Group: | Orang Sungei Abai Sungai |
Popplace: | |
Langs: | Sungai, Malay |
Rels: | Islam (predominantly), Christianity, Animism |
Related: | Tambanuo, Kadazan-Dusun, Ida'an |
The Orang Sungei (Malay word for "River People") are a group of indigenous people native to the state of Sabah, Malaysia. Groups of communities live along the rivers of Kinabatangan, Labuk, Kudat, Pitas and Lahad Datu.[1] The name "Orang Sungei" is a collective term that was first coined during the colonial British rule for communities living along the Kinabatangan River.[2] In some cases like the Tambanuo people would refer to themselves as Orang Sungei for those who are Muslims; unless if they are not Muslims, then they would identify themselves by their tribal name.[3] Whereas tribes like the Ida'an people are sometimes regarded as part of the Orang Sungei historically because of their common linguistic origins.[4]