1.2. Economy of the Dusun Kiau Community in Kota Belud
Agriculture is still the main source of our income here, not only for
subsistence purposes (hill paddy, corn, banana, vegetables) but also for
market purposes (pineapple, lemongrass, cacao, yam, rubber). However,
we face market competition from outside our area and district. Part of
our community is also involved in the tourism industry such as in
community-based tourism and as licensed mountain guides because of
our proximity to Mount Kinabalu and Kinabalu Park. Usually, income for
women in the village comes from agriculture.
We practice rotational agriculture when planting hill paddy. We use the
same area but change lots by rotation to allow soil fertility to restore.
Normally, used paddy fields will be planted with short term crops (corn,
pepper, vegetables) or left to fallow to restore soil fertility.
2. Traditional Dusun Kiau Practices for Entering the
Community Forest
As Dusun Kiau, we believe that the forest and forest language (Boros
Puru) is important to our identity. Traditionally, the forest has functioned
as our source of food and medicine. We believe that forest guardians and
nature have to be respected, and that humans have a close and reciprocal
relationship with nature. We only take what we need from the forest; for
our own use and not for commercial purposes. All forest resources
including the plants, animals, insects, soil, water and minerals have to be
protected and we have taboos that have to be followed to ensure the
continuity of our resources.
2.1. Mamatang and Mamason
The community conserved forest is believed to be sensitive towards the
behaviour of the people that enter it. Thus, Mamason and Mamatang
have to be conducted before entering the area.
8|Dusun Kiau Community Protocol