The Murut are an indigenous ethnic group, comprising 29 sub-ethnic groups inhabiting northern inland regions of Borneo. A large percentage of the Murut communities are in the southwest interior of Sabah, East Malaysia, specifically the districts of Keningau, Tenom, Nabawan, and Pensiangan, along the Sapulut and Padas rivers. They can also be found inhabiting the border areas of Sarawak, (especially around the Lawas and Limbang areas, where they are also referred to as Tagal people), East Kalimantan (in Malinau and Nunukan) and Brunei. The literal translation of murut is "hill people".The group is divided between lowland (Timugon) and highland (Tagol) subgroups. They speak the Murutic languages, a branch of theAustronesian family. The Tagol Murut language serves as their lingua franca.
Ancient Chinese jars hold a prominent status in Murut customs. Jars are also a place of spirits, and larger jars were formerly used as coffins.
Traditional dress of Murut