My great grandmother Rombis, a descendent of the Gomorun, married Gumpai, had five children - three daughters and two sons. Dungko (the eldest son), Gomingo, Kundipoi, Rampas (another son) and Lotimboi, the youngest daughter.
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| Rombis, wife of Gumpai, my great grandmother |
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| Dungko Gumpai 9.9.1895 - 28.12.1999 |
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| Kundipoi Gumpai |
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| Rampas Gumpai 1907 - 1966 |
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| Lotimboi Gumpai (My maternal grandmother) 13.8.1913 - 28.1.1981 |
The Rombis family originally resided in Lumpoho. Over the years, as the family members made more contacts with the outside world through trading their produce in the tamu in Menggatal, the desire to leave this remote region began to cross their mind. In 1926, some family members began moving to settle down in Pulutan in Menggatal.
As the family grew and multiplied, some of the new generations felt that Pulutan may not be big enough to sustain the growing population. So, they began exploring new territories. In 1936, Dungko and his brother Rampas set foot on Kiulu. It was not until 1942 that the two brothers and their families decided to move permanantly away from Pulutan and settle down in Kiulu. In order for the survival of the new community, they also invited friends and relatives from Pulutan and Lumpoho to join them to live in this new found land.
Being the pioneers, Dungko had the privilege of choosing the prime land in Kiulu. Some of these lands are just next to the Tuaran River commanding the most spectacular view!
Since then, Kiulu has grown and developed until what it is today. For the initial effort rendered by Dungko and Rampas, they could be credited as being the group of pioneers and the founding fathers of Kiulu.
As the family grew and multiplied, some of the new generations felt that Pulutan may not be big enough to sustain the growing population. So, they began exploring new territories. In 1936, Dungko and his brother Rampas set foot on Kiulu. It was not until 1942 that the two brothers and their families decided to move permanantly away from Pulutan and settle down in Kiulu. In order for the survival of the new community, they also invited friends and relatives from Pulutan and Lumpoho to join them to live in this new found land.
Being the pioneers, Dungko had the privilege of choosing the prime land in Kiulu. Some of these lands are just next to the Tuaran River commanding the most spectacular view!
Since then, Kiulu has grown and developed until what it is today. For the initial effort rendered by Dungko and Rampas, they could be credited as being the group of pioneers and the founding fathers of Kiulu.
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| With Wesley Dungko Pai |
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| Beautiful Kiulu River passes by the edge of Wesley's land. |
Development of Kiulu was closely linked to the two sons of Gumpai. Credit must be given to them for their generosity in facilitating the construction of the numerous public institutions in Kiulu. The existing Kiulu Clinic, SMK Tun Fuad Stephen (Tun Fuad Stephen Secondary School), shophouses in the township are some examples of their generosity.
Dungko had also served as a pastor for the SDA Church (Seventh-day Adventist) for 11 years from 1951 to 1962. The first SDA church building was in fact an extension of his own house. He finally donated part of his own land for the construction of the proper church building of SDA Church which is now called Malangang Lama SDA Church.
Dungko had also served as a pastor for the SDA Church (Seventh-day Adventist) for 11 years from 1951 to 1962. The first SDA church building was in fact an extension of his own house. He finally donated part of his own land for the construction of the proper church building of SDA Church which is now called Malangang Lama SDA Church.
Dungko, in recognition of the Gomorum's root in Nunuk Ragang and the establishment of a new settlement in Kiulu decided to set up a Memorial Stone in the very land he first set foot on. He arranged to transport a megalith (a piece of large stone) all the way from Nunuk Ragang and planted it in his own compound. That was no small feat considering the hundred of kilometers of distance and the substantial weight of the stone! Unfortunately, he failed to live to see the final completion of his work.
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Nunuk Ragang: 50 42’ 56.67”N, 116051’ 18.76” E
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Memorial Stone: 60 4’ 49.07”N, 115017’ 6.99” E
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| Old photo of Dungko with the memorial stone |
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| Current view of the memorial stone |
Dungko first married a Dusun, Laisa Balanda. They had a son. Laisa passed away when their son was 7 years old. Sadly, their son also passed away when he was a teeneger at the age of 14. Dungko later married Laisa's sister, Lasana who was 19 years his junior. They had 9 children who live to adulthood, five sons and four daughters. They are Wesley, Jainih, Joiley, Jailin, Wessie (deceased), Helen, Weldie (deceased), Widdin and Wetron.
Lasana passed away on 18 March 1982 at the age of 68. Dungko lived to a ripe old age of 104 and passed away on 28 December 1999. Both are buried in the northwest corner of the piece of land Dungko first set foot on from Pulutan. The burial ground is just a stone throw away from Wesley Pai's current residential house.
Lasana passed away on 18 March 1982 at the age of 68. Dungko lived to a ripe old age of 104 and passed away on 28 December 1999. Both are buried in the northwest corner of the piece of land Dungko first set foot on from Pulutan. The burial ground is just a stone throw away from Wesley Pai's current residential house.
Dungko's legacy is his contribution to the development of Kiulu as one of the pioneers and community leaders. In the spiritual arena, his contribution would be the positive impact on his own people through the spreading of the Gospel via the SDA churches he helped set up. It is obvious that current Kiulu people are not significantly beset by some of the negative habits associated with the indigenous people. One such problems is the drinking habit which is still prevalent among many indigenous people in many parts of the rural areas of Sabah.
I believe Dungko would love to see his effort in bringing his people to Christian faith sustained and multiplied. This is clearly a massive challenge considering the intention and policy of the government of the day.
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