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"Remember when a bunch of tourists bared their bottoms on Mount Kinabalu?

There is a good reason why the locals were upset.

The Kadazandusun believed when one dies the soul will walk towards the mountain and pass into the different realms of afterlife — hence Mount Kinabalu is a sacred site.

The community also conducts a sogit (healing ritual) every year at the mountain with seven chickens, seven kampung cigars and seven betel nuts to appease the spirits.

In many local cultures, the jungle is considered a place that demands respect.

One needs to watch their behaviour, lest be punished in some ways by the spirits that reside there.

For example, the Kadazandusun believes sopok (dwarves or gnomes) and pampuvan (leprechauns or fairies) can trick campers into following them deep into the jungle never to be seen again.

Many a times, campers are told to “ask permission” before urinating in the jungle or do not bring back items from there.

This is to avoid being cursed by the supernatural or inadvertently bringing them home."

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KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 - For most Malaysians, growing up with certain superstitions or taboos are a norm, whether they are founded in logic or just customary beliefs.

Some of us would dismiss them as urban legends but for others, it is a part of daily life.

Seeing that we are in the seventh lunar month and many in the Chinese community observe the Hungry Ghost Festival, Malay Mail takes a look at some superstitions that are still being bandied about.
Stay in at night
Children and women are often advised to stay home when night falls as the roaming spirits during the Hungry Ghost Festival are believed to be out in full force.

Spirits are more likely to be "attached" to the innocence of children and pregnant women.

For those who are still out at night, avoid standing under shady trees or empty bus stops.

The dark conditions are haunting grounds.

Do not carry red or black umbrellas as these colours are favoured by the supernatural, hence seeking "shelter" in those items and you risk bringing the spirits home.

When you are back at a later hour, washing your hands and feet will help get rid of any "trail" or "scent" that attracts the attention of malevolent spirits.

Elders would also tell you to avoid cutting nails at night, as it is akin to shortening one's lifespan. Possibly this is to ensure you don't cut yourself under poor lighting.

Getting home before dark is also a common practice among Muslims.

Children are told be home during Maghrib lest they be "taken" by spirits.

We guess this is one way for parents to ensure the children are back in time for dinner, bath and prayers.

Don'ts for pregnant women
Pregnant women are often faced with a lot of taboos, in addition to the many old wives' tales and traditional practices.

Indians would want pregnant women to stay indoors during an eclipse as the Sun is being "swallowed" by a demon, otherwise the babies might be born with deformities.

Also, pregnant women are not allowed to touch needles, scissors or knives during that time.

Meanwhile, Malays advise pregnant women to not kill any animals for fear of the children having animalistic features.

Also, polong and pelesit (evil spirits) are said to hunger for the menstrual blood of a woman's first pregnancy.

While preparing the nursery is considered a good way for expectant mothers to nurture their "nesting" instincts, the Chinese forbids the mothers to be in the presence of renovation work, especially hammering of nails.

It is believed the hammering will affect the baby's looks.

Of course, funerals are to be avoided.

Taoist funeral rites can go on for 49 days, hence expectant mothers should not meet the grieving family or be anywhere near their house.

If it cannot be avoided, they are to wear a red scarf around the belly and carry some form of auspicious charm.

Jungle rule
Remember when a bunch of tourists bared their bottoms on Mount Kinabalu?

There is a good reason why the locals were upset.

The Kadazandusun believed when one dies the soul will walk towards the mountain and pass into the different realms of afterlife - hence Mount Kinabalu is a sacred site.

The community also conducts a sogit (healing ritual) every year at the mountain with seven chickens, seven kampung cigars and seven betel nuts to appease the spirits.

In many local cultures, the jungle is considered a place that demands respect.

One needs to watch their behaviour, lest be punished in some ways by the spirits that reside there.

For example, the Kadazandusun believes sopok (dwarves or gnomes) and pampuvan (leprechauns or fairies) can trick campers into following them deep into the jungle never to be seen again.

Many a times, campers are told to "ask permission" before urinating in the jungle or do not bring back items from there.

This is to avoid being cursed by the supernatural or inadvertently bringing them home.

Asking permission also extends to paying respects to Datuk Kong, a guardian spirit of the jungle.

Do not just sit on any rock formations as it could be the resting place of malevolent spirits.

Best to check with your guide before doing anything in the jungle.

Whenever you are in the forest, you are usually given a nickname as you should not call out to each other using real names.

Spirits are likely to trap you in their deadly realm.

No ghost stories when spending a night in the jungle.

You would not want to offend the supernatural beings by making up silly stories or laughing at them.
Keep calm and say nothing
There are several things to keep in mind when you are driving late at night down a lonely highway or sitting around a campfire.

It is best to ignore if you smell anything strange, especially sweet scents like the jasmine, or hear soft whisperings.

It is said you could be in the presence of a pontianak (female vampire) who is looking to lure you "home" with her.

When driving alone, you should not react to any sudden coldness, strange lights or someone calling your name from a car's backseat.

Don't satiate your curiosity but continue with what you are doing.

Whistling, singing and talking to yourself while driving at night are not encouraged.

Wandering spirits are attracted to these sounds and will want to "hitch" a ride.
One's gift, another's taboo
For Indians, crows symbolise karma and regarded as ancestors. So offering food to the birds is to pacify the ancestors.

However, other forms of gift-giving are taken seriously in Malaysia.

One wrong gift can cause you to "lose face".

Any gift should adhere to the recipient's religious beliefs.

You want to avoid anything that contains alcohol, pigskin or dog imagery when wanting to impress someone of the Muslim faith while avoid meat byproducts if that person is a vegetarian Hindu.

Giving a clock as a gift to a Chinese is considered bad luck.

The phrase "to give a clock" is a homophone of a phrase for "attending a funeral" in Cantonese.

It also denotes counting down one's days.

While black or white wrapping paper looks nice, it is associated with death - not something you wish on somebody else.

Flowers are great but avoid frangipanis and jasmine.

Again, the scent of these flowers remind people of cemeteries and funerals.

Appeasing 'roommates'
A hotel room might be a welcomed break.

But again, there are some rules to keep to for a good night's sleep.

Knock on the door a few times and softly ask for permission to enter.

Be respectful in your "announcement" as you do not want to walk into a ghoulish get-together.

Make sure you mess up both beds, if any, to not leave it empty for fear of inviting supernatural company.

Also, pick the bed that is not facing the mirror, which is sometimes hard to do as some hotel rooms have large mirrors.

Mirrors are said to drain your positive energy.

Try to leave your shoes pointing opposite of your bed. This is to not lead the spirits to you when you are sleeping.

And most logically of all, open up all curtains and windows (if possible) to let in the sun and fresh air.

It is great to get rid of the musty smell hotel rooms tend to have.

Whether you practise these superstitious beliefs, it is fascinating to delve into it to further understand and respect the different cultures in the country.

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Popular superstitions and taboos in Malaysia | Malay Mail

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KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 - For most Malaysians, growing up with certain superstitions or taboos are a norm, whether they are founded in logic or just customary beliefs. Some of us would dismiss them as urban legends but for others, it is a part of daily life.

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One of the foreign tourists who cavorted in the nude on the summit of Mount Kinabalu dismissed local Kadazan Dusun beliefs surrounding the mountain as "superstition" - and is now seeking the help of his home government in Canada to get him out of the legal mess he's in.

Emil Kaminski, one of two Canadians claiming to be part of the tour group that bared all on the top of Mt Kinabalu, took to his Facebook account to pooh-pooh local beliefs on the sacred nature of the mountain, downplaying his act of total exposure.

"It is not based in logic, but superstition. I utterly do not care for superstition," he said in an FB post, sighted by The Star Online's Victoria Brown.

"If local religion prohibits certain actions, then local believers of that religion should not engage in it, but they cannot expect everyone to obey their archaic and idiotic rules."

When a commenter asked him to respect Sabah's lcoal culture, Kaminski cut to the chase and replied with a curt "f*ck your culture".

Kaminski is the founder of Monkeetime, a globe-spanning travel blog which focuses on the "no-bullsh*t, often offensive, earthy essence of backpacking experience".

"Oh, Malaysia, why are your politicians so stupid," Kaminski added on Facebook.

"Some deranged prick has linked earthquakes and mountaintop nudity," he said, in response to public condemnations of his actions atop Kinabalu, which some have attributed to the 5.9 earthquake which hit Sabah - an apparent consequence of angering Mt Kinabalu's ancient spirits.

"Well, apparently I am responsible for the 2015 Nepal quake, and whatever incoming quakes in Canada (as well as Thailand, India, China, Taiwan, Hongkong, and a variety of other countries...)," he said, accompanying the text with photos of him mooning various other mountaintops across the globe.

At the same time, Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it was in contact with Malaysian authorities in attempt to secure the release of two of its citizens, who have been confirmed as being part of the 10-person nudist party on Mt Kinabalu, and are barred from leaving Malaysia.

On Sunday, Canadian media reported that siblings Lindsey and Danielle Peterson, were two Canadians barred from leaving Malaysia for taking part in the incident on May 30.

Local authorities have identified five out of the 10 people who cavorted nude on the summit, comprising of two Canadians, two Dutchmen, and a German national.

According to The Malay Mail, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said he was told that the siblings were detained by police but did not offer more details other than to say "when we find them, we'll know what to do with them."

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Canadian Mt Kinabalu nudist rubbishes local beliefs (while Canada tries to get its nudists back)

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One of the foreign tourists who cavorted in the nude on the summit of Mount Kinabalu dismissed local Kadazan Dusun beliefs surrounding the mountain as "superstition" - and is now seeking the help of his home government in Canada to get him out of the legal mess he's in.

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Birth Mother cannot eat buffalo meat or she will age quickly. She may not wash her hair for a month. If she washes her hair before that...

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SUPERSTITION - Illustration of Javanese myth

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Series of illustration about some local myths in Indonesia, especially in Java. Things that you should do or you shouldn't do. A cause and an effect. Supernatural.

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"The number ‘4’ is bad luck

This is one of the most famous Chinese superstitions worldwide – the pronounciation of the number four sounds like the word for death in Mandarin and Cantonese.

As a result, the Chinese avoid using the number where possible. Some of the most obvious examples are in house addresses and elevator numbers; you’ll often see ‘3A’ or ‘13A’ to replace the number four and 14 (the latter sounds like ‘will definitely die’…as if just ‘die’ wasn’t bad enough). Car number plates don’t escape the prejudice either."

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"Superstitions of Malaysian Chinese" on Revolvy.com

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Superstitions of Malaysian Chinese Picture of a 'Money generating tag' (Chinese: 對我生財) of local Malaysian Chinese. Money tags are popular among the Chinese community in Malaysia. Words written on a lamppost found in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, translated as "The auspicious stars brings wealth and good fortune to me".

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Words with negative meaning should be avoided in daily conversation, such as breaking, running out, death, ghost, killing, sickness, pain, losing, and poverty. Obviously, you should not be swearing either.
2. Taking Medicine or Going to Hospital
If not in severely ill, people should not to take medicine, or see the doctor till Lantern Festival; otherwise, they may suffer from disease all the year round, and barely gain recovery.
3.Breaking Stuff
Never break a bowl, plate, glass, vase, or mirror, because breaking may result in money loss and family split in the future. If shattering one unheedingly, the fragments should be collected and wrapped by a red paper or cloth, and then littered on the fifth day of the New Year. Another remedy is to say, "Sui Sui Ping An," which means safe and sound every year. The pronunciation of Chinese character Year (岁 Sui) and Broken (碎 Sui) are the same, so people use the homophones to expel bad luck.
4.Washing Clothes
The first two days of the Chinese New Year are considered the birthday of the Water God. So, if you wash clothes during these two days, the god will be offended.
5.Sweeping and Dumping
On the first day of the New Year, it is a taboo to sweep the house or dump the trash. Otherwise, all the savings and valuables will be swept away. If it is really necessary, the house owner should start the sweeping from outside to the inside of the house, which intimates collecting money. Besides, pouring water outside should also be avoided, as flowing water indicates movement of money; in this case, money leaving the home.
6.Crying
It is believed that the cry of children forebodes disease and misfortune, which may bring bad luck to the whole family. Therefore, to avoid children's crying during the festival, parents should not punish their kids, even if they make mistakes or are naughty.
7. Lending and Borrowing
Settling Debts in order to Start New Year with a Clean Slate.Do not lend or borrow anything on the first day of lunar January, especially money. Lending money is an unlucky omen, which means economic loss, so people should not offend friends or neighbours by borrowing something from them.

Asking for the return of debts owed is also a taboo. It is said: "If you start the year with someone else's money, all year you'll need loans; if you start the year lending money, all year you will suffer (household) losses."
8. Getting a Haircut
People should not get their hair cut during the first lunar month, for it indicates the death of their uncle (mother's brother). Although it sounds absurd, people are glad to abide by this tradition.
9. Porridge or Meat as Breakfast
Porridge and meat should not be served at breakfast on the first day's morning. In the past, poor people could only afford rice porridge, so porridge reflects a down and out life. It is a favourable omen to eat the leftovers of the reunion dinner on the New Year's Eve as breakfast, which forebodes that people always have more than they need. Well, meat is also a taboo on the first morning's breakfast table.

It is said that 'Gods' Fair comes in that morning when all gods come out to celebrate the festival." Meaning, people should show respect to the Buddhist gods by avoiding killing and eating meat, because Buddha is vegetarian.
10. Empty Rice Barrel
The rice jar indicates people's living standards. If it gets empty, there may be some days of starvation waiting for them in the near future. So filling the rice jar to the brim before the New Year's Eve is a means to attract a healthy financial situation.
11. Taking Afternoon Nap
It is believed that people would become lazy all the year around if they take an afternoon nap on the first day of the Spring Festival. Besides, if they have visitors on that day, it is considered impolite behaviour.
12. Dressing in Rags or Wearing in Black and White
Wearing new clothes means a brand new start, so ragged or dirty dressing symbolises poverty and misfortune and should be avoided. Besides, dressing in black and white is only applicable to woefully sour occasions like funerals and mourning ceremonies. Therefore, it is inappropriate to wear black or white clothes during the festival.

Source: Travel China Guide

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12 Chinese Taboos And Superstition That Malaysians Should Not Do During Chinese New Year - The Coverage

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1.Taboo Words Words with negative meaning should be avoided in daily conversation, such as breaking, running out, death, ghost, killing, sickness, pain, losing, and poverty. Obviously, you should not be swearing either. 2. Taking Medicine or Going to Hospital If not in severely ill, people should not to take medicine, or see the doctor till ...

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"The Bugis were among the early converts to Buddhism, but later converted to Islam in the early 1600s. Superstition is strong in daily life: there are many do's and don'ts associated with pregnancy, childbirth, eating, fishing, planting, and opening windows. For instance, the whole skeleton of the fish must be removed and thrown away before they can eat the other side of it. Not to do so brings bad luck. When dressing, buttons are fastened beginning at the bottom, but unfastened from the top to the bottom, signifying a proper ordering of events. Windows are likewise opened with the bottom latches undone first while praying to drive away evil and bad luck."

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Introduction / History

The Bugis people are acclaimed sea traders and legendary warriors from Indonesia. They first came to Malaysia in the 16th century and settled in various parts of Malaysia in the states of Johor, Selangor, and Pulau Pinang. Francis Light once called them "the best merchants" among the eastern islands. By the 1700s, they dominated Selangor's politics and economy and eventually established the Sultanate of Selangor; the current Sultan traces his roots back to the Bugis Empire. The 18th century has been called the "Age of the Bugis." There are several Bugis communities scattered along Sabah's southeast coast.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bugis people are cultured and well-mannered, but acknowledged also as aggressive warriors. In the past, Malay princes hired them as mercenaries due to their renowned war dances and chants. In Johor today, many Bugis are landlords of large coconut and coffee plantations, while some are smallholders and fishermen. Bugis people are also known to be excellent craftsmen, for example, building houses without using nails. Their architectural influence is evident in some of today's Malay houses.

Being proud of their self-image, many Bugis people are active in reviving their culture, language, and heritage, though many younger Bugis cannot speak the language anymore due to assimilation into the Malay community through intermarriage. However, some customs remain highly esteemed; for example, those who serve should not turn their backs on those who eat, and no one should leave the dining area until the entire meal is finished.

In marriages, courtship begins through subtle overtures by the potential groom's family. To woo the woman, they will send her family a tepak sirih (a gift box with food or betel nut) as a sign of interest. Eating this food means acceptance; otherwise, they need more time to consider. Once the match is agreed upon, the girl will live in the loft area of her house to preserve her chastity until the wedding day. The groom is blindfolded on the eve of the wedding and must find his bride among the women in the room. After the ceremony, he grabs her and brings her into the bridal chamber. This signifies the warrior instinct of the Bugis. This practice is still carried out today, especially among traditional families.

The Bugis were among the early converts to Buddhism, but later converted to Islam in the early 1600s. Superstition is strong in daily life: there are many do's and don'ts associated with pregnancy, childbirth, eating, fishing, planting, and opening windows. For instance, the whole skeleton of the fish must be removed and thrown away before they can eat the other side of it. Not to do so brings bad luck. When dressing, buttons are fastened beginning at the bottom, but unfastened from the top to the bottom, signifying a proper ordering of events. Windows are likewise opened with the bottom latches undone first while praying to drive away evil and bad luck.

The Bugis have a rich cultural heritage in the region that is under pressure to conform to the majority Malay culture. Pray for doors of opportunity to bless the Bugis people by helping them preserve their unique culture designed by their Creator.

* Scripture Prayers for the Buginese in Malaysia.

Profile Source: Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK Copyrighted © Used with permission

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Introduction / History The Bugis people are acclaimed sea traders and legendary warriors from Indonesia. They first came to Malaysia in the 16th century and settled in various parts of Malaysia in the states of Johor, Selangor, and Pulau Pinang. Francis Light once called them "the best merchants" among the eastern islands.

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Iban Taboo and Education surrounding the Iban people

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Taboos In Soppeng Culture (Ethnogaphy Study)