What is heritage?
One of the definitions provided by Oxford Dictionary is "Valued objects and qualities such as cultural traditions, unspoiled countryside, and historic buildings that have been passed down from previous generations."
But the definition provided by Christian Eilers (2012) appears to be more relevant here. To him, heritage "... generally refers to the ancestors of a person, and what they identified with." He states that heritage can overlap with ethnicity. He defines ethnicity as being "based on a group (called an ethnic group) that is normally based on similar traits, such as a common language, common heritage, and cultural similarities within the group."
Based on this definition, the Kadazan people are descended from a group of native people living in the north of Borneo Island. Most of these people live on the west coast, from Kimanis-Papar to Penampang. These Kadazans have similar traits to the other group of natives who call themselves 'Dusun', the name given to them by Brunei and later adopted by the British colonialists. Kadazans speak the Kadazan Language, with slight variation between the language spoken at Papar and that spoken by the Kadazan Tangaah of Penampang. This language is very similar to the language spoken by those who prefer to be called 'Dusun'. There is very little difficulty in communicating with each other. This is one of the reasons, perhaps, why the name adopted by KDCA (1) for this group of people was "Kadazandusun".
They share the same culture and tradition. There is no noteworthy difference between them. It is very clear that they are of the same ethnic race.
Language In Danger of Becoming Extinct
But this heritage is under threat. The Kadazan (or Dusun) Language is in danger of becoming extinct. This may become a reality in the next fifty years or so if there are not enough Kadazans (or Dusuns) who communicate in their very own language, particularly with young members of the community.
"Language embodies the intellectual wealth of the people who use it." ~ Kenneth Hale.
Custom and Tradition
This has also come under threat. For example, groups that have nothing to do with Kadazans (or Dusuns) as an ethnic race have of late held their own "Kaamatan" with their own "Unduk Ngadau". This is nothing less than a usurpation of the ethnic heritage of the Kadazandusun people.
There are other matters of great concern that need to be addressed by Kadazans (Dusuns)
- Kadazandusun Cultural Association
- P.S.Shim (2007) had theorised that the ancestors of the Kadazandusun people originated from Baram in Sarawak, having moved northwards some 2,000 years ago. Many from among these people believe that their ancestors had always lived in this part of Borneo.
