Total population | |
---|---|
(1,400) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Malaysia (Sabah) |
|
Languages | |
Sungai language, Malay language | |
Religion | |
Islam (predominantly), Christianity, Animism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Tambanuo, Kadazan-Dusun |
The Orang Sungai (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, Paitan, Labuk, Kudat and Lahad Datu. The name "Orang Sungai" is a collective term that was first coined during the colonial British rule for communities living along the Kinabatangan River. In some cases like the Tambanuo people would refer to themselves as Orang Sungai for those who are Muslims; unless if they are not Muslims, then they would identify themselves by their tribal name. Whereas tribes like the Ida'an people are sometimes regarded as part of the Orang Sungai historically because of their common linguistic origins.