The Nationality Law offers an authoritative classification that defines the Dusuns, the Tutongs, the Bisayas and the Belaits as four of the seven separate ethnic groups.

Although precise statistics are challenging to ascertain, estimates indicate that the majority of the Dusun reside in the Tutong District, with significant populations in villages such as Bukit Sawat, Sungai Mau, Merangking, Ukong, Kiudang, Lamunin, and Rambai.

Traditionally, Dusun society was structured around compact nucleated settlements, creating close-knit communities that fostered strong kinship ties and intermarriages within the group.

[1] During the era of Brunei Sultanate rule, which dates back centuries, the societal dynamics of the Dusun people began to undergo gradual transformations.

Some tatuwo began to acquire titles such as orang kaya, signifying a shift towards a more stratified society where they held increased authority and status.

Some Dusun tatuwo were appointed to positions like menteri darat (land chiefs) and ketua kampung (village headmen), granting them significant influence in local governance and administration.

This integration into formal administrative structures marked a significant shift in the role of Dusun leaders within the broader political framework.

Many Dusun individuals migrated to urban areas in search of wage labor opportunities, drawn by the promise of stable jobs in the government and private sectors.

Traditional practices tied to rice cultivation and village life underwent changes, reflecting the broader transformations in Brunei's social fabric driven by its oil industry.

[6] In contemporary times, the traditional roles of village leaders like the ketua kampung and penghulu have evolved into administrative positions within the state structure.

These leaders now serve as mediators between the community and government institutions, selected based on merit and administrative capabilities rather than solely on lineage or seniority.

[1] With the onset of modernization and the development of a market-oriented economy, there was a noticeable decline in traditional communal activities and ceremonies like weddings, funerals and temarok rites among the Dusun people.

Scholars note that Dusun and Bisaya are mutually intelligible dialects with a shared lexical cognate level of 82%, indicating linguistic similarities between them.

The Dusun community exhibits significant linguistic diversity, with dialects influenced by neighboring ethnic groups like the Malay, Iban, Penan and Tutong.

In recent decades, the Dusun language has gained recognition in linguistic studies, leading to initiatives for its preservation and promotion through education and media platforms.

[7] In traditional Dusun society, the alai gayo, or "big house," served as a central family residence and administrative hub.

Tetuwo were respected for their wisdom, knowledge and achievements, playing crucial roles in customary law, public matters and religious administration.

This indicates that the kinship ties between the Dusuns of different generations have remained intact and even strengthened despite the changing preferences in dwelling style.

Moreover, as most Dusuns own land that they acquire through hereditary succession, building individual houses on their inherited acreage guarantees the preservation of their kin relationship.

These ceremonies are conducted to appease a mystical group of supernatural beings known as derato, believed to reside in pagun sawat (the 'upper world') located in the sky.

[6] In addition to human beings, Dusun belief includes the existence of isi, malevolent spirits tasked with upholding social norms and enforcing taboos.

Both female and male singers can perform this type of siram, which is composed spontaneously in the presence of the criticized person(s) using allegories and metaphors to conceal its real meaning from the general listeners.

The epic tales depict the romantic lives and feuds among members of the deItalic textrato community and are composed of stocked phrases that are archaic and carry no meaning to modern Dusun listeners.

Adau Gayoh is a significant cultural celebration among the Brunei Dusun ethnic group, marking the end of the paddy harvesting season.

These dances include Ancayau, Kasapi Imang-Imang, Tak Injul Tulak Bangikat Tapi Butan, Kataduh Lait Lalau and Ebang Bataring.