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Penampang
is a district as well as a small town within the West Coast Division of Sabah,
Malaysia. It has virtually become a suburb of
Kota Kinabalu which is Sabah's
capital. Ethnic Kadazan is the majority of population here.
The name Penampang came from an old village within the district. The
village's name in turn originates from a Kadazan word that means "big
rock". This is because huge rocks were easily found within the vicinity of
the village a long time ago.
The name Penampang in contemporary usage refers more often to the
district, with the town of Donggongon as the main town within the
district. Donggongon means 'shelter' or 'rest area' in the native Kadazan,
referring to its historical role as a stop-over for people from the hills
who journeyed down the coast for trade. Other towns or sub-districts
within Penampang are Putatan and Lok Kawi.
Penampang is often considered a stronghold of the Kadazan community, and
the main centre for their political and cultural development. The
Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) community hall hosts many of
Kadazan's traditional festivities, chief among them the annual Pesta
Keamatan or 'harvest festival', their most important cultural event.
The Monsopiad Cultural Village is in Penampang. Monsopiad was the name of
a past warrior who was known for decapitating the heads of his enemy and
hanging the skulls at the entrance of his home, to warn his enemies of his
powers.
Penampang is administered by Majlis Daerah Penampang (Penampang District
Council).
Sources:
Wikipedia
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