Life with the Murutian ( The Jungle Hunters)

This has been a long planned trip... Together with a very old friend cum ex boss of mine.. Datuk Richard Gunting ( A Murutian Warrior ), I finally made a point to visit his village in Kg. Saliku - Sapulut.

Sapulut is located at the interior of Sabah, about 133 KM away from Kota Kinabalu City, taking us about 4 hours to arrive. In between, one pit stop at Keningau to have our main shopping for groceries and food.

We were welcomed by bundle of village kids, lunch were already prepared and at my surprise Bruce ( A canadian nature lover) was already there waiting for us ..... and this is how the Murutian life begins....

I was observing the white board and this is what i found,

Children trying to introduce themselves to Bruce through drawing. Even one boy draw himself hunting a wild boar.. thats their

life hood.

And at the back of the house, the men are delegating their fruitful hunting result of the day. Separating them among families and its gonna be their meals

for the rest of the week.

Bruce, the villagers favorite teacher was enjoying learning his rhythmic gong with the guys while the kids ( below) were following my footsteps on their dance. For them this is life, and love.

"The Murut are mainly found in Keningau, Tenom, Pensiangan and minority in Kalabakan and kinabatangan. Traditionally they live in the long houses with a unique feature; the lansaran; an indegenous trampoline; the Murut villages are built along the river, they are expert boatmakers and animal hunters. In the ancient days, head hunting was part of their initiation rites. a young man could get married when he had vanquished his first enemy."

Sources from Sabah Travel Guide.com

However nowadays with the rural development projects, logging activities as well as tourism industry bunging into the interior side of Sabah, some of the ancient activities has disolve due to the economy changes.

For them, a daily boat ride along the rapid shoot is a lively hood of a Murutian. Bringing you with their handmade boat is something they are so proud of and their sincerity came from the wisdom and wrinkles along the solid muscle yet skinny body.

A young guy like Dejohn is never an exceptional in maneuvering the boat. The young one are always battling around the boat while the old one will give commands so they know what to do in putting the boat to a correct position.

This is the Murutian Life.. a totally different experience with them in Sapulot. They live like there is no tomorrow, they work as hard as they love their families...

EAT , PRAY , LOVE.... motto of life...