Unity in Diversity in Sabah
Stories of Mixed Heritage Children: Nurturing Cultural Understanding in Mixed Marriages and Their Children
Written & Edited by Atalia Mae Jaua, Chloe Mosundu Juming & Zairol Chaire | Published for the Komuhakan Movement (@komuhakan)
Have you ever felt like you never truly belonged? To a place, a community – your own identity? This is true for most people who have parents from different heritages. They are one person – yet at the same time, have more than one identity.
In Sabah, it is common to see people of mixed descendance. These people live in harmony, embracing their differences. They celebrate each and every festivity which relates to them and this results in a unique clash of cultures. To others, it may seem disrespectful and wrong, but the tolerance and understanding present in a mixed culture ultimately shows the beauty of it. Having said that, issues will undoubtedly arise when one forgets the roots of their background. A part of their identity will eventually be forgotten and perish.
Hence, parents/guardians have an important role to play in introducing their culture and language to their descendants. Children are curious by nature and said curiosity will only grow with time; “Why do we celebrate Kaamatan?” or “What is a Bobohizan/Bobolian?”. Parents must be somewhat equipped to answer these questions, lest they cannot provide an explanation at all. This may give off the impression that it must not be essential knowledge for them to know. In retrospect, there have been many instances where misinformation is spread among the youth by social media/schools/etc. Having little to no knowledge of their culture makes them susceptible to incorrect teachings and not having an opinion of their own.
This problem extends further than the younger generation as sometimes, the parents themselves were not exposed to the culture and language when they were younger. This is historically related to the days when Sabah was still under British occupation, in which locals were encouraged to learn to speak and read English so they may be able to secure good jobs as most administratives and businesses used English as a mode of communication. This indirectly influenced the fact that children were to prioritize English before their own mother tongue.
Of course, times have changed since then but it has sadly backfired on Sabah — we are at risk of intangible heritage extinction, referring specifically to a 2005 UNESCO report classifying the Kadazan language as an endangered language of merely 300,000 people. On the bright side, several institutions and organizations have worked hard to keep the language alive, including the Kadazandusun Language Foundation (KLF). The Kadazandusun language has also entered the education system and has been formalized as well as institutionalized. With that said, a language cannot possibly survive with just the effort of a few people. It takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to preserve a language.
According to a survey done by Komuhakan in January 2024, 84.3% of the respondents are in favour of mixed marriages. The main reason being it promotes diversity and cultural understanding, Komuhakan personally believes this to be true as well. Nevertheless, some parents do not take the opportunity to educate their children about their own cultural heritage when involved in mixed marriages. This oversight can lead to a loss of cultural identity for their children, as they may grow up with limited knowledge and/or appreciation of either parents’ cultural backgrounds. It is essential for parents to actively engage in sharing their traditions, values, and customs with their children; regardless of whether they are in a mixed marriage or not. This not only enriches the child’s understanding of their heritage but also fosters a sense of belonging and respect for diversity. It is increasingly concerning that with mixed marriages being more common than ever now, the parents find it difficult to ensure their children have the best of both worlds. More so when the parents themselves are unable to communicate in their mother tongue.
Again referring to our questionnaire, one of the respondents shared that she is a Sino-Kadazan, and both her parents are also Sino-Kadazans. She recounts her grievances of not being able to speak either Kadazan or Chinese, instead only communicating in English and Malay. In spite of that, she is determined to deepen her understanding of her native languages.
Other respondents expressed feeling a stronger connection to one culture over the other. This was mostly due to certain cultural activities conflicting with their religious beliefs and also simply being closer to one parent’s culture than the other. This highlights the complexities and challenges that can arise in mixed marriages where balancing cultural traditions with religious practices can sometimes pose dilemmas for individuals.
Our survey also gave respondents the option to answer how they handle cultural/religious conflicts. Most of the answers had common themes embedded; tolerance, understanding, and communication. By utilizing these themes, respondents said that it led to solutions in compromising and adapting to the differences found within the household. However, it cannot be denied that it is not an easy thing to do and some would prefer to avoid confrontation. A respondent who is of mixed Malay and Kadazan-Dusun heritage found it hard to communicate with his family members when religious beliefs and cultural practices conflicted, “Honestly right now, I keep quiet about certain things I believe in or want to do. I just respect whatever rules I have to follow and code switch depending on the people around me in order to avoid problems.” With that said, Komuhakan understands that issues within the family are nuanced and that readers who are facing similar problems will be able to resolve conflict appropriately.
Diversity is a beautiful thing — it does not mean prioritizing or diminishing one culture over the other but rather embracing every single one of them. Multiculturalism can be at the forefront of a working society. As we embrace our differences, we also foster unity as a nation. Raising our future generations amongst different people thus allows them to think more critically and not be stuck in a bubble where everyone is the same. It prepares them for the vast whole world in which diversity will and always exist.
In our best efforts, we must continue to preserve and protect our culture and language. It is the legacy that we received from our ancestors and is now a responsibility to pass on to our descendants. While our survey responses do discuss conflicts between families of different cultures and religions, it has also detailed on how it can be solved through honest communication. This cements evidence that diversity can benefit us without losing our roots.
There are several ways in which parents can help their children (and themselves) be closer to their roots;
Giving your child a name in the native language
We are sure you have met someone who has a Kadazan or Dusun name as their first or middle name. Have you ever asked them what it meant? One of the respondents from our questionnaire told us that she was always excited to tell people what her middle name meant, which is Osuau, which means kind-hearted or friendly in Kadazan and Dusun. Various cultures around the world name their child with a meaning behind it. You can take a look on the options we have posted here or you can even creatively incorporate it with a modern name or spelling.
Invest in a native language dictionary and/or phrasebook
One effective way for parents to help their children connect more deeply with their cultural roots is by investing in a language dictionary and/or phrasebook. By learning the language together, parents and children can embark on a shared journey of discovery, enhancing their bond while also gaining valuable linguistic skills.
Learning the language of one’s heritage not only fosters an understanding of the culture but also opens doors to communication with older generations, relatives, and community members who primarily speak that language. This leads to richer family interactions and a stronger sense of belonging. In addition to the practical benefits, learning a language together can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for all. It offers opportunities to explore new literature, music, films, and traditions from the culture, enriching their lives in meaningful ways.
Furthermore, supporting local businesses by purchasing these educational materials has a positive ripple effect on the community. It helps sustain local bookstores, publishers, and other cultural institutions, indirectly contributing to the revitalization of the culture and language. Some materials are even available for free online, such as the Kadazan Flash Cards applications (as pictured above).
Invest in getting a personal traditional attire
Parents investing in traditional attires for their children can instill a sense of cultural pride and identity from a young age. Wearing traditional clothing allows children to connect with their heritage and understand the significance behind the attire, fostering a deeper appreciation for their cultural roots. Traditional attires often carry stories, values, and histories that are passed down through generations. By dressing children in these garments, parents are essentially passing on these cultural narratives and teachings in a tangible way.
Additionally, introducing children to their traditional attire can also be a fun and educational experience. It creates opportunities for parents to teach their children about different fabrics, designs, and craftsmanship; thereby promoting recognition for traditional artistry and handiwork. Sabah has a great deal of talented tailors and fashion designers that specialise in traditional wear such as De Osindak, B.G.S Atelier and JJ Arts & Couture.
Apart from that, wearing traditional attire during special occasions or cultural events makes children feel belonged and connected to their community. It provides them with a visual representation of their cultural identity and can serve as a source of pride and confidence. According to one of our respondents, she feels proud every time she has the chance to wear the sinuangga to represent who she is and where she comes from, especially when she is in West Malaysia or visiting outside of the country.
Use food as a cultural medium
Food is an epicenter in our daily lives; we can never be separated from food. Learning how to cook and prepare traditional food (even better done together with children) can be impactful. Popular foods include Hinava, Linopot, Pinasakan Sada, Bosou and so on. While these foods can take some time to prepare, there are other much less labor intensive foods such as Sup Manuk Lihing as well that can be a part of meals.
There are many Sabahan influencers and content creators that take pride in showing off their cultural heritage by making videos of traditional meals, snacks, side dishes, so on and so forth. You can check out Ropuhan di Tanak Wagu on YouTube! Besides that, you can also visit Outskirts Eatery and Native Sabah Cafe in Penampang as they serve authentic as well as fusion traditional dishes.
Incorporate native storytelling, songs, and poetry as creative enhancements
Many of us are not aware of the profound stories our ancestors have passed down for generations. Most people would know of other great civilizations’ mythology such as the Norse Trickster God Loki to the Egyptian God of The Underworld Anubis yet we ignore stories of Akinabalu, Nunuk Ragang, and The Giant of Kinoringan. While the story of Huminodun’s sacrifice is still popular due to its association with Kaamatan, one story itself is not enough to capture the extent of our people’s rich folklore. Parents must make an effort in keeping these stories alive by telling them to children as bedtime stories or using them as moral lessons. For instance, Huminodun’s story has always been used as a metaphor to represent the integrity and power in willingly sacrificing for the betterment of the people.
Furthermore, parents can also encourage their children to whip up their own stories, songs, and poems in their native language. While language proficiency might pose an initial problem, there is no rush in creating art. Parents can make compositions together with their children by drawing from simple ideas. An example of traditional poetry is Hiis which has many sources and examples online to illustrate how it is composed and recited. Nonetheless, parents and children absolutely do not have to conform merely to traditional methods. While it is important to keep them alive, contemporary and/or adaptive forms of creative work are also great ways to encourage fun uses of the native language. Parents and youths can check out Bundusan Books as they sell a variety of books that tell the stories of our culture and history.
Listen to the radio (Sabah VFM)
In these modern times of streaming music, we often forget the existence of radio stations and their versatility. Sabah VFM is one of the most well-known radio stations which features various languages at different times of day. For example, Kadazan hosts have a slot starting from 6AM and Dusun hosts will usually have their slots around 9PM.
These hosts are not amateur speakers, rather they are professionals who are trained and well-versed in the language they are hosting. By listening to the radio, parents and children alike can get a sense of proper pronunciation, enunciation and intonation as well as expand their vocabulary. Moreover, listening to the radio is not a task that needs full concentration. It can be played in the background while cooking, driving, cleaning, exercising, playing, etc. The versatility of the radio makes it an extremely useful tool not just for learning but also for entertainment.
Continue to be inspired by other parents
Seeing others put effort into educating their children and youths can give us the strength and motivation to do it too. Sabahan id Penang is a family that shares their daily lives where they speak Dusun while being far away from home as they reside in Penang. They are active on social media sites such as YouTube, TikTok and Facebook.
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References
Gontusan, R.A. (2017). The KadazanDusun language dilemma. Daily Express. Retrieved from https://dailyexpress.com.my/read.cfm?NewsID=2671
Bernama. (2024). Minister: Third volume of Kadazan language learning app launched. Malay Mail. Retrieved from https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/02/22/minister-third-volume-of-kadazan-language-learning-app-launched/119447
A questionnaire conducted by Komuhakan Movement on 6 January 2024
