Pandangan Dunia dan Konteks Upacara dalam Sumazau Penampang, Sazau Papar dan Sumazau Paina Membakut

Abstract

(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.

Keywords: Sumazau Penampang; Sazau Papar; Sumazau Paina Membakut; world view; ritual

ABSTRAK

Secara turun-temurun, kepercayaan terhadap pelbagai semangat baik dan semangat jahat sangat mempengaruhi pandangan dunia (world view) dan kepercayaan etnik Kadazan di Sabah. Pandangan dunia mereka berkonsepkan keharmonian antara alam ghaib dan alam nyata. Daripada pandangan dunia yang sedemikianlah timbulnya konsep ahasu (panas) dan osogit (sejuk). Keadaan ahasu, yang dipercayai sebagai punca kepada penyakit dan masalah lain yang timbul dalam komuniti Kadazan harus disejukkan melalui pelbagai ritual. Kajian ini berasaskan kaedah temu bual dan pemerhatian secara langsung terhadap persembahan ketiga-tiga jenis tarian rakyat etnik Kadazan yang telah dikaji. Kajian ini mendapati Sumazau Penampang, Sazau Papar dan Sumazau Paina Membakut berkait rapat dengan pandangan dunia dan ritual yang dikendalikan oleh bobohizan (pakar upacara etnik Kadazan). Semasa bobohizan mengendalikan sesuatu ritual, tubuhnya akan bergerak-gerak dalam keadaan yang dikenali sebagai menurun. Perbuatan bobohizan sedemikian dikenali sebagai “sumazau”, yang bermaksud menari. Tarian sedemikian dianggap suci kerana etnik Kadazan percaya bahawa pada ketika ini, bobohizan sedang dipimpin oleh semangat dari alam ghaib. Fokus analisis dalam tulisan ini tertumpu kepada makna simbolik di sebalik persembahan ketiga-tiga jenis tarian rakyat etnik Kadazan. Selain itu, kaitan antara tarian, pandangan dunia dan kepercayaan turun-temurun etnik Kadazan turut dibincang. Dengan berbuat demikian, tulisan ini menonjolkan tarian rakyat etnik Kadazan dari segi simbolisme dalam upacara yang tidak banyak dikaji orang.

Kata kunci: Sumazau Penampang; Sazau Papar; Sumazau Paina Membakut; pandangan dunia; ritual