Reliving Kadazan wedding rituals
By Lorena Binisol WEDDINGS today, even Kadazan ones, are no longer what they used to be.
Now, it’s all about modern fashion, the IT, video and fanciful adornments.
Yet there are some who still yearn for the old customs and traditions.
Many Kadazan families feel that if not continued, these traditions would soon disappear.
One such occasion at KDCA, Penampang, that saw old customs and traditions being observed was the union of Chloe Bimbinzangan Majinbon and Rian Sanseh Masi.
There was ‘Miohon Pinisi’ a symbolic gesture as the beginning of new life for the couple.
The bride and groom would feed each other with simple meal of rice, meat (chicken) and soup.
While some words were recited when seated together.
It was Molly Luping, Chloe’s 80-year-old grandmother, who insisted that the ‘Miohon Pinisi’ be included and was a must during her teenage years.
Molly could still relate clearly what the rituals that were followed when she was growing up meant.
Today, she wants to impart the knowledge to the present generation, even though they may no longer be pure Kadazan couples but from mixed marriage.
Chloe, who has Kadazan-Chinese blood, married her sweetheart Rian Sanseh Masi of Murut and German parentage. It was a blend of cultures set and presented beautifully on their special day that made the wedding unique.
Chloe’s mother, Esther Sikayun, said her daughter’s second name “Bimbizagan” meant butterfly.
Molly emphasised that the cultural importance of not forgetting these rituals among the future generation even though their partners may come from different cultural backgrounds so as to present some aspects of Kadazan identity.
“Today, it is my granddaughter’s special day and I insist that the tradition be carried out well and precise.
It sends a clear message to our guests that we as Kadazans, are rich in culture and ought to be proud of what we have and who we are.”
True to sticking to tradition, the couple had their traditional wedding a week after the church wedding.
While wedding guests would normally sign their names on the attendance book provided, at Chloe’s wedding, a jar was placed on the middle of the table to allow guests to write their names on it.
This unique way of signing guests’ attendance was the idea of Esther, Chloe’s mother.
“A jar was given to me by my mother. It was originally owned by my grandmother and I treasure it very much.
I was thinking very hard how I could make use of the jar at Chloe’s wedding. Then, I had the idea of using it as a ‘guest book.’
“I thought it is more useful that way instead of the usual guest book as it (book) will be kept away in a drawer and forgotten while the jar can be displayed in the living room and constantly remind everyone about the wedding and their invitees,” Esther explained.
Inside the hall, guests who had arrived earlier were serenaded with songs of yesteryear.
The ambience was relaxing and somehow good and active vibes were felt. It was as though everyone inside the hall were reminiscing the good old times.
One of the old songs played was, “Bimbizangan”, which happened to be the bride’s second name.
While the merry making was going on, the emcee announced that the newlyweds would soon make their grand entry.
It was a pleasant surprise, indeed, when a replica of a buffalo carrying Chloe caught the attention of the guests.
It was pulled by the hero, none other than the groom!
Blasius Binjua, the narrator of the ‘Miohon Pinisi’ said the, buffalo was central to the Kadazan community as it gave life to the people, sacrificed itself in many ways such as being a ‘vehicle’ in those days and even as food.
“The replica of a buffalo carrying the bride was another beautiful symbolic gesture that this animal was part of our ancestors’ life in the early days. It was and still is a symbol of strength and unity.
“By parading it at this wedding added to the excitement and, at the same time, reminded all present of their forefathers,” said Blasius.
In a way, it was educational given that not many Kadazans are into paddy farming these days, with even Penampang’s once expensive paddy fields reduced to a few disjointed patches here and there, largely in the Kodundungan area near Gunsing as land became more expensive and the temptation to sell was greater.
Just before the couple began the “Miohon Pinisi” session which was conducted on the stage, they had to step on a stone placed at the bottom of the stairs while granny Molly recited some verses which was then translated by Blasius in English.
The verses said were as follows, during the stepping on a stone session Molly: Rian om Chloe, Nah! Siungan ku iziozu diti suing, do pongumohig do onu nopo ih tangalaat do dumonto.
(Rian and Chloe, please put on this hat as a symbol of the guardian in your life. It shall be your shield for life to protect both of you from harm and all evil.)
Molly: Rian om Chloe, Saakoi kou no diti hamin diozu, om impau kou no diho vatu do pampang, ih tokodou ii au miho do ababak. Om ingkaa nogi oh pogigizon diozu do sogigisom, okodou om opinto tomoimo, miaga diti vatu pampang tu au miho ababak.
(Rian and Chloe, as you enter your house, step on the stone, not an ordinary stone but a solid rock.
Strong and firm and it does not fall apart nor disintegrate, and so shall your family of love remain strong, firm and unimpaired till the end of time.)
Molly: Iti no ngavi o pomokis ku diozu.
(As my blessing, I shall sprinkle you with this bundle of assorted fresh leaves – symbol of love of our ancestors and I pass down to both of you.)
Miohon Pinisi session (first meal of the newly weds) Molly: Nah, akano no diozu ino naig, naig do kotimpuunan diozu do iso paganakan tavasi.
(Take this ball of rice, as it is sacred among our Kadazan race. It signifies life.
This is an important sign of the beginning of a good family.)
Molly: Om iupo’ no diozu ino napa do soko miampai do tonsi manuk.
(Take this soup of bamboo shoots and chicken.)
Molly: Poing nopo nga tikid vuhan do momusoko, om ingkaa kou nogi.
(Bamboo shoots sprout in abundance and so shall you multiply in the same manner) Molly: Inumo no siozu ino nasi, ih vonod mantad naig sinasadan om navangun mantad paai tosundu.
Abagos nopo do moobuvat om tomoimo do kipaai. Kipaai nopo om tomoimo do kaakan, koinum om kiva pizunguan om piobohutan.
(Drink the rice wine, the essence of the fermented rice which comes from the sacred paddy.
When we sweat and toil our land there is paddy. When we have paddy, we’ll have enough to eat, drink and good fellowship and friendship.)
Blasius later explained that this was how weddings were celebrated as taught by the forefathers since time immemorial. It was at one time forgotten through the passage of time but now being revived because of the undying spirits of our people for the sake of the young generation. Esther recalled her own wedding some 30 years ago to William Majinbon where it became a turning point for her family to keep the tradition alive.
Chinese tradition was very much practised then as her husband, William, was a Buddhist then and his family were strongly practising Chinese culture such as tea ceremony and other rites.
“Mum realised that we had nothing to show on our side, whereas on my husband’s side, they were well prepared with the Chinese custom during our wedding.
I was naïve and just followed what my in-laws had prepared for us, such as the tea ceremony which I thought was something nice and beautiful to be part of it as it created great bonding and exciting too,” she smiled.
Molly recalled at Esther’s wedding in 1987 there wasn’t any preparation of Kadazan rituals as none of them thought any of it. However, Molly’s brother, Herman (Tan Sri Herman Luping) confronted her ‘Nunu di do tokou?” Nokuo tu aiso ponong dotokou? (what happen to our (Kadazan) ritual? Why are we not carrying out ours?” Molly recalled her brother questioning her.
“It was a turning point for me and Herman to immediately think of including the Miohon Pinisi at the wedding.
With little time to prepare, we managed to have a simple Miohon Pinisi session. Esther said their customs and traditions handed down by the ancestors were priceless and akin to being the family jewels.
Mary Coleman, Esther’s older sibling flew from New Zealand with her husband to witness Chloe’s wedding.
“This is definitely the wedding of the century for me,” said Mary who was impressed with the efforts to revive the original Kadazan wedding ceremony.
She hoped other couples would do so to ensure continuity.
Molly said because many of these traditions have not been written down, the fact that they are on video would ensure they would not be forgotten. Molly’s eldest son, Datuk John Sikayun, agreed, saying traditional events like Miohon Pinisi are nothing new and that many Kadazan weddings had included this as part of the programme.
However, it should be elaborated and explained in more detail so that audience would understand the meaning behind such event. “Mum has all the information first-hand because she experienced it, she participated in it, she talks fondly about it and she is passionately sharing it to anyone who wants to know further.
Therefore, whatever knowledge or evidence she has is reliable and authentic”.
“I heard about it, I witnessed it and now I am part of the beautiful and meaningful ceremony,” said Chloe who is determined to keep this tradition alive in her family so that she can hand down whatever knowledge and memory about it to her children in future.
“What is the point of calling ourselves Kadazan if we do not appreciate our own culture and language.
Such priceless and beautiful aspects should be upheld forever. This is the only invaluable legacy we have,” said Chloe.
