KENINGAU: A Sogit (ceremonial act of reconciliation or appeasement) ceremony performed at the Keningau Oath Stone by the Keningau Native Court on Wednesday serves as a strong reminder that the Oath Stone must not be taken lightly or disrespected by any party.
The ceremony was held following a controversy that erupted on social media earlier this year after three Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders and their entourage poured water over the Oath Stone using a dipper during their visit.
The ritual, steeped in traditional customs and conducted by Bobolian (ritual priest) Joseph Mitah, included chants and the sacrificial offering of a chicken, a domesticated pig and a cow.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});With the completion of the ceremony, the controversy surrounding the Oath Stone – which had sparked diverse perceptions among communities across the State, particularly in the Interior region where the historical significance of the Oath Stone is deeply understood, is now considered resolved.
Keningau District Chief OKK Daniel Palangi, when met after the ceremony, said the issue has now been settled with the proper observance of traditional rites.
He emphasised that in the future, any party – whether individuals, groups, or NGOs – intending to visit the Oath Stone must respect the local customs and traditions.
“They must inform the Native Court, as the custodian of customary practices, as well as the District Office beforehand if they wish to perform any ritual or ceremony at the Oath Stone,” he said.
He stressed the importance of sending a written notice and stating the purpose of the visit so the Native Court and District Office can provide guidance and explanation to those intending to conduct any ceremonial activity.
The ceremony was also attended by Keningau District Officer Peter Jonu Moinjil, community leaders, former traditional leaders and representatives of local ethnic associations.
Joseph, who has been involved in Oath Stone rituals since the age of 18, said the actions of the three PH leaders were not wrong if their intentions were sincere.
“In my view, the three meant no harm. They visited the Oath Stone with good intentions and their own purpose, but they slightly strayed in terms of honouring traditional customs,” he said in an exclusive interview at his home in Kampung Baru Bingkor last February.
He explained that they breached customary protocol by failing to inform the District Chief and District Officer, who are entrusted with the guardianship of the Oath Stone since its official establishment in 1964.
“Their only mistake was not notifying or consulting the Native Court, particularly the District Chief as the head of customary affairs,” he added.
“In other words, they entered the house without knocking or greeting the host first.
“They should have notified the District Chief beforehand if they had specific intentions and, ideally, informed a Bobolian so that the Bobolian could first convey a greeting to the spirit of the Oath Stone, which is believed to be still present today,” he said.
Joseph clarified that the Sogit was not imposed for pouring water on the Oath Stone, but rather as an act of reconciliation for violating customary protocol and to appease the spirit of the Oath Stone.
He reminded that anyone – whether locals or visitors – planning to perform a ceremony at the site must first inform the Native Court and the Bobolian.
“This is so that the Bobolian can properly address the spirit of the Oath Stone before any activity takes place,” he said.
According to Joseph, this has long been the customary practice among leaders at the district, State and even national levels.
The ceremony concluded with a Sogit meal served in the compound of the Keningau Native Court building.