Book on Sino-Native traditions soon
MANGGATAL: An inventory on the culture and traditions of Sabah’s Sino-Native ethnic group will be compiled into a book by August this year.
Sino-KDM Association President Datuk Johnny Goh said the book would compile the origins of the Sino-Native in Sabah and especially the amalgamation of cultures due to inter-marriage.
“We have created a committee for the preparation of the inventory book and I will submit it to the Sabah Cultural Board under the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry this month.
“As for preparations on the book, we will have meetings every month with the board to discuss and submit all the information we collect regarding the Sino Native.
“We will collect all inputs about Sinos from our 15 branches throughout the State as every branch has its own cultural in terms of food, language, dances etc.,” said Goh.
He was speaking to Daily Express during the association’s Chinese New Year celebration held in Good Shepherd Church hall, here, Saturday.
According to Goh, the content of the book among others, will delve into Sinos’ culture, their types of food, languages, traditional sports, traditional attire and so on.
He added that the book would also reveal how the Chinese came to the State and married the locals.
Goh also said that all the information pertaining to Sino-Natives should be fool-proof for it to be included in the inventory book.
The Sino KDM Association which was established in 2010 with an aim to safeguard the interests of its members and the Sino community as a whole, has so far more than 10,000 members throughout the State.
Sino-KDM descent has to do with being born out of marital ties between the Kadazan/Dusun/Murut and the Chinese.
In Sabah, it is estimated that there are approximately 250, 000 individuals of Sino-Native descent.
Also present at the function were Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Datuk Mohd Joh Wid, Barisan Nasional Sepanggar acting chief Yakub Khan, Inanam Chinese Kapitan Datuk Andrew Lim and Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai.
More than 500 people attended the Chinese New Year celebration.
Source: Daily Express
