Brideswealth, bride price, and even dowry are terms that have been used interchangeably. Until presently, it has been a topic for sociology research. This can be ...
The Changes in ‘Nopung’ Practices among the Kadazandusun Ethnic in Sabah, Borneo Silverina Anabelle Kibat* Johanna Adlin Ahmad** Ashraf Alfandi***
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[ABSTRACT] Brideswealth is a cultural practice in marriage ceremony whereby ‘items’ such as money, goods or
Key Words : Brideswealth, Kadazandusun, Marriage, Culture, Heritage
estate are presented by the groom to the bride. In Sabah, the Kadazandusun ethnic practices unique form of ‘nopung’ or brideswealth that are linked with
Introduction
traditional beliefs and goods. This concept paper discussed the cultural aspects of items demanded,
Brideswealth, bride price, and even dowry are
negotiation and presentations of brideswealth’s
terms that have been used interchangeably. Until
gifts. The paper also discussed the current changes
presently, it has been a topic for sociology research.
in brideswealth’s demand due to modern beliefs that
This can be seen on research by Bopal (1997),
are tied with religion, lifestyles, and mix marriages.
Anderson (2004) and Srinivasan (2005) which
The heritage aspect of this practice is important as
studies how brideswealth and dowries in marriage
it can contribute towards promotions of Kadazandusun’s
shapes the facet of the society through various
culture.
issues on women and societies. From a greater perspective, brideswealth is not
* Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia ** Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia *** Irbid National University, Jordan
International Journal of Culture and Tourism Research, Vol 4(1) 2011 Available on line at http://www.kasct.co.kr
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74 Silverina Anabelle KibatㆍJohanna Adlin AhmadㆍAshraf Alfandi
only practiced by one particular culture but a
marriage, it simultaneously becomes one of the
custom which have been accepted globally. Maitra
important aspects for cultural and heritage tourism.
(2007) stated that brideswealth are extensively
This goes well with the successful destination
practiced in countries like Africa, South and East
branding of “Malaysia Truly Asia” which signifies
Asia, and even in North and South America. In
the country’s varieties of Asian ethnic groups
Nairobi, brideswealth items come in the forms of
including Malay, Chinese, Indians and indigenous
animal parts, ‘kitenge’ (cloth), honey, bee, basket
people; making it a little Asia. Hence, there are
and mat. Miles away from Africa, the Dani people
many unique local cultures that commonly found in
from New Guinea sends pigs, shells or stones to the
any cities in Malaysia which contribute to its
future wife’s family The array form of brideswealth’s
heritage elements. Based on the national cultural
gift from different cultures carries a potential to be
policy formulated by Malaysia’s Ministry of Culture,
studied under the field of cultural tourism.
Youth and Sports in 1971, one of the elements in
Brideswealth is described as marriage-payment
identifying the national culture of Malaysia must
whereby “payment is made by a groom or his kin
henceforth be based on the cultures of the people
to the kin of the bride in order to ratify a marriage”
indigenous to the region (Mohamad, n.d).
(Encyclopaedia Britannica, n.d). In any culture
One of the national cultures in Malaysia can be
brideswealth is the preliminary process before
richly found in the state of Sabah in Borneo. Sabah
marriage ceremony can be held. The action itself
is considered one of the diverse states in Malaysia
symbolizes the arrangement of exchange and ties
due to its large number of ethnic group of people.
between the marriageable individuals. Contrary to
The Kadazandusun is one of the prominent ethnic
brideswealth which refers to payment made by a
and its cultural practices have high potential for
man to a woman; the more prominent term of
cultural heritage tourism. Millar (1989) (cited in
‘dowry’ refers to “payment made by the parent of
Mohamed, n.d.) mentioned that cultural heritage
the bride to the groom at the time of marriage”
tourism is “about the cultural traditions, places and
(Self & Grabowski, 2008: p.69). Hence, “the partaking
values that…groups throughout the world are
of dowries is a customs that has existed for
proud to conserve”. Furthermore, Weiler and Hal
generations in South Asia”-particularly, in India
(1992) (cited in Mohamed, n.d.) mentioned that
(Bhopal, 1997: p.483).
“cultural traditions such as family patterns, religious
As a country that is rich with multi-racial and
practices, folklore traditions, and social customs is
multi-ethnic community, brideswealth practice in
what will attract individuals who interested in
Malaysia is strongly influenced by various traditional
heritage”. Therefore, the traditional brideswealth
cultures. In relations to this, the current Ministry of
practice by Kadazandusun is one the untapped
Tourism Malaysia are actively promoting traditional
potential for tourism due to the colourful cultural
wedding as part of tourism product in the country.
traditions it possessed.
Since brideswealth is the foremost steps towards
