Kota Kinabalu: A local firm has produced a documentary to create awareness on the importance of preserving Kadazandusun culture.Through the hour-long film, the producers of Vinoun Films hope to bring to light the plight of the community in terms of its cultural identity and disappearing tradition.
Titled The Kadazandusun Story: Through The Eyes of A People, the feature length documentary also acknowledges the generation gap between the young and old.
The production team, comprising young Sabahans, believed this generation gap made it harder for the community to preserve its traditions.
Producer Genevieve Duis said the documentary examined the level of Kadazandusun understanding and the cultural decline among younger people.
"In today's world, the younger generation is exposed to greater western influence and technology unlike the older generation.
"This project is something close to us and we want to see how modernisation and urbanisation have shaped our identity and slowly replaced our traditional culture," she said during a preview of the documentary here, recently.
Vinoun Films, which is based in Kuala Lumpur, believed the documentary was crucial to address the challenges faced by young Sabahans in keeping their traditions alive.
The film presents a wide variety of views from the younger and older generation on their Kadazandusun roots.
It also shows the young people's struggle to understand their roots as many have adapted to city lifestyle and have little knowledge of their culture or mother tongue.
Content producer Melissa Duis hoped the documentary would be an eye-opener.
"I believe the documentary will inspire many individuals to do something to prevent their culture from disappearing."
The documentary also covers aspects of Kadazandusun beliefs and customs, including bobohizan (high priestess), sogit (penalties) and taboos.
