Kadazandusun, Sabah's heritage bearers and nation builders
The term 'Kadazandusun' was officially adopted to unify two closely related groups: the Kadazan, who traditionally inhabited the coastal and lowland areas of western Sabah, and the Dusun, who predominantly resided in the interior and highland regions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
23-06-2025
- The Star
Sabah proposes centre to preserve Bajau cultural heritage
KOTA KINABALU: A dedicated cultural training centre for the Bajau community may soon become a reality to ensure the long-term preservation of the Regatta Lepa heritage, among other cultural aspects. Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said in proposing the centre that there is an urgent need for a structured platform to preserve and teach traditional Bajau skills. 'The Regatta Lepa takes place every year and attracts many visitors. But I asked the Semporna District Officer if we have a centre or institution where young people can learn the history and background of this cultural celebration. 'At the moment, some elements are taught in schools, but there is no dedicated space. "That is why I have proposed establishing a heritage or cultural training centre, not just for the Bajau, but for anyone who wants to learn,' she told a press conference here on Monday (June 23) ahead of this weekend's 30th Regatta Lepa in Semporna. She said the proposed centre would offer hands-on instruction in the cultural arts that define the community, including traditional boat design, costume-making, dance choreography and preparation of local dishes. 'Many Bajau cultural practices can be preserved and passed on at such a centre. We want to build a training space that ensures the continuity of Bajau culture and opens it to anyone interested in learning,' she said. Liew stressed that formalising cultural knowledge is essential for its survival. 'Right now, traditional knowledge is mostly passed down within families. But we need a more structured, accessible way to teach and preserve these traditions, similar to how the Kadazandusun community has set up training centres across different districts,' she said. Such an initiative would not only safeguard Sabah's intangible cultural heritage but also create opportunities for cultural tourism and community-based education, she added. "We will work with the (federal) Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry as well as local stakeholders to make it happen," she said. On the Regatta Lepa, Liew said the state government has planned a week-long programme filled with traditional performances, dance, music and food, drawing thousands of visitors to Semporna. 'This celebration has become a major cultural attraction, not just nationally but internationally. It is vital that we give it proper exposure and recognition,' she said. Semporna, which receives over 2,000 tourists daily, is expected to see even larger numbers during the Regatta Lepa period. 'If we maintain good air and sea connectivity, Semporna will remain one of the top destinations in Sabah,' Liew said.
Daily Express
18-06-2025
- Daily Express
What began in 1986 must continue, Madius on preservation of Kadazandusun language
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 Text Size: Madius presenting appreciation certificates to Kadazandusun language teachers. Tuaran: Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau welcomed efforts to strengthen the preservation of the Kadazandusun Language through initiatives such as the Kadazandusun Language Carnival for the Nabalu Zone held at SK Tomis, here. He said events like these are vital in raising public awareness about the importance of safeguarding the mother tongue from extinction, particularly among the younger generation. Advertisement 'This carnival is very important as it reminds us of the need to use our mother tongue in communication. If we do not act now, our language may one day disappear,' he said when officiating the event, recently. Madius said studies by Unesco revealed there are around 7,000 indigenous languages at risk of extinction, which may eventually become dead languages due to the absence of speakers. By the year 2050, 90 per cent of these languages are expected to be extinct – much like Sanskrit and Latin. He also shared his long and challenging journey in advocating for the Kadazandusun language, which began in 1986 when he was first elected as a Supreme Council Member of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA), later becoming Chairman of the KDCA Language and Literature Committee. Among the main efforts initiated during that time was the development of the Kadazandusun Language Dictionary and the selection of a standard dialect to be used within the Malaysian education system. 'We began in 1986, but it was no easy task. Eventually, the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah appointed a Research Officer – my colleague Alice Jekop – in 1988 to lead the research team. 'Many contributed their efforts, including Ben Topin, Rita Lasimbang and others. The dictionary was only published in 1995, nearly 10 years later and thanks to everyone involved. 'The dictionary was based on the Kadazan dictionary by Fr Antonissen, with the support of various parties, especially the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL). Although it took a long time, it was finally completed,' he said. The Kadazandusun Language Symposium held at Perkasa Hotel, Kundasang – supported by Canadian University Students Overseas (Cuso) – also laid the foundation for unifying the Bundu and Liwan dialects, which today form the basis of the Kadazandusun Language. 'It's quite remarkable that in the same year the Kadazan dictionary was printed – 1995 – an agreement was reached between KDCA and USDA to formalise the combination of the 'Bundu' and 'Liwan' dialects into what is now known as the 'Bunduliwan' dialect, officially branded as the Kadazandusun Language. 'Today, Kadazandusun is taught as a subject within the national education system. Many have graduated with specialisations in the language at PhD, Master's and Bachelor's levels, and thousands of students are currently learning it from kindergarten and Year One right up to SPM level,' said Madius. He expressed full support for efforts of teachers in the district to establish Tinimungan Manampasi Boros Kadazandusun (Timbok) – an initiative to strengthen the teaching and learning of the language, while also providing opportunities for retired Kadazandusun language teachers to remain actively involved in writing, research, and other activities to preserve the language. He said this year's carnival theme Apasi Boros, Apasi Tinaru (Appreciate Language, Appreciate Culture), was highly appropriate in nurturing a love for one's own language and culture. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malaysiakini
15-06-2025
- Malaysiakini
Kadazandusun, Sabah's heritage bearers and nation builders
HISTORY | The Kadazandusun (also spelt Kadazan-Dusun) are the largest ethnic group in Sabah (formerly North Borneo), Malaysia. The term 'Kadazandusun' was officially adopted to unify two closely related groups: the Kadazan, who traditionally inhabited the coastal and lowland areas of western Sabah, and the Dusun, who predominantly resided in the interior and highland regions.
