Harmonious Kunak Part 3: The Kadazan Community

Bahasa Melayu

The Kadazan Community

There are several theories and explanations about the origin of the term 'Kadazan'. Some says that the term was of recent origin as coined by politicians while others claimed that it had existed long before the arrival of the Europeans to North Borneo. To me, every group of people, have their own term to what to call themselves and that should be the term accepted by others outside that group.

Not knowing what term to call this particular ethnic group, the early British settlers simply classified them as 'Dyak' together with other indigenous people in the interior of Borneo.

The Kadazan population of Kunak is estimated at around 600 (based on a 1999 census of 445). Their ancestors were from all over Sabah and most of them reside in Kampung Kadazan, a kampong within the boundary of Sime Darby Plantations.

According to Valentine Sebastian, a local community leader, the area of Kampung Kadazan is about 4.5 acres and is situated in the area of Mostyn Estate.

The area was allocated by the British Abaca Limited (BAL) Plantations to its Kadazan employees in 1958. At that same time BAL Plantations also allocated areas to its employees of the Cocos ethnic at Batu 2 Kunak (now known as Kampung Selamat) and to miscellaneous groups at Kampung Sri Bahagia.

A postcard published in 1906-1920 showing 'Dyak' women

of North Borneo. Details at: NorthBorneoStamps

Unduk Ngadau Kampung Kadazan Pesta Kaamatan 2009

Apart from working in plantations, the first Kadazan generation of Kunak also grew vegetables for their own consumption as well as sold for extra income. In the early seventies they ventured into cocoa cultivation.  Albeit with small area to begin, it exposed the people to the intrinsic aspects of commercial plantation. Today, many Kadazan families in Kunak have their own oil palm farms and they are among the prosperous people of Kunak District.

KUNAK DISTRICT LEVEL OF KAAMATAN CELEBRATION

A physio-therapist from Hospital Kunak, Victoria Yam, 24, was crowned as "Miss Unduk Ngadau of Kunak 2009". She was among six finalists who participated in the beauty pageant (click to view video) in conjunction with the Kunak District Level Kaamatan Festival held at Kampong Kadazan on 23rd May 2009. The runner-up position went to Kimberly C. Fay, 20, while second runner-up went to Aflin Joseph, 21.  

   Kunak State Aseemblyman, Nilwan Kabang who officiate the opening ceremony said that he is very happy to see other ethnic communities beside the Kadazan-Dusun ethnic, attending and participating in programs held in conjunction with the celebration. He added that their (the other ethnic communities) participation will enhance mutual respect and cooperation among the multiracial people of Kunak.

   Nilwan called on the people of Kunak to comprehend and put into action the Kaamatan Celebration theme, Together We Mould a Better Future, by being more tolerant, cooperative, and helping one another.

    Meanwhile, in his welcome address the chairman of the organizer, Valentine R. Sebastian appealed to Nilwan and Kunak District Officer, Susilo Sumarto to help in getting Kampong Kadazan gazetted in the near future. According to Valentine, Kampong Kadazan occupied an area of 4.5 acres within the land title of Mostyn Estates. It was allocated by the original land title owner, British Abaca Limited (BAL) Plantations in 1958 to the families of its employees from the Kadazan-Dusun ethnic. At that time BAL Plantations also allocated two other areas namely Kampong Selamat to the Cocos ethnic and Cooperative (now Kampong Sri Bahagia) to Bugis and Chinese ethnics. The land title had since changed hands twice, from BAL Plantations to Golden Hope Plantations and finally under the current owner Sime Darby Plantations Berhad.

Also present were Kunak District Officer, Susilo Sumarto and his two assistants, the People Development Head of Department (PKR), Halid Harun and his staff as well as other dignitaries of Kunak.