Cosmology and world-view among the Bajau: the supernatural beliefs and cultural evolution

Halina Sendera Mohd Yakin (2013) Cosmology and world-view among the Bajau: the supernatural beliefs and cultural evolution. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 4 (9). pp. 184-194. ISSN 2039-2117

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Abstract

The focal objective of this paper is to elucidate the cosmology and world-view among the Bajau society by focusing on certainsymbols in death rituals namely the bangkai-bangkaian, duang and ngeduang as well as the mayang pinang and kelambu jomo matai. The existence of those symbols reveals that the Bajau believes in the supernatural beings and power. However,due to modernization, the phenomenon of cultural transformation has become massive and difficult to avoid, and has brought anew dimension in the way of thinking among the Bajau contemporary. Based on these symbols and rituals of death, theresearcher sketches a model of Bajau cosmology. This qualitative study employs semiotic and nonverbal communication perspectives as well as the structural approach. The data has been obtained mostly by interviews and participant observationcarried out at Kampung Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia. This study is expected to build a positive contribution in the effort todocument and preserve traditional cultural heritage of the Bajau society

Item Type: Article
Keyword: Bajau, Cosmology, World-view, Death Customs/Rituals, Supernatural Beliefs, Cultural Evolution
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Department: CENTRE > Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning
Depositing User: ADMIN ADMIN
Date Deposited: 20 Dec 2016 11:33
Last Modified: 25 Oct 2017 10:29
URI: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/15267

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