My name is NUR KAREENA MOHAMED SUFFRI BINTI ABU BAKAR. I am 19 years old this year & am currently studying

English for Intercultural Communication.

I am from Sarawak & my hometown is in Miri.

Personally, I enjoy studying about cultures around me as I have developed a passion in studying, getting to know & to sort of analyse thus process new informations about various cultures since I was quite young. Finally, at the age of 19 did I realised that studying culture, especially on cultural perspectives in Malaysia was like a dream come true.

With the help of Padlet & through this assignment, my only hope is that I will able to tell more on the knowledge of the 5 communities that I have chosen regarding its cultural element ; Superstitious Beliefs.

4. KADAZANDUSUN

   - history of the Kadazandusun ethnic (1.0)

   - history of the Kadazandusun ethnic (1.1)

   - paddy spirits (bambarayon)

   - the sacred Mount Kinabalu

5. MURUT

   - history of the Murut ethnic

   - healing dance (magunatip)

   - animals

   
   

6. MALAYSIAN INDIAN

   - history of the Malaysian Indian ethnic

   - new clothes

   - household superstitions

7. MELANAU

   - history of the Melanau ethnic (1.0)

   - history of the Melanau ethnic (1.1)

   - healing diseases

   - beads

   
   

8. REFLECTION WRITING (EIC404)

   - cultural awareness

^{REFERENCE :}

Drinkwater, K. (n.d.). The science of superstition – and why people believe in the unbelievable. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/the-science-of-superstition-and-why-people-believe-in-the-unbelievable-97043

:- an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition

:- a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

^{REFERENCE :}

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Superstition. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superstition

^{REFERENCES :}

TED-Ed. (2017, March 9). Where do superstitions come from? - Stuart Vyse [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quOdF1CAPXs

• The early migration of the Iban community can be identified based on their oral traditions & historical sources.

• The pattern of farming / agriculture that they practiced became the reason for them to separate & scatter all around Sarawak :  Sri Aman, Samarahan, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Pakan, Kapit, Bintulu, Baram, & Miri.

^{REFERENCE :}

Haslinda, Md. Nazri (2018) Aspek sosial dan kebudayaan masyarakat Iban di Sarawak / Haslinda Md.Nazri. Idealogy Journal, 3 (2). pp. 79-90. ISSN 2550-214X

^{REFERENCE :}

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Kadazan | Dusun, Sabah, Indigenous. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kadazan-people

Following the significant Japanese invasion of 1921–1931–the Murut lost a considerable number of people to malaria, to which they lacked immunity. In 1980, there were roughly 34,300 of them.

^{REFERENCE :}

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Murut | Indigenous, Sabah, Borneo. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Murut

Due to Malaya's quick economic development, a flood of Indian immigrants did not occur until the latter part of the 19th century.

Malaysia is home to nearly every ethnic subgroup of Indian descent. This encompasses the Tamil, Gujarati, Malayalis, Pathans, Punjabi, Sindhis, Telegus, Kannarese, and the Tamil and Singhalese people of Sri Lanka. They were of various faiths and hailed from all over India. However, the majority of Malaysian Indians - 87.6% of the country's total populations are Tamils.

^{REFERENCE :}

Malaysian Indians | Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/malaysian-indians

Perhaps, based on research that the name means "coast-dweller" as opposed to "inland-dweller."

Melanau speakers live in the regions of Sarawak that run from Bintulu on Borneo's northwest coast to the Rajang Delta in the southwest and up the Rajang River to Kanowit.

Despite the fact that European explorers and cartographers mapped names resembling "Melanau" along Borneo's northwest coast, there are scant trustworthy historical accounts of the Melanau prior to the nineteenth century. Chinese records also likely contain references to the Melanau from even earlier times. According to the Coastal Melanau and the interior Kajang groups, their ancestors came from central Borneo, where they established a Kajang kingdom, from which the Coastal Melanau broke away. The mythical empire of the folk hero Tugau, who was overthrown in a conflict with Brunei, is said to have been the source of much of the Coastal Melanau's culture and institutions.

^{REFERENCE :}

Melanau | Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/melanau

Kadazandusun consists of forty tribes of Dusun and Kadazan : Bisaya, Bonggi, Bundu, Dumpas, Gana, Garo, Idaan, Kedayan, Kimaragang & more as listed.

^{REFERENCE :}

Bali, M. (2015). BUDAYA - KADAZANDUSUN. Ukm-my. https://www.academia.edu/11383356/BUDAYA_KADAZANDUSUN

^{REFERENCE :}

Malaysia | History, Flag, Map, Population, Language, religion, & Facts. (2023b, November 4). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Malaysia/People#ref1007468

This is generally done in order to avoid any unlucky accidents. It is advisable to take the food even just a bit or at least touch it.

Not only that, the Iban ethnic believes that Crocodiles can be 'humane' creatures. In the event that a human is killed during a struggle in the water, drowning is assumed to be the cause of death rather than a wound or blood loss.

It is said that it is not the enemy's fault that the human was unable to save himself from drowning during the underwater battle. They are supposed to be relatives, after all. It may seem strange, but a lot of people in Sarawak seem to still hold onto myths and superstitions in the twenty-first century.

^{REFERENCE :}

Crocodile tears. (2015, November 7). Borneo Post Online. https://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/07/crocodile-tears/#:~:text=Among%20the%20Iban%2C%20there's%20a,driving%20on%20a%20busy%20road

This is one of the many reasons why the Iban community believes that by the rivers of Sarawak, crocodiles are a creature close to home.

^{REFERENCE :}

Administrator, B. (2020, May 11). Bujang Senang: A tale of terror. BorneoTalk. https://www.borneotalk.com/bujang-senang-a-tale-of-terror/

^{REFERENCE :}

Badd. (2018, July 23). Here’s the story behind Bujang Senang, a crocodile that once terrorized Sarawak. CILISOS - Current Issues Tambah Pedas! https://cilisos.my/heres-the-story-behind-bujang-senang-a-crocodile-that-once-terrorized-sarawak/

The Ibans' death customs include a number of rituals & have 5 ceremonies that should be held for the deceased.

1 - DURING DEATH: THE CUSTOM OF MATI ENGGAU RABAT

2 - DURING BURIAL

3 - THE MOURNING CEREMONY

4 - THE NGETAS ULIT CEREMONY

5 - THE BERSERARA BUNGAI CEREMONY

Based on their beliefs, each ceremony has to be done completely in order to avoid tons of disturbance from the deceased as well as to help the deceased rest in peace.

For example, on the 1st ceremony, during the death of the deceased : Mati Enggau Rabat, it is said that the family members and relatives of the deceased will be given time to weep for ten minutes or longer after a death. In order to prevent the dead spirit from entering the house and bringing live spirits to the afterlife, which will cause more deaths in the house, two rice pounders are positioned horizontally at the end of the long house.

^{REFERENCE :}

THE CULTURE AND CUSTOM OF THE IBAN ETHNIC: THE DEATH CUSTOM. (n.d.). https://pemetaanbudaya.jkkn.gov.my/en/culture/dis/318

Yong, F. L. (2022). KadazanDusuns - beliefs and practices. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359207587_KadazanDusuns_-_beliefs_and_practices

A belief in Bambarayon, the paddy spirits, is evident in the myths and stories of the different Kadazandusun subgroups. Every paddy grain is believed to contain bambarayon, which is the source of numerous rituals, charms, and taboos related to paddy farming.

^{REFERENCE :}

Low, K.O. (2012). BELIEF IN BAMBARAYON (PADDY SPIRITS) AMONG THE KADAZANDUSUN OF NORTH BORNEO. (n.d.). https://ejournal.um.edu.my/index.php/BRJ/article/view/9845/6955

It was believed that after passing away, spirits rest on Mount Kinabalu until entering Libabou, the Kadazan-Dusun afterlife. To ensure that the bodies reached their resting place as soon as possible, the villagers buried their bodies facing Kinabalu.

The local Shamans, known as Bobohizan (as shown in the picture above), sacrificed chickens and carried out rites to placate the spirits of the mountains and wait for their arrival.

^{REFERENCE :}

Bedford, S. (2018, June 11). A guide to Sabah’s ancient Paganism and animism. Culture Trip. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/malaysia/articles/a-guide-to-sabahs-ancient-paganism-and-animism

Originally used in healing rites, the Magunatip is now mostly performed at weddings, harvest festivals, and bride wealth exchange ceremonies. Oral accounts suggest that Magunatip originated as either a healing ceremony ritual or a folk game played during paddy pounding sessions.

^{REFERENCE :}

On, L. K., Magi, S., Hussin, S., Shafii, A. H., & Bakhir, N. M. (2018). The healing ritual context of the Magunatip Dance of the Murut in Sabah, Malaysia. Advanced Science Letters. https://doi.org/10.1166/asl.2018.11203

For example, there are 4 birds that are top priority & has said to matter :

1. Lalantil (Scarlet Mini vet): for cuts, "ti-til", repeated).

2. Mangapi (Piculet): for sickness (call: twl)

3. Sahap (Banded Kingfisher): for journeys (call : sahap)

4. Munur (Flowerpecker): for journeys (call :'tik')

^{REFERENCE :}
Harrisson, T. (1967). Ethnological Notes on the Muruts of the Sapulut River, Sabah. Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 40(1 (211)), 111–129. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41491909

Collectively, as a group, they emphasize the value of new clothes by saying that "Deepavali is a day of celebration and has spiritual significance for all Indians." As a result, everyone dresses up for the holiday and believes that the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, pays them a visit.

^{REFERENCE :}

Utomo, D. (2021, November 3). Deepavali in Malaysia: the myths and real stories behind its celebrations. Time Out Kuala Lumpur. https://www.timeout.com/kuala-lumpur/things-to-do/deepavali-in-malaysia-the-myths-and-real-stories-behind-its-celebrations

^{REFERENCE :}

Propsocail Editor. (n.d.). 5 Indian household superstitions you might not know. PropSocial. https://www.propsocial.my/topic/1262/5-indian-household-superstitions-you-might-not-know-posted-by-propsocial-editor

According to Yasir (1987), the Melanau people assign accidents and diseases to people who break customs, are bothered by subtle beings and/or come into contact with black magic.

Yasir also said that the Melanau community's traditional medicine is founded in their customs. Nearly all of the community's illnesses are attributed to supernatural forces or subtle beings known as tow, amow, and similar entities. This demonstrates the superstitious beliefs held by the Melanau community, which holds that subtle being interference rather than a bacterial or viral infection that causes the disease. Shamans are needed for the medical procedures this community uses.

Often we hear only modern medicines such as pills, liquid medication or even injections would heal a person. Unfortunately, it is the opposite in the Melanau community. Certain materials are used to cure each persons' diseases.

For instance, plants such as hempedu bumi, which is a blend of various lime buds including Chinese, pagar, and lelang limes, and kancing baju are used to treat diabetes; Hempedu bumi, misai kucing, and sea saga leaves are used as high blood pressure medication; coconut root, melor root, white hibiscus root, and bemban tubers are used as cancer treatments.

Always, not everyone would believe in the functionality of the Melanau's way of curing diseases.

^{REFERENCE :}

Omar, Salmah & Latip, Malisah. (2022). The Use of Plants in Traditional Medicine of The Melanau Community in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. 12. 10.6007/IJARBSS/v12-i5/13028.

The Melanau are an aristocratic society that were settled on Sarawak's coast of the South China Sea. They were historically strongly tied to the animist religion and had a vibrant bead culture. Modern times have had a profound impact on the customs of the 19th and 20th centuries, to the point where very few Melanau retain a substantial amount of beads.

Beads are still used in healing and purification rituals by shamen and healers, followers of the ancient religion. In order to protect themselves, bereaved families wear special beads and give the deceased beads based on their position in the traditional hierarchy. Certain types of beads are also commonly used in customary marriage rituals.

^{REFERENCE :}

Karklins, K. (2016). Heidi Munan -- Melanau Bead Culture: a Vanishing World? www.academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/24325921/Heidi_Munan_Melanau_Bead_Culture_A_Vanishing_World

timestamps :

• 18:58 - manang (similar to a shaman) will faint in order to contact the deceased's spirit

• 38:03 - manang ensures that there are no more of the deceased's spirit in their family house

• 50:40 - the process of returning the family's living soul to encourage health & longevity in their lives

  
  

• to show that Mount Kinabalu is sacred & is a main traditional belief for the Kadazandusuns

timestamps :

• 16:17 - 'Mejak', which means to shape a flat forehead. The Melanau believed that by flattening their foreheads since they are a baby will beautify their face as a Melanau lady.

• 16:59 - As seen and mentioned, the beads can be seen on the deceased figure (shows status) along while he explains the plates under each body parts.

• 17:26 - shows the medicinal corner & explains that a shaman, known as A'Bayoh will tell the diseases through his drum.

• 17:42 - 'Sebulang Langit', a traditional belief on to cure sickness. The person with the sickness will have to chew on some betel nuts, and spit it on the statue. A mantra will be said & summon to the statue

  (further method explained in the video).

• 18:15 - other traditional healing beliefs explained by the Melanau ethnic.