Binangkait

by the Community of Dusun Minokok, Keningau

The Borneo fern, cherished across the island as a versatile and beloved culinary green, holds a special place in both daily life and cultural expression. While its tender fronds often find their way into local kitchens—stir-fried, sautéed, or woven into traditional recipes—its influence stretches far beyond food.

Its distinctive spiral fronds, graceful curves, and organic geometry have long inspired artisans, particularly weavers who draw from the natural world to shape their designs. The fern’s form translates beautifully into motifs that echo growth, renewal, and connection to the land. As a result, this humble plant not only enriches local cuisine but also lends its natural elegance to traditional weaving patterns, becoming a symbol of how nature continually inspires creativity in Bornean communities.

About the Community

The Dusun Minokok are one of the subgroups within the wider Dusun ethnic family in Sabah, with communities primarily found in the Keningau district. Like many Dusun groups, the Minokok maintain deep ancestral ties to the land, living in close relationship with the forests, rivers, and agricultural landscapes that shape their daily life.

Their culture carries the hallmarks of Dusunic heritage—strong communal bonds, a rich oral tradition, and a worldview rooted in respect for nature and the spiritual realm. Traditional knowledge, including farming practices, forest harvesting, and craftsmanship, continues to be passed down through generations, keeping cultural memory alive even as modern influences grow.

The Minokok language variety, though related to other Dusun dialects, carries its own nuances in vocabulary and expression, reflecting the community’s unique identity within the broader cultural mosaic of Sabah. Music, dance, and seasonal rituals remain important markers of community life, offering moments to honour ancestors, celebrate harvests, and reinforce shared values.

Today, while many Dusun Minokok individuals move between rural and urban settings for education and work, efforts to preserve their cultural roots remain strong. Their traditions, values, and heritage continue to contribute to the rich diversity of Keningau and the cultural tapestry of Sabah as a whole.

About the Artists

This group of Dusun Minokok women artists — Emily Binti Jeneble, Linih Binti Barah, Memi Petrus, Julimah Kalugu, Rut Insu, Yadia Emok, Asinih Barah, Rajia Emok, Julianah Yayup, Alita Marot, and Buntong Kalugu — represents the creative strength and cultural heritage of their community in Keningau.

Their work draws from traditional knowledge passed down through generations, using natural materials and motifs inspired by the land, daily life, and ancestral stories. Together, they preserve and celebrate Minokok identity through their craft, ensuring that their cultural traditions continue to thrive and be shared with wider audiences.