View source for Malaysian folk religion

Mahabub Alam Khan
==Overview==
There are different types of animism practiced throughout [[Malaysia]]. [[Shamanism]] is practiced especially by the [[Malay (ethnic group)|Malay]]s in [[Peninsular Malaysia]] by people known as ''[[bomoh]]s'', otherwise also known as ''dukun'' or ''pawang''. Most [[Orang Asli]]s (indigenous people) are animists and believe in spirits residing in certain objects. However, some have recently converted to mainstream religions due to state-sponsored [[Islam]]ic [[da'wah]] and evangelization by [[Christian]] missionaries. 

In [[East Malaysia]], animism is also practiced by an ever decreasing number of various [[Borneo]] tribal groups. The [[Malaysian Chinese|Chinese]] generally practice their folk religion which is also animistic in nature. The word "bomoh" has been used throughout the country to describe any person with knowledge or power to perform certain spiritual rituals including traditional healing – and as a substitute for the word "shaman". Generally speaking, Malaysians have deep [[superstition|superstitious]] belief, especially more so in the rural areas.

==History==
Historically, before the arrival and spread of [[Islam]] in the 15th century, and the spread of [[Christianity]] from the 19th century, the inhabitants in the land were either [[Hindus]] or animists. In the Peninsular, widespread [[Islamization|Islamification]] is said to have begun in 1409 after [[Parameswara (sultan)|Parameswara]] became [[Sultanate of Malacca|Sultan of Malacca]] and converted into Islam after marrying a princess from [[Pasai]]. Since then, other Sultanates in the Malay peninsula have adopted Islam. Also since then, and continuing after the independence of Malaysia, Islam played a central role in Malaysian society. 

Similarly in East Malaysia, animism was widespread prior to the arrival of [[Mission (Christian)|Christian missionaries]] from Europe. The practice of [[headhunting]] was quite common in these societies.<ref>Russell, Susan, [http://www.seasite.niu.edu/crossroads/russell/headhunting.htm "Head-hunting in Southeast Asia"], ''Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Northern Illinois University''. Accessed August 15, 2007.</ref> In [[Sabah]], the [[Kadazan-dusun]]s would worship [[Kinoingan]] or rice spirit and celebrate [[Kaamatan]] or harvest festival every year. During Kaamatan, there are certain rituals which has to be carried out by the high-priestesses known as the ''[[bobohizan]]s''. Today, most Kadazandusuns have adopted Christianity but some would still celebrate Kaamatan. However, the number of bobohizans has tremendously dropped and is in the brink of extinction.<ref name=dailyexpress>[http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=29782 "Set up knowledge academy on traditional healing: Pairin  "], ''Daily Express'', October 6, 2004.</ref> In [[Sarawak]], it has been said that the animism practiced by the [[Iban people|Ibans]] and other related groups is the most developed, elaborated, and intellectualized in the world.<ref>[[Richard Cavendish (occult writer)|Cavendish, Richard]], [[Man, Myth & Magic (encyclopedia)|"Man, Myth & Magic: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Supernatural (vol. 3)"]], New York: Marshall Cavendish Corp. (1970); [http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_29.html pg. 312]. Accessed August 13, 2007.</ref> Animism practice in East Malaysia is related to the religion of [[Kaharingan]] in [[Kalimantan]], [[Indonesia]], which has been recognised as an official religion by the Indonesian government. However, the rituals involved are not entirely similar with variations depending on the ethnic subgroups which practices it.

==Shamanism and traditional healing==
The shamanist bomohs or [[witch doctor]]s still practice their craft in Malaysia. The bomoh practice by Malays have been [[Syncretism|integrated]] into Islam and is not forbidden.<ref name=islamonline>[http://www.islamonline.net/english/Science/2002/10/article16.shtml "Malaysian Bomoh Practitioners: a Dying Breed"], ''Islam Online''. Accessed August 12, 2007.</ref> They are also known as [[traditional medicine|traditional healers]] and sometimes serve as an alternative to conventional modern medicine. However, the practice has sometimes been viewed negatively by Malaysian society as in some instances bomohs have the power to cast spells (jampi) and have used them on other people with ill effects. The number practitioners of bomohs has also dropped.<ref name="islamonline" />

The bobohizans of Sabah are also shamanistic and are traditional healers. They also act as a [[Mediumship|medium]] to communicate with spirits and play an important role in the rituals involved during Kaamatan.

Recently there has been suggestions for the need and importance to preserve the practice of bomohs and other shamans as traditional healers and to complement or substitute conventional modern medicine.<ref name="dailyexpress" /><ref>[http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/printable.php?id=184419 "Bomoh And Malays Are Inseparable, Says Don"], ''Bernama'', March 8, 2006.</ref>

==Chinese folk religion==
Today most of the Chinese population in Malaysia are [[Buddhism|Buddhists]], while the rest are Confucianists, Taoists, Christians, and a small number of Muslims and Hindus. Most Chinese still adhere to the [[Chinese folk religion|Chinese folk belief system]] or [[ancestor worship]] in tandem with their (mainstream) religion. However, some have stopped practising this religion after adopting a mainstream religion which prohibits animism or [[idolatry]]. As is the case in [[China]], the practice of this religion is not documented by the government for statistics purpose. Thus the number of followers in Malaysia can only be estimated.
{{see also|Malaysian Chinese religion}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Animism In Malaysia}}
[[Category:Religion in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Malaysian society]]
[[Category:Anthropology of religion]]
[[Category:Asian shamanism]]
[[Category:Animism]]