The Tausug, meaning 'people of the sea current', are also known as Suluks or Sulu in Sabah. Originally from the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines, they migrated to Sabah in the 18th century and have now become established Sabahans. The Tausug people can be found mainly in coastal area communities in eastern Sabah.
In the past, the Tausug made their living as pirates but now rely on agriculture, fishing, and livestock raising to sustain their lives. They are distinct from the Bajau as they speak their own language, also called Tausug, and by aspects of their own culture.
The main means of livelihood among the Tausug people are farming and fishing. Some farmers still use swidden agriculture, by which fields are cleared by slashing down the trees and brush, letting them dry, and then burning them. The soil, fertililized by the ash, is then planted with rice. Their main crops include dry and wet rice, coconut, coffee, yams, cassava, corn, and various kinds of fruit. Fishing is done from motorized boats in offshore waters using fishnets, hook and line, or bamboo traps. They also raise livestock, including water buffaloes, cattle, goats, chickens, geese, and ducks.
On special occasions and weddings, they perform their traditional dance called daling-daling (a dance in which dancers wear curved metallic nails on the finger tips) and sing Sulu pantun 'Sulu poems' accompanied by a musical instrument called gabbang 'bamboo xylophone'.
The typical Tausug house is built in a rectangular shape; the walls are constructed with timber or bamboo beams and enclosed with coconut or nipa palm leaves. It has a thatched roof and sits on stilts six to eight feet above the ground. The house is surrounded by a series of raised porches leading to a separate kitchen. Usually, a wall is built around it for protection.
Sunni Islam is the majority religion of the Tausug. As the children grow, they have tutors that give them religious instruction from the Qu'ran (Islamic Holy Book). Despite the influence of Islam, they retain some of their animistic beliefs and practices associated with the spiritual world. They believe in environmental spirits that may cause either good fortune or sickness.
Their view of life after death mixes Islamic beliefs with non-orthodox beliefs in spirits. They believe that a person has four souls which leave his body when he dies. The body of the deceased goes to hell, where the punishment of his sins will be revealed according to his wrongdoings while he was living.
Many of the Tausug people are living below poverty level. More efficient farming methods and more innovative fishing techniques will help raise the standard of living among the people. There is also a need for improved health care. Pray that God will send helpers to the Tausug to help meet their spiritual needs and be a channel of blessing. A translation has been completed in the Tausug language. Pray that God would give the Tausug access to it and give them receptive hearts.
Scripture Prayers for the Tausug, Sulu in Malaysia.
Profile Source: Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK Copyrighted © Used with permission |
People Name General | Tausug |
People Name in Country | Tausug, Sulu |
Natural Name | Sulu Tausug |
Pronunciation |
|
Alternate Names | Joloano Sulu; Joloanon; Moro Joloano; Sulu; Suluk; Taw sug |
Population this Country | 232,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,648,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 2 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 5 |
People ID | 15295 |
ROP3 Code | 109891 |
ROP25 Code | 308008 |
ROP25 Name | Tausug |
Country | Malaysia | ||
Region | Asia, Southeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 43 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Sabah: coastal areas of Semporna, Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Beluran, and Kudat districts. Coastal areas of Kota Kinabalu, Papar, and Labuan. Possibly also Sebatik Island. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Malaysia |
Region | Asia, Southeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 43 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Sabah: coastal areas of Semporna, Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Beluran, and Kudat districts. Coastal areas of Kota Kinabalu, Papar, and Labuan. Possibly also Sebatik Island.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.01 %) |
0.01 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Tausug (232,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tsg Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Tausug (232,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tsg Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Tausug |
Primary Language: Tausug
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1918-2005) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1985-2018) |
Bible-Complete | No |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Tausug | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Magdalena video | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Tausug | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Tausug | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | Literacy primer for Tausug | Literacy & Evangelism International |
Photo Source | Johanry - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
Map Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Profile Source | Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |