The Kadazan (Dusun) people comprise the largest ethnic or community group in the area now known as the State of Sabah, Malaysia; prior to 1963 this territory was called British North Borneo. At about the same time many leaders of this group felt that the name Kadazan was more appropriate than Dusun – a sobriquet that had been bestowed on them by foreigners. Some, however, still prefer to call themselves Dusun. Approximately half of the Kadazans or Dusuns are Christian and about one-tenth are Muslims. Of the remainder some are mainly indifferent to religion, but some are devoted to the traditional forms of their ancient religious practices; and it is this section of the population that is of interest here.
