10,000 attend the Dusun Procession, Ranau

More than 10,000 people turned up for the inaugural "Sunduan De Nunuk Ragang" cultural procession on Sunday.

The historical event also saw more than 1,000 participants from 15 mukims staging their respective Dusun cultural performances.

The programme was jointly organised by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) and Ranau District Office.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun mooted the idea so as to commemorate the legends of Dusun ethnicity.

Apart from giving exposure to the new generation on the legends of Nunuk Ragang, the programme is expected to become a cultural icon synonymous to the Ranau district.

The cultural procession started at 8pm accompanied by performances from each mukim complete with traditional costumes, dances and music.

The winner of the procession was Mukim Kundasang with its performance of the Suling Turali that involved 60 participants.

The team took home the main prize of RM5,000.

Mukim Nalapak comprising 130 participants won second place with its "Mogumpi-Mongumba" and won RM3,000 while Mukim Randagong with its "Mongiap", third place and won RM2,000.

Other performances were Mangasok, Aki Nunuk Ragang, Mongigol, Mongimuhau, Bobolian, Sumirid, Mogondi and a traditional wedding of the Sungai ethnic group.

Masidi said he is confident the effort would help inculcate a love for culture and subsequently awareness to preserve Sabah's ethnic cultures.

Also present were Rural Development Minister, Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin, Ranau MP, Datuk Siringan Gubat, Chairman of Sabah Cultural Board, Datuk Seri Wences Angang, SCB General Manager, Datu Rusmadi Datu Sulai and District Officer, Faimin Kamin.

Daily Express: 12 December 2011