Tobilung in Malaysia

The Tobilung have only been reported in Malaysia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Tobilungs are a small tribe that only lives in Malaysia, specifically in areas like Kota Marudu and Kota Belud in Sabah. They are defined by their language, which is Tobilung.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Tobilungs are subsistence farmers who grow tapioca, corn, and rice. They supplement their diet by fishing and hunting. Most Tobilung families earn money by making and selling handicrafts in public markets. Their rural homeland can’t sustain everyone, so many from the younger generation are moving to towns and cities like Kota Kinabalu to work in construction, the service sector, and in education.

They have strong families, with elders who make their important decisions. Most marriages are arranged, though that is changing, especially in urban centers.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority adhere to traditional religion, though there is a large Christian minority. Their supreme god is Tinumaru, and there is a network of mystic spirits that one goes to for help and protection.


What Are Their Needs?

Tobilungs need to learn valuable, marketable skills for an urban economy. As it stands, most are limited to low-paying jobs. In rural areas they need protection for their land. Powerful people are trying to move them off their ancestral land.


Prayer Items

Pray for the Lord to protect and guide the Tobilungs economically and spiritually.
Pray for Tobilungs elders and family leaders to put all their faith in Jesus Christ rather than the spirit world.
Pray for them to learn God’s word and teach it to others.
Pray for revival in Tobilung churches.


Scripture Prayers for the Tobilung in Malaysia.


References

AI generated by Copilot.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tobilung
People Name in Country Tobilung
Alternate Names
Population this Country 12,000
Population all Countries 12,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 15523
ROP3 Code 110116
Country Malaysia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Sabah: Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, and Kudat districts, Kota Kinabalu, Inanam and other towns.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Malaysia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Sabah: Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, and Kudat districts, Kota Kinabalu, Inanam and other towns..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 6.00 %)
40.00 %
Ethnic Religions
50.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
10.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tobilung (12,000 speakers)
Language Code tgb   Ethnologue Listing
Written / Published Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tobilung (12,000 speakers)
Language Code tgb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tobilung

Primary Language:  Tobilung

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2011)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source MySabah.com  Used with permission
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.