Tidung, Northern in Malaysia

Tidung, Northern
Send Joshua Project a photo
of this people group.
Send Joshua Project a map of this people group.
People Name: Tidung, Northern
Country: Malaysia
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 23,000
World Population: 23,000
Primary Language: Tidung, Northern
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents: 14.00 %
Evangelicals: 4.00 %
Scripture: Unspecified
Ministry Resources: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
People Cluster: Banjar of Kalimantan
Affinity Bloc: Malay Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Northern Tidungs belong to the Dayak cluster, speak a Dayak Tidung dialect. The Southern Tidungs are also sometimes called Dayak Pantai (pantai means "beach"). Another group of Tidungs live in Kinabalu, Marudu, and Belud in Sabah district, Malaysia. Perhaps because they live on the beach, the Tidungs are more open to outsiders than other Dayak peoples. This openness has led to the Tidung being more influenced by outside cultures of the modern world. Transmigration areas in the traditional Tidung territory heighten outside influence. There are two groups of Tidungs separated by dialect. One of these is the Northern Tidungs.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Northern Tidungs get their food from family-owned farms where they grow rice, sweet potatoes, cassava, lentils, fruits, and vegetables. They supplement their food supply by fishing and hunting. They earn cash by building and selling boats and woven handicrafts.

Today, many are moving to urban centers where they work in education, construction, and government jobs.

They have a patrilineal inheritance system. They have extended families, with multiple generations living either in the same home or the same village. Most marriages are still arranged, and they involve a dowry payment.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most are animistic, though some blend animism with Islam. They have a Christian minority that can be a blessing to their entire community.

What Are Their Needs?

The Northern Tidungs need the spiritual hunger it takes to seek and find Christ, no matter what the cost.

Prayer Points

Pray for Northern Tidungs to bless their community by being generous and kind. May they draw many to the Servant King.
Pray for Northern Tidung families to learn and heed the teachings of Christ.
Pray for the Northern Tidungs to be Christ’s ambassadors to Malay Muslims.

Text Source:   Joshua Project