Once Upon a time in Marudu Bay:1857. 167 years ago.

 

Once Upon a time in Marudu Bay:1857. 167 years ago.

 Geographically, the two range of hills, which enclose Maludu Bay enclose also a tract of country extending 23 miles to the south ward and 19 or 20 in a longitudinal direction. This is an alluvial district of about 450 sqmiles, the soil of the red earth, composed of detritus if sandstorm with decomposed of vegetable matter, very favourable to the growth of Palms. The dusun have a tradition of a time when the sea washed the foot of the mountains at Limbing Batu, where the delta of the Bongan maybe said to have its apex. Into Maludu Bay flow now less than 15 rivers, of which the principle are, the binkoka of the east, inhabited by the Bajaus, where there is coal, the Sugud inhabited by the Sulus,; the Bongan, the only one of any length, by Malays; the Maludu,by Malays, and the Tamiaru exclusively by Dusuns. The banks of other rivers are inhabited by Dusuns or Bajaus.

De Crespigny arrived at Maludu Bay in Sept13, 1857, greeted by Pg Badruddin, who came down to the river bank with the sheriffs, his sons and nephews, to welcome me. I was charmed with amiability, surprised at the extent of his knowledge of European affair, and amused at the volubility with which he rattled out question after question upon all subjects. Who built the pyramid of Egypt, what is the population of China? How much did the Sultan of Turkey pay England for her assistance in the war against Moscow. I enlightened to the best of my ability upon this and a thousand other points, one of which was - what is the cost of the Queen's dinner every day? - and in my turn derived much information from him respecting the neighbouring country.

Interesting isn’t it. To know more about our history.

-A report by Lieutenant Calude Augustus Champion (C.A.C). De Crespigny, Fellow of Royal Geographical Society.  Labuan, Nov 22, 1857