Murut

The Murut are an indigenous ethnic group native to Borneo, primarily in Sabah, Malaysia, with smaller communities in Brunei and parts of North Kalimantan, Indonesia. They comprise several sub-ethnic groups, each with its own dialects, customs, and social practices, but they share cultural roots and historical ties.

Language and culture

Murut languages form a branch of the Austronesian language family. Today, many Murut people are bilingual, speaking Malay as well as their own languages, and some subgroups use a mix of dialects. Traditional Murut culture centers on agriculture, especially rice farming, sago processing, and other subsistence activities. Longhouses were a historic feature of Murut settlement patterns along rivers, and customary law, or adat, guided social relations, marriage, and community governance. Music, dance, beadwork, and weaving are notable cultural expressions, and harvest celebrations are common in many communities.

History and social changes

Historically, Murut communities included organized settlements in interior Sabah and along river systems. They were known for headhunting practices in intertribal conflicts before extensive contact with colonial and religious missions. The arrival of missionaries and state institutions, along with integration into modern governance and economy, led to widespread conversion to Christianity or Islam, depending on the locality, and gradual changes to traditional social structures.

Modern period

Today, many Murut are engaged in agriculture, plantation work, forestry, and urban or government employment. Education and media exposure have increased use of Malay and other languages alongside Murut dialects. The Murut contribute to Sabah’s cultural diversity and are represented in regional cultural and political life, with distinct subgroups maintaining their own identities within a broader national context.