KENINGAU: Efforts to establish the Adu Dabaai Sabah Native Customary School (SAANS) here have gained momentum following a visit by a 14-member delegation from Sunduan Nabalu headquarters.
The delegation, led by Sabah Indigenous Community president Murung Vinangun Shalmon Sanagan (pic), visited the proposed school site to assess its development and strengthen cooperation towards establishing an institution dedicated to preserving the language, customs and cultural heritage of Sabah’s indigenous communities, particularly the Murut Nabaai.
The delegation also visited Batu Karamat Adu Dabaai, a site of historical and cultural significance to the local community.
It was welcomed by Murut Nabaai Sabah Association president and SAANS Adu Dabaai adviser Aki Mangkaunan Ir Egbert Manjin, school principal Nuar @ Salamat Jaimi and teaching staff.
Also present were SAANS Keningau Upper Interior Zone director Rozie Gitang and Lower Interior Zone director Agnes Andrew Bacon.
During the visit, the delegation was briefed on the school’s development plans and its proposed role in combining general education with the teaching of indigenous languages, history, customs and traditional knowledge.
Shalmon said the initiative was an important effort to preserve indigenous knowledge, cultural practices and traditions for future generations.
He said indigenous educational institutions played a vital role in helping younger generations understand their roots and cultural identity amid changing social conditions and developments in modern education.
He also stressed the need for close cooperation among indigenous community leaders, school administrators and local communities to realise the proposed school.
Meanwhile, Egbert said the selection of Adu Dabaai as the school’s location held deep historical and cultural significance for the Murut Nabaai community.
“SAANS Adu Dabaai stands on land steeped in history. Its establishment is a testament to our commitment to never forgetting our roots. It is here that our children will learn to become a people grounded in identity, culture and dignity,” he said in a statement.
He said the school’s development went beyond providing educational facilities, reflecting a shared responsibility to safeguard ancestral knowledge and customary practices passed down through generations.
Once established, the school is expected to provide a structured learning environment for younger generations to deepen their understanding of the Murut Nabaai language, customs, history and cultural heritage.
The initiative also aims to keep indigenous knowledge relevant and accessible to future generations while strengthening community identity and a sense of belonging.
