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
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