BOBOHIZAN: BEYOND THE SPIRIT OF TADAO KAAMATAN IN KADAZAN-DUSUN, SABAH

Abstract

Tadao Kaamatan, known as Kaamatan Festival, is celebrated at the end of the harvesting season by the Kadazan-Dusun people in Sabah, Malaysia. There is a belief behind the festival, and the spirit is upbringing till present in celebrating the harvesting festival. This study aims to examine the elements and the influence of the belief of the Bobohizan in Tadao Kaamatan. The methodology applied for this study is qualitative such as the literature review and interviews. The findings indicate three core elements in Tadau Kaamatan: the costumes, socio-activities, and cuisine guided by a shaman known as Bobohizan. There are three basic principles for Bobohizan to control: the paddy spirit, good spirit, and evil spirit. Understanding the background of Tadao Kaamatan and the appreciation of the cultural belief of Bobohizan led to increasing the gratefulness of Kadazan-Dusun socio-culture and faith as part of the multi-racial people of Malaysia. This study contributes to the awareness of the intangible heritage; Tadao Kaamatan as the tradition of the Kadazan-Dusun people. The belief of Bobohizan is part of the social hierarchy the unite the Kadazan-Dusun people until present and must comprehend by future generation.