Sabah Legend: Origin of Kota Marudu

(Kota Marudu on the red dot)

History

How did the they know how to spell Marudu, a name that exists in the map of year 1537? From where did Caspar Viegas can know? Perhaps he acquired the disclosures that as a result from shipping the Protugis who came to Brunei in 1526 (Don Jorge de Menezes) as well as western and northern coast of Sabah between 1527-1530?

In the meantime, this assumption can be supported further by the existence of a map dated 1540 Protugis. However, if referred to Antonio Pigafetta who recorded that the cruise of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, nor any mention made of any place names around the island except Cimbonbon Marudu Bay (now, Balambangan Island) which lies off the northern gulf.

(In the event of the annual district's festival: Corn Festival)

Investigation done

Marudu comes from the language of one tribe in Sabah. The word "MARUDU" comes from the people BALANINI, derived from the word "MAIRUDU" or MAIULUDU "which in Malay means" a position in there also. "Those who inhabit the Gulf of Balanini Marudu and Marudu fishing activities and water trade often sailed from Limau-limauan Kudat along the Marudu bay to Telaga Village Pitas. When they sailed back across the bay in Limau-limauan, they will go through or across a shortcut instead of Marudu Bay along the Marudu Gulf. Those who communicate in sea when asked where they are going they would answer "Mairu du" or "Mairu lu" or the Malay language means "there also" (referring to the geographical position Marudu Bay which forms a large bay environment). Sooner or later, the Mairudu term gradually shifted to the Marudu and mailudu to Maludu. Therefore, Western writers often refer Marudu as Marudu, Marudo or Maludu. While in the map-century Spanish Colonial 13 Marudu written as Maludu and believed to be among the oldest historical documents that record the names Marudu.

Typical village in Kota Marudu

(www.rumbiagallery.blogspot.com)

Marudu town was originally named Bandau. According to legend in this district, Bandau is derived from the word 'Mondou' from the Momogun Rungus  language [Kadazandusun] which means "king of all wild animals" who looked like a weasel. "Mondou" is believed at one time to be found by a man named Aki Rungsud Sudirman along the river. According to the Momogun Rungus language, the city comes from the word Marudu of the Momogun Rungus language of "Sindaat Mogkorudu" in which the area for nearly 100 years Bandau in Momogun Rungus (local calendar) was abandoned after the war involving Sindaat [Magic] launched by Aki Sook, a wizard of Rovusan . According to the legend of Momogun Rungus, Bandau was opened by Aki Rungsud as a barter system trading center in the past and at during the time of Aki Sook there was power struggle which occurred between the "Momogun Rungus", "Momogun Rungus Kirangavan Pilapazan" which results in the war of "Sindaat" [Magic]. After "Sindaat Mogkorudu Momogun" incident, the ancient barter trade center had been abandoned and vacant for almost 100 years after the calendar ritual and ceremony of "Managas Mamasi Pomogunan".

Marudu Bay Sunset 

( Photo courtesy: Brian Mun)

While the name Kota Marudu used to replace Bandau is in conjunction with the omission of a city / fortress which is located in the Bandau Bay. City or fortress Marudu is a city made of stones, soil and hard wood and thorn made by Shariff Osman and his followers to defend the city from the invasion of colonial British Company. Osman is a pirate and was actually termed a rebel by the British colonial government to smear the name of Osman syariff. According to Ds Ranjit Singh, the book COMMERATIVE ILLNESS OF SABAH 1881 - 1981, pp. 96, Syariff Osman was declared a pirate and a rebel by the Raja Muda Hashim (Brunei) and its allies Britain and James Brooke.  However, Syariff Osman was in reality a free government, Warrior, Protector of the People Marudu and not pirates. In urban areas, there are hundreds (perhaps thousands) of the tombs of the warriors who fought against the British colonialists and the Tomb of Osman and his son Syariff Syariff Merum. Osman Sharif tomb once had two tombstones that distance between them reaches 20 feet and is believed to extend to this day. This was once a guarded tomb and are placed with yellow nets but this time it was no longer managed and was abandoned.

Simpangan River

(Photo courtesty: TicoTic)

According S.St.John in his book 'Life in the Forests of the Far East, London, 1863, pp.394-6 stated that the residents who live during the time of Shariff Osman, Chiefdom (Marudu or Maludu) there are approximately 50,000 people (in 1840's) and the main occupation is farming and fishing population.

Paddy fields and coconut trees during dusk

(Photo courtesy: Brian Mun)

Osman Syariff ws involved in the war against British colonial circa during the 1840's. Up to this day, it is known that Bandau first took the name Sindaat Mogkorudu [Marudu], which was established by Aki Sook who serves as the disposer of Momogun sins in religious rites of the religion of the ancestor of "Labus Momogun Rungus". Mogkorudu means "lament for the death". This legend continues to live in Momogun Rungus culture and people in Kota Marudu.

Adapted from: http://www.sabah.gov.my/pd.km/asal_usul_kota_marudu.htm
Photo courtesy: lotsoflove-pearls.blogspot.com; itzmefikqrie.blogspot.com/2012/04/map-of-borneo-tip-of-borneo-tgsimpang; http://www.flickr.com/photos/shatra78

Sabah Folklore ~ The Origins of "Nunuk Ragang": Apin-apin and Keningau

(Apin-Apin area & the illustration of its landscape below)

In Apin-Apin, like other places that opened before it, the the chief elder and magical rooster cannot stay for too long because underground people managed to trace them. As usual, the magical rooster flew the chief leader to another place farther in the interior of which was later referred to as Keningau. As usual, the rooster levelled the settlement ground. In that place was found many cinnamon trees which led to the place being named "Keningau" in Dusun / Kadazan language, which means 'cinnamon'.

(Keningau area & landscape from up the hill)

Not long in Keningau the magical rooster fell ill and died from old age then was laid to rest in a place there. Not long after, the chief elder of Nunuk Ragang also died from old age. With the death of them both who were hunted by the underground men,they stopped hunting them and became hostile to the people of Nunuk Ragang.

The death of the magical rooster and the chief elder of Nunuk Ragang caused the people to feel that they lost something precious. This was a great blow for them. Truly the magical rooster has given so much to the Dusun / Kadazan people by opening several settlements. If you notice, (even to this day) most of the places occupied by the Kadazan/Dusun people are in the hills and mountains that seem to have levelled. The people of Dusun/Kadazan truly believe in this story.

The Nunuk Ragang tree left by the Dusun/Kadazan people near the lake is said to have been cut down and destroyed by those underground men and is believed are ancestors to those from Tampias in Sabah.



Adapted from: Taha Abdul Kadir. Cerita Tradisi Sabah. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia : Pelanduk Publications (M) Sdn. Bhd. 1985. m/s 1-9.

Photo courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KeningauLocationMap.PNG;http://f1.ehive.com/3925/1/1qcs7kv_13q2_l.jpg; mohdzawi.blogspot.com

Sabah Folklore ~ The Origins of "Nunuk Ragang": Tambunan

As the land of Ranau was named for its "mud', the land was flattened out and the people followed the elder to open up a settlement there. They focused on activities such as planting crops and raising livestock such as chickens, ducks and pigs.

As for the underground people, the land still continues to feel very uncomfortable and doubtly lest people come back to Nunuk Ragang to revenge and attacked them. Then people from the underground to investigate and eventually they found out about the people of Nunuk Ragang in Ranau. So, they then planned to go there to destroy the people of Nunuk Ragang. Their arrival was detected by the magical rooster and even before they get to Ranau, the magical rooster flew the elder of Nunuk Ragang to another place with his followers and the place was known as "Tambunan".

In the new place as the magical male rooster then then helped with them by scraping persistently to level the land to be residential areas for the peopl of Nunuk Ragang. It is also eventually discovered by the underground people who become increasingly angry with the Nunuk Ragang people, especially towards the magical rooster, and they continue wish to get rid of it.

(The landscapes of Tambunan, Sabah. 

Some say it is the mini "Switzerland" of Sabah. Only you can judge that)

As usual the rooster will crow every morning. Its crowing sound is very strong and can be heard until Ranau and other places at any distance where the rooster crows. According to the story, the crown of the roosterenabled the underground people to track the position of the rooster and the chief elder of Nunuk Ragang. A group of the underground men moved to Tambunan. As usual, the magical rooster would know of their arrival in advance and continue to fly the chief elder to another place called Apin-Apin. There, they opened a new settlement.

Since the underground people only had revenge towards the chief elder and the magical rooster of Nunuk Ragang, only half of them continued to hunt both down. While the others stayed back at the new settlement.

(Monument contributed to Gombunan in the Tambunan district of Sabah)

Because the chief elder was not able to stay in Tambunan and had to migrate to Apin-Apin, he appointed a deputy by the name of 'Gombunan' as the head of the Nunuk Ragang people there. The name Tambunan was named after their leader appointed by the ruler above. Furthermore, the new place (Tambunan) has not got his name yet at the time.

Adapted from: Taha Abdul Kadir. Cerita Tradisi Sabah. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia : Pelanduk Publications (M) Sdn. Bhd. 1985. m/s 1-9.
Photo courtesy: ja.wikipedia.org;lostborneo.wordpress.comhttp://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Malaysia/East/Sabah/Tambunan/photo506232.htm, http://my.opera.com/sukku/albums/showpic.dml?album=357472&picture=5148691

Sabah Folklore ~ The Origins of "Nunuk Ragang": Ranau

The group of underground people then stayed in Nunuk Ragang. However, the underground people still believe that the the magical rooster and the elders of Nunuk Ragang still live there. They then take revenge on them at times too, so the underground people continued to devise ways on how to eliminate both of which are considered their enemy. The people of Nunuk Ragang with their elder and the magical rooster was always pursued by these underground people.

After some time, the underground people underground still could not succeed in overcoming the elder leader and the magical rooster of Nunuk Ragang. Finally, the underground men then settled in the area now known as the Tampias, which is in rural areas of the district called Labuk Sugut, Sandakan. It was also told that people from Tampias to this day are not very friendly with the Dusun / Kadazan people from the descendants of Nunuk Ragang.

These underground people are said that they used to be ordinary people, but has been cursed by the gods because they cause to much destruction on earth and they are sent to live in a big hole in the ground. They lived there and breeded after some time until they were released by the by the Nunuk Ragang gentle people.

Feelings of anger and hate by the underground people were endless towards the elder leader and the magical rooster of Nunuk Ragang. This made the magical rooster to fly the elder far into a mountainous region now known as Ranau.

With the magical power of the rooster, it levelled the land with its muddy feet and wings, persistently made that place a land to live in. Since then, the area is muddy taken after its original state, then named 'Ranau' meaning 'mud' in the Dusun / Kadazan language.

Adapted from: Taha Abdul Kadir. Cerita Tradisi Sabah. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia : Pelanduk Publications (M) Sdn. Bhd. 1985. m/s 1-9.

Photo courtesy: http://upload.wikimedia.org, pkgranau.edublogs.org

Sabah Folklore ~ Origins of the "Nunuk Ragang" : The Underground People

Rice planting season is an important event for all residents of Nunuk Ragang. One day, while the villagers were busy working in their rice fields on the hill, they heard voices calling coming from an underground well. The Nunuk Ragang people wondered with mixed feelings and anxiety, thus they informed the incident to their king. Finally, they held a meeting and reached a consensus, where they dug the earth from which they heard where the voices were calling. When excavated, they discovered a big hole underground. In it was packed with people who looked fierce.

The Nunuk Ragang people became more afraid, especially when they heard one of the leader, a man who was apparently very strong and rough. Then the leader said with a very loud voice like lightning, "Thank you ...... because of releasing us as this place feels good for us as we have been prisoned for a long time underground. Now you must go from here, if not we will destroy all of you! ......... "

Heeding the of underground man's words, the Nunuk Ragang people tried to save themselves by running away. This incident also caused the people of Nunuk Ragang to move away from their original place, and occupied other districts in the state. This story and the Ragang Tie story are from two different stories which tells us how people of Nunuk Ragang moved away from their place of origin.

Adapted from: Taha Abdul Kadir. Cerita Tradisi Sabah. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia : Pelanduk Publications (M) Sdn. Bhd. 1985. m/s 1-9.
Photo courtesy: ahroslanharahap.blogspot.com; aboutsabah.com

Sabah Folklore ~ Origins of " Nunuk Ragang": The "Ragang Tie" Epidemic

From day to day, the people of Nunuk Ragang grew more and more developed and became more populated. In the vicinity there were a few streams and this makes it a fertile and good agricultural area. The people of Nunuk Ragang lived in peace and harmony for a long time.

One day, Nunak Ragang was attacked "and harassed by" "Ragang Tie" (red wax). Ragang Tie cannot exactly be described in what form it looks like. It looks like a running water when viewed from a distance and sometimes those who see it as if it has behaves like a human. Oddly, the Ragang Tie brought disease to anyone who is touched it which is often fatal. In addition, Tie Ragang also results in destroying crops planted and killed livestock animals that came into contact with it.

(Illustration of the Nunuk Ragang)

As a result, large proportions of the Nunuk Ragang residents suffered pain which led to death; livestock and crops were destroyed by the pandemic. The people of Nunuk Ragang became very sad and worried. Finally, many of them left and moved to other safer areas to stay. Thus, they fragmented and was scattered all over the districts as indicated until today.

Adapted from: Taha Abdul Kadir. Cerita Tradisi Sabah. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia : Pelanduk Publications (M) Sdn. Bhd. 1985. m/s 1-9.
Photo courtesy: claire-innocent-artandcrafts.co.uk

Sabah Folklore ~ The Origins of "Nunuk Ragang"

It was told by folklore tellers that in the ancient days, there was a large and unusual tree in nature which grows near a deep lake. The lake is located near which is now a village in the district which is called "Lubuk Tampias Sugut" in Sandakan district. The tree mentioned earlier, was overall red in color, including the leaves. In the language of the Kadazan or Dusun the trees is called "Nunuk Ragang". "Nunuk" means the tree and "ragang" means red.

Also it has been told that at that time that place is not yet inhabited by humans. In general, the area where the Nunuk Ragang was, was covered by jungle inhabited only by wild beasts only. At that time there was a very large rooster, as big as a buffalo who lived there. Roosters are believed to have incredible magic.

One day the rooster was foraging for food. Then suddenly, came a handsome young man from the ground the rooster was foraging. The Roosters went on foraging and continued scratching the ground. Not long after came out a very beautiful girl. Both were taken and taken care by the rooster. Time followed, then they were wed together. Resulting from the marriage, the woman bore several sons and daughters. Their descendants became many and eventually the place was filled with more and more people. The descendants who came from the ground by the male rooster was referred to as 'The Nunuk Ragang' and is 'believed' to be the ancestors and the descendants of the Dusun or Kadazan natives.

(The elders of the "Nunuk Ragang" people)

The first man who emerged from the ground was appointed as the ruler in place by the male rooster. He ruled with the help of the male rooster. The rooster live high in red tree. Together with the red tree the rooster became the protector of people living there. The place is eventually named Nunuk Ragang trees named after a special red fig tree.

(Monument commemorating the "Nunuk Ragang" in Sabah)

Adapted from: Taha Abdul Kadir. Cerita Tradisi Sabah. Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia : Pelanduk Publications (M) Sdn. Bhd. 1985. m/s 1-9.
Photo courtesy: ajinbgagah.blogspot.com; qhristine.blogspot.com