By Olivia Miwil - April 1, 2025 @ 2:59pm
KOTA KINABALU: Every Aidilfitri, there is something else that excites Rusimah Selamat of the Bajau Sama community apart from the month-long celebration.
The 53-year-old has fond memories of Miyolon Ensambiyan Aidilfitri, a tradition of exchanging goods between the Bajau Sama and Dusun communities that have existed for more than a century.
"Miyolon", a Dusun word, and "Ensambiyan," a Bajau word, both refer to the exchange of goods.
They both describe the trade of agricultural produce from the Dusun and other ethnic communities for traditional Bajau Sama delicacies during Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Kampung Darau, Manggatal, Sabah.
"After I got married, I moved to Nabawan. But every time I come back to my hometown in Kampung Darau for Raya, I make sure to take part in the exchange," she said.
"Today, I brought about seven types of kuih-muih that I made myself, such as penjaram, sapit, cincin and lamban, to be exchanged for agricultural products brought by the Dusun people," she said at the day market or "tamu" in Kampung Darau.
When asked how they determined the value of goods in the barter, Rusimah said "Five pieces of penjaram is about RM2, so I would receive vegetables of a similar value in exchange."
Julia Galaman, 65, from Manggatal, said that despite it being her first time taking part in the tamu, she had experienced the goods-exchange tradition between the two ethnic groups when she was younger.
"Back in those days, instead of having a 'tamu' like this, barter trade took place from house to house during Aidilfitri," she recalled.
Traders from Manggatal and Penampang also accept cash payments. The market is particularly unique as some traders bring in wild vegetables from the forests.
When asked how they determined the value of goods in the barter, Rusimah said "Five pieces of penjaram is about RM2, so I would receive vegetables of a similar value in exchange."
Julia Galaman, 65, from Manggatal, said that despite it being her first time taking part in the tamu, she had experienced the goods-exchange tradition between the two ethnic groups when she was younger.
"Back in those days, instead of having a 'tamu' like this, barter trade took place from house to house during Aidilfitri," she recalled.
Traders from Manggatal and Penampang also accept cash payments. The market is particularly unique as some traders bring in wild vegetables from the forests.
Among them is the purple-colored pisang monyet, an ingredient commonly used by the Bajau people to make sambal.
Kadazan Society Sabah (KSS) president and former Inanam assemblyman Datuk Seri Marcel Leiking emphasised that Miyolon Ensambiyan represents the strong and long-standing bond between the two communities.
"People from the sea, town, village, and hills once gathered to decide on the best day for them to meet at a common location.
"There was neither artificial relationship nor isolation, as both communities worked closely together.
"The Kadazandusun Murut people can speak the Bajau language and vice versa, and they are well-versed in each other's cultures," he told the media when met at the market.
Sepanggar member of parliament Datuk Mustapha Sakmud stated that, based on research conducted by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), the programme had been growing and receiving enthusiastic support from the local community.
"I believe this unique tamu does not exist in any other state; it is something we take pride in here in Sabah. That is why we truly champion the concepts of unity and harmony.
"We will continue to expand, refine, and further develop this program. There are also suggestions to make it a tourism product in the state's official calendar, which we will strive to achieve together.
"Apart from preserving our traditions, we also want small traders to generate income. This program provides them with opportunities to exchange goods, whether in cash or through barter, ultimately benefiting all parties involved," he added.
Present at the event were Darau assemblyman Azhar Matussin and UMS Vice-Chancellor Datuk Professor Dr Kasim Md Mansur.
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