By Remy Majangkim
KOTA KINABALU: Who are the indigenous people of Sabah? They are groups who have inhabited this land for over a thousand years. Their oral and written histories can be traced back to the 1200s, long before the arrival of Europeans.
Upon arriving in these lands, a Christian missionary described his experience of joining a native clan in their village. He recounted an event during the village festivities, where people were drinking and laughing.
Suddenly, they were alarmed by the arrival of a rival clan. The villagers sprang into action and began to behead members of the raiding party. Once the heads were chopped off and placed near the drinking areas, the villagers returned to their festivities. This scene stunned the Christian missionary, as noted in his memoir.
The indigenous people of Borneo are a warrior clan known for their desire for glory and the heads of their opponents. They are not individuals to be trifled with; their strong genes are evident in the athletic prowess of both men and women. Naturally competitive, they display great determination and resilience. Their constant warring has led to a unique gene pool among the Sabahan people, which fosters high levels of tolerance and respect for one another.
From an early age, our elders before us taught us to separate religion from native customs. These are two distinct entities and should not be mingled. Religion is a matter of personal choice that each individual makes on their journey. Once you have decided on your beliefs, they are accepted by your family and community.
In the early days of Malaysia’s formation, OKK G.S. Sundang erected an oath stone that was collected from the river by the late Tan Sri Richard Lind, who was the district officer of Keningau at the time. The rock resembles a clenched fist, symbolising solidarity, and becomes the oath stone in Keningau. Our elders back then understood that unity among the indigenous clans was vital and reminded them through a solemn oath chiselled in stone.
The State Government, through the SMJ Secretariat, recently signed an MOU with a Kuala Lumpur-based media consultant, IB Media Consultant Work Sdn Bhd, for the proposed Borneo TV. This unconventional move raises suspicions among cultural purveyors, local artists, and influencers. Are these small steps to neutralise our cultural diversity and remove our sovereign cultural identity through new narratives?
The solidarity and harmonious coexistence among Indigenous peoples are now at stake. Our cultural identity should be cherished and protected by our communities, not compromised or narrated by foreign companies. Who is proposing this collaboration without consulting industry stakeholders and understanding its insensitivities? Are you willing to face and ignite the primal wrath of Sabahans who stand united in preserving their cultural heritage?
