Kadazan-Dusun
Encyclopedia
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
.
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 the 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 into and documentation of the Kadazandusun's heritage and culture. The university also offers the Kadazandusun language as an elective language subject, and it is quite popular among foreign students.
The title "Huguan Siou" Office is an institutionalized Paramount Leadership of the Koisaan.
The power and responsibility to bestow the Kadazandusun Paramount Leadership Title "Huguan Siou" rests with the KDCA, which, upon the vacancy 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 (out of respect for the highly dignified and nearly sacred office of the Kadazandusun's Huguan Siou), until such time as a deserving Kadazandusun leader is undoubtedly established.
KDCA's humble beginnings 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 on 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 stands 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 as much and as far as its resources, leaders and members can empower 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.
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
tribes in Sabah
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
, Malaysia—the ethnic groups Kadazan
Kadazan
The Kadazans are an ethnic group indigenous to the state of Sabah in Malaysia. They are found mainly on the west coast of Sabah, the surrounding locales, and various locations in the interior. Due to similarities in culture and language with the Dusun ethnic group, and also because of other...
and Dusun
Dusun
Dusun is the collective name of a tribe or ethnic and linguistic group in the Malaysian state of Sabah of North Borneo. Due to similarities in culture and language with the Kadazan ethnic group, a new unified term called "Kadazan-Dusun" was created. Collectively, they form the largest ethnic group...
.
History
The designation is officially recognised as the result of a resolution of the 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 1960s.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 the 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 into and documentation of the Kadazandusun's heritage and culture. The university also offers the Kadazandusun language as an elective language subject, and it is quite popular among foreign students.
Kadazandusun Cultural Association Sabah
The Kadazandusun Cultural Association Sabah (KDCA) previously known as Kadazan Cultural Ascosiation (KCA) , 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 "Huguan Siou" rests with the KDCA, which, upon the vacancy 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 (out of respect for the highly dignified and nearly sacred office of the Kadazandusun's Huguan Siou), until such time as a deserving Kadazandusun leader is undoubtedly established.
KDCA's humble beginnings 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 on 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 stands 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 as much and as far as its resources, leaders and members can empower 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.
Kadazandusun sub-ethnic groups
Kadazandusun is made up of forty sub-ethnic groups of the Dusun and Kadazan.
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External links
- Dumbong, Allan (2007) Empowerment of Kadazandusun Youths in Nunuk Ragang.
- KDCA Official Website
- Kadazandusun Forum
- Kadazandusun Murut Vocabulary/ Words /nouns collections