Here’s my list of the greatest, and most popular “aramai ti” songs which originated from Sabah or Sabahans.

While the mere mention of “aramai ti” conjures images of alcohol drinking sessions, it does not necessarily mean so. Conversely, while most of the songs in the list can be considered “drinking songs”, i.e. with direct reference to alcohol consumption, some are not: it is their playful, even irreverent lyrics, and of course immortal melodies that are the main factors which enabled these songs to make my, and I am sure many others’, list.

When I say irreverent, words/phrases like “janda muda” [young female divorcee], “karud” [playful term for "spouse" or "other half"] or “makan jalan” are commonly used.

I am not aware of any official compilation of such songs sold openly.

So here are the songs, with additional notes where deemed necessary or possible

Note: if you like the songs, please purchase the originals. Of course, the older ones might be quite troublesome to track down.

1. John Gaisah – “Ujung-ujung au kouli”: about a group of friends who trudged to another village and drank so much that they failed go back home. This has the classic “lolobuhon karabau” intro.
2. John Gaisah & Sulah Rampas – “Dua kali lima”: the 2 singers teasing each other over “sukis” of the local brew “lihing”
3. Rider Guntang – “Lima ribu”: about problems faced to raise RM5,000 cash as marriage dowry.
4. Sitim Bandaron – Nah tusin: song title literally means “take this money (to buy alcohol)”.
5. Honarius Basil – “Torila muda”
6. Francis Landong – “Biris punya biris”; this is surely the greatest “Dusun dangdut” song ever; excellent intro and all-round strong melodies. I think this song has strong references to drinking tapai from a “kakanan” using a bamboo straw.
7. Jaimol Sulimin – “Mansau-ansau”
8. Jokteo Akang – “Proton Saga Kelabu”: was wildly popular when it came out in 1992.
9. John Gaisah – “Ngoyon Ika Tunangai”: about one sleeping while hugging a “kakanan.”
10. Asmin Mudin (Umbut) & Lydia Kalidin – “Tiwas”: this one is a relatively recent favourite.
11. Justin Lusah – “Kada arau monduli”: tells guests not to go home so soon because there was still a “kakanan” of “singgarung.”
12. Honarius Basil – “Ku ingin jadi spy”: this is a cover of Mat Sentul’s “Spy Spy”. It is perhaps the most blatant Sabahan drinking songs ever
13. OA John Gaisah & Molly Alina Mojinggol – “Muli-uli togodon do sawo.” The one here is not the original; the original has the classic sketch intro where a drunk John comes home to his angry wife, Molly.
14. Francis Landong (?) – “Kada nogi poginum”
15. Jaidi Ariffin [or is it Thomas Intiang?] – “Bayaran ansur ansur”: about paying one’s marriage dowry by instalments instead of by lump sum.

This list is by no means exhaustive or guaranteed 100% accurate. Any comments are welcome.

To add:
Another John Gaisah song that starts with “Ohuyan kom ohuyan oku…”
“Anchor minum, bahar minum”
Ambrose Mudi – kada do mombit kombit
“boros ngawi do tulun aramai oh poingiil”
tius sanggalas?

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