The early settlers of Pensiangan named Pensiangan as ' PENSIANGON ' derived from the coincidence meeting of two rivers, the Tagol and Saliu which runs through the village. Pensiangan means situated in between two rivers. In yearsteryears and until the present time, the Murut tribes eased themselves by putting up shelters or houses at river estuaries and along river banks for reason known only to them.

PENSIANGON became Pensiangan ever since the arrival of officers from the North Borneo Chartered Company. In response to a question from the leader of the group, the local Resident told him that the name of the place was Pensiangon. The office could not well pronounce the word Pensiangon so it became Pensiangan until today.

Today Pensiangan is known well over the world. Stated in the map is Pensiangan and not Nabawan. The administration of Pensiangan District is centered in Nabawan town which itself is located at Nabawan Scheme.
 

The Murut community of Pensiangan District are very helpful, cooperative and had full respect of their visitor, no matter who they are. They believe in courtsy and still maintain and uphold their traditional cultures and customs that are being inherited from their forefathers.

News of someone coming to their village is received with much delight and they would do anything within their means to prepare for their visitor arrival.

The welcoming ceremony will be headed either by the village Headman or Head of the Family depending upon the nature of the visit. Visitors are greeted and will be cordially invited to take their seats. Food of different varieties and delicacies shall then be served in accordance to their beliefs and customs. The highlight of the whole visit is focussed on the Tapai drinking and the presentation of their traditional dances and poetric songs that are either sung in group or solo.
 

It is the custom of the Murut tribes in the Pensiangan District that Tapai is the staple drink and a must at every occasion. Should it happened that the head of a family failed or rather didn't bother to serve Tapai to his visitor, he is liable to mockery from his neighbours.

This is the reason why the Murut community are seldom out of Tapai in their houses. If they are caught off guard they will by all means look for one from their neighbours. They would not be happy if they fail to entertain their visitors.
 

When the time for the visitor to leave their house or village, the Village Headman or Head of the Family would say ' Monsoi kau aman, asawat po umur am anduli kapoh ' meaning that he wishes the visitors a safe journey and if God's willing they may return again to their house or village.
 

A long house is normally dwelled in by about ten or more famillies. It has many rooms depending upon the numbers of household dwelling in it. In the middle of a long house is a space specially set aside for use to hold family gathering, festival and to accommodate visitors.

Long time ago the Murut tribes just like the other tribes in Sabah were engaged in a civil war plus head hunting. The head of community gathered and grouped his people to be confined to one place for safety and protection. Thus a long house was made for security and to evade attacks from invading enemies.
 

Andui-Andui is one among the many local traditional songs of Murut Community. It is popularly sung during festive sessions merely for entertainment. Usually to encourage those who are sipping the Tapai straight from the jar so he/she would finish in haste up to a sign cleverly designed equivalent to measure two or three glasses of water. That sign is known as ' TAP ' or ' LOKOP ' in the locak dialect.