 Murut of Sabah
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About the Murut
The Murut people are an ethnic group of Sabah. They are considered as a subgroup of the Kadazan-Dusun. They live mostly in the northern inland regions. Most of the Murut communities are located in the southwest interior of Sabah, specifically in the districts of Keningau, Tenom, Nabawan, Pensiangan, along the Sapulut and Padas Rivers. The name Murut actually means "hill people". They speak the Tagol Murut language.
Historically, Murut were the last tribe in Sabah to stop the practise of headhunting. Collecting the heads of enemies was a tradition that was very important to Murut spiritual beliefs. In the old days, a man could only get a wife after he can present at least one head to the family of the desired girl.
The Murut were shifting farmers of hill padi and tapioca. They also hunt and fish to supplement their diet. They live in longhouses built near rivers which they use as a mode of transportation. Many have become Christians, although some have chosen to maintain their traditional belief. A portion of Muruts have also converted to Islam.
Traditional dress for Murut men comprises a jacket made of the bark of the Artocarpus tamaran tree worn with a red loincloth and a headdress decorated with Argus pheasant feathers. Womenfolk wear black sleeveless blouse and sarong which extends to just below the knees. Like the other tribes in Sabah, the Murut decorated their clothing with beadwork as well as coin belts.
Murut weddings and funeral feasts extends for many days. The tribe values ancient Chinese jars which are used for holding alcohol or spirits, while larger jars were formerly used as burial urns. The musical instruments of the Murut including hanging gongs and a two-string lute called tangkung.
Murut Culture
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