Keningau of today is so much different from those early days when we landed there some forty years ago. Today, most of the virgin jungles there are almost bald as the result of the active logging activities. The incomes from the sales of the round logs sold overseas had turned many people into rich tycoons who to a certain extent were responsible for the developments and prosperity of the once remote town in the interior. However, timber businesses had dwindled down these days due to very few areas left for logging.
The fresh air in Keningau was then "different" from the present days. There were not many industrial developments, not many cars and logging vehicles plying in town thus the percentage of pollution was very low. We were very fortunate that we were given the opportunity to teach there for three years before we left for Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah. In the early mornings, we used to breathe the cool, fresh and clean air. The forests were intact and untouched by the loggers then. The population was small and the people seemed to know each other well. It was a peaceful place to live in where we could leave the doors of our rooms unlocked during our teaching sessions from mornings to late noons. There were three Peace Corps volunteers from the USA teaching in the same school. There were a lot of friendly people who would ocassionally ask us to join them for their Western foods. You believe it or not that that was our first taste of Western food. Peace was everywhere during those days.
Today, with the influx of the foreigners from Indonesia and the Phillipines, the peaceful atmosphere is no longer there. Petty thefts and extortion are quite prevalent, however, the matters are under the control and supervision of the Police authority. The foreigners form almost a third of the pettty traders selling in the town.
I have not visited Keningau for almost a decade but before I retired, I had the opportunity of staying in the Perkasa Hotel for a week during our offficial duties. It was almost thirty years ago since I left Keningau. Coming back to the old good days during our teaching years then, especially at some weekends, we would go picnicking at a riverside with the students. Wow, we learnt a lot from those kids who taught us how to speak Kadazan and Murut, their local dailects. Though it sounded a bit strange but we managed to pick a few words but today I just could not remember due to lack of practice.
The Community hall was some two miles from where we stayed. I used to have the tendency to update myself with the national news. As I had no transport, I had to walk up and down the hilly road alone for at least thrice a week to read the "The Straits Times" which was unavailable for sale in town. I never regret walking which really made feel good. I perspired all over my body with my heart beating exceptionally fast. During our three years of stay there, the "Harvest Festivals " was the most exciting celebration ever which we were looking forward to every year. People from all walks of lives who came from different parts of the State and countries to join in the celebration. The "Sumazau" which is the traditional dance of the Kadazans and Dusuns attracted many foreigners from Europe, Japan, China, USA and other countries. It is a very graceful dance which both men and women glide with the "flying" movements and yells. The blow pipe competition attracted many participants. The darts are normally blown through a about 4" in diameter of a bamboo stick with about 6 to 7 feet in length. It was fun to watch some darts blown by the new participants landed somewhere else instead of the targets. There were woos and ahs among the friends of the participants. Well, the local tribes competed against each other. Wow, we could see how accurate these competitors were hitting the targets at each blow. The eventual winners walked off with their prizes but for those unsuccessful ones, better luck next year.
For those who have not visited Sabah in general, please take this opportunity to see the different cultures and way of living among the different types of peoples not forgetting the beautiful beaches, islands and places to visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment