Tombonuo people
Tambanuo Tambanua | |
|---|---|
 The Tombonuo in their traditional dress | |
| Total population | |
| c. 16,000 (2026)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Malaysia(  Sabah)(Beluran, Kinabatangan, Kota Marudu, Paitan, Pitas, Ranau and Telupid districts) | |
| Languages | |
| Native Tombonuwo Also Sabah Malay • Standard Malay • English | |
| Religion | |
 Christianity (Protestant and Roman Catholic) (majority)Animism  Islam (Sunni) (minority) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
Kadazan-Dusun • Rungus • Ida'an • Bisaya • Dayak • Iban • Melanau • Lun Bawang/Dayeh • Murut • Kedayan • other Austronesian peoples |
The Tombonuo people, or Tambanuo, are an Austronesian ethnic group indigenous to Sabah, Malaysia. Their populations are concentrated within Sabah's Sandakan Division, specifically in the Beluran, Kinabatangan and Paitan districts, as well as in the Kudat Division of both the Kota Marudu and Pitas districts, including the West Coast Division in the Ranau district.[2][3][4] With an estimated population of 16,000 in the year 2026,[1] they are closely related to the Orang Sungei where the latter had converted to the religion of Islam while many of Tombonuo follows Christianity and some remain with their animist beliefs.[5] Their language (ISO 639-3 txa) belongs to the Paitanic branch of the Austronesian language family.[6][7]
Formerly animist-pagan with strong spiritualist beliefs, most of the present-day Tombonuo adhered to Christianity, while other to either Baháʼí or Islam although the latter are more identified to as Orang Sungei. Traditionally centred around subsistence farming, hill and wet-rice cultivation, fishing, and foraging, the Tombonuo agrarian lifestyle is deeply connected to local riverine and coastal ecosystems in districts like Paitan, Pitas, and Kinabatangan.[8] Due to its closer dialects with the Dusunic group languages, the Tombonuo is listed among the Kadazan-Dusun ethnicities under Article 6 (1) of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association's (KDCA) constitution.[9]
Etymology
[edit]The ethnic group are known by their various spellings, such as Tambanua, Tambannuwa, Tambanwa, Tambanwas, Tombunao and Tambunuha.[10] Since their massive conversion to Christianity in the late 19th century, they have been known as Tombonuo.[10] The name Tombonuo originated from the combination of two words in the Tombonuo language which are "Tombo" and "Nuo".[11] The word Tombo in the ethnic language carries the meaning of "place", where Nuo is shortened from the word of Vonou, which carries the meaning of either "world" or "continent" and also referring to the island of Borneo.[11]
Background history and origin
[edit]The Tombonuo ethnic group is among the indigenous tribes of Sabah, classified within the Paitanic group, which also includes the Lobu, Lingkabau, Sugpan, and Upper Kinabatangan.[8][12][13] The majority of historical analyses concerning the ethnicity frequently depend on folklore, legends, and myths transmitted via oral tradition.[13] Historical accounts indicate that the Tombonuo once resided in Kanibongan Village (Kampung Kanibongan).[13] During the conventional ethnic conflict era, the Tombonuo, together with other ethnic groups from the Momogun, Sukang, and Makiang, opted to relocate from coastal regions to interior locales like Paitan and Sugut.[13] Individuals who have embraced Islam are referred to as the Orang Sungei, yet they continue to maintain their Tombonuo language and cultural heritage.[13][14] The Tombonuo is listed among the 48 Kadazan-Dusun ethnicities.[9]
Culture and society
[edit]
The Tombonuo traditionally grow hill rice, root crops, and local vegetables; catch fish; and gather forest and mangrove resources for their local medicine and food, although in modern days their ancestral lands were subjected to frequent encroachment by unscrupulous companies.[15] Tombonuo ethnic cultural heritage is overseen and preserved by the Sabah Tombonuo Association (Standard Malay: Persatuan Bangsa Tombonuo Sabah), which is also responsible for the management of Tombonuo Cultural House in Paitan.[16][17] The Tombonuo annually observed the Rami-Rami Poriamo festival, which refers to a large gathering or celebration that unites the entire Tombonuo community in the spirit of family, unity, customs and culture.[18]
Music and dance
[edit]The ethnic are known for their traditional Sumanggak dance, which originated from the muinamung ceremony performed during the mengayau (headhunting) group on their way back to their village.[19] The concept of dance performances underwent a transformation during the British administration period in the late 19th century with the previous ceremony was replaced with the monginsamung ceremony, which welcomed the return of their ethnic warriors.[20] The change subsequently altered the dance movement patterns, costumes, and musical instruments, including the props, in terms of function and processing with each movement pattern is closely associated with the traditional rituals of the Tombonuo ethnic group.[20]
Attire
[edit]
Traditional Tombonuo attire for both males and females is the Sabung Impit, where Sabung means either "blouse or shirt", while Impit means "fit".[21] The female dress accessories consist of aboi, atalambu, banglu, golong lungkaki, golong onsungoi, janji, liningkong, lungkaki, pantis, ramboi, tapi, tinombuku, and tinggol onsungoi/aki, while the male accessories consist of kambot, kontiu, golong lungkaki, pangkos, sopilang, soput, tolungas tapi/singal, and tongap.[22] The banglu is the most common female headdress among the Tombonuos, with a moon-shaped crescent made of coconut shell which is often paired with another moon-shaped cloth in three colours of green, white, and yellow called ramboi together with tinombuku (female hair bun).[23] The design of the female's Sabung Impit is based on the Tombonuo proverb, "Osiow pugikolan nu tinaih no" (a female who is slim and possesses a good body shape).[24][25] Among the Paitan Tombonuo males, the main symbol is the personal adornment of a handkerchief on the head, which is made with the saying "Tombonuo okon po ko toranan nopomintangan ku yoh" (to appreciate the future spouse).[25] In the past, the Tombonuos of Paitan held the belief that a Tombonuo male adorned with pangkos on his arms is a powerful and esteemed person, while those who own a soput are strong and brave, defined as hunters and capable of protecting females since they have skills in monyoput/menyumpit (blowgun).[26] The male waist has a tongap for ramok, a traditional bamboo gun among the Tombonuo which is produced from roots combined to form toxic substances.[26]
Cuisine
[edit]The Tombonuo traditional dish is the tambah (pickle condiment/relish), landam (dessert), and sinolui (corn snacks/kuih).[27] The tambah usually consists of fish with cassava and fruit such as papaya.[28]
Religion
[edit]
The majority of Tambonuo in Sabah are Christian, followed by Baháʼí and some Muslims.[29] Traditionally, their belief was animist-pagan, believing in various types of spirits and supernatural beings, especially guardians; jadi-jadian (shapeshifting); sogit (ritual fines); the village heat custom and komburongo (a kind of good spirit); and gonding (ritual tools made of metal pieces).[29] Many Tombonuos are adherents of the Protestant Church in Sabah.[30] In addition to Islam and Christianity, the Tombonuo ethnic group has also embraced a new religion, namely the Baháʼí religion, since the early 1990s, where the religion jointly co-exists with their customs, which are not being influenced by the latter religion.[31]
Language
[edit]The Tombonuwo language (northern Paitanic) is closely related to Mangka'ak, one of the Dusun dialects,[32] with which it shares 59.11% intelligibility.[33] There also exist some differences with the Kalabuan (southern Paitanic of the upper Kinabatangan River).[34] Below are some examples of Tombonuo and Mangka'ak words with translations in English:[35]
| English | Tombonuo | Mangka'ak |
|---|---|---|
| Me | Aku | Oku |
| Them | Nosiro | Yolo |
| Where? | Sombo'? | Sombo? |
| When? | Ombia? | Songia? |
| Male | Kusoi | Kusai |
| Female | Wianoi | Tongondu |
| Drink | Inum | Ngiup |
| Rain | Uran | Darun |
| Water | Sungoi | Vaig |
| Moon | Ulan | Tulun |
| Sun | Mato runat | Tadau |
| Night | Awi | Otuvong |
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Tambanua, Paitan in Malaysia". Joshua Project. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
- ↑ Ationg 2018, p. 150.
- ↑ "Sabah (Malaysia)" (PDF). IslandStudies.ca. Charlottetown, Canada. 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 June 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2026 – via University of Prince Edward Island.
- ↑ Kok On & Pugh-Kitingan 2015, p. 403.
- ↑ "ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM ORANG SUNGAI DI PITAS - ADAT KEMATIAN [Pengenalan dan sejarah]" [CUSTOMS AND CULTURE OF THE ORANG SUNGAI PEOPLE IN PITAS - DEATH CUSTOMS [Introduction and history]]. National Department for Culture and Arts, Malaysia (in Malay). Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
While most of the Orang Sungai population in Pitas practices Islam, a minority, especially within the Tambanuo sub-group, follows Christianity
- ↑ Sarawak Museum 1991, p. 431.
- ↑ "ISO 639-3 Language Code". Common Education Data Standards. Archived from the original on 8 September 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
- 1 2 Kumis, Kumis (29 March 2021). "Sejarah Awal Suku Tombonuo, Kinabatangan, Sandakan" [Early History of the Tombonuo Tribe, Kinabatangan, Sandakan]. Borneo History (in Malay). Retrieved 14 August 2026.
- 1 2 "About us [The Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association Sabah (KDCA) is a non-political cultural organization representing 48 indigenous ethnic communities of Sabah]". Kadazan-Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA). Archived from the original on 15 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
- 1 2 Jia Min & Kok On 2022, p. 212.
- 1 2 Jemaslin & Abdul Arif 2019, p. 31.
- ↑ Dinamika Edition 1998, p. 34.
- 1 2 3 4 5 AN, Nazihah (22 May 2025). "Ketahui Tradisi Dan Sejarah Suku Tombonuo, Warisan Budaya Pribumi Sabah" [Learn about the traditions and history of the Tombonuo tribe, a cultural heritage of Sabah's indigenous people]. ILoveBorneo.my (in Malay). Archived from the original on 3 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
- ↑ Summer Institute of Linguistics 1988, p. 150.
- ↑ "Big aquaculture bulldozes Borneo". Reuters (Business Times ed.). 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 15 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026 – via New Straits Times.
- ↑ Will, Cleo (19 March 2023). "Tombonuo community must maintain traditional cultural heritage: James". Borneo Daily Bulletin. Archived from the original on 15 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
- ↑ Dol, Clarence (27 April 2023). "Dusun Tombonuo told to preserve traditions". Daily Express. Archived from the original on 15 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
- ↑ Hj Muin, Hj Mohd Amin (8 August 2025). "Rami-Rami Poriamo mendapat sambutan menggalakan" [Rami-Rami Poriamo receives encouraging response]. Borneo Daily Bulletin (in Malay). Archived from the original on 16 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- ↑ Jia Min & Kok On 2022, pp. 211–212.
- 1 2 Jia Min & Kok On 2019, pp. 47–49.
- ↑ Jemaslin & Abdul Arif 2019, pp. 32–35.
- ↑ Jemaslin & Abdul Arif 2019, pp. 33–34.
- ↑ Jemaslin & Abdul Arif 2019, p. 33.
- ↑ Jemaslin & Abdul Arif 2019, p. 37.
- 1 2 Jemaslin 2022, p. vi.
- 1 2 Jemaslin & Abdul Arif 2019, p. 35.
- ↑ Makanan Tradisional Tombonuo Tambah, Landam dan Sinolui bersama mama [Tombonuo Traditional Food Tambah, Landam and Sinolui with mom] (media). Suzy Masandul (in Malay) (YouTube ed.). Pitas, Sabah. 2024. 18:55 minutes in. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- ↑ Makanan Tradisi Suku Kaum Tombonuo Sabah - Cara Buat TAMBAH [Traditional Food of the Tombonuo Tribe of Sabah - How to Make TAMBAH] (media). Onnie Gaya Hidup Suri (in Malay) (YouTube ed.). Pitas, Sabah. 2022. 09:16 minutes in. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- 1 2 Jia Min & Kok On 2022, p. 216.
- ↑ "Protestant Church in Sabah". World Council of Churches. Archived from the original on 15 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
Today a truly indigenous church, the Protestant Church in Sabah (PCS) consists of many indigenous tribes such as Rungus, Tobonuvo (Tombonuo), Kimaragang, Garo and others.
- ↑ Jia Min & Kok On 2022, p. 217.
- ↑ King 2000, pp. 2–25.
- ↑ Sintian 2023, pp. 6–11.
- ↑ Adelaar & Schapper 2024, p. 398.
- ↑ Sintian 2023, pp. 6–10.
Bibliography
[edit]- Sabah Syntax Papers. Summer Institute of Linguistics. 1988. ISBN 978-0-88312-214-3.
- Sarawak Museum (1991). The Sarawak Museum Journal. Sarawak Museum.
- The Cultural Heritage of Sabah. Dinamika Edition. 1998. ISBN 978-983-9600-06-3.
- King, Julie (2000). "Tombonuo grammar notes" (PDF). pp. 1–25. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 August 2026 – via SIL Global.
Text is licensed by SIL Global under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 - Kok On, Low; Pugh-Kitingan, Jacqueline (2015). "Field Note: The Impact of Christianity on Traditional Agricultural Practices and Beliefs among the Kimaragang of Sabah [A Preliminary Study]". Asian Ethnology. 74 (2): 401–424. ISSN 1882-6865. Archived from the original on 19 May 2026.
- Ationg, Romzi (2018). Federal Political Elites and the Expansion of Ethnic Politics to the Periphery State of Sabah in Malaysia (PDF). Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Thesis). p. 1–285. Archived from the original on 3 June 2026 – via Australian National University Open Research Repository.
- Jia Min, Cheng; Kok On, Low (2019). "ASAL USUL, PENGOLAHAN DAN SIMBOL RAGAM GERAK TARIAN SUMANGGAK ETNIK TOMBONUO" [Origin, Adaptions and Symbols of the Dance Movements in Sumanggak Dance of the Tombonuo Ethnic Group]. MANU Journal of Humanities (in Malay). 30: 47–78. eISSN 2590-4086. Archived from the original on 9 September 2024 – via Universiti Malaysia Sabah Journal Management System.
- Jemaslin, Elysiana; Abdul Arif, Harleny (2019). "The Aesthetic Value of Sabung Impit of Tombonuo Ethnic in Paitan Sabah". International Journal of Technical Vocational and Engineering Technology (iJTvET). 1 (1): 31–37. eISSN 2710-7094. Archived from the original on 13 August 2026 – via Malaysian Technical Doctorate Association (MTDA).
- Jia Min, Cheng; Kok On, Low (2022). "Ritual Muinsamung Etnik Tombonuo: Perubahan dan Pemeliharaan Secara Kreatif" [Muinsamung Ritual of the Tombonuo: Changes and Creative Conservation]. KEMANUSIAAN The Asian Journal of Humanities (in Malay). 29 (2): 211–234. doi:10.21315/kajh2022.29.2.10. Archived from the original on 3 August 2026 – via Universiti Sains Malaysia Journal Management System.
Text is licensed by KEMANUSIAAN The Asian Journal of Humanities under CC BY 4.0 - Jemaslin, Elysiana (2022). PAKAIAN TRADISIONAL DAN PERHIASAN DIRI SABUNG IMPIT ETNIK TOMBONUO PAITAN, DALAM KONTEKS KSSM PENDIDIKAN SENI VISUAL [TRADITIONAL CLOTHING AND PERSONAL JEWELLERY OF THE PAITAN TOMBONUO ETHNIC SABUNG IMPIT, IN THE CONTEXT OF KSSM VISUAL ARTS EDUCATION] (PDF). Master of Education (Research Mode) Faculty of Arts, Sustainability and Creative Industries (Thesis) (in Malay). p. 1–45. Archived from the original on 14 August 2026 – via Sultan Idris Education University.
- Sintian, Minah (1 December 2023). "Bahasa Tombonuo Dan Mangkaak: Dalam Keluarga Bahasa Yang Sama" [Tombonuo And Mangkaak Languages: In The Same Language Family]. Rumpun Jurnal Persuratan Melayu (in Malay). 11 (2): 1–13. Archived from the original on 6 June 2026. Text is licensed by Rumpun Jurnal Persuratan Melayu under CC BY 4.0
- Adelaar, Alexander; Schapper, Antoinette (2024). The Oxford Guide to the Malayo-Polynesian Languages of Southeast Asia. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-880735-3.
