Makeover for a historic Penampang well

Daily Express

4 days ago

Published on: Sunday, August 10, 2025
Published on: Sun, Aug 10, 2025
By: Lorena Binisol Text Size: The well, believed to have been built in the 1800s, has been given a facelift. THE long-overdue makeover of a historic well in Kg Guunsing, Penampang, has finally been completed – thanks to a local villager, Charles Liew @ Ahyin, who successfully secured funding to construct a proper cover for the well. According to Christopher Sipawi, the former JKKK, the 12-foot-deep well carries a sense of mystery, as it is believed to have existed even before Kg Guunsing itself, dating back to the 1800s.
Advertisement Over time, villagers gradually discovered it, and it has since remained an important landmark in the area, which is a stone's throw from the popular Penampang ITCC mall. 'The well now has a safer and more presentable appearance. Previously, it was left exposed, posing a danger, especially to small children, who could fall into it and drown. 'That was our main concern. Today, we have installed protective bars over it while still allowing a clear view of the flowing water,' he said.
Advertisement Another villager, Arnold Nomidin, said the well has deep sentimental value for the people of Kg Guunsing, as it is situated at the heart of the village. 'It could attract visitors if we add a plaque detailing its history and improve the pathway leading to it. But for now, we want to preserve it as a remembrance for future generations,' he said. Kg Guunsing itself is believed to have existed long before other nearby villages. The well predates the village's early settlers, and elders have long passed down stories of how their ancestors relied on its water for survival. Christopher recalled hearing tales from the older generation about the people of those days, described as tall and of large stature who would draw water from the well. Known as 'Toobong' in Kadazan, the well remains a symbol of the village's rich history and heritage. According to legend, Kg Guunsing was inhabited by settlers feared by neighbouring villages. It existed even before the nearby villages of Kg Hungab, Kg Tunoh, Kg Bahang and others. Christopher recalled his late grandfather Mataga Sodiham and grandmother Mianim telling stories of when the latter was younger, where the villagers were described as heroic and protective of the area. His late mother, Veronica Jiungan, related how the Bruneians came to Borneo to trade their goods and on one particular day, the river overflowed to its bank and swept the goods away. 'My mother said after the flood, the villagers waited for a week for anyone to claim the items, but no one came, so they went to take some of the things. Hence, the Gulunsing (containers made of bronze) are still kept safely in my house as well as others who took possession of the items. 'My grandfather used to tell me people in those days were strong and unafraid of anything. They were very hardworking and not worried about any disasters and everyone built their own houses despite the limitation… there are many more stories. I need to recall slowly,' he said. He started a short tour to an end road of Kg Guunsing, a little village called Kg Novunsu, where an elderly couple had lived there since the early 1920s. Godfrey Tozuu Moligan, 88, and wife Josepha Lojikim, 87, said they were the first to settle in the village and built the house themselves using whatever resources they could get. Surprisingly, they could remember many things that happened earlier about Kg Guunsing. Godfrey, in his frail voice, said his grandfather related to him long ago, that foreigners believed to be merchants from Brunei came to Borneo through the river (now Moyog river) and brought many types of containers made of bronze or copper. They seemed aggressive and wanted to invade the settlers who lived near the riverbank, including Kg Guunsing. However, the villagers were prepared to attack the uninvited guests; they came together to defend the area by using machetes and sharp objects to stop the foreigners. When they saw the ferocity of the villagers, the intruders fled leaving behind all their belongings such as the bronze containers. Many villagers took whatever they could salvage and kept them, as the saying goes, 'finders, keepers'. The people referred the containers as 'Gulunsing'. Soon after, the villagers decided that their village should be named after 'Gulunsing' or 'Guunsing' since they found the item in abundance. Although the version told by Christopher's mother and the elderly couple were different, both tales had their own points and can be quite amusing, Christopher related. 'A tale is a tale, stories that were handed down through word of mouth would always have different versions in some ways, but they are all equally valuable and good to know.' Christopher kept a few antiques in remembrance of those who had passed on. The antiques such as wooden items used to plough paddy land and some others are hung in his entrance (patio). He said it always reminded him of some special people in his life. According to Josepha, the Gulunsing or bronze containers are valuable antiques and had become the 'hantaran' or wedding gift of the Kadazan people in those days. She showed some of her collections and regarded them as priceless. She had more but had since given them away to relatives and friends as gifts. The remaining ones that she still kept are her collection and would not be given to anyone anymore. Dominic Mosukup, 84, and his wife Catherine Jimin, 79, who live near Christopher's house recalled that in their younger days, they were originally from there. However, search of employment often took them elsewhere. 'All I can remember was the houses were all made of Atap (palms) leaves, bamboo, woods. I remember there was a well, it was where everyone came to get water for daily usage,' said Dominic. Catherine recalled some of her clearest memory of a big-sized, young European man who liked to mingle with the villagers and tried to speak the Kadazan language with the people. 'I think it was in my teens when I saw this priest (Father A. Antonissen) who always visited Kg Guunsing and mixed around with the people. But I did not understand what his motive was then.' As it turned out Father Antonissen recorded the words in romanised form which led to the first Kadazan dictionary. Fortunately, it was saved by a young woman during the Japanese Occupation when they threw it into a bonfire. The woman's identity was never known but the dictionary came into the possession of the Australian troops who preserved it. The well has not been utilized since by the villagers but still produces natural water from underground. Christopher related that in the early days, villagers took water for drinking and washing purposes from the well, as water kept flowing in abundance. The bricks used to keep the well intact were the original hard bricks from Europe. 'I was told by some elderly that long ago early settlers such as Sipulou, Sigayun, Bungkilan and many others were those who had enjoyed living in Kg Guunsing and had the chance to utilise the natural water. 'These people were six footers and were feared by those who lived in another settlement. Perhaps the water they drank from the well made them strong and brave,' he said. Christopher also mentioned that the area where the well is located has its 'protector' and that no one should simply demolish or damage it or something bad might happen. That was the 'message' from the elders. 'As a result, the well had always been there and no one dared to 'disturb' the area or try to demolish it. I could see water flowing from inside. It is supposed to be clean but since no one is taking water from there anymore, the place became overgrown by weeds and plants,' he said.