The Nameless Boy that Choked (an origin story of the Gunatong Dusun)
One day, the Mangkaak people caught a bolinatong, a type of python but short and fat. The family decided to have a feast, so they cooked the bolinatong. While the adults were busy eating and telling each other stories, a small boy snuck from behind his mother’s back and snatched the biggest he could. He was satisfied with himself as no one had noticed his act, not even his mother.
So he began savouring the bolinatong meat. He ate with such gusto that he began swallowing without chewing. It was the most delicious he had. Alas, a big piece had gotten stuck in his throat. He struggled so hard that his mother began realizing that something was amiss. She turns around and sees the small boy choking. Shocked, she screamed, “Nokogulon, ih bolinatong! Nokogulon, ih bolinatong!”
Everyone got on their feet and attempted to help the boy in any way they could. Luckily for everyone, the boy survived the ordeal. The boy had no name at the time of the incident. He was named bolinatong and would grow up and form the Gunatong tribe. Gunatong is a combination of Gulon (choke) and Bolinatong (a short python).
This is the story of the founder of the Gunatong Dusun.
Note: This Mangkaak folk story was told to the author by Tampulong Aju, the former Ketua Kampung of Kg. Tongodon, Tongod.
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