Kadazan Tangah

Written by H. Joplin Mosiun 

March 25, 2023

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Part 5 of the history and origins of the Penampang Kadazan.

The conflict between the Bangkaakon and the Tagahas was fueled by a grudge since the episode in Danau (Tambunan). This conflict escalated into a fierce competition for dominance, with the Tagahas becoming the lords of the hills and mountains, and the Bangkaakon occupying the low-lying coastal hinterland. 

Although they were unsuccessful in their attempt to occupy Putatan, some Tagahas groups managed to acquire land in Papar. Initially, groups that came from the Mondolipau area fought the Kadazan. After a long period of hostility, a peace agreement was reached between the two groups on Pohumpung hill. As a symbol of this pact, a rock was planted and named Batu Totombunan. It is believed that this rock was installed in the 1820s, around the time the Tagahas began establishing settlements in Papar. Batu Totombunan marked the beginning of amicable relations between the Tombunan tribes and the Kadazan of Papar.¹ 

In the past, the Tagahas people were cautioned against getting too close to the territorial borders of Sugud (Penampang) on the Crocker Range. Instead, they were advised to take a direct route to Papar to avoid the risk of being attacked and killed. Since many of their kin had already settled in Papar, it was considered safer for them than in Putatan.² 

It is possible that the strained relations between the Tagahas and the Sugud tribes had an impact on the previously established pact between the Bangkaakon and the Kadazan through Datu Pulang at Kimanis. The Tagahas villages in Papar were frequently raided by the Bangkaakon, and the Kadazan were inadvertently caught in the middle of the conflict between the Bangkaakon and the Tagahas. It is conceivable that this situation gave rise to the term Kadazan Tangah (middle), to describe their situation. 

To be continued.

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Notes
1 Batu Totombunan can be found along the Pohumpung Nature Breeze Trail which can be accessed via Biau. Kg. Sabandil, Kg. Biau, and Kg. Suok Dambai are villages found on the foothills of Pohumpung. The story was recorded by David Tiansim.^↩
2 The story was shared by Sabina, my co-sister-in-law in 2021. A long time ago, the Tagahas on the Crocker Range were forewarned against crossing into the Penampang area but instead go directly to Papar where they were welcomed. They risk being killed if they got close to Putatan.^↩