Kubu

a small group of people numbering more than 2,000 (1970, estimate) living in the southeastern part of the island of Sumatra (Indonesia). The Kubu are descendants of the most ancient population of Indonesia. The Kubu language is similar to Indonesian. The Kubu are Muslim, although they retain their ancient animistic religious beliefs. Living in the tropical forest and isolated from the outside world, the Kubu have remained socially and economically backward. The Kubu are gradually abandoning their nomadic life of hunting and gathering in favor of farming and a settled way of life. The settled Kubu live in houses built on tall poles; the nomadic Kubu build temporary shelters. Communal-tribal institutions still exist among the Kubu.