Brunei celebrates rich Murut heritage at cultural night

Festival showcases vibrant traditions of Brunei’s indigenous Murut community, attracting participants from Brunei and Sabah and Sarawak states of Malaysia

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei (MNTV) — The recent Murut Cultural Night showcased the vibrant traditions of Brunei’s indigenous Murut community, attracting participants from Brunei and Sabah and Sarawak states of Malaysia, The Star reports.

The community, alternatively referred to as Tagol/Tahol, comprises 29 distinct sub-ethnic groups dwelling within the northern inland territories of Borneo.

The event, held in conjunction with the Irau Tupeh Padey (ITP) festival, featured captivating performances by the Lun Bawang Murut Brunei Association (PLBMB) and cultural groups from Lun Dayeh Sabah, Lun Bawang Sarawak, and Persatuan Tagel Okolod Sarawak.

PLBMB President Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Tamin Tuah praised the event’s historic turnout, stating that all seats were booked within two days of promotion.

The ceremony also recognized outstanding individuals from the Murut community for their achievements in education, community contributions, corporate sectors, sports, and entrepreneurship.

According to President Tamin Tuah, the recognition aims to inspire younger generations to strive for excellence, with more recipients to be honored in the future.

The Murut Cultural Night marked the grand finale of the Irau Tupeh Padey 2024 programme, which included 10 sports events with 1,421 participants from September to December last year.

The association has begun engaging with overseas travel bodies to promote Murut culture internationally.