The Lun Bawang: A People Transformed by Revival

The Lun Bawang people stand out among the indigenous tribes of Borneo due to their unique distribution across multiple political regions. Unlike other indigenous groups that are confined to specific areas, the Lun Bawang are found in the southwest of Sabah, the northern region of Sarawak, the highlands of North Kalimantan, and Brunei.

Historically, the Lun Bawang were known as a fierce and warlike tribe, living in a state of widespread alcoholism and societal decline. In fact, during the era of the White Rajah, James Brooke, it was said, “Let the Lun Bawang die,” signaling how dire their situation was. However, God had a different plan. Missionaries arrived, bringing the gospel, and a powerful revival took place, transforming the tribe from near extinction to a flourishing community of faith.

At SPARK 2025, Pastor Sandra Tagal, the sister of the late Datuk Mutang Tagal—one of the most prominent Lun Bawang leaders—stood as a living testimony of God’s grace upon her people. She shared how, through the power of prayer and the move of the Holy Spirit, the Lun Bawang experienced deep revival, leading not only to spiritual renewal but also to the rise of influential leaders who have shaped Malaysia’s political and social landscape. Listen to her speech here: https://youtu.be/IV3PgO5aD6o

Born in Ba’kelalan, Datuk Mutang Tagal, a lawyer and former President of the Malaysian Senate (Dewan Negara), was among these leaders who emerged from the transformed Lun Bawang tribe. His story is just one among many, illustrating how God’s intervention lifted a once-dying tribe into a people of influence and purpose.

The Lun Bawang have witnessed incredible waves of revival, particularly in Bario and Ba’kelalan, where the Spirit of God moved mightily among them. These revivals were not just moments in history but catalysts that changed their entire society. The impact of these spiritual awakenings continues today, inspiring hope that God will do the same among other communities, including the Indian and Chinese populations in Peninsular Malaysia.

During her speech, she expressed her desire for the revival fire that touched the Lun Bawang and the Dusun people in Taginambur to also ignite among the indigenous Orang Asli, as well as the Indian and Chinese communities in Malaysia. She emphasized the prophetic significance of language in the land, praying in both Bahasa Malaysia and her native Lun Bawang tongue, declaring that Malaysia would once again experience a mighty move of God.

Before 1900, the Lun Bawang population in northern Sarawak was approximately 25,000. However, between 1904 and 1905, a devastating smallpox epidemic nearly wiped them out, reducing their numbers to just 3,000. Yet, through divine grace and the work of missionaries, their population rebounded—from 3,000 in 1905 to 5,000 in the 1920s, and by 2010, it had grown to 15,000 in Sarawak alone.

The story of the Lun Bawang is one of redemption and revival, a testament to the power of God in transforming a people from the brink of destruction to becoming a beacon of light. Their journey serves as a powerful reminder that God, who brought revival to Borneo, is more than able to do the same again in Malaysia and beyond.

For further reading on the waves of revival in Borneo, explore the following:

🔗 The Bario Revival: The Four Waves and Its Impact
🔗 A Call to ‘Wake Up’ 50 Years After Malaysia’s Bario Revival
🔗 The Sarawak Revivals: The Holy Spirit at Work in Malaysia

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