Murut

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.

The Murut were the last of Sabah's ethnic groups to renounce headhunting. As with the Iban of Sarawak, collecting heads of enemies traditional served a very important role in Murut spiritual beliefs. For example, a man could only get married after he presented at least one head to the family of the desired girl.The Murut were shifting cultivators of hill padi and tapioca, supplementing their diet with blowpipe hunting and with some fishing. They live in communal longhouses, usually near rivers, using the rivers as their highways. Most have now converted to Christianity, with about a fifth of the population being Muslims. However they still maintain their culture.Traditional dress for men was a jacket made of tree bark (Artocarpus tamaran), a red loincloth, and a headdress decorated with Arguspheasant feathers. Women wore a black sleeveless blouse and sarong, which fell just below the knees. Like most of the other indigenous groups in Sabah, the Murut decorated their clothing with distinctive beadwork and also made belts out of old silver coins. Another belt made of reddish-brown glass beads plus yellow and blue beads was hung loosely around the waist.Murut wedding or funeral feasts can last several days. 

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

Dusun Tobilung

The Dusun Tobilung is a small tribe of KadazanDusun. Native of Sabah Borneo. They generally resides in suburb part of Sabah Borneo namely Kota Marudu and Kota Belud and some in Kudat area.  In Kota Belud, you can find them  in a village ( Kampung ) namely  Kampung Dudar, Kampung Sarang, Kampung Timbang Mengaris and Kampung Taburon. These villages or kampungs quite far from the town area. Meanwhile in Kota Marudu they resides in Kampung Ulu Kukut, Kampung Mangaris I – III, Kampung Tonsom, Kampung Mangin, Kampung Bintasan and some in Langkon. Some could be found in Tigaman in Kudat area. Even then, nowadays most of the youngsters have moved to other places either to pursue their study or due to work commitment which left only the old folks with the children in their own kampung.And…now gone was the day of paganism. Today, majority of The Tobilungs has embraced Islam or Christian though, a small part has chosen to remain in their pagans belief especially those who has lived over centuries.Just like the rest of other pagans which do not have temple of specific place meant for prayer or fellowship, so is the Tobilungs who are pagan. Their prayer including request for healing for those taken ill or for well being. As a part of prayer service,  ‘Magambawon” will be held first where a chicken or pig will be sacrificed depends on how simple is the request. Upon completion of magambawon,  “Mogorunduk”  then will held whereby they will pray to request healing or other things.Jimat or ‘kemburongo’ is important in every prayer whereby the spirit they called for live in.

Odu ( in Tobilung ) means Nenek ( in Malay ) or Grandma. Believed to be one of the oldest from Tobilung’s sub-tribe with her age abt 84yrs old. Odu is currently staying with one of her daughter in Kg. Mangaris whilst her older brother staying in Ulu Kukut. Other sisters who owns paddy field living in Kg.Batu 4.  Odu and her younger sisters and older brother whose age is between 70yrs – 86yrs old…well according to the document. who knows what is her real age…could be 90yrs and above.

Traditional dress of Tobilungs