The Rice Spirit Feeding: Symbolic Meaning And Functions In Kadazandusun Community Beliefs

Abstract

The rice spirit feeding ceremony is a vital part of the cultural heritage of the Kadazandusun community, serving as a sign of respect for the rice spirit, which is believed to bring abundant harvests. This study aims to examine the symbolic meaning and functions of this ceremony within the Kadazandusun community in Kampung Toboh Laut, Keningau, Sabah, and to outline the preparation process for the required equipment and materials. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach based on ethnographic research, data were collected through unstructured interviews and direct observation. The key informant is a traditional figure selected using a purposive sampling method. The findings reveal that the implementation of the ceremony involves several stages, including the preparation of leaves, chicken slaughtering, rice packing, tapai preparation, and mongokori. Two specific mantras are chanted during the ritual, namely Papaakan Bambarayon and Rinait Mongokori. The incantations 'koridok, koridok, koridok bambarayon' and 'korihi, korihi, korihi pokotiru' within the mantras signify polite manners in summoning the rice spirit. Furthermore, the blood of the slaughtered chicken symbolizes the fertility of the rice crop, while the mangantalob serves to reinforce dining ethics within the community. Ultimately, the expressions in the mantras and the ritual artifacts carry distinct symbolic meanings and functions for the Kadazandusun community at the study site. This study offers significant implications for the preservation of cultural heritage and language as core pillars of the Kadazandusun identity.

Keywords: Rice spirit feeding, Kadazandusun, ethnographic study, mantras, rice, cultural heritage