Beliefs and Myths

Jun 6, 2015
2 min read

Mount Kinabalu

I was just talking to my neighbour, Jennifer this morning on the recent earthquake that happened in Sabah. She shown concern if I had any relatives that were effected and asked what do I think about the earthquake. I told her as a local Sabahan, we believe that this was due to the recent trip of climbers exposing themselves on the peak of Mount Kinabalu.

Mt Kinabalu to the local is a sacred place. Sadly the Mountain is not happy of this disrespect. She said maybe can it be the earthquake in other countries. I told her that it was such a coincidence that this catastrophy happened just after the incident. According to our beliefs and customs, in order to appease the guardians, we must ‘sogit’ and ask for forgiveness.

This comes in the form of gifts, food and prayers. If this is not done immediately, the after effects will be for generations.

It is funny how culture and upbringing comes in the picture when we are talking about this. Where ever we origin, we are much alike in culture and etiquette when we sum it up. Respect. We were brought up when we go to people’s house to greet the host and thank them when we leave.

Behave, behave ourselves.

This valuable training has been in grained in me whenever I travelled, work or pleasure. Houses, hotels, restuarants, beaches, islands, jungles, parks, hills, mountains, oceans, airports etc. It had saved me in more ways than one.

I remembered an incident when I was in a Traditional dance Group, my friend and I were checking in our room and she said I hope there were no ghosts. In the middle of the night, I found her possessed. This happened again, when I was in the Girl Guides and attended an International Youth Camp@Lok Kawi Beach site. I woke up and a few of my friends were possessed.

My tip is whenever you enter a new place, introduce yourself and tell them you come in peace and thank them for looking after you. When you leave, thank them again. Learn about the sensitivity and culture of the place helps too.

Trust and you will be at peace.

In the meantime, my heart goes out to my people in Sabah who are affected, the Climbers currently stranded and all the rescue workers that are working tirelessly to bring those to safety.