KOTA KINABALU: Traditional clothing used to tell the origins and status of over 60 ethnic groups in Sabah.

But there are tell-tale signs of the authenticity under threat because of a lack of preservation and limited understanding of history and evolution.

Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Women Council chairperson Joanna Kitingan said people need to understand how traditional clothing began and was accepted as the traditional clothing of an ethnic group.