Sabah Malaysian Borneo Costumes

The title “Land Below the Wind" reflects not only geographic location of Sabah but also its enchanting culture and landscape.

Sabah comprises more than 23 ethnic groups, each rich in culture and tradition, the cultural mosaic of Sabah is amazing. Their traditional clothing reflects skillful handwork as shown in the ‘linangkit’ embroidery, and the creative application of sequins and beads as decorative items to the ‘sarempak’ head dress, the ‘mandapun’ ornamental collar, the long tapered ‘keku’ fingercovers, ‘ingkot pangkat’ coin belt and sash.

The expertise in decorating these costumes and the refined touch to the art of dressing expressed within the Sabah costumes illuminates a sense of beauty and uniqueness.

A traditional attire by the Suluk ethnic group worn during the Mengiluk dance.


The Lotud ethnic group tradisional costume. Man in velvet or cotton top patterned with sequins and embroidery. Head gear called 'sundi'. Maiden in cotton attire patterned with colourful 'tinobogi' and 'linangkit' embroidery.


An Irranun couple wearing traditional costume made from woven cloth or 'Mogah'.


A traditional Bajau ensemble. Maiden in blouse called 'badu sampit' and sarong called 'olos berangkit'. The neck piece is 'mandapun'whilst the head dress is known as 'sarempak'. The Bajau male wearing Baju Cekak Musang, trousers, samping and headgear


The Kokos traditional dress. A combination of frill organza blouse worn with batik or songket sarong and head dress.


A traditional Kadazan costume from Penampang. Man wearing 'gaung' top, 'souva' trousers, 'toogot' waistband and 'siga' headgear. Maiden in short 'sinuangga' blouse, 'tapi' skirt, batik shawl and 'himpogot' belt.


The Rungus ethnic traditional costume. Man wearing 'badu' top, 'soval' trousers, 'hokos' waistband and 'sigal' head gear. Maiden in tight 'banat' blouse, knee high 'tapi' skirt and head dress called 'sisingal' and 'rampai'. Accessories made from colourful beads called 'pinakol' and 'togkol'.


The Murut traditional costume. Man in 'barbaru' jacket and 'puputul' tree bark loin-cloth. The headgear called 'tupi sinulatan' made of a kind of tree bark. Maiden in cotton 'pinongkolo' costume patterned with traditional motifs and beads. Accessories such as the 'rarangkol' necklace and 'salupai' head dress created from colourful beads.


A Dusun Lotud Tuaran man wearing embroidered velvet costume complete with waistband and headgear. A Murut maiden in sleeveless blouse and embroidered skirt.


A Bajau couple wearing traditional wedding and ceremonial costume. Man's costume in lace satin similarly to maiden's dress which also includes a 'mandapun' and decorative belt.


A female farmer's costume from a Brunei sub group. Wearing a Baju Kebaya Pendek with knee high sarong. Shawl usually from kain batik sarong.


A fisherman's attire in colorful tunic and straight cut pants with sarong pelikat and bamboo hat.


The traditional Kadazan attire from Papar. Black velvet cloth with gold embroidery. man wearing headgear called 'sigal' and maiden in bamboo strip 'siung' head dress. Accessories such as bangles and belt made from silver coins.


The Suluk of Sampoerna male in traditional stylised costume. Satin attire complete with gold thread embroidery.


A Lotud Tuaran male in traditional costume fashioned from velvet, beads and sequins. Waistband styled from batik or woven cloth. Headgear is known as 'sundi'.