Kadazan Papar Costume - I'm a Paparian and proud of my heritage...

The traditional dress of the Papar Dusun is a black velvet long-sleeved blouse (siya ) with gold lace and sequins stitched along the cuffs and neckline. Eight pairs of gold buttons (kubamban ) line the front and an equal number of buttons are stitched on to the sleeves.


A white blouse is worn under the siya and 3 brooches are pinned on the front, one below the other. Originally the Papar Dusun women wore antique gold coin brooches (korusang).

A black velvet knee-length sarong (gonob) is worn, and a hand-stitched panel (rinangkit) lies vertically and horizontally on the sarong. Often the design takes on a star burst motif.

When this costume is worn, the wearer must don a silver coin bangle(belilit) on each arm. Belts of silver dollar coins are worn and again, these belts (rupiah) tell the wearer's marital status- there for the unmarried, two for the married and one belt for a widow or any older woman.

Another smaller silver belt may be worn as an added accessory to show that the wearer's family is wealthy. Also, in the past, most maids and servants would wear the same outfit but minus the silver belts. Instead, they wore a sinsing or a single brass coil to signify their household position.

The long-sleeved blouse and bamboo hat are worn only in the morning of festival days. After 12 noon, the blouse is one with capped sleeves, the hat is taken off and the black scarf with gold trimmings (soundung ) is removed. The scarf may be draped over one shoulder. The gonob , belts and jewelry remain the same.