Relying on community rather than machinery
Published on: Saturday, August 24, 2019
By: R Gonzales
‘Monumpos’ is usually done by the women.
Tuaran: The “Mangasok parai tidong” activity or hill paddy planting in this modern era still needs co-operation between residents as it involves no use of machinery or technology.This is due to geographical factors as the locations are primarily hill slopes and allows little use for machinery technology compared to flat wet paddy areas.ADVERTISEMENT
In Kg Raganan, Kiulu, planting of hill paddy or commonly known as “parai tidong” by the Dusun community began last month.
According to one of the villagers, Bounah Banggang, the cultivation goes back to the days of their ancestors and the process takes three days in stages, namely, mongurak (cleaning), mangasok (planting seeds with wood by poking holes) and mongomot (harvesting).ADVERTISEMENT
“Early last month, we co-operated to clean the area. It begins with cutting small and large trees. Then, we burn it to clean or to ensure the land is fertile,” she said.
“The second phase, involves mangasok and monumpos (putting paddy seeds into the holes) and after it grows before the harvesting season at the end of the year or the beginning of the following year, we will once again work together.”
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Bounah said the activity was done from one farmer to another per village and only takes half a day to finish each stage.
‘Mangasok parai’ being carried out among the community.
Retired teacher, Alan Bondulu, said the steep slopes made it difficult for machines to be used. Even if being used, it is not the priority of the village folks because the spirit of working together has been practised for a long time and is a tradition in that village.
“This activity is not only in this village, but also in other districts especially by ethnic Dusuns.”
“In practising this tradition, planting parai tidong becomes much easier and faster besides the strong bond that will last forever,” he said.
Alan, who is also Kg Raganan village chief, said the young do assist in the mangasok ritual, but sees it coming to an end one day.
An elderly woman showing some seeds.
“As of now, those born before the 1980s mostly practised it. The younger ones are less exposed because they are busy working in the urban areas.”
Meanwhile, another villager, Lominus Bulahai, 58, said he hoped the tradition won’t fade with time.
“It is no surprise that someday the tradition known of mangasok will end because of the change in lifestyle,” he said.
“Let’s say one day there’ll be no more hill paddy planting, I hope the younger generation will continue the spirit of gotong-royong among the villagers to foster ties,” he said.
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Hill paddy or ‘parai tidong’.