Bobohizan

recite rinait (chants and prayers) during the Mamahui Pogun (cleansing the universe) ritual Based on different Kadazan-Dusun dialects in each districts and area of Sabah, the Bobohizan term also identified as either Bobolian, Babalian, Bobolizan, Bobogo, Lumagon, Mogogondi, Omboh, Penyupi, or Tantagas. Among the Kadazan-Dusun, it is called bobolian or bobohian in one Tambunan Dusun dialect while bobohizan are more popularly among the coastal Kadazan dialect, bobolizan among the Rungus, babalian in Murutic languages, and balian or mininiow in Paitanic languages. == Origin ==

in British North Borneo, Different variant exists on the origin of Bobohizan, both on the Dusun and Kadazan, the first story related to the creator God of Kinoingan, with his wife Suminundu is believed to be the first Bobohizan. Based on the myth of the traditional Kadazan, Bobohizan is said to stem from the sacrifice of Ponompuan, where she is believed to be a bobohizan during her lifetime. Another variant also tell the story of origin from the Nunuk Ragang despite it is uncertain whether the calling of Bobohizan (Bobolian in the Bundu-Liwan dialect) exist prior to or after the settling of the ancestors at Nunuk Ragang. Long after the first ancestors passing to Hibabou (Heaven), the rites, prayers, and incantations (Rinait or Inaait) were lost and forgotten. This is when Suminundu sent a spirit to earth to teach the people about the rinait (ritual poem). The spirit came every evening, calling upon anyone brave enough to learn. The call was repeated for years but no one was brave enough to come forth until one day a brave woman went out and meet the spirit in the dark. She soon learned the art of rinait and rites from the spirit and passed it on to other women in the village. According to legend, because of the woman who was brave enough to meet the spirit, all bobohizan in the Kadazan of Penampang District as well on other Dusun areas was by custom, women only. Among the Kimaragang Dusun in the northern of Sabah, both women and men however can be bobolians although the spiritual powers and knowledge of the rinait of the former are stronger and better than those of the latter. == Roles ==

'' celebration A Bobohizan plays a pivotal role in a daily life of the Kadazan people before the advent of Christianity and Islam. This ranges from appeasing the rice spirit during Kaamatan festival and magavau ceremony, appeasing the skull spirits during the magang ceremony, appeasing and offering sacrifices to the spirits of the sacred jars (gusi) and to exorcise evil spirits. Bobohizans are also involved in charms, reading omens and to a lesser extent augury. The bobohizan in Penampang District are divided into the category as follows: • Potiang Bobohizan – Representing the interior and hilly district of Penampang. • ''Tanga'ah Bobohizan'' – Representing the inner of less developed area located near hills. • Kadazan Bobohizan – Representing the area of paddy field located near the city. , the unity hall of at Penampang District The three different groups can be identified through their different methods of rituals that involving different materials, plants and their ability to heal the sick. In the western coast of Sabah of Tuaran District, the bobolians of Lotud Dusun forms the foundation of the Lotud customary law that is recognised by the Native Court of Sabah through its mamanpang, a form of ritual poetry which is expressed in the form of the rinait that is contained within the sumalud healing ritual practised by the Lotud Dusun community in the district. Due to the demise of many bobohizans and tantagas either due to their old age and conversion to Christianity and Islam, which discourage the practice of rituals, many of the traditions have been lost. == See also ==