Kg Wangkod Tamparuli Sabah

I was walking outside my house yesterday when an idea flow in inside my head and urge me to write an article about Wangkod village. Wangkod village is located 10km from Tamparuli town and 10km from Topokon small town. Actually I want to share about my experience conducting a local studies about the village. I was been there 19 years ago to conduct our school assignment. In form 2, we are required to do a local studies about any places inside Tuaran district where we are free to choose any places as long as it was related to any particular historic events, historical myth, legends and so forth. A friend in a same class with me suggested that we can do our local studies at Kg Wangkod Topokon Tamparuli. I remember that my friends told us that we are going to explore the village, the cultural belief, the historic place and a well respected person Mr Borubui Agan. 

I cannot really recall all my memory back then but I will share what was embedded in my memory for you all. All the evidence either was being sent to our History Teacher at SMK Tamparuli which I forget his name or at the storage of my friend Mr Ebon Gansoi. My group consist of five person whereby Mr Hillary S Manson (JPJ Officer) was our leader followed by Mr Alfunsus Danding (Chemist), Mr Ebon Gansoi (Teacher), Mr Harry George (Teacher) and Mr Collin Joaness Sipalan (Lecturer). The friend act as our guide was Mr Masneh Singkul (Evangelist for GYB Church) already passed away couple years ago because of heart attack. Last time I met him was in 2006 at Maybank Sadong Jaya Karamunsing. I work at Maybank Sadong Jaya when I last saw him. He told me that he have heart problem and I can't believe that he already passed away. He was good and really cool guy. RIP for him. Okay let us continue, we arrive at Wangkod Village at 9.00am. My friend the late Mr Masneh was waiting for us at his house. He then take us to Mr Borubui house to get information about the village. Mr Borubui was one of the elders at the village and ex village head. 

The late Mr Borubui Agan was waiting for us wearing a grey suit with a medal pinned at his suit. He was granted Ahli Darjah Kinabalu, Bintang Seri Kinabalu and I cannot recall anymore for his contribution for Sabah fighting the Japanese Army during World War 2. My friend, Mr Ebon take out his tape recorder just like a journalist and start asking question. Mr Borubui told us back then that all the original population were originated from Tambunan and they were using the jungle road from Tambunan to Kiulu, Kiulu to Tamparuli and Tamparuli to Topokon. One of the stories he told us was the origin of the village people at Wangkod Village migrated from Tambunan more 150 years ago. Wangkod Village is near to Kota Belud district. The main obstacle was just a hill separating this two district. The best story was "Bulango" the village worrior who defeat the Tobilungs from Kota Belud single handed.This so-called Bulango was a big person and really like to drink Tapai (Local made alcohol). This guy can stand for seven days seven nights drinking without resting. Huh can you imagine that? 

The story of Bulangou started when there was a feast celebrated at the village. During the feast, one of the village women was killed by the Pangaits or the head hunter. It was believe that a young Tobilung head hunter was involve to this incident. Bulangou rushed at the crime scene and quickly hunted the killer. He managed to hunt and kill the Tobilung warrior. He took the head and leave the body near the river. A news reached to the Tobilungs and quickly the Tobilung leader assemble his finest warrior to attack Wangkod willage and kill Bulangou. The mighty Bulangou predict that the Tobilungs will attack their village and signal all the villager to leave the village for a little while. I remember that Mr Borubui told us that all the villager went to the near by village to take refuge while Bulangou promise to fight all the Tobilungs warrior alone. 

Before the villager leave to take refuge at the near by village, they made "Tinapung" (Banana mixed with flour and being wrap with banana leaf) for Bulangou for his food supply in fighting the Tobilungs. Bulangou climbed the biggest tree in the village and waited there for the Tobilungs to come. The big tree was in the path to enter Wangkod Village. The big tree was the "Bundu Tree" a local fruit and famous around Sabah. Before the Tobilungs passed the big bundu tree, they were knocked down by Bulangou. Bulangou used the Bundu Fruit to kill the Tobilungs. The Tobilungs stop the march to the village and they climbed the Bundu tree. Everytime the Tobilungs try to climb the tree, they were knocked down by Bulangou. The Tobilungs leader was worried he will loose more warrior and stop commanding his men to climb the tree and waited for Bulangou to offer a truce and run out his food supply.They waited there until Bulangou run out of Tinapung and Bulangou with no choice have to fight all the Tobilungs. Bulangou fight with his mighty strength and defeat all the Tobilungs. The remaining of Tobilungs return back to their village and never came back again to attack the Wangkod village. Bulangou stay at the village as a respected warrior. The story of Bulangou will be continued later.

Then my friend, the late Mr Masneh Singkul take us to the a place where a buffolo was cursed to stone and other places where I cannot recall it anymore. There are more story told by the late Mr Borubui during the interview but all the evidence was kept by my friends Mr Ebon Gansoi and hopefully I can met him to get the details from him. It took us half day to explore the village, take picture, interviewing and ask for direction. We got "A" for our local studies. Our main studies was based from the village origin, myth and legend and leadership of the leader to protect the village. Stay with me and I will continue back this story about Kg Wangkod Tamparuli soon.

To be continued......................

Picture shared by Ryan Sandar

Pesta Kaamatan Kg. Wangkod ~ 24.06.2011

Dirasmikan oleh : YB. Datuk Jahid Jahim Pembantu Menteri Belia dan Sukan Sabah Merangkap ADUN N.9 Tamparuli Gambar oleh : En. Ahil Atub

Picture By: Ryan Sandar

Written By: Harry George

Sources: Local Studies 2 Angsana 1992/ Wangkod Warrior/History Subject

Picture: Google image.