THE SURVIVAL OF ADAT BERTIMBANG IN THE BAJAU COMMUNITY OF KAMPUNG BOLONG, TUARAN

Abstract

Before Islam was introduced in Malaysia, the majority of Bajau ethnic believe in animism. Along with the passage of time, there has been a cultural clash between Islam and the beliefs of the ancestors of the Bajau community in Sabah, then adapted according to the current situation and interests. Among the practices that still exist today is Adat Bertimbang, which is a ceremony of weighing babies born in the month of Muharam and Safar. The Bajau people believe that babies born in that month will bring disaster to themselves when they grow up. Therefore, Bertimbang is performed to supplicate to Allah SWT to keep the baby away from calamity for the rest of his life. The question is, why do the Bajau people continue the traditional customs of their ancestors? Based on a case study in Kg. Bolong, Tuaran, this article reveals the Factors of the Survival of Adat Bertimbang in the Bajau Community of Kampung Bolong, Tuaran. This study used a qualitative approach. Several informants were interviewed involving the elders of Kampung Bolong, Kampung Simpangan and Kampung Pulau Gaya Asal. The findings of the study conclude that there are two factors that cause the Adat Bertimbang is still accepted untill this day. First, the Adat Bertimbang is important from the point of view of spiritual healing, and second, the Adat Bertimbang has been aligned with the Islamic faith.