Who are the Paitanic?
The Paitanic
people groups in Sabah includethe Tambanua (Tombonuo), Linkabau,
AbaiSungai, Upper Kinabatangan, Kalabuan,Dusun Segama, and Sinabu
Dusun. Linguistically,the Tambanua and Linkabau are closely related
andthe 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 totalpopulation for these peoples was
52,508. The Tambanuais by far the largest at 24,266 with all the
others being under 10,000. The Tambanua and Linkabau arefound in the
Beluran (Labuk-Sugut), Pitas, and KotaMarudu districts in northern
Sabah. The Abai Sungaiare found along the lower Kinabatangan river in
theeastern part of the Kinabatangan district.
The Tampias Lobu are found in three villages in Ranau around the town of Tampias. The Upper Kinabatangan, DusunSegama, and Sinabu are primarily along the upperreaches of the Kinabatangan River. The Lanas Lobu(including Rumanau) are found in the Keningau and Kinabatangan districts.
The Tampias Lobu are found in three villages in Ranau around the town of Tampias. The Upper Kinabatangan, DusunSegama, and Sinabu are primarily along the upperreaches of the Kinabatangan River. The Lanas Lobu(including Rumanau) are found in the Keningau and Kinabatangan districts.
What are their lives like?
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.
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.
What do they believe?
Traditionally
these peoples were animists,although both Christianity and Islam
havetaken root. Animistic practices have becomeintertwined with Muslim
customs in some villages.Allah is thought to be incomprehensible
andunreachable, while demons are in contact with mandaily. Shamans use
chicken sacrifices in an attempt toplacate these spirits when their
displeasure becomesapparent 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.
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.
What are their needs?
Community
development work is seen as aviable way to bless the community and
tohelp 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.
Portions of the Word are available in only some of these languages.
