Salaam readers,
I have written about the similarities that exist between the Malay
and Dusun ethnic. You may refer to the previous entry HERE.
Do you have any suggestions on that matter? This time we will see the
similarities that may exist between the Dusun and the Bunun ethnic (Taiwan). I
got the information from THIS resource
and thought of sharing it with you.
Check this out.
Years ago, I heard talks about how KadazanDusun’s culture and
rituals are quite similar to that of a tribe in Taiwan. It suggested a possible
common ancestry. I thought nothing more of it but today, perhaps I got too much
free time on hand, I revisited that theory. Surfed the net, read articles, read
forums.
From herein, I will refer KadazanDusun as Dusun because the former
is long and I’m too lazy to type long names. In anycase, KadazanDusun is a
recent coinage, a marriage of the tribe name of Kadazan and Dusun by our
leaders for unification purposes. I’m not here to discuss kadazanDusun, if you
want to know more about the background of the name, I suggest you visit Kadazan
Dusun Cultural Association’s website.
The following is an excerpt from http://en.allexperts.com/e/k/ka/kadazan.htm
The Kadazan language is an amalgation of various influences,
mainly coming from other indigenous tribes in North Borneo and the adoption of
various Malay words. According to legend, the Kadazan language has its
roots in the migration of a band of seafaring Chinese from Southern China.
Anecdotes describe a provincial Chinese tribe whose language differs greatly
with the common Chinese dialects but bears striking similarities to the Kadazan
language; a tribe whom purportedly bear a physical resemblance to Kadazans as
well. However, no research or concrete evidence has risen to support these
claims although it is supported by authoritative figures in the Kadazan community.
I do not know where the author got his legend from, personally
having blood line to the Dusun Tatana of Kuala Penyu, I certainly haven’t heard
of this legend. However, it is noteworthy to know that within the Dusun tribe
itself, there are many more sub-divisions(if that is the correct term to use)
of Dusuns. We have Dusun Papar, Dusun Tambunan etc. The local legends may vary
albeit not significant. The author could have gotten his source from these
other Dusun clans. Or perhaps, the Dusun Tatana has forgotten about this
legend. Our history and legends are passed down orally. So this one could have
slipped down the cracks of time. Or perhaps, I need to mix with more old folks,
cast my net wider.
In any case, what the author wrote which I have conveniently
highlighted in red for you, certainly perpetuated the myth about the connection
between Dusun and that particular tribe in Taiwan which from what I have
gathered, seems to point to the Bunun tribe in Taiwan.
I don’t see any concrete evidence to support that the Dusun has
any link to the Bunun.
Nonetheless, for amusement, I shall highlight little similarities:
1 ) Nunuk Ragang, is a Dusun word for Bayan Tree. Ragang
comes from the word Aragang which means red. Dusun legend has it that they came
from a place called Nunuk Ragang. If you want to know more about the Nunuk
Ragang, just googled it. But why I bring this up?
The Dusun lived on this giant tree and this tree nourishes them.
It was believed that the roots of the Nunuk tree produce red latex that gave
the pool not only reddish coloration but also its medicinal value. Thus the
name Nunuk Ragang. Nunuk latex is still used to treat rashes and other minor
skin diseases.
Now, the Bunun were referred to as the “Red Head
Tribe” by the Qing Dynasty. Notice the affinity to the colour red?
Hehehe..
2 ) The name “Bulun” means “people”. Early Dusuns before they
started calling themselves Dusuns, simply referred to themselves as “Tulun”
which means “people”.
3) In 1979, S.G Tan of the Department of Biology, Faculty of
Science and Environmental Studies of University Pertanian Malaysia published
his findings titled Genetic Relationship between Kadazans
and Fifteen other Southeast Asian Races. Summary of his findings is as
follow:
Genetic distance analysis based on five polymorphic biochemical
genetic markers was done to determine the genetic distance between
Kadazans and fifteen other races living in Southeast Asia. Kadazans were
found to be closer to Iban, Paiwan, Visayan, Ifugao, Atyal, Aboriginal
Malays, Land Dayak, Tagalog and Southern Chinese than
they are to Bataks, Senoi, Bunun,Malays, Aetas and Southern Indians. Gene
frequency comparisons for several new biochemical genetic markers such as
soluble glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glyoxalase I and esterase D were
made between Kadazans and those few Southeast Asian races which had been
analysed for these new markers. In case of those markers in which no data
is available for other Southeast Asian races, the Kadazan gene frequencies
were compared to those of races found elsewhere in the world. Take note of
the 2 races that I have highlighted in blue. I assume Atyal here is the Atayal tribe of
Taiwan. They are sometimes referred to as Atyal. Unfortunately, S.G Tan did not
include Bunun tribe as test subject. Hence, cursing us to forever guessing our
links,unless someone starts researching on this subject again :).
4 ) Dusun and Bunun are both listed in the family of
Austronesian language family.
5) Dusun and Bunun both have history of a period they
practice Head Hunting.
Guess who’s who?
E
A & D – Dusun
B,C & E - Bunun
Anyhow, I do not think our similarities are a big deal. After all,
it is plausible. Throughout the millennium, our ancestors could have migrated
to Borneo from Taiwan vice versa. Or Bulun and Dusun could just be descendants
of a tribe that migrated from the Philippines to Borneo and Taiwan. Who knows?!
Someone should really do a research on this.
Sincerely yours.
1 comment:
Saya rasa ini bahan rujukan yang bagus pula >> http://protomalayans.blogspot.com
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