Works of the Tinalangan: Siblings who went missing after hearing ‘noises’ return home (2012)

KOTA KINABALU: Two siblings, including a seven-year-old boy, who were reported missing for more than a week have returned home.


Jaxfelix Calvin Goekan, and his sister Suina Goekan, 27, who were last seen near an electric transformer in the village around 1.30pm on July 26, returned to their home at Kampung Kirurau Pulutan, Menggatal around 9am, yesterday.

Their mother, Taini Sumping, 54, said her children returned home around 9am looking tired and weak, but did not show any signs of physical abuse.

“I could not believe my eyes when my two children suddenly returned home by themselves after being missing for almost a week.

”I was doing my morning chores when I peeked outside my window hoping to see my children and to my surprise, they were sitting outside.

”I quickly ran downstairs to bring them in and fed them rice and a few dishes I had prepared earlier for the rest of my children,” said Taini when met at Likas Hospital yesterday.

According to the mother of six, Calvin and Suina heard many voices while they were walking home but realized that there was actually nobody there.

“They said they tried to walk home after running away from the noises they heard, but could not find their way home for some mysterious reason. They also did not mention of any foul play by anyone.

”Many local villagers believe that it was the ‘tinalangan’, a mystic creature which misled people into the forest and they will get lost for days. I don’t know what to think. I am just happy that they are home,” she said.

Taini is glad that her children have finally returned home while she waited patiently in Likas Hospital yesterday.

Taini said Calvin and Suina were surviving on ‘liposu’ (a local sour fruit) and pineapples that they found while wandering in the forest as well as drinking water from a river for eight days.

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped in every way they could, especially those who have dedicated prayers to our family,” she said.

Likas Hospital officials could not release much information about the health conditions of the siblings but they appeared to be stable as of press time.

Calvin received treatment to his feet, believed to be due to the non-stop walking for eight days and both siblings were given IV drips.

“We are keeping a close eye on both Calvin and Suina as they appear to be very weak and seem to be suffering from dehydration.

“We will update family members if there are any updates on the siblings’ health condition,” said one of the doctors who was attending to Calvin and Suina.

The doctor however wished not to be named.

Calvin and Suina were reported missing on Thursday, July 26 in Kampung Kirurau Pulutan, Menggatal, while Suina was allegedly walking Calvin home from school that day.

Sources say that they were last seen at a location nearby an electricity transformer in Kampung Kirurau Pulutan at about 1.30pm the day they were reported missing.

A day-long search effort which involved locals, the police, Fire and Rescue Department, People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA) and the Civil Defense Department (JPAM) failed to retrieve any clues to the whereabouts of Calvin and Suina.

The case had also sparked a massive awareness and information effort on social networking website, Facebook with details of the case and a picture of Calvin being spread since last weekend.

(Source from: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/08/04/siblings-who-went-missing-after-hearing-noises-return-home-update/#ixzz2LVaU4pFM)

Tompuvan: The Kadazandusun Fairy

The Kadazandusun fairy or known as "Tompuvan"  in the Tangaah district is a female person who has been cast away or who has became an outcast of the community or society in which she belonged. She has been cast away because of jealousy and hatred towards her - many believe because she was beautiful - by a vengeful person or witch.

The vengeful witch, using the power of the occult put a curse on the poor beautiful person and reduced her to become a "stray", a zombie-like person who by day, became hideous in looks and by night, beautiful.

But she is made to wander in the jungle or forests and lived in the Nunuk tree or bayan tree or fig trees, whose fruits are the favourites of Orang Utan, birds and other forest dwellers. The Tompuvan - meaning cursed outcast beings - also prefer to live under the canopy of the Nunuk Tree.

The Kadazandusun opinion of the Tompuvan is that she is not evil, but cursed, but that this curse could one day be erased and she could one day be erased and she could return to her original being again. But she is seen as a person with long hair, down to her waist, flowing behind her as she runs in the forest to avoid the humans. The Tompuvan was either dressed in long black gown or white and never wore any veil to cover the head.

Harvest Festival Series ~ Which Dialectial Ethnic Groups belong to Kadazandusun?

The term “Kadazandusun” was conscientiously debated and unanimously passed at the 5th KCA Delegates Conference (November 4th & 5th, 1989), as the best alternative approach to resolve the “Kadazan” or “Dusun” identity crisis that had crippled and impeded the growth and development of the Kadazandusun multi-ethnic community socio-culturally, economically and politically ever since the Kadazanism versus Dusunism sentiment was politicized in the early 1960′s. With combined self and collective confidence and determination, there is every reason for the Kadazandusuns to succeed in finally establishing a common cultural identity for a united, cooperative and progressive community.

For at last (even as we are multi-ethnic), we have found a unifying sense of dignity and brotherhood in the reference to ourselves as Kadazandusuns, which means: Divinity in Humanity.

The Kadazandusun Cultural Association’s (KDCA) constitution, Article 6 (1) defines the Kadazandusuns as the definitive indigenous peoples of Sabah comprising the following dialectical ethnic groups:

Bonggi	Lundayo	Sukang
Bundu	Makiang	Sukang
Dumpas	Malapi	Sungei
Gana	Mangkaak	Tatana
Garo	Minokok	Tangara
Ida’an	Murut	Tidong
Kadayan	Nabai	Tindal
Kimaragang	Paitan	Tobilung
Kolobuan	Pingas	Tolinting
Kuijau	Rumanau	Tombonuo
Lingkabau	Rungus	Tuhawon
Liwan	Sinobu	Tutung
Lobu	Sinorupu	Bisaya
Lotud	Sonsogon

and persons whose mother tongue is any of the above dialect and who habitually practices and expresses the traditions, custom and other cultural manifestations of the same.

Sources: KDCA

Animal Charms

Besides the superstitions of the natives mentioned previously, one of the interesting things that you could relate to tourist is the native’s beliefs in animal charms. For it is amazing to know how they make good use of these animals and the belief that animals have magic powers which could bring them luck.

Take for example, the gecko or house lizard. Usually it has only one tail. But if by chance it is branched, then try to catch it because it is supposed to bring luck if you are a gambler. When you catches it one must try not to break the tail or the charms will be lost.

The charm of a snake is probably the most outstanding of all animal charms. It is said to have the power of making a person invisible. Look for a snake that is just casting off its skin. Take hold of its tail and wait until the snake moves away. Immediately after that, tie the abandoned skin around the waist. It will make the user invisible, whenever he wants to be. A soldier to have this around him make him fight courageously without fear of death.

A gambler may also look for snake who is half swallowing a frog or rat. If he is brave enough he will chop off the snake’s head with its victim and keep it. But the half swallowed creature should never be pulled out, otherwise the value will be lost forever. This charm can also be used when running long distances.

The next charmer is the mousedeer or the ‘Pelanduk’. Normally, a pelanduk has no horns. It therefore sound unusual that a hunter is always on the look-out for a horned mousedeer. If he is lucky indeed and find one, in order to shoot it he has to take off all his clothing quietly. The carcass must then be left rot for a few days before the little horn can be taken. This precious little horn is said serve as a valuable omulet. It will make the user invisible. He will not be harm by any weapon or bullet. However, before using it, it is advisable to try the charm on any living thing. This is a precaution because the charm might not work.

If you want to have the strength or energy for running or for field events, try catching a centipede chasing after a lizard. Immediately catch both and put them into a bamboo container. Let them be there for a day or two to die until only their skeletons are left. After that wrap them in a piece of black cloth. Tie it around the arm or the waist. Anyone who has it is supposed to move like wind.

It is also belief that during childbirth, a certain evil spirit known as ‘belan-belan’ will come to suck the mother’s blood. So to prevent its from smelling the blood of the mother a tail of a shark should be kept in order to protect the newborn baby and the mother. Some branches of the lime tree should also be hang around the house. A large fire lit beside it.

If you have cats, watch out for a kitten with a spotted fur, which is ofter black, white and yellow in colour. Normally, either male or female cats do not have spotted furs. However, if a spotted female kitten if found, the owner certainly has all the luck she can hope for !


Sources: KDCA, Joana K-Kissey, "Superstitions"

Superstitions

Every race in the world holds its own superstitions. The natives of Sabah believe in many superstitions which we find hard to believe nowadays. Superstitions mostly concern the bringing about of good or bad luck.
When a man is on his way to the jungle to hunt wild pigs or birds for food, he will be very careful not to meet a snake. If a snake suddenly moves across his path he will turn back home, for he believes that if he goes on he will not catch anything.

When it rains during sunny days, young children, especially when going outdoors, must slip a piece of lalang grass behind their ears. This is because during this time devils are about wandering and playing in the rain, and if one happens to walk about and be seen by them, they will disturb him and make him ill. But if one has a blade of grass behind one’s ears, one will not be harmed, for the devils this piece of grass appears to be like a sharp sword and they will not dare to come near.

When clearing the jungle to build a house, first an offering will be made on he sport, especially when a big tree is nearby. This is like an offer of respect or a sign of asking for permission. The offering usually consists of a pig, a white chicken and rice. The pig and the chicken will first be killed. After the house has been built and occupied, if then a member of the family falls ill, it is believed that the devil is still there. He is given a second offering and if after that the patient does not get better, the people will move to another place.
It is also believed to be bad luck if one stumbles on a stone or a piece of wood on the road; if one continues to walk one will meet danger. To avoid this the person must turn back and walk forward once again. This is called ‘kasadu’ or stumbling; the Malay word is ‘tesandung’.

If a person sneezes it is believed that someone is saying his name. In the case of young people they are teased that their lovers are thinking of them.

Young children are forbidden to point at rainbows; if they do, their fingers will be bent and become stiff. If the rainbow is very low behind the hills, it is believed that a tragic accident will happen.

Young men are not allowed to whistle during the night, because this will invite the devils to come.

If someone is sweeping and accidentally touches someone else’s leg or part of the body, he must spit on the broom in order to be clear of the bad luck from the broom.

Whenever you are picnicking by a river in the jungle, example at Kionsom Waterfalls, be sure to ‘throw’ some food to the guardians of the place before you eat your food, becouse you’ll be ill when you return.
If someone offers you food just before you leaves their house, you must take it. If not you will be ‘kopunan’ or something bad will happen to you on your way.

During pregnancy, a women must care not to ridicule any animals or handicapped person. It is believed that the baby may be born with such traits.


Folktales, legend and superstitions formed part of the Oral Tradition of the native people of Sabah. It is therefore of importance to have some knowledge of the above and relate them in your own words to the visitors. These are part of things that will make their stay as well as the places and people they visit more interesting.


Sources: KDCA, Joana K-Kissey "Superstitions"

Harvest Festival Series ~ The Legend of Batu Punggol (Punggol Stone or Rock)

Batu Punggol or stone stump is a stone which stands firmly and has the shape of a tree trunk. This stone is situated about 24 miles from the Sapulot airstrip. It is about 400 feet high and has a circumference of about one miles.

Green dot marks the location (near Keningau district)

If you are to visit this place, here is a legend about this stone.

Inside the cave in Batu Punggol

The Muruts say that once there were six brothers who only one sister.she was most beautiful girl in the village at that time and they loved her very much. During thet time, before Batu Punggol appeared in the world, there was one stone which had a similar shape as Batu Punggol situated out the upper Sapulut river. On top this stone there was an animal called ‘Tudoh’ or Skunk whichproduced sting odour that could that could kill hundreds of people who stayed near the stone. These six brothers and their sister hated this animal so much they planned to kill it.

One morning, without thinking about their plan, they decided to cut the stone, but their attempt failed. During the night their sister dreamed that they could destroy the stone only by using ‘tulang dayong’ or shoulder blade, that was present in ‘Landak Tunggal’ or Porcupine which lived in that area. The next morning she told her dream to her brothers. After they had heard their sister’s story they went straight away to the forest to make a trap for catching the animal. At first they used a big log to trap the animal but again they failed. At last they found a new method to catch the animal by using a banana tree. This time they managed to catch the animal and slaughter it.

They ate the meat and then fixed the bones together and make them into an axe for cutting the stone.
Before they cut down the stone they put their sister on one of the stones which were not far away from them. The stone which the six brother cut down fell into the Sapulot river but the stone on which they had put their sister taller and taller. When they turned back to see their sister they were very surprised to see her on the top of the stone crying for help. With angry blows they cut the stone down. The peak of the stone broke and was believed to have been thrown all the way to Tenom Lama, and it is now called Batu Pinuto. This stone can be found between Tenom and Pangi, and the train passes through a tunnel in the stone. But the six brothers could not find where their beloved in order to look for the lost sister.

Story courtesy: KDCA
Photo courtesy: flyingdusun.com; andy-g.com

Harvest Festival Series ~ Mt Kinabalu as a Resting Place

The early Kadazan/Dusun also used to believe that when a person dies, the soul will go up to Mount Kinabalu to rest. It is therefore advisable that whenever one wants to climb the mountain, an offering must be made to the ‘pogigion’ or those dwellers around Kinabalu or something bad will befall on you.

When I first climb the mountain in 1976, my mother told me not to say anything about going up there because the spirit would come to know of my intention and something terrible might happen.

“When you are climbing,” she said, “You must walk silently. Do not pluck anything or those dwellers will follow you home and make you sick”.

Sources: KDCA
Photo courtesy: flickr.toonmanimage.com