm produce, handicrafts, traditional ware, culture
instruments and food items. To the local community, the 'Tamu' is
more of a social event than a commercial one. It is indeed a colorful
'bazaar' that should not be missed. |
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