THE CULTURE AND CUSTOM OF THE KADAZANDUSUN ETHNIC THE DUSUN TRIBE: THE BELIEF OF NUNUK RAGANG

Oral history mentions that the Dusun tribe originated from Nunuk (tree) Ragang (red) situated around the estuaries of two rivers that are the Kogibangan River on the left and the Kawananan River on the right, that merge to be a bigger river named the Liwagu River of which Liwagu means calm.

There is a giant red casuarina tree where the two rivers meet. Part of its roots and branches lean and hang loosely towards the Liwagu River. This situation enables the villagers to climb the tree and take shelter below it as well as take a bath in the area.

Nunuk Ragang is a metaphor that portrays the large volume of humans (assumed as red bodies) living in that area known as Pomogunan Nunuk Ragang (The Land of Nunuk Ragang).