What Is Dusun?

Dusun is a native Borneo language and in the past the Dusun people were centred around the Tutong area of Brunei. In the Malay language, the word Dusun means ‘fruit orchard’ and reflects the environs in which the people lived. Today the Dusun people are scattered throughout Brunei and there are no recorded numbers of people who can speak the language. Elders are concerned that the language may disappear as it is not used in schools and many young people have difficulty in using it effectively for communication.

Community leaders applaud the Language Centre’s efforts to teach and thus preserve the language. UBD students themselves are interested in Brunei indigenous languages “because they are our national heritage.”