Spatial Arrangement of Coastal Sama-Bajau Houses Based on Adjacency Diagram

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Spatial Arrangement of Coastal Sama-Bajau Houses Based on Adjacency Diagram INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY Published by Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Website: http://www.ijbes.utm.my IJBES Special Edition 2(4)/2015— 13th APSA Congress 2015, 284-291 Spatial Arrangement of Coastal Sama-Bajau Houses Based on Adjacency Diagram Iziq Eafifi Ismail*, Abdullah Sani Hj. Ahmad Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, 81310, Malaysia. *Email: [email protected] History: ABSTRACT Received: 24 May 2015 Accepted: 01 August 2015 Available Online: 30 November 2015 This research studies the diversification of space distribution in selected Sama-Bajau dwellings along the north coast of Sabah: Kudat and Pitas; and east coast of Sabah: Mabul Island. This Keywords: study investigates the frequency of spatial arrangements in Sama-Bajau coastal houses as a Coastal dwellings, Sama-Bajau, Spatial distribution, preliminary step in understanding their ideal home based on the existing socio-culture and Frequency, Adjacency Diagram. economic practice. Adjacency Distribution Diagram by Mushtaha et al (2011) is used for simpler and compact visual diagram that explains the space distribution in each house attended. DOI: This paper is exploratory and applies a qualitative method. This study suggests that the spatial 10.11113/ijbes.v2.n4.96 distribution amongst coastal Sama-Bajau consists of Dynamic interconnectivity (Type A), linear configuration (Type B), Anarchy configuration (Type C and D) and Modernist influence (Type E). The frequency of given types is found to weighs more on Type B, which is a linear configuration from the entrance towards guest area and ending up to the living area. 1.1 Socio-economics 1. Introduction Sama-Bajau is one the largest ethnics in Sabah making up approximately Internally, the A’a Sama proclaims themselves as A’a Dilaut, which 477 000 people in Sabah (Department of Statistics, 2013). However, means Sama on the sea, or A’a Dea, in reference to the A’a Sama living this number is not exactly accurate given the census was done on citizen permanently ashore- strand of villages along the coast or islands whom legally considered national by the government of Malaysia. A particularly in the Semporna region (Sather, 1997; 2001). They were perpetual problem seemingly yet to find a decisive solution is the once nomadic hopping from one area to another in order to find fertile growing number of illegal immigrants particularly in the east coast area fishing grounds (Chou, 1997; Lowe, 2003; Nolde, 2009). However, as of Sabah. Despite the fact that this hidden numbers have becoming much time progress and the influence of modernization imposed, they have of a concern, it doesn’t change the reality that these people have slowly been slowly sedentary and slowly settled on land. The term Bajau is adapting life in their new ground. Many of them consist of nomadic 1 originally given by outsiders to this people though the Bajau themselves Bajau people who rely predominately on sea as livelihood, have become prefer to be called Sama- Jomo Sama, as in west coast Bajau and A’a accustomed to the land which provide them with much commodity in Sama, as in the east coast, both of which considered as part of Sama these modern days. While immigrating only started to intensify during people (Sendera & Nornis, 2008). The west coast Bajau are able to the late 1960s due to the armed conflict in Southern Philippine. The utilised the land for crop plantations (Kling, 1995) and even involve in vanguards for the influx of Bajau people have occurred for hundreds if commerce (St John, 1974) though some portion of them are still rely not thousands of years. This major influx in various level and period on fisheries as their main source of income. These sea-reliance west have created the Jomo Sama, the term synonymous with inland Bajau or coast Bajau are mainly detached from agricultural activities due to their specifically pointing towards the west coast Bajau. The contrapuntal of skill being limited to what they inherit from their parents. The landed Jomo Sama would be the A’a Sama or the east coast Bajau 2 whose lives productivity has been subsistence and boat still their main revolve around the sea- scouring through the vast open water for marine transportation while the houses are built along the coasts to fit their resources as part of their daily living. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1Bajau Laut, which is part of the Sama-Bajau people in Sabah is considered one the sea nomads in Southeast Asia. This large group of sea nomads consists of three major ethnolinguistic groups influenced by location, speech pattern, history and culture: Mokens in Mergui archipelago, Orang Suku Laut of Riau-Lingga archipelago and Bajau Laut in Sulu archipelago. (Lapian & Kazufumi,1996; Chou, 2006). 2There have been confusion with the usage of Bajau terms advocating location within Sabah for example east coast and west coast. East coast Bajau are synonymous with the term Bajau Laut or Sama Dilaut (Sather, 1997) due to the majority of Bajau population there are still tied to the sea living while those in west coast have a total reliance towards the land based livelihoods. However, these terms proved to be inaccurate due to the many west coast Bajau still heavily dependence on sea for their livelihoods thus the omnipresence of coastal dwell- ings along the west coast in Sabah. 284 lifestyle. The coastal dwellings as ubiquitous as it seems, are not only The Sama-Bajau might have fond association with their cultural associated itself with the Bajaus, but also other ethnics that relies heavily landscapes, but from the environment itself the Sama-Bajau have on sea products, thus creating the fishing villages. In Sabah alone, ethnics realigned their socio-economic practices and adapting to any changes like Iranun and Suluk both settled themselves on the coastal areas and imposed upon them. The changes in socio-economic among Sama-Bajau many of which are located directly above the water by stilt support. In can be said as vertical mobility where they slowly reconstituting Pitas 3, findings have suggested that ethnic Sungei, who mostly found on themselves by the way they anchored themselves at one place they the riverside, have settled along the north coast of Pitas. These coastal deemed suitable. This suitability might result from the economic Bajau could be the subject that fills the interstice between the fully stability a certain household achieved. However, major sedentary sedentary Bajau and those nomadic Bajau who are yet to find a place to process could be the result of Islamisation among the nomadic Bajau. permanently anchored onto. The multitude of coastal Bajau could be the Sendera (2007) in her studies mentioned that the Islamisation of key to determine the natural progression of a nomadic sea Bajau in the nomadic sea Bajau 6 calls for disciples to settle down in order to perform past towards the urbanized Bajau in the contemporary. This vertical prayers at ease. This process could have been on- going for centuries mobility of Sama-Bajau 4 as mentioned by Saat (2003) could be in by the but many of the current coastal dwellings of Sama-Bajau are relatively inherited cultural values and the changing socio-economics of which in new. Those who have settled way earlier could have moved further turn changed the worldviews and built environment of Sama-Bajau. inlands to form what would be a modern west coast Bajau. It is without doubt that the transitions have created spaces in the coastal dwellings 1.2 Built Environment resembling the spaces of their previously nomadic lifestyle– the boat- house. The boat-house itself has evolved in terms of functions and Built environment is in fact a vast subject to be touch upon and built physicalities. In the east coast, the Bajau traditional boats consist of two environment alone can define the identity of Sama-Bajau as it depends most prominent and discernible types- Boggo-Boggo and Lepa-lepa 7. heavily on the beliefs that have been practiced by the community for Each of which considered as Biral or collateral boats and main boat generations. It has been a debate as to whether the Sama-Bajau in the respectively. Sather (2001) mentioned that not all Bajau in the east coastal area could have possessed a concrete cultural nexus that could coast are able to build their own boat before post-independence period, have very well off being preserved or even to cause conservationist to 8 5 many of them procure it from the other Sama-Bajau community . Most think about conservation. Basically the individual abodes are grown out notably, the finest Lepa-lepa constructed would be from Bum Bum of basic necessities and build for temporary station while they wait for Island by Sama Kubang (Sather, 1997). The term ‘finest’ would relate better opportunities elsewhere. There are many aspects that can be back to the workmanships of the Boatwright with exquisite carvings and touched in the realm of built environment. As mentioned in Jusan & colorful fabrics. However, this Lepa-Lepa is not practical to the Sulaiman (2005), there are concrete and abstract aspects to be explored. common Bajau as they prefer a more basic approach due to their The concrete aspects consist of existing features, spatial organization, rudimentary lifestyle. settings, physical expression, and etc. Abstract on the other hands related to the cultural landscape. While Sama-Bajau’s built environment is short on noticeable physical artifacts, they are rich in culturally diverse Sedentary process among Sama-Bajau or ‘ sedentarization ’ is part of the use of landscapes whereby the environment is part of the mechanism historical facts that sees many nomadic Bajau Laut came to settled that drives their life to these days.
Recommended publications
  • Factors Influencing Residents' Attitude Towards Marine Resource Utilization
    International Journal of Business and Society, Vol. 19 S1, 2018, 37-46 FACTORS INFLUENCING RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS MARINE RESOURCE UTILIZATION IN TUN SAKARAN MARINE PARK, MALAYSIA Habibah Mohd Yusah Universiti Putra Malaysia Ahmad Shuib. Universiti Putra Malaysia Puvanewaran Kunasekaran Universiti Putra Malaysia Nurul Afifah Nordin Universiti Putra Malaysia ABSTRACT Communities living in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP) depend on the marine resources for their livelihood. The marine park is managed by state government, the Sabah Parks, with the main objective of conserving the high marine biodiversity in the area. The communities living in the area use the resources on a daily basis, for family consumption and subsistence. The marine park is also popular for its world class diving sites which has contributed to the growth of the ecotourism industry. The main objective of this study is to determine the socio- demographic characteristics of the resident communities in order to evaluate the factors that determine the attitude of the communities towards the utilization of the marine resources. Data from 116 respondents in three islands in the park were collected using the convenient sampling method. Results of the regression analysis showed that citizenship (non-citizen), education, sense of ownership to the place and responses towards destructive fishing methods had significant influences on the attitudes towards the utilization of the marine resources. Relevant agencies can help to improve the attitudes of the communities by increasing awareness of the communities through informal education and providing extension information to reduce uses of destructive fishing methods. Keywords: Socio-demography; Local Communities; Marine Protected Area; Fishing Tools; Sabah.
    [Show full text]
  • Internalization and Anti Littering Campaign Implementation
    Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 85 ( 2013 ) 544 – 553 AcE-Bs 2013 Hanoi ASEAN Conference on Environment-Behaviour Studies Hanoi Architectural University, Hanoi, Vietnam, 19-22 March 2013 "Cultural Sustainability in the Built and Natural Environment" Internalization and Anti Littering Campaign Implementation Haijon Gunggut*, Chua Kim Hing, Dg Siti Noor Saufidah Ag Mohd Saufi Universiti Teknologi MARA, Locked Bag 71, 88997 Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia Abstract This paper seeks to account for the variations in implementation progress of the Anti-litterbugs Campaign in Sabah. A total of nine local authorities were studied. Data was mainly obtained from interviews, observations and written sources. The variation in the Campaign implementation progress can be explained in term of campaign internalization among local authority top leadership. Internalization is reflected in the understanding of the campaign and priority of local government top leaderships observed in their actions, choice of words and activities. In addition, the structure of the local authority also influenced implementation progress. © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. ©Selection 2013 andPublished peer-review by Elsevierunder responsibility Ltd. Selection of Centre and for peer-review Environment-Behaviour under responsibility Studies (cE-Bs), of the Faculty Centre of Architecture, for Environment- BehPlanningaviour & Surveying,Studies (cE-Bs), Universiti Faculty Teknologi of Architecture,MARA, Malaysia Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. Keyword: Anti-litterbugs campaign; programme internalization; local government structure; policy implementation 1. Introduction Sabah is one the top biodiversity hotspots in the world and an estimated 2.93 million tourists visited the state in 2012 (Bangkuai, 2012). Unfortunately visitors were often turned off by the presence of litters everywhere.
    [Show full text]
  • 25 the Land Capability Classification of Sabah Volume 1 the Tawau Residency
    25 The land capability classification of Sabah Volume 1 The Tawau Residency OdEXäxo] ßte©@x>a?®^ ®(^ Scanned from original by ISRIC - World Soil Information, as ICSU World Data Centre for Soils. The purpose is to make a safe depository for endangered documents and to make the accrued information available for consultation, following Fair Use Guidelines. Every effort is taken to respect Copyright of the materials within the archives where the identification of the Copyright holder is clear and, where feasible, to contact the originators. For questions please contact [email protected] indicating the item reference number concerned. The land capability classification of Sabah Volume 1 The Tawau Residency T-i2>S Land Resources Division The land capability classification of Sabah Volume 1 The Tawau Residency (with an Introduction and Summary for Volumes 1—4) P Thomas, F K C Lo and A J Hepburn Land Resource Study 25 Land Resources Division, Ministry of Overseas Development Tolworth Tower, Surbiton, Surrey, England KT6 7DY 1976 THE LAND RESOURCES DIVISION The Land Resources Division of the Ministry of Overseas Development assists develop­ ing countries in mapping, investigating and assessing land resources, and makes recommendations on the use of these resources for the development of agriculture, livestock husbandry and forestry; it also gives advice on related subjects to overseas governments and organisations, makes scientific personnel available for appointment abroad and provides lectures and training courses in the basic techniques of resource appraisal. The Division works in close cooperation with government departments, research institutes, universities and international organisations concerned with land resource assessment and development planning.
    [Show full text]
  • CBD Sixth National Report
    SIXTH NATIONAL REPORT OF MALAYSIA to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) December 2019 i Contents List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................ vi List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................... vi Foreword ..................................................................................................................................................... vii Preamble ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 3 CHAPTER 1: UPDATED COUNTRY BIODIVERSITY PROFILE AND COUNTRY CONTEXT ................................... 1 1.1 Malaysia as a Megadiverse Country .................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Major pressures and factors to biodiversity loss ................................................................................. 3 1.3 Implementation of the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2016-2025 ........................................
    [Show full text]
  • How to Prepare the Final Version of Your Manuscript for The
    Proceedings of the 12th International Coral Reef Symposium, Cairns, Australia, 9-13 July 2012 17C Regional-scale design and local scale actions for marine Bridging the gap between regional plans and local action: The case of the Malaysian Coral Triangle Initiative and Semporna, Sabah. Choo Poh Leem1, Kenneth Kassem1,2,Monique Sumampouw1, 1WWF-Malaysia Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia 2Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Japan Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract. Within the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion (SSME), Semporna Priority Conservation Area (PCA) ranks among the highest marine biodiversity in the world. Within Semporna waters, there are several government bodies responsible for different islands. Tun Sakaran Marine Park was gazetted under the management of Sabah Parks in 2004. Sipadan Island’s water is under the protection of Majlis Keselamatan Negara (National Security Council). The Department of Fisheries Sabah is interested in Omadal Island for seaweed farming. Mabul Island receives the most attention due to its proximity to Sipadan, and is the base for most tourism operators. Mabul has 2,500 residents relying on fisheries, and more than 15 resorts and dive lodges on 26 hectares of land (Aw et al, 2006). Reef check survey, community-based seagrass survey, seawater quality monitoring and groundwater analysis have been conducted on Mabul over the past 2 years. The environmental condition of Mabul is currently threatened, to the point where it might become the source of pollution that will spread to other islands within the Semporna PCA. Collaborative environmental monitoring has been identified as a primary method to reverse human impacts, so collaborative efforts have been initiated on Mabul since April 2010.
    [Show full text]
  • Pitas Project 2.0 - Third Phase, Health Screening Program and Finale and Completion Ceremony
    PROPOSAL FOR AN IATSS FORUM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA ACTIVITY PITAS PROJECT 2.0 - THIRD PHASE, HEALTH SCREENING PROGRAM AND FINALE AND COMPLETION CEREMONY Officially Submitted on Behalf of the Applicant by the Secretary, IATSS Forum Alumni Association Malaysia Page 0 of 7 Proposal for an IATSS Forum Alumni Association Malaysia Activity Title Pitas Project 2.0 - Third Phase, Health Screening Program and Finale and Completion Ceremony Origin IATSS Forum Alumni Association Malaysia & inspired by Shimako tour guides Beneficiaries • Malubang Primary School students • Villagers of Malubang & Pansuran Villages • Tourist (International and local) Partners • SK Malubang (Malubang Primary School) • Pitas District Education Office • Pitas District Office • Kudat District Health Office Invited • IATSS Forum ASEAN Alumni Participants • IATSS Forum Suzuka Staff • Proponent of Shimako Guide Duration • Third Phase (16th to 18th January 2020) • Health Screening Program (In collaboration with the Kudat District Health Office ) (5th March 2020) • Finale and Completion Ceremony Pitas (6th to 9th March 2020) Budget • Transportation allowance • Accommodation • Stationeries • Photocopy and printing • Certificates of Participation • Publicity materials and activities • Token for Collaboration program with Kudat District Health Office ( Please refer to Table 1 for more details) Themes This project is a continuation of Pitas Project 2019. The first phase of the project and the Opening Ceremony was successfully conducted on the 21st - 22nd September 2019 and the second phase was carried out on 2nd -3rd November 2019. This project was initiated to tackle two main themes. a) Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Education is an essential tool for achieving sustainability. As such we need to move quickly to develop Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) programs.
    [Show full text]
  • Community Participation in Tourism Microenterprises Among Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia Borrowers in Semporna, Malaysia
    International Journal of Business and Society, Vol. 19 S1, 2018, 88-102 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN TOURISM MICROENTERPRISES AMONG AMANAH IKHTIAR MALAYSIA BORROWERS IN SEMPORNA, MALAYSIA Mohd Romzee Ibrahim KDU University College Ahmad Shuib. Universiti Putra Malaysia Sridar Ramachandran Universiti Putra Malaysia Syamsul Herman Mohammad Afandi Universiti Putra Malaysia ABSTRACT Tourism industry is seen as a sector that could possibly provide opportunities to the local community by the creation of tourism enterprises. These tourism enterprises are in most likely situations to be micro businesses established and operated by the local community. This paper highlights lack of participation in tourism microenterprises among local community, these self-employed local community run their business as a need for survival and without formal education and entrepreneurial skills. A structured face to face survey was administered to evaluate local community participation in tourism related micro enterprises among Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) borrowers in Semporna, Sabah. The selected borrowers were identified through a multi- stage random sampling methods. Analysis of association and relationship among the socio demographic and enterprises characteristics using chi-square test of independence revealed that their level of participation is associated with level of education, location, number of employees, gross income, capital, assets and loan frequency. The microfinance institution is recommended to incorporate appropriate entrepreneurial skills to suit local environments in tourism and integration with various stakeholders such as local authorities at federal and state government, tourism agencies and non-governmental agencies is essential in its delivery system to facilitate the creation of sustainable entrepreneurship activities especially towards tourism microenterprises. Keywords: Community Based Tourism; Rural Tourism; Microfinance; Entrepreneurship; Sabah.
    [Show full text]
  • INDIGENOUS GROUPS of SABAH: an Annotated Bibliography of Linguistic and Anthropological Sources
    INDIGENOUS GROUPS OF SABAH: An Annotated Bibliography of Linguistic and Anthropological Sources Part 1: Authors Compiled by Hans J. B. Combrink, Craig Soderberg, Michael E. Boutin, and Alanna Y. Boutin SIL International SIL e-Books 7 ©2008 SIL International Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2008932444 ISBN: 978-155671-218-0 Fair Use Policy Books published in the SIL e-Books series are intended for scholarly research and educational use. You may make copies of these publications for research or instructional purposes (under fair use guidelines) free of charge and without further permission. Republication or commercial use of SILEB or the documents contained therein is expressly prohibited without the written consent of the copyright holder(s). Series Editor Mary Ruth Wise Volume Editor Mae Zook Compositor Mae Zook The 1st edition was published in 1984 as the Sabah Museum Monograph, No. 1. nd The 2 edition was published in 1986 as the Sabah Museum Monograph, No. 1, Part 2. The revised and updated edition was published in 2006 in two volumes by the Malaysia Branch of SIL International in cooperation with the Govt. of the State of Sabah, Malaysia. This 2008 edition is published by SIL International in single column format that preserves the pagination of the 2006 print edition as much as possible. Printed copies of Indigenous groups of Sabah: An annotated bibliography of linguistic and anthropological sources ©2006, ISSN 1511-6964 may be obtained from The Sabah Museum Handicraft Shop Main Building Sabah Museum Complex, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah,
    [Show full text]
  • The Study on Development for Enhancing Rural Women Entrepreneurs in Sabah, Malaysia
    No. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE JAPAN INTERNATIONAL AND FOOD INDUSTRY COOPERATION AGENCY SABAH, MALAYSIA THE STUDY ON DEVELOPMENT FOR ENHANCING RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN SABAH, MALAYSIA FINAL REPORT VOLUME II FEBRUARY 2004 KRI INTERNATIONAL CORP. AFA JR 04-13 THE STUDY ON DEVELOPMENT FOR ENHANCING RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN SABAH, MALAYSIA FINAL REPORT AND SUPPORTING BOOKS MAIN REPORT FINAL REPORT VOLUME I - MASTER PLAN - FINAL REPORT VOLUME II - SITUATION ANALYSIS AND VERIFICATION SURVEY - PUANDESA DATABOOK PUANDESA GUIDELINE FOR RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS - HOW TO START A MICRO BUSINESS IN YOUR COMMUNITY - EXCHANGE RATE (as of 30 December 2003) US$1.00 = RM3.8= Yen107.15 LOCATION MAP PUANDESA THE STUDY ON DEVELOPMENT FOR ENHANCING RURAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN SABAH, MALAYSIA FINAL REPORT CONTENTS LOCATION MAP PART I: SITUATION ANALYSIS CHAPTER 1: STUDY OUTLINE ..........................................................................................................1 1.1 BACKGROUND .........................................................................................................................1 1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY....................................................................................................2 1.3 TARGET GROUP OF THE STUDY ...........................................................................................2 1.4 MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND TIME-FRAME...............................................................................2 1.5 NICKNAME OF THE STUDY ...................................................................................................6
    [Show full text]
  • Ports and Harbours (Sabah Licensed Small Ships) Regulations 2008
    FOR REFERENCE ONLY (October 2011) PORTS AND HARBOURS (SABAH LICENSED SMALL SHIPS) REGULATIONS 2008 In exercise of the powers conferred by subsection 15(1) of the Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002 [No.5 of 2002], the Minister makes the following regulations: Citation and commencement 1. (1) These regulations may be cited as the Ports and Harbours (Sabah Licensed Small Ships) Regulations 2008. (2) These Regulations come into operation on a date to be appointed by the Minister by notification in the Gazette. [1st June 2009] Interpretation 2. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires – “customs officer” has the meaning assigned to “officer of customs” in section 2 of the Customs Act 1967 [Act 235]; “dangerous goods” means dangerous goods specified in regulation 24 of the Ports and Harbours (Government Wharves) Regulations 2008; “Director” means the Director of the State Department of Ports and Harbours; “Enactment” means the Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002 [No. 5 of 2002]; “licensing authority” means the Director or a port officer and in any place where no port officer has been appointed under the Enactment means any public officer appointed by the Director; “mechanically propelled small ship” means any power-driven small ship, whether or not also fitted with oars or sails, but does not include a small ship driven by outboard motor; 1 FOR REFERENCE ONLY (October 2011) “port officer” means any officer appointed under subsection 4(2) of the Enactment to be in charge of any port as maybe determined by the Director; “register” means the register of small ships kept in accordance with regulation 11; “small ship” means any vessel under fifteen net registered tons which plies on the coast or rivers of Sabah; “trading limits” means the limits prescribed in the Sixth Schedule.
    [Show full text]
  • The Spiritual Significance of Komburongo in the Folk Beliefs of the Dusunic Peoples of North Borneo
    https://doi.org/10.7592/FEJF2018.71.low_solehah FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF KOMBURONGO IN THE FOLK BELIEFS OF THE DUSUNIC PEOPLES OF NORTH BORNEO Low Kok On Borneo Heritage Research Unit Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia e-mail: [email protected] Solehah Ishak Faculty of Film, Theatre & Animation MARA University of Technology, Malaysia e-mail: [email protected] Abstract: Early Western ethnographers who conducted field research in North Borneo (Sabah, Malaysia) in the late nineteenth century were attracted to the komburongo (Acorus calamus or sweet flag) because of the spiritual role it played in the folk beliefs of the Dusunic speaking peoples. Although there have been brief discussions on the komburongo, in-depth studies are still lacking. This article is based on the data collected and conclusions made by interviewing informants as well as the material obtained from direct field observations. The primary aim is to focus on the various spiritual functions and roles played by the komburongo in the lives of the Dusunic peoples then and now. This study finds that the komburongo fulfils several important roles, both in their ritual ceremonies and spiritual healings. The komburongo is believed to be a form of a benevolent spirit which functions as the spiritual helper in various rituals. Its rhizomes are used as a ritual instrument, also called the komburongo, which serves as the medium connecting the ritual practitioner to the invisible spirits from the nether world. Komburongo leaves are also used as amulets to protect the users from evil spirits. These myriad beliefs in the komburongo have been rooted and embedded in the Dusuns’ ancestral traditions and practices since time immemorial.
    [Show full text]
  • Status of Coral Reefs in Malaysia, 2019
    Status of Coral Reefs in Malaysia, 2019 Reef Check Malaysia Contents Executive Summary 1 1 Introduction 2 2 Reef Check 3 2.1 Background 3 2.2 Survey Methodology 3 2.3 Survey Sites 4 3 2019 Survey Results & Analysis 5 3.1 Status of Coral Reefs in Malaysia 5 3.2 Status of Coral Reefs in Key Eco-regions in Malaysia 10 Sunda Shelf 12 Malacca Strait 36 North Borneo 42 4 Reef Check Data Over the Year 60 4.1 Peninsular versus East Malaysia over 13 Years 60 4.2 Changing Reef Health in Selected Areas 65 5 Summary and Recommendations 75 5.1 Summary 75 5.2 Recommendations 76 5.3 Conclusion 77 Acknowledgements 78 References 81 Appendix 1: 2019 Survey Sites 82 Saving Our Reefs Research, Education, Conservation Executive Summary 1. A total of 180 sites were surveyed in 2019 (2018: 212), 97 in Peninsular Malaysia and 83 in East Malaysia. The surveys are a continuation of a successful National Reef Check Survey Programme that has now run for thirteen years. 2. The surveys were carried out by trained volunteers as well as government officials from Marine Parks Malaysia, reflecting commitment from the Government in further improving management of Malaysia’s coral reefs. Surveys were carried out on several islands off Peninsular Malaysia’s East and West coast, covering both established Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and non-protected areas, and in various parts of East Malaysia, both Sabah and Sarawak. 3. The results indicate that the Malaysian coral reefs surveyed have a relatively high level of living coral, at 40.63% (2018: 42.42%).
    [Show full text]