The Paitanic people groups in Sabah include the Tambanua (Tombonuo), Linkabau, Abai Sungai, Upper Kinabatangan, Kalabuan, Dusun Segama, and Sinabu Dusun. Linguistically, the Tambanua and Linkabau are closely related and the Upper Kinabatangan, Kalabuan, Dusun Segama, Sinabu, Lanas Lobu, and Tampias Lobu are similar. The Abai Sungai dialect is not closely related. According to the 2000 Malaysian census, the total population for these peoples was 52,508. The Tambanua is by far the largest at 24,266 with all the others being under 10,000. The Tambanua and Linkabau are found in the Beluran (Labuk-Sugut), Pitas, and Kota Marudu districts in northern Sabah. The Abai Sungai are found along the lower Kinabatangan river in the eastern part of the Kinabatangan district. The Tampias Lobu are found in three villages in Ranau around the town of Tampias. The Upper Kinabatangan, Dusun Segama, and Sinabu are primarily along the upper reaches of the Kinabatangan River. The Lanas Lobu (including Rumanau) are found in the Keningau and Kinabatangan districts.
Most of these peoples are primarily agriculturists with rice being the most important crop. The family and the village are the basic structures around which these peoples center their lives. Families provide for most of their individual needs by rice farming or fishing and equally sharing the work load. The family has the use of village land based on its residence in the village, but it does not actually own the land.
One of the distinguishing features of many villages is their role as a ceremonial unit. Ceremonies are performed for the health and welfare of an individual, a family, and the village as a whole. During some ceremonies, the village pathways are sealed off and outsiders kept away to ensure trespassing does not disturb those spirits.
Traditionally these peoples were animists, although both Christianity and Islam have taken root. Animistic practices have become intertwined with Muslim customs in some villages. Allah is thought to be incomprehensible and unreachable, while demons are in contact with man daily. Shamans use chicken sacrifices in an attempt to placate these spirits when their displeasure becomes apparent in the form of sickness.
Christian outreach has made progress through means of community development and education. Muslim outreach carries out similar activities, such as working in wet rice production and cash crop expansion, in order to expand the influence of their religion. Animistic practices still exert a powerful influence even over those professing to be Christian or Muslim. Most of the important village ceremonies are attended by all, regardless of religious affiliation. Christian substitutes for harvest, fertility and village renewal ceremonies have not been widely accepted and most villagers still are active in traditional rituals associated with animism.
Community development work is seen as a viable way to bless the community and to help these groups adapt to their changing world. Pray that believers will provide health care, nutrition, literacy, and agriculture programs, while at the same time be able to share the truth of the good news.
Scripture Prayers for the Tambanua, Paitan in Malaysia.
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