The Orang Sungei (Malay word for "River People") are a group of indigenous people native to the state of Sabah, Malaysia. Groups of communities live along the rivers of Kinabatangan, Labuk, Kudat, Pitas and Lahad Datu.[1] The name "Orang Sungei" is a collective term that was first coined during the colonial British rule for communities living along the Kinabatangan River.[2] In some cases like the Tambanuo people would refer to themselves as Orang Sungei for those who are Muslims; unless if they are not Muslims, then they would identify themselves by their tribal name.[3] Whereas tribes like the Ida'an people are sometimes regarded as part of the Orang Sungei historically because of their common linguistic origins.[4]
^Wendy Hutton (2004). Kinabatangan: Sabah Colour Guide. Natural History Publications (Borneo). ISBN983-812-093-6.
^Stephen H. Levinsohn (1991). Thematic Continuity and Development in Languages of Sabah. Department of Linguistics, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University. ISBN0-85883-406-5.
^Peter S. Bellwood (1988). Archaeological Research in South-Eastern Sabah. Sabah Museum and State Archives. ISBN983-99532-0-6.
