Kadazan-Dusun

Kadazan-Dusun is the term assigned to the unification of the classification of two indigenous tribes in Sabah, Malaysia—the ethnic groups Kadazan and Dusun.

History

The designation is officially recognised as the result of political machinations, specifically as a resolution of the supposedly non-political 5th Kadazan Cultural Association (KCA) Delegates Conference held between November 4 and November 5, 1989 (KCA was later renamed to KDCA - Kadazan-Dusun Cultural Association [http://kdca.org.my] ). During the conference, it was decided that this was the best alternative approach to resolve the "Kadazan" or "Dusun" identity crisis that had crippled and impeded the growth and development of the Kadazan-Dusun multi-ethnic community socio-culturally, economically and politically—ever since Kadazanism versus Dusunism sentiments were politicised in the early 1960's.

This was the basis that led to the United Sabah Dusun Association (USDA) and the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) to resolve that the Language to be taught in Schools as Pupils' Own Language (POL) shall be known as the Kadazandusun Language based mainly on the Bundu-Liwan dialect and to be enriched by the other Kadazandusun dialects. In Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), a Kadazandusun Chair has been established to undertake deeper research and documentation of the Kadazandusun's heritage and cultures. The University also offers the Kadazandusun language as an elective language subject, and it is quite popular among foreign students.

Kadazans and Dusuns share the same language and culture, albeit with differences in dialect. Many consider the major difference between the two ethnic groups to be their traditional geographical influences. Kadazans are mainly inhabitants of the flat valley deltas, conducive to paddy field farming, while Dusuns are traditionally inhabitants of the hilly and mountainous regions common to the interior of Sabah. It has been theorized that the name is actually just 'Dusun', not Kadazan Dusun. The word 'Kadazan' came from the word 'Kedai', a word from the Dusun tongue which means 'shop'. The original Dusun people called the Dusuns who live in the cities, where there are lots of shops as Kekedaian or Dusun who live in the city. Conversely, the City Dusun cannot pronounce the letter 'I' properly, they pronounce the 'Kekedaian' as 'Kekedazan'.

However an article written by Richard Tunggolou [http://kdca.org.my/archives/169] on this matter may shed some light. According to Mr. Tunggolou, most of the explanations of the meanings and origins of the word ‘Kadazan’ assumed that the word was of recent origin, specifically in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. He says that some people have theorized that the term originates from the word ‘kakadazan’ (towns) or ‘kedai’ (shops), and from the claim that Kadazan politicians such as the late Datuk Peter J. Mojuntin coined the term. In fact, the word ‘Kadazan’ is not of recent origin. There was evidence that the term has been used long before the 1950s. Owen Rutter, in his book, “The Pagans Of North Borneo”, published in 1929, wrote: “The Dusun usually describes himself generically as a tulun tindal (landsman) or, on the West Coast, particularly at Papar, as a Kadazan.” (page 31). Owen Rutter worked in Sabah for five years as District Officer in all five residencies and left Sabah with the onset of the First World War. This means that he started working in Sabah from 1910 and left Sabah in 1914. We can therefore safely say that the word ‘Kadazan’ was already in existence before any towns or shops were built in the Penampang district and that Kadazan politicians did not invent the word in the late fifties and early sixties. Thus, the most likely explanation for the term ‘Kadazan’ is that it means ‘the people of Papar’ only and not Penampang people. Certainly there was a term specific for the 'Penampang' people. During the early 1970's the old people of Tambunan used to call the Penampang people as the "Tangara"; so since the Papar local termed themselves "Kadazan" then the Penampang people are best called as "Tangara".

The KDCA

The Kadazandusun Cultural Association Sabah (KDCA), is a non-political association of 40 indigenous ethnic communities of Sabah, first registered under the Malaysian Societies Act 1966, on April 29, 1966 by the then Deputy Registrar of Societies Malaysia, J. P. Rutherford. It is currently headed by Huguan Siou Honorable Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

The title "Huguan Siou" Office is an institutionalized Paramount Leadership of the Koisaan.The power and responsibility to bestow the Kadazandusun Paramount Leadership Title termed as "Huguan Siou" rests with the KDCA, which, upon the vacation of the Huguan Siou's Office, may hold an Extra-ordinary Delegate's Conference to specifically resolve the installation of their Huguan Siou.

However if no leader is considered worthy of the Huguan Siou's Title, the office would rather be left vacant (in respect of the highly dignified and near sacred office of the Kadazandusun's Huguan Siou), until such time comes when a deserving Kadazandusun leader is undoubtedly established.

KDCA's humble beginning started with the birth of the Society of Kadazan Penampang in 1953. This society paved the way for the formation of the Kadazan Cultural Association Sabah (KCA) in 1963, which in turn transformed into the present KDCA on September 25, 1991.

Ever since its inception in the early 50's, the KDCA has focused much of its efforts in the preservation, development, enrichment and promotion of the Kadazandusun multi-ethnic cultures. Without KDCA, much more of the currently existing Kadazandusun cultural heritage would have sunk to oblivion by now, buried lost forever or displaced by the ever dominating modern cultures. The KDCA's Triennial Delegates Conference provides for the much needed forum where the various Kadazandusun multi-ethnic representatives discuss major issues affecting them and their future and take up both individual and collective stand and actions to resolve common challenges.

The KDCA is presently involved in various activities related to Research & Documentation, preservation, development and promotions of the Kadazandusun culture: language and literary works; Bobolians & Rinaits; traditional medicine, traditional food and beverages; music, songs, dances and dramas; traditional arts, crafts and designs; traditional sports; traditional wears and costumes. Lately, along with the growing international cooperation of the world's indigenous peoples, indigenous knowledge, intellectual property and traditional resource rights conservation, enhancement and protection have also become new areas of the KDCA's concern and responsibility. The KDCA continues to play its vital role in fostering unity, friendship and cooperation among the multi-racial population of Sabah through its participatory cultural programs and celebrations such as the Village, District and State levels Annual "Kaamatan Festival". Over the years, it has sent Cultural Performance Troupes on goodwill tours to other Malaysian States, to neighboring Asian Countries, to Europe, America, Canada and New Zealand.

Nevertheless, like all other organizations KDCA can only move and grow in as much and as far as its resources, leaders and members can power it. There is a constant need for more young, professional, energetic and resourceful KDCA members to contribute towards KDCA's continuous growth and development. Currently, KDCA has its youths and students' wing, Kadazandusun Youth Development Movement (KDYDM). The Movement's main aims are to encourage more participation of the young generation in the activities of the Association and at the same time be empowered in various fields so that they would be able to help develop the Kadazandusun community in general. It is therefore imperative that people must know and understand KDCA's vision, goals, roles, functions and programs of activities and most of all membership privileges first before involving themselves in KDCA. This brochure hopes to enlighten KDCA members, prospective members, the public and global friends what the KDCA generally is, yesterday, today and ever onwards, tomorrow.

External links

* Tunggolou, Richard. [http://kdca.org.my/archives/169 "The origins and meanings of the terms "Kadazan" and "Dusun"] KDCA Publications. December 2, 2004.
* [http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/7637/kadazanDusun.html The Origin of Kadazan/Dusuns]
* Dumbong, Allan (2007) Empowerment of Kadazandusun Youths in Nunuk Ragang.
* [http://kdca.org.my/ KDCA Official Website]