Bobohizan

What it is

The bobohizan is a high priestess and ritual specialist within the indigenous traditions of the Kadazan-Dusun people in Sabah, Malaysia. She acts as a bridge between the human community and the spirit world. The role is central to Momolianism, which is the traditional philosophy and way of life for these communities. While primarily female, some subgroups allow men to serve in similar capacities. The bobohizan preserves ancient knowledge and performs ceremonies to maintain balance between people and nature.

Where it comes from

Legend says the role began with Ponompuan, whose spirit taught rituals to a brave woman after ancestors died. Suminundu sent a spirit to earth to teach incantations called rinait. This spirit called for learners until a woman answered. Because she was brave, all bobohizan have traditionally been women. Some groups like the Kimaragang Dusun still follow this rule strictly.

How it is done

She leads processions through paddy fields during the magavau ritual to thank the rice spirit Bambazon. She performs exorcisms to remove evil spirits and appeases skulls and sacred jars. Healing involves herbal remedies, food, animals, and spoken chants. In Tuaran, the tantagas use poetic recitations called rinait in sumalud healing rites.

Tools and materials

Materials include plants, herbs, food items, and animal sacrifices. Incantations are vital tools. The lotud Dusun use specific poetic forms called rinait. Different districts use distinct materials based on their location. Interior groups use different plants than those near cities or hills.

What it is for

People seek her help to heal sickness, ensure good harvests, and avoid spiritual trouble. She helps communities live without complications by keeping spirits happy. Her work protects crops and people from harm caused by angry or neglected entities.

Who does it

Traditionally women only, though some northern groups allow men. Training comes from learning rinait and rituals passed down through generations. In Penampang, they are divided into three categories based on geography: interior, midlands, and city-adjacent areas. Each group has distinct methods and healing powers.

Peoples and places

The Kadazan-Dusun are the main group. Other related peoples include the Lotud Dusun, Murutic speakers, and Paitanic languages users. Names vary across dialects. The Lotud customary law recognizes their rituals. Practices differ slightly between districts depending on local customs and available resources.

What people believe

Momolianism guides their worldview. Spirits like Bambazon control rice harvests. Ancestors reside in Hibabou, which means heaven. The bobohizan communicates with these beings. Balance must be kept between humans and spirits. Failure to appease them brings illness or bad luck.

When it is done

Major events happen during Kaamatan, the harvest festival. Rituals occur after each harvest. They also appear at traditional weddings and state festivals since the 2000s. Daily life once relied heavily on her presence before other religions arrived.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Researchers study the decline of the tradition due to conversion to Christianity and Islam. These faiths oppose shamanistic practices. Young people often show little interest in learning the old ways. Museums now preserve aspects of the history. Academic papers analyze the ritual poetry and cultural context.

Compare and confuse

Similar roles exist elsewhere in Southeast Asia. The babaylan in the Philippines and kahuna in Hawaii share traits as spiritual leaders. All serve as intermediaries between humans and the divine or natural world.

Law and persecution

Native Courts in Sabah recognize certain customary laws upheld by ritual specialists. The Lotud system uses poetic incantations in legal contexts. However, national religious trends challenge the legitimacy of these pagan practices.

Today

Rituals are now mostly shown at weddings and government festivals. The Pogunon Community Museum holds a cemetery for past bobohizan. Efforts continue to document the dying art. Diaspora communities keep memories alive but practice less frequently.

Questions people ask about Bobohizan

Good reading and sources

• Bobohizan on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data