MAGAHAU RUNGUS: DARI UPACARA RITUAL KE PESTA KERAMAIAN

Magahau merupakan perayaan tradisional yang disambut secara meriah dan besar-besaran oleh komuniti Rungus di daerah Kudat, Sabah. Istilah magahau membawa pengertian sebagai berpesta, mengadakan keramaian atau mengadakan kenduri. Kehidupan seharian etnik Rungus dahulu terikat dengan amalan kepercayaan tradisi, adat istiadat dan pantang larang yang telah diwarisi. Dengan demikian, perayaan magahau hanya akan dijalankan setelah semua upacara ritual selesai dilakukan. Etnik Rungus mempercayai bahawa amalan penyertaan upacara ritual dalam perayaan magahau adalah penting bagi tujuan keselamatan dan perlindungan mereka daripada gangguan kuasa ghaib. Bagaimanapun, etnik Rungus tidak lagi meneruskan amalan dan kepercayaan ini bersesuaian dengan perubahan kehidupan semasa etnik Rungus. Menerusi kajian etnografi, kajian ini menganalisis sistem kepercayaan dan amalan tradisi etnik Rungus melalui persembahan magahau. Hasil pemerhatian dan analisis mendapati bahawa transisi kehidupan komuniti Rungus telah mengubah konsep magahau dari upacara ritual ke pesta keramaian. Kajian seumpama ini penting sebagai usaha memelihara warisan ini untuk rujukan generasi akan datang.   Magahau is a traditional celebration renowned by the Rungus community in Kudat district, Sabah. The term magahau carries the meaning of partying, holding a crowd or having a feast. The daily life of the Rungus ethnicity was once tied to the practice of traditional beliefs, customs and even taboos that had been inherited. Thus, the magahau will only be carried out after all the ritual ceremonies have been performed. Ethnic Rungus believes that the practice of ritual ceremonial participation in the magahau festival is important for the purpose of their safety and protection from the interference of supernatural forces. However, the Rungus ethnicity no longer continues with this practice and belief is in line with the changing life during the Rungus ethnicity. Through ethnographic studies, this study analyzed the belief system and practices of Rungus ethnic traditions through magahau performances. The results of observations and analysis have found that the transition of life of the Rungus community has changed the concept of magahau, from ritual ceremonies to crowd parties. Such studies are important as a measure to preserve this heritage for future generations of reference.