The Tidung or Tidong are a native group originating from northeastern part of Borneo and surrounding small islands. They live on both sides of the border of Malaysia and Indonesia.
Etymology
The term tidung in Tarakan language of the Tidung people literally means "hill" or "hill people". As with many other tribes of the Malay Archipelago, the term tidung is a collective term used to describe many closely related indigenous groups. The different groups of Tidung people describe themselves in all cases as Tidung people, however, they are summarized by modern ethnology as a common people group due to similarities in cultural and religious traditions. ==Settlement areas==
Settlement areas
The traditional territories of the Tidung people are at the Sembakung River, North Kalimantan and Sibuku River of their headwaters to the estuary north of Tarakan Island, Indonesia thence along the coast; south to the river-mouth of Bolongan River and northward up to Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia including Cowie Harbour. An enclave of Tidung people located at Labuk River, opposite the city of Klagan. ==Demographics==
Demographics
For Malaysia in the state of Sabah, the census of 2010 (Census 2010) indicates a population of 28,515 Tidong. Whereas, Tidung people in other states have no statistical relevance. For Indonesia, the population of the Tidung people is estimated about 27,000 in the year of 2007. ==Language==
Prior to present-day Roman writing system, the Tidung people used Jawi script in their writings. ==Folktales and fables==
Folktales and fables
Among the Tidung folktale includes: • Asal-usul Orang Tidung Tengara (The origin of Tidung Tenggara people) • Lasedne sinan pagun (The sink of Jelutong village) • Seludon Ibenayuk (The tale of Ibenayuk) • Si Benua dan Si Sumbing (Benua and Sumbing) • Seludon Yaki Yamus (The tale of Four-eyed king) • Seludon Batu Tinagad (The logged stone) • Yaki Balak (The story of Aki Balak) ==References==