Religions and Beliefs/ Contents

Rituals and festivals

Juli Edo and Joseph Fung Jee Vui

The combination of beliefs and healing systems involve many major and minor rituals which are associated with healing, agriculture and the seasons although some of these now take a celebratory form rather than a purely religious form. Placation of spirits to give thanks, ask for protection and guidance or to avert their anger is of primary concern, and rituals for different occasions can include animal sacrifices and almost always, food offerings. Harvest festivals are major celebrations for many groups while rites of passage are held at important stages of life.

  • Information in the full article includes
  • Orang Asli rites of passage
  • Orang Asli death rituals
  • Orang Asli harvest and festivities
  • Healing and other rituals in Sabah and Sarawak
  • Rites of passage in Sabah and Sarawak
Mah meri

Masks of the Mah Meri spirit Moyang Tinggi (with black headdress), a house protector spirit, are commonly kept in village homes.