2.3. Monolob
We have a strong relationship with the forest and the mountain as well.
For us, Mount Kinabalu is the resting place of our ancestors. It has been
designated as a World Heritage Site in 2000 (Martin et al., 2002).
Monolob is carried out every year in the month of October. During the
Monolob ritual, Tinggaton has to be prepared, consisting of 7 white
village chickens and 7 village chicken eggs. This ritual will be carried out
by 4 people (2 Bobolian or priestesses and 2 assistants). Monolob is done
to ask for permission, safety and protection from Gayo Ngaran (Mount
Kinabalu).
2.4. Mongngingit
7 stalks of paddy is given as an offering to Bambarayon (paddy spirit)
before the harvest of paddy. The paddy stalks will be tied with paddy
leaves or string and attached on a piece of bamboo erected amidst
clumps of paddy near the sulap (traditional farmer's hut). After harvesting
is done, the ritual for calling upon Bambarayon is carried out before
placing the paddy stalks into the tangkop (place for keeping paddy).
During the ritual, food from the harvest will be served to Bambarayon as
a sign of gratitude. Among the items served are: linopot (rice wrapped in
leaves), pinongian, kinomol (rice wine), village chicken eggs cut in half,
salt, sinalau sada, and village chicken meat. After the ritual is completed,
Kaamatan or Harvest Festival will be celebrated.
2.5. Gumawoi
Gumawoi is a practice used in land clearing for agricultural purposes. We
will ask permission to farm from the spirit residing in that area.Before
clearing the land, we will erect five wooden arrangements. If the wood
erected falls or breaks, we believe it means the spirit of that area does
not allow the use of the area. We believe that if we do not follow this
practice, catastrophe will befall upon us or our crops will have no yield.
11 | D u s u n K i a u C o m m u n i t y P r o t o c o l