Headhunters of Sabah
Sabah, located in Borneo, grabs one's attention with its thick rainforests, varied fauna and flora, and a complex cultural mélange. Nevertheless, there is an amazing but not well understood wrinkle of its history hidden it its awesome beauty – headhunting.
Over many generations the native tribes of Sabah were involved in this customary practice that linked them greatly to their social, spiritual and cultural beliefs. They took heads as treasures of their bravery as well as ensuring fertility and prosperity in their communities.
One needs to understand the cultural heritage associated with headhunting among Sabah’s indigenous groups for a better appreciation of the breadth and depth of these cultures. It reflects on their values, customs, beliefs which clarify why they remained unyielding under forced Westernization.
In this article, we'll explore the ancient origins of headhunting in Sabah, tracing how it has changed over time and what it means for the people today.
History of headhunting in Sabah, Borneo
Long ago, in Borneo, the headhunters were famous for collecting the heads of their foes as trophies. Borneo, one of the largest islands globally, is split among Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
Until about a century ago, headhunting was widespread in Borneo. Various tribes, like the Iban in Sarawak and the Murut and Kadazan-Dusun in Sabah, intimidated early British settlers.
Victorian Britain called Borneo 'Barbaric Borneo', reflecting the fierceness of the native tribes. Some took enemy heads as trophies, while others needed a skull to marry.
Regardless of the motive, the tradition of headhunting in Borneo has captivated and frightened outsiders for ages. Today, tourists can visit old longhouses where skulls still hang from the ceilings. Occasionally, rural communities still keep heads taken by their ancestors.
Now, let’s explore the Malaysian state of Sabah in Borneo. We'll look at its People, history, topography, culture, and more. This information can make your travels more enjoyable and help you connect better with the people you're traveling with.
Know About Sabah, Borneo
Sabah, located in East Malaysia on the northern side of Borneo, is Malaysia's second-largest state. It shares a border with Sarawak to the southwest. Often called "North Borneo," Sabah gets this nickname because of its position on the northern part of the island.
1. Topography
Borneo is an island in Southeast Asia with a mountainous topography. It's mostly covered in rainforest, with a few lowlands, especially in Central Kalimantan and Sarawak, which are often swampy along the coasts.
Borneo's landscape includes:
- Elevation: The average elevation is 115 meters, with the minimum elevation at -5 meters and the maximum at 3,963 meters.
- Terrain: Sabah’s terrain is a mix of mountainous regions, beaches, and tropical rainforests. The state’s geographical structure is particularly rugged on the west coast.
- Mountain Ranges: The Crocker Range, which includes several mountains of various heights from about 1,000 to 4,000 meters, is located at the heart of Sabah. The state also has long mountain ranges on the west side, forming part of the Crocker Range National Park.
- Rivers: The Kinabatangan River, the second longest river in Malaysia, runs through Sabah.
- Biodiversity: Sabah hosts a diverse array of plant and animal species. Most of Sabah’s biodiversity is located in the forest reserve areas, which form half of its total landmass of 7.34 million hectares.
- National Parks: The Crocker Range National Park is the largest national park in the state, covering an area of 139,919 hectares. The Kinabalu National Park, inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, hosts more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna.
Borneo's climate is generally hot and sunny all year round, with unpredictable rains once in a while.
2. People
Sabahans, the people from Sabah, generally identify themselves as such. With around 42 ethnic groups and over 200 distinct sub-ethnic groups, each with their own language, culture, and spiritual beliefs, Sabah boasts a rich diversity.
Coastal and lowland areas are primarily inhabited by groups like the Bajau, Bruneian Malay, Bugis, Illanun, Kedayan, and Suluk/Tausūg, traditionally engaged in fishing and farming. Meanwhile, highland areas are predominantly occupied by the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, and Lun Bawang, known for their farming and hunting practices.
In Malaysia, the term "bumiputera," meaning 'son of the soil,' refers to those of Malay and indigenous descent, granting them special privileges in various aspects of life. Within this demographic, "Orang Asal" specifically denotes those of indigenous descent, excluding Malays.
The three largest indigenous groups in Sabah are:
- Murut
- Bajau
- Kadazan-Dusun
These groups are followed by other groups such as Bruneian Malays and Suluk. Additionally, citizens of Chinese descent form the majority of the non-Bumiputera population. Meanwhile let’s discuss about these indigenous groups:
1. Murut
The Murut people are one of the smallest indigenous groups in Indonesian Borneo, mainly residing in the hilly regions of northeastern Malaysia. They speak a unique Austronesian language called Murut. Their ancestors, originating from Asia, settled in the area in ancient times.
Initially known for their headhunting practices and living in fortified longhouse settlements, they gradually moved deeper into the interior due to incoming settlers. In 1915, they rebelled against British colonial neglect. The Murut population suffered a decline after a Japanese influx in the 1920s due to malaria outbreaks.
By 1980, their population was around 34,300. They practice slash-and-burn agriculture, growing crops like rice, maize, and sweet potatoes.
The nuclear family is central to their social structure, and many engage in wage labor to afford traditional dowries for their daughters. Their religion incorporates elements of totemism.
2. Bajau
The Bajau, also known as "sea nomads", are people who have lived in small houseboats off the coast of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines for more than 1,000 years. They are known for their exceptional diving skills, which include enlarged spleens that allow them to stay underwater for up to 5 minutes at depths of 200 feet.
The Bajau also have unique dietary habits, including eating sea creatures that are not typically considered delicacies, such as sea cucumbers, which provide protein and have medicinal properties.
The Bajau traditionally live in small boats with thatched roofs to protect them from the elements, and sail day and night using their fishing skills. They only come ashore to trade for supplies or to shelter from storms. The Bajau houseboats are called lepa, balutu, djenging, and vina, and are made of wood.
The tribe have preserved a unique way of life for centuries, but they are also stateless, which means they have no government privileges. This means that children cannot access public schools, and adults are prohibited from finding formal employment.
However, Omadal Village is an example of Bajau accepting modernization while still grasping onto their more traditional ways of life. Many of the young Bajau from this village have the opportunity to go to school in Semporna, and many residents still choose to learn the ways of their ancestors and live primarily on the sea.
3. Kadazan-Dusun
The Kadazan-Dusun are the largest ethnic group in Sabah, Malaysia, making up about 30% of the population. They are a unification term for more than 70 sub-tribes, or suku. They are closely related to the indigenous Kadazan and Dusun peoples.
The Kadazan-Dusun speak similar languages and dialects known as the Dusunic family, as well as share a common belief system with variations in customs and practices. They practice the following religions:
- Christianity (mainly Roman Catholic)
- Sunni Islam
- Momolianism
The Kadazan-Dusun celebrate the Harvest Festival annually on May 30th and 31st to honor the Rice Spirit and to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.
Today, the Kadazan primarily live in cities, while the Dusun prefer hillside and upland valleys. Kadazan communities are mainly found in Penampang, Papar, Ranau, Tambunan, and Keningau, whereas Dusun communities are concentrated in Tuaran, Ranau, and Tambunan. In the past, the Kadazan-Dusun were renowned for their headhunting traditions and their expertise in farming, hunting, and fishing in rivers.
3. Natural Heritage
Sabah is a part of Borneo island and it’s a really special place because of all the different types of plants and animals that live there. It has the tallest mountain in the area, called Mount Kinabalu, and lots of different types of forests. You can find many unique animals like orangutans, monkeys with big noses (proboscis monkeys), small elephants (pygmy elephants), and many types of macaques in Sabah.
There’s a park in Sabah called Kinabalu Park, which is recognized by UNESCO as a very important place for nature. Even though the park is quite young, it has many different types of plants that you can’t find anywhere else. It’s also home to many birds, mammals, frogs, and reptiles. Many of these animals can only be found in Borneo.
So, Sabah is not just a beautiful place, but also an important one for scientists who study plants and animals. It’s like a big outdoor museum of nature. The park and the animals need to be protected because they are part of our planet’s natural heritage. This means they are very important and need to be looked after so future generations can enjoy them too. That’s why Sabah is such a special place.
Conclusion
Understanding the legacy of headhunting in Sabah, Borneo reveals a deep bond between its native tribes and their cultural heritage. Despite modern changes, these traditions remain significant, showcasing the resilience and diversity of Sabah's people. By valuing Sabah's rich history and culture, we can uphold and celebrate indigenous customs. This honors the past, enriches the present, and secures a bright future for generations ahead in this remarkable region.