The manifestation of Monsopiad heroic legend as an element of Kadazandusun ethnic identity: An overview from local citizens in Penampang, Sabah

Iconic personalities may exert powerful influence in the shaping of a people’s identity. This study examined, through the perspective of key local informants, the manifestasion of a legendary warrior named Monsopiad who had impacted the formation of Kadazandusun ethnic identity in Sabah. The twofold objectives were to understand and explore the informant’s comprehension of the Monsopiad heroic legend as an element of the Kadazandusun ethnic identity, and to identify the function of legends in contemporary empowerment of ethnic identity. A case study was conducted in Kuai Kandazon Village, Penampang, Sabah utilizing participant non-observations and indepth interviews of eight Kadazandusun ethnic informants involving the use of purpossive and ‘snow ball sampling’. The results of the study revealed that the Kadazandusun ethnic had undergone identity assimilation but still practiced traditional customs and beliefs in some aspects of their daily life. The space-time change that occurred before their very eyes did not bring holistic changes in their social space context. Moreover, their effort to preserve their ethnic identity was clearly evidenced by their continued observance of ritual ceremonies and activities that sought to unite the ethnic group.