World View and Ritual Context in Sumazau Penampang, Sazau Papar and Sumazau Paina Membakut

For generations, a belief in various benevolent and malevolent spirits have shaped the world view and beliefs of the Kadazans in Sabah. Their world view is based on an idea of harmony that exists between the spiritual and the human world, resulting in the related concepts of, for example, ahasu (hot) and osogit (cool) elements. The ahasu stage is believed to cause illness and even community crises and can only be countered by a process of tempering or ‘cooling off’ during ritual ceremonies conducted by the bobohizan (a ritual specialist). The Sumazau Penampang, Sazau Papar and Sumazau Paina Membakut dances are closely connected to these concepts; linked to the ritual ceremonies conducted by the bobohizan. When the bobohizan is in a state of trance, her body will sway in a movement known as “sumazau”, literally meaning “dancing” in the Kadazan language. Her dances are considered sacred because the Kadazans believe that the bobohizan is dancing under the influence of the spirits. This study analyzes the embedded symbolic meanings of the dances performed during the bobohizan’s ritual ceremonies by means of in-depth interviews, focus group interviews and observation. The inter-relationship of the dances with the Kadazan’s world view and traditional beliefs will also be explored. In doing so, this article highlights an under researched area of Kadazan traditional dance, symbolism and ritual.