People group profile · PG009321
The Saban of Malaysia
The Saban of Malaysia, numbering about 1,900 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a small Orang Ulu people of Sarawak's northern highlands in Malaysian Borneo, sharing megalithic remains and ties with the neighboring Kelabit and Lun Bawang despite a distinct language, with a related community across the border in North Kalimantan.
They are an indigenous people in the Borneo-Kalimantan people cluster of the Malay Peoples. Their primary religion is Animism, and they primarily speak Sa'ban.
Fast facts
- Country
- Malaysia
- Population
- 1,900
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- Borneo-Kalimantan
- Primary language
- Sa'ban (snv)
- Primary religion
- Animism
- Strategic Progress Index ?
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 5% or Greater but Less than 10%
- GSEC ?
- 5% or Greater but Less than 10% Evangelical
- Lostness priority ?
- Moderately Reached People Group
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Sarawak: Miri division, Long Banga’, Upper Baram, Long Peluan, Long Puak on Kalimantan border
Where they live
Gospel status
The Saban are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 5% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Saban
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
Animism · Ethnoreligion
85% adherents
Primary language
Sa'ban · Austronesian family
70% speak Sa'ban
Gospel resources in Sa'ban
- Bible available, published 1972
- JESUS Film not available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Saban
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
Saban in other countries
The same people is also reported in 1 other country.
Know something we don't? Submit updates to IMB Global Research.