Alternate Names: Dusun Dayak, Melobong Rungus, Memagun, Memogun, Momogun, Roongas, Rungus Dusun
Dialects: Gandahon, Gonsomon, Nuluw, Pilapazan (Central Rungus, Rungus Tanga). Gonsomon and Nuluw most distinctive dialects. Gandahon is less distinct. Lexical similarity among dialects within 86%–96%.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 55,000 (2009 Protestant Church in Sabah). Ethnic population: 60,000.
Language Use: 90% L1 speakers. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Sabah Malay [msi], Standard Malay [zsm].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: low for those over 45; much higher for those under 30. Literacy in L2: Standard Malay [zsm] literacy higher than Rungus; school language is Standard Malay [zsm]. Dictionary. NT: 1981.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Malaysia
Other Comments: Reside on 2 peninsulas surrounding a bay and identify themselves by which side of the bay they come from. Self-identify as Momogun and have complex internal social and ethnic relationships (Appell 1965). There is a strong sense of Rungus ethnic identity across all dialect groups.