Tagahas of Sabah

The Tagahas is a particular group of the Kadazan people inTambunan. They were very barbarous and strong, and their basic occupation was hunting. They came to Tambunan long ago in search of suitable hunting grounds.

There was another Kadazandusun tribe, called the Tambunan (hence the name of the district today), who were believed to be the first settlers in this area. These two tribes were always challenging each other into fights as they possessed the supernatural powers, which was their main weapon. Montuk, the leader of the Tagahas mastered most of the magical powers and was also a very volatile character. He was feared by his subjects but sometimes there were daring characters who tried to be superior and challenged him. However, many perished trying to fight the invincible Montak.

The Tagahas' most exciting games were war dancing and head hunting. Men were not able to marry if they could not hunt human heads. Before the Tagahas set out on their head hunting sprees, they would have a long period of dancing, accompanied by the beating of gongs and drums. As the Tambunan people were able to hear that terrible sound, it was also a signal that warned them that danger was on its way to their village. The Tagahas would overrun every village, burning houses and killing defenders. After a night of pillaging and head hunting, they would celebrate the victory. They drank alcoholic drinks from the fermented tapioca root and ate all the hunted meat. The heads they had acquired were put into a huge jar and placed in the centre of the celebrating people.

The Tambunan people, who suffered constant defeats decided to leave their village and resettled on the opposite side of the Kapagalan river. They built several longhouses that could be occupied by ten families in order to stay closely together as a defensive measure. They also put sentries all over the surrounding village as well as relentlessly upgrading their fighting skills. They also defeated the Tagahas when they tried to ambush their village. This is because one of the Tagahas betrayed his own tribe and told the Tambunan that Montuk was preparing his men to attack them. But the betrayer was captured and sentenced to death.

Today, head hunting is a thing of the past for the peaceful Tagahas people of Tambunan. Regardless of tribes, the Kadazandusun people live in harmony as one in Tambunan and celebrate various festivities together.