KOTA MARUDU, SABAH – The Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association Kota Marudu (KDCA KM) is focusing on vamping its cultural and educational programmes to attract more involvement of its members here.
In the last one year, the health, economy and even cultural calendars were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the suspension of culture-related programmes at various villages and districts levels.
“The social content of cultural festivities can be very shallow, highlighting the needs for the cultural programmes and celebration to be based on education and cultural heritage…
“Therefore, the KDCA KM has initiated a Kadazandusun language class at its office here on how to read and speak Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) languages. The classes will be held during the weekend,” said KDCA Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, who is also the Coordinating Chairman of KDCA KM.
He said the classes are specially designed for young people who cannot read or speak the KDM languages.
“Also in the KDCA KM’s pipeline is a kindergarten class in the Dusun Tobilung language. We have already identified , a building for the kindergarten in Kampung Mangaris 2, near here…
“KDCA KM will be sponsoring the cost of teachers and running of the kindergarten. This will be the second KDM Kindergarten sponsored by KDCA in Sabah,” said Ongkili.
Apart from the two, KDCA KM will also be conducting traditional music and dance classes based on the district’s sub-ethnicity in the effort to preserve the culture amongst the younger generation.
“The KDCA KM will run workshops for gong beating and dances for children below 12-years-old. It will be conducted in three series classes – Rungus, Tobilung and Kimaragang ethnicities,” he said.
He added that they expect two graduating classes for the Rungus and Kimarangan languages this year.
“This is KDCA KM’s way of contributing towards the preservation of culture, and passing on the tradition to the younger generation.”
