WONG LOONG FAMILY REUNION REPORT 1
(Article contributed by Madam Josephine Manjaji)

Wong Loong was my great great grandfather who left South China in the mid 1800s for Labuan where he worked as a blacksmith and then spent time in Koiduan, Timpangoh, Penampang and finally retired in Pulau Gaya. Nearly 2 centuries later, (as a result of Joe Manjaji's search for his family roots and the dedication of the working committee since October 2003), Wong Loong's descendants gathered at the Hongkod KDC on saturday 17th July for a second reunion. They came from Kampungs Sugud, Maang, Sipitang, Ramayah, Mahandoi, Penapah Kondis, Kuai and Penampang. They drove from Kepayan, Likas, Beaufort and Keningau. They flew from Labuan, Kuala Lumpur, Denmark, Australia and the USA. It was heartwarming to see his descendants at the main entrance registering their attendance. Nearly 700 of them dressed in traditional or western clothing, signed the 5 guest books of the main family branches. These were the progeny of Wong Loong's children: Pungun, Tombii, Umbikan, Lin Oi and Musayam. It didn't matter that some called themselves  Kadazan-Dusuns, Sino Kadazans, Chinese, Muruts, Eurasians, Timorese or Malays or whether they were catholics, muslims, buddhists, anglicans, animists or atheists. What really mattered was that they were all there to catch up, to reminisce, to know each other better and most importantly, to feel that they belonged to a united multi-cultural, inter-racial family.

The Hongkod Hall was comfortably air conditioned and had been festively decorated the night before by the members of the working committee. It had colourful streamers and balloons. Later, when 5 representatives from each family branch (Marcel Leiking, Boniface Majanil, Lijunis Lajanjip, Benjunip Tayuh and Jitan Hoinsung) did a collective cutting of the ribbon to launch the reunion, confetti gently fell onto the stage, much to the delight of the onlookers. This seemed to be the cue for the Lion Dance to start.

The loud drums and the cacophony of the chinese cymbals accompanied the two Lions into the Hall. There, they writhed and jumped in time to the loud music, whilst teasing the wide-eyed children who wanted to touch the manes of each lion. When their dance ended, the Lions left the hall to the applause of the audience and then a familiar sound was heard from the stage.

The almost guttural "Keeeeeeeeeeaaahhh!!", a brief "aria" certainly recognized by the descendants as a signal that even more celebrations were in order! No sound can stir my emotions or memories such as this single prolonged almost primal call. It represented the call to celebrate life, the call to re-connect with your inner selves, your relatives and what was to happen next. This commenced with the first beats onto the first gong of the magagung "orchestra". The melody moved quickly along individual gongs in harmony and when the last bass gong was hit, you also felt the deep resonating  vibrations. Your spine tingled and you reflexively moved your feet, your hips and your arms in time to this familiar wordless hymn. Then the senior members and others were invited to dance the sumazau. The experience senior dancers showed us up as they swayed in time to the beats of the gongs.

Later on, a band accompanied by guest singers like Justin Stimol, played different kinds of music for the descendants to do the joget, dindang or even the rock n roll or whatever you fancied to dance. Everyone on the dance floor showed their eclectic dancing styles. Some of the dance steps were invented but this didn't matter at all. It just showed that everyone was enjoying themselves. Grace was said by Alex "Junior" Yapp before everyone descended onto the halal or non-halal food stalls. Throughout the celebrations were lucky ticket draws, a modified indoor soccer game, a magic show, gong beating and even beer drinking competitions. Gifts were given to Toniim, the sole living grand daughter of Wong Loong. She was certainly a very special guest at the reunion. There was also the launching of the 3rd Edition of the Wong Loong family tree book with a detailed account of each family branch. We have since discovered that Wong Loong may have arrived in Labuan with a brother and therefore there are even more of us out there!!! We are most grateful to Jennifer Donneo-Poldervaart who has created a website for the families to keep in touch with each other. (WongLoongDescendants & Wong Loong's Online Family Tree)

During the event, Joe Manjaji was acknowledged for his foresight and stamina to start the search for his ancestors. The Officiating Chairman of the committee George Mijin presented a Sigar, a ceremonial hand embroided kadazan hat, to him for his efforts. Unfortunately Joe was unable to attend this reunion because of ill health. His daughter, Jane Manjaji accepted this gift of appreciation on his behalf. We have been informed that other (non-related) families have since been inspired to do their own searches for their descendants and extended families and are even planning their own family reunions. All in all, a good time was had by all and plans for a third reunion are already underway.

(Submitted on 24 July 2004 by Josie Manjaji)

WL Family Tree Published on: 20 October 2003. Last updated: 25 July 2004. 
Copyright © 2001-2004 GeoPolder and Wong Loong Family Tree book, 2nd edition.
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