history of bobohizan

Kaamatan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Kaamatan festival is an annual event in the cultural life of the kadazandusuns of sabah since time immemorial. In its deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a manifestation of creator and Creation relationship, as well as Inter-Creations relationship. It embodies the principal acts of invocation of divinities, appeasing, purification and restoration, re-union of benevolent spirits, and thanksgiving to the Source of All. It is part of a complex wholesome Momolian religious system centered on the paddy rites of passage and the life cycle of bambarayon - the in-dwelling spirit of paddy.
Appeasing is done in respect of bambarayon, Deities, Divinities and Spirits, who may have been hurt by human wrongful, acts. Purification is performed in respect of human and spiritual needs for forgiveness followed by resolutions to make themselves worthy of the gifts of life from God. Restoration in necessary to ensure the health and well being of SUNIL, mankind and other spiritual beings. Re-union is realised in respect of human needs to be integrated in body, mind and spirit within the concept of the seven-in-one divinity in humanity, as well as re-union of Bambarayon with human Sunduan. Finally Thanksgiving is observed as befitting for all creations to express their gratitude and appreciation for the gifts of life (through Huminodun) and all life supportive system on earth that their Creator lovingly and generously gave them.

Contents

Etymology

The word Kaamatan is derived from the root word tomot, a Kadazandusun term for harvest. In the context of this article, Kaamatan refers to the paddy-harvesting period, which involves a series of traditional rituals culminating finally to the Kaamatan (harvest) festival. Tadau kaamatan is a cele bration for the people who celebrate tadau kaamatan.

Rituals

The festival is observed in 6 rituals stages:
The Kumogos Ceremony
Before a harvest begins, a bobohizan/Bobolian (ritual specialist) will select and tie-up 7 stalks of the best rice from a plot of rice field. These stakes of rice will only be harvested after the particular plot of field has been completely harvested. The 7 stalks of rice will then be scattered all over the rice field. This gesture is to inform the other spirits who may be present among the rice field not to make any disturbance when the harvesting work is to commenced and each of them will be given something after the harvest.
The Kumotob Ceremony
From the area which has not yet been harvested to the Bobohizan/Bobolian will select 7 stalks of the best rice. The selected stalks are then tied up together and placed in a tadang (a type of basket for keeping rice). The rest of the rice in the field are then harvested and the rice are turned into seed for future planting season.
The Posisip Ceremony
The Bobohizan/Bobolian goes to a rice hut together with the 7 stalks of rice which is tied up and placed in the tadang. While reciting chants she takes out the bundle of rice stalks and insert them in a bamboo pole kept in the tangkob. The recital of the chants is to call the spirit of the rice to stay in the rice hut until the next planting season, i.e. when the rice spirits are called to the rice field again.
The Poihib Ceremony
In the rice hut the Bobohizan/Bobolian carefully pours the rice into the tangkob. This process is repeated for a number of times until all the rice has poured into the tangkob. The Bobohizan/Bobolian then recite chants appealing to the rice spirits to keep watch over the rice stored in the tangkob.
The Magavau Ceremony
This is the most important ceremony in the sequence of events of the harvest festival. This focuses in the restoration of Bambarayon as well as offering food to Bambarayon. In the olden days, the Magavau ritual is performed in the padi field on the night of the first full moon after the harvest. Nowadays, this ritual is carried out in the house of the owner of the field.
The Humabot Ceremony
This is the final stage of the observation of the harvest festival and is in the form of merry-making and entertainment. This ceremony is now celebrated at village, district and state levels annually (30 - 31 May). A variety of entertainment and activities in the form of dances and traditional sports are held and the climax of the event is the selection of the unduk ngadau (Harvest Festival Queen). The Unduk Ngadau symbolizes Huminodun, the sacrificed daughter of Kinorohingan.
The rituals described above are typical of the Kadazan-Dusun of the Penampang-Papar area. Other dusunic groups, the murutic groups of the interior and the paitanic groups in the east have different rice harvest rituals. For example, the Lotud Dusun have a series of eight ceremonies - Mansalud, Monuras, Tumakau, Matang, Mongoi Rumali, Mogimpuun, Sumondod and Monumbui. The essence of this ceremony however is the same, that is of thanksgiving for a plentiful harvest

monsopiad history

Monsopiad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Monsopiad is a Kadazandusun warrior who is well-known to be a headhunter. There is a memorial dedicated to him at penampang sabah

 The legend of Monsopiad

Legend told that many centuries ago, a lady named Kizabon was pregnant. She lived in a house with her husband, Dunggou. On the roof of their house, a sacred Bugang bird made its nest and stayed there throughout Kizabon's pregnancy.
When the child was due to be born, the Bugang birds hatched as well. The father of the child took the sign as a good omen and that this was a sign that his newborn son would have special powers. He named his son, Monsopiad. The father paid special care to the birds as well, and whenever his son took a bath, Dunggou would take the young birds down from their nest to have a bath with his son. When done, he later returned them to the safety of their nest. This was done diligently until the birds were strong enough to leave the nest.
The young boy grew up in the village Kuai (which is the grounds of the Village). His maternal grandfather was the headman of the village.
However, their village was often plundered and attacked by robbers and due to the lack of warriors in the village, the villagers had to retreat and hide while the robbers ransacked their homes.
But for Monsopiad, things were different. He was given special training and he turned out to be an excellent fighter and grew up to become a warrior. Well-equipped, he vowed to hunt down and fight off the warriors that had terrorized his village for so long. He will bring back their heads as trophies, he claimed, and hang them from the roof of his house!
All he wanted in return was a warrior's welcome, where his success will be heralded by the blowing of bamboo trumpet. In order to prove that he really did as promised, three boys went with him as witnesses.
Just as he had promised, Monsopiad's journey to rid his village of the robbers was a huge success and upon coming home, he was given a hero's welcome. He was so honored by the welcome that he proclaimed he will destroy all enemies to his village.
Over the years, Monsopiad soon attained a reputation and there were no robbers or evil warriors who dared to challenge him. However, the urge to kill had gotten into Monsopiad's head and he simply could not stop himself from beheading more people. Very soon, he started provoking other men into fighting him so that he would have an excuse to kill and behead them.
With his changed attitude, all the villagers and his friends became afraid of him. Left with no choice, the village got a group of brave warriors together and they plan to eliminate Monsopiad. Much as they respected Monospiad for his heroic deeds, yet they had no choice for he had slowly turned into a threat.
One night as planned, the warriors moved in for the kill as Monsopiad was resting in his house. As they attacked him, he fought back fiercely but realized that he had lost his special powers that were bestowed upon him by the Bugang bird. By abusing his gift, he was left powerless and it was that very night that Monsopiad's life ended.
Despite his downfall, the villagers still loved Monsopiad for all that he had done for them. All in all, he collected 42 heads and a great feat that was! In honor and memory of a once great warrior, a monument was erected and the village was renamed after him.

dive operator in borneo

adventure journey world travel ( borneo ) sdn bhd.
www.borneo.org

borneo divers & sea sports ( sabah ) sdn bhd.
www.borneodivers.com

borneo sea adventure ( sabah ) sdn bhd.
www.borneosea.com

explore asia tours sdn bhd.
www.sipadan-mabul.com.my

mari0mari mantanani dive lodge
www.traversetours.com

pulau sipadan resort & tour sdn bhd.
www.sipadan-resort.com

layang-layang island resort sdn bhd.
www.layanglayang.com

pulau tiga resort
www.pulautiga.com.my

sabah divers
www.sabahdivers.com

scuba paradise
wwwscubaparadiseborneo.com.my

saeventures tours & travel sdn bhd.
www.seaventresdive.com

sipadan po pom island resort & tours sdn bhd.
www.pompomisland.com

sipadan water village resort sdn bhd
www.swvresort.com

the reef dive resort & tour sdn bhd
www.mataking.com

diverse borneo sdn bhd
www.diverse-borneo.com

borneo dream travell & tours sdn bhd.
www.borneodream.com

excel dive & tours ( borneo ) sdn bhd
www.excelborneotours.com

scuba junkie
www.scuba-junkie.com

sulawesi sea safari sdn bhd
www.sulawesiseasafari.com

uncle chang sipadan-mabul dive lodge
www.ucsipadan.com

tun sakaran marine park

Tun Sakaran Marine Park

The Tun Sakaran Marine Park encompasses eight islands and is the largest marine park in Sabah . It is only marine protected area in Sabah to include private land and to cater for various types of resource use not permitted in other marine parks.

Special provisions were included in the Gazette Notice to ensure that people’s rights were guaranteed. These are as follows:

1. All registered grants or titles in all the islands shall be retained and shall not be acquired by the Government.
   
2. The native customary rights which exists in all islands involved is recognised and shall not be disturbed. The claimant of the native customary rights may apply for the land in accordance to section 15 and 16 of the Land Ordinance.
   
3. All existing graveyards areas in all islands shall be retained as Muslim graveyard and shall not be affected by this declaration. The Government shall provide an estimated allocation to fence and maintain the existing graveyard in all islands.
   
4. One representative of heir from each island involved shall be appointed as Trustee of Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
   
5. Every development made in any islands shall involve the title owner or any legally identified claimant of native customary rights in the island and the development made will not cause their land to be acquired, and
   
6. Any form of development made either by an individual or joint venture with a developer shall be referred to Sabah Parks for comment and approval so that it is in accordance to the tourism concept of Sabah Parks.

 

The management aims for the Park are to:

• protect the environment
• safeguard livelihoods
• promote sustainable use of natural resources
• encourage environmentally-sensitive development
• build public awareness about the importance of the Park

Mantabuan reef , with Boheydulang and Bodgaya in the background. © Videographics Productions

Park profile and management priorities
Size geomorphology, population	35,000 ha, comprising 954 ha of land and 34,046 ha of sea and coral reefs. 8 islands: central group are part of an extinct volcano, now inundated by the sea. Largest is Bodgaya (795 ha) with 3 peaks between 455 and 360m high. Outlying islands are low limestone platforms or sand cays. 12 villages; total population 2,061 (1999 census). Main occupations fishing, cultivation and seaweed farming.
Coral reef features	Total extent of reef front (reef rim) is over 100km and the area of reef is 163 km 2 Fringing reefs encircle each of the 8 islands. Also two patch reefs (Church Reef and Kapikan) and one bank reef (Mantabuan Bank; with its top at 10m depth). Reefs extend from sea-level to about 20m depth in the west and 50m+ in the east.
Coral reef biodiversity and noteworthy species	The site is in a global ‘marine biodiversity hotspot’. Research shows higher species diversity than at any other site in Malaysia . Total species recorded includes 544 spp of coral reef fish, 255 spp of hard coral, 70 spp soft coral, 140 spp sponge, 265 spp mollusc, 109 spp echinoderms. Several fish, coral and sponge species have a restricted range and have not been recorded from elsewhere in Sabah . Some are new to science. Refuge for 7 spp of giant clam (Tridacnidae), including the china clam Hippopusporcellanus (small geographical range and new record for Sabah ). Green and hawksbill turtles feed and nest in the area.
Marine conservation and management issues	Serious over-exploitation of fish and other edible species. Few large fish remain. Significant habitat destruction caused by blast fishing. Localised damage from crown-of-thorns starfish. Coral mortality caused by recent coral bleaching events. Threats from land-based pollution from the mainland. Poverty and lack of job opportunities drive unsustainable practices.
Overall management goals	Protect, maintain and enhance biodiversity and the health of the environment. Maximise opportunities for economic development and sustainable resource use. Ensure local people are involved in, and benefit from, the creation of the park. Build community and public awareness about the importance of establishing and maintaining the park.
Zoning scheme	Zones will be introduced to separate potentially conflicting activities. A Pelagic Use/Buffer Zone surrounds the islands and there is a General Use Zone in the more populated western part. Both allow for various sustainable use activities. The Sanctuary Zones are no-take, limited use zones which include the lagoon and outer reefs. Preservation Zones cover a small percentage of the park and are no-take and no-entry, except for limited monitoring and research.
Permits and regulations	Permit needed for entry into the Park, and for all activities and developments. Permit conditions and park regulations will be drawn up in consultation with local communities and other stakeholders. Effectiveness of permits and regulations will be reviewed at regular intervals.
Activities in the Park	Properly managed, sustainable use activities encouraged, including eco-tourism. Alternative livelihoods for fishing communities will be developed, so reducing direct pressure on marine resources. Low impact mariculture and sea ranching of marine invertebrates (e.g. giant clams, abalone, sea cucumbers) is already being developed. Seaweed cultivation will continue in designated areas.
Monitoring and research	Research and monitoring programmes (e.g. for coral reefs, forest, resource-use, socio-economic status) will continue and be expanded. Objectives will be to provide up-to-date information on the condition of the Park, and the impact of human use and management strategies.
Environmental awareness	An environmental awareness and education programme will underpin implementation and development of the Park. Objectives will be to provide inform and entertain, and to ensure that people are familiar with park regulations and the reasons for them.

 

pom pom island

Pom Pom Island Resort

[Translate]

Tropical Island Accommodation off the coast of Sabah, Borneo

Contact Us to Book!
Get in touch with us to book your Pom Pom Island Resort accommodation.

Pom Pom Island Resort is 45 minutes by boat away from Semporna, off the east coast of Sabah, Borneo.
Built to offer you luxury, comfort and privacy, the resort is nestled amongst the lush, green vegetation of Pom Pom Island.
Pom Pom Island Resort accommodation comprises beach front chalets, garden view chalets and water bungalows, constructed according to traditional architectural styles to blend in with the surroundings without disturbing the island’s natural vegetation.
A fresh, cooling sea breeze keeps guests comfortable at Pom Pom Island when not in their rooms, but you will find air-conditioning in all the island’s accommodation.
Pom Pom Island Resort chalets each feature a private balcony and the attached bathrooms has a freshwater supply.

Pom Pom Island Resort Accommodation & SCUBA Diving Package

Downbelow offers competitive rates for Pom Pom Island Resort accommodation packages.  Please conact us for an accommodation package quote, which includes the following:

• Return land and sea transfers from Tawau airport to Pom Pom Island Resort;
• Accommodation with attached bathroom on a twin/triple/quad sharing basis;
• Full board meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner);
• Coffee, tea and juice served all day at the resort restaurant;
• Excludes alcoholic drinks and soft drinks;

Single occupancy attracts a 50% surcharge, 50% discount for children 2 – 11 years old, and 90% discount for children below 2 years old.
Additionally, the diver package also includes the following:

• 3 daily boat dives at Pom Pom Island and surrounding islands;
• Use of tanks and weight belts;

There is no diving on arrival and departure days and the diving is subject to the diving schedules and regulations set out by the Pom Pom Island Resort dive centre. Unused dives are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Optional Boat Charters from Pom Pom Island Resort

From Pom Pom Island Resort to Mabul @ RM1,500 per boat / transfer.
From Pom Pom Island Resort to Semporna (not following the Pom Pom Island boat schedule) @ RM500 per boat / transfer.

Normal Boat Schedule and Proposed Flights

Going to Pom Pom Island Resort
Boat departing Semporna at 10:00, proposed flight from KK – Tawau is MH2121 arriving at about 07:45.
Boat departing Semporna at 16:45, proposed flight from KK – Tawau is MH2137 arriving at about 14:00.
Returning from Pom Pom Island Resort
Boat departing Pom Pom Island at 11:45, proposed flight from Tawau – KK is MH2134 departing at 14:40.
Boat leaving Pom Pom Island at 14:40, proposed flight from Tawau – Kuala Lumpur is MH2665 departing at 17:50.

proboscis lodge

ABOUT - Proboscis Lodges > Location

Sukau and the Kinabatangan River The area around Sukau and the surrounding Kinabatangan Rivers offers an unmatched range of ecotourism attractions which includes the famed Proboscis Monkeys of the swamped areas of Kinabatangan tributaries, its diverse wildlife and yet unexplored flora, Batu Putih limestone outcrops, Gomantong Caves and a whole host of other adventures all ready to be tamed. At 560 Km long and with a catchment area estimated at 16,800 square kilometres, the Kinabatangan River is Sabah’s longest and largest river.  The mighty river has its headwaters in the remote mountain ranges in the south-western part o the state and flows through a vast tract of mangrove forest to the east of Sandakan into the Sulu Sea.  The lower part of the Kinabatangan appears to have been sparsely inhabited since early times, perhaps mainly because of the unpredictable floods and partly because of the depredations of pirates during the nineteenth century.  It is said that there was a Chinese settlement on the Kinabatangan River many hundreds years ago, but definite proof has never been found.  The village of Sukau, accessible by road and 25 kilometres beyond the rough tracks to Gomantong Caves, is the largest settlement on the banks of the lower Kinabatangan. The original village named Kampung Melapi was a little further upstream, around the mouth of the Menanggul tributary.  During the nineteen century, Melapi was the home of many of the Gomantong birds’ nest collectors.  When the British acquired from the Sultan of Sulu the rights to govern Sabah, they assumed that everything within the state was theirs.  The collection and trading of the Gomantong nests was organised by Pengiran Samah, the wily old headman of Kampung Melapi, who refused to recognise the British claim to Gomantong.  In 1884, Pengiran Samah was shot dead in his home in Kampung Melapi and thereafter Kampung Bilit, further upriver, assumed greater importance as the centre for nest collectors. Much of the lower Kinabatangan River remains as it were during the last century.  The main river is lined with forest fertile alluvial terraces.  Behind these extensive, low lying forested swamps which are usually water logged and covered with water during rainy periods.  Within the swamps, scattered lakes and small hills dot the landscape.  Although rarely seen, various wildlife species abound here, including elephants and orang-utans.  Most readily seen are the fascinating proboscis monkeys (Nasalis Larvatus), a species unique to Borneo which is particularly abundant in the swamps of the lower Kinabatangan.  Living in groups of up to twenty or so individuals, these placid vegetarians always sleep next to the water.  For that reason, they can be found by searching the riverside forests from a boat, either late in the afternoon, before they retire for the night, or early in the morning before they move off in search of food.  The large tract of forest along the Kinabatangan River offers a host of wildlife and botanical adventures for the energetic tourist who are able to travel by boat or trek these forest on foot to admire the wonders of the rainforest close up. “Selamat datang.  We welcome you to the Proboscis Lodge Bukit Melapi”. The main building is a welcoming sight for visiting guests arriving at the Proboscis Lodge Bukit Melapi also known as “Melapi Lodge” for short.  It’s specially designed wooden architecture with high ceilings; open airy space gives one a feeling of cosiness of dining outdoors while sitting indoors.  A staircase located in the heart of the building lead up to the recreation room, and higher above a small secret ‘Tree-House’ room.  Just outside of the main building, there is a sun deck used for observation, sunbathing and barbecue.  Amenities at the main building comprise of a restaurant, bar, kitchen, recreation room equipped with audiovisual, pool game and a meeting room. Individual lodges for visiting guests are located within walking distance from the main building.  A well-paved and lighted path joins each lodge all the way for guests’ convenience.  Many offer views of the beautiful Kinabatangan River.  The Proboscis Monkeys of Borneo Among the less familiar wonders of Borneo is one of the most spectacular animals in the world, the Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis Larvatus). This unique monkey can only be found on the island of Borneo mainly in coastal swamp forests.  The male Proboscis Monkey with its outlandish nose and outsized stomach has harem of females, drawn to him by his weird good looks. These monkeys are proficient tree climbers and leapers, divers and swimmers, with an unusual social life, thus it is one of Borneo’s most spectacular and fascinating denizens. Package offered by us include river boat cruises for a chance to encounter with these ‘elusive’ monkeys in their natural habitat.  Watch and ‘be watched’ while they leap between trees, feeding on mangrove leaves or simply resting on top of trees.  One may also get an opportunity to see the wonderful pygmy elephant family in the wild during their migration as well as other wildlife under the canopy of the rainforest. On the way to Sukau, you can choose to visit fascinating places like the Gomantong Caves, the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Centre, the Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple and the Crocodile Farm.

about pulau tiga

ABOUT - Pulau Tiga Resort > Location

Location   Pulau Tiga was gazetted as a State Park in 1978 and it covers the island of Pulau Tiga, Pulau Kalampunian Besar and Pulau Kalampunian Damit or better known as 'Snake Island' with an area of about 15,864 hectares.  This State Park is created to protect the natural environment including the coral reefs, marine life, terrestrial flora and fauna and other ecological and natural presence on the island.     Pulau Tiga is the biggest of the three islands.  The geological formation of this island is that it was formed from the eruption of several mud volcanoes, whose combination of subterranean gas pressure expelled muddy sediments, which have built-up this island to its present height of more than 100m above sea level.  Several active mud volcanoes can still be seen on the island especially at the summit of the island.  Pulau Tiga provide refuge to several species of mammals, numerous birds, variety of reptiles and amphibians and also hundreds or even thousands species of insects. Local Folklore   According to a legend as the name indicates, the main island, Pulau Tiga was believed to be originally made up of three sister islands; each being the home of the princesses of a powerful king.  Because of hatred and jealousies of the elder sisters towards the youngest for falling in love with the most handsome prince, the sisters used black magic to turn the prince into a rock in the shape of a turtle.  The rock was believed to be deposited at the mouth of the Lake Setompok river.  And that was how the name Kuala Penyu originated. The heart-broken sister ran to another island and pacified her sadness among the sea snakes; making the smaller island her home.  The king, angry of the scheming sisters, turned their islands into mud volcanoes.  The eruptions of the mud volcanoes were believed to be the cries of regrets of the sisters.  Over the years, the flow of the tears of the sisters in the form of mud lava were joined together to create the present Pulau Tiga. The First “Survivor” Island The first season of the Survivor dominated ratings in the summer of 2000 and made the island of Pulau Tiga a household name. “Survivor” is a reality-based television show on the CBS network based on Sweden’s Expedition Robinson.  Sixteen Americans were “marooned” on Pulau Tiga and their every move was filmed by television cameras.  The contestants in this twisted game show have to slowly vote each other off the island and end result, after 39 days, is that only one “Survivor” remains – and that person wins $1 million.  For further information on the first ever season of ‘Survivor’, click on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_borneo Another reason to visit us…. In summary the islands have the following distinct features: Outstanding scenic views and sunsets. A variety of island habitats. Floral diversity with old stands of trees in an area that has never been logged. Floral composition that includes several species of orchids, ferns, palms and shrubs. Fauna composition that include the elusive megapodes, variety of insects, birds and reptiles. Interesting geological formation - the "mud volcanoes" and its effects on the island vegetation growth and composition. The well known snake island and snake biology and ecology. Good coral environment for Scuba diving and snorkeling. A reasonable sheltered bay at most times of the year for a safe place to conduct many water sport activities.