Tidung people
Traditional marriage attire of Tidung people, native inhabitants of region around Tana Tidung Regency, North Kalimantan, Indonesia. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 76,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Malaysia 28,715 (Sabah) Indonesia | |
| Languages | |
| Murutic (Nonukan Tidong, Sesayap Tidong, Kalabakan) also Serudung, Indonesian/Malaysian, and English | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Banjarese, Bakumpai, Bulungan, Kutai, Murut, Lun Bawang/Lundayeh, Paser |
The Tidung, Tidong (Jawi: تيدوڠ) are a native group originating from northeastern part of Borneo and surrounding small islands. They live on both sides of the border of Malaysia and Indonesia.
Tidung speak Tidong language, a North Bornean language. The Tidong are traditionally farmers practising slash-and-burn agriculture. Some are ocean fishermen. They grow sweet potatoes, cassava, lentils, fruits, and vegetables. Their farming methods are often accused of being the main cause of forest fires in Kalimantan.
The rise of the Muslim Tidung Sultanate molded the ethnogenesis character of the Tidung people. They collectively known as a Malayised Dayak (Indonesian: Dayak berbudaya Melayu or Dayak-Melayu) people of Kalimantan similar to other native Muslim coastal Borneo groups, such as the Bulungan, Kutainese, Banjarese and Paserese people.
Nonetheless, the Tidung people maintain historical connections with the Murut community. Despite following distinct cultural practices, the Tidung and Murut share cultural affinities rooted in their shared histories and interactions within Borneo's diverse ethnic landscape.