Mamahui Pogun

The **Mamahui Pogun** is a community-wide ceremony of the **Lotud Dusun** from Tuaran, Sabah, Malaysia. This ceremony is held every few years whenever the Lotud believe the universe has become impure and unbalanced, causing major environmental and social catastrophes.

The ceremony is characterized by special gong ensemble music and dance, particularly in the ritual climax of the Mamahui Pogun. This climax is the highlight of the whole ceremonial series that extends over several weeks, because it not only marks the conclusion but is believed to signify the complete merging of the physical and spiritual realms and ends with the sacrifice of three piglets.

Two particular types of music are played during the climax. One, known as **ginandang popotumbui**, accompanies the solemn circular dancing of the priestesses (tantagas), and the other, known as **mojumbak**, expresses joy at the success of the ceremonies. The Lotud believe various deities participate in the ceremonial proceedings and are each represented by a tantagas.

The solemn ritual dancing (mangain) accompanied by the gong music at the climax symbolizes the complete interaction between the physical and spiritual dimensions. The Lotud believe that their ritual gong music is of primary importance in the Mamahui Pogun, and that dancing accompanied by the music during the climax is a manifestation of the pact that is ratified between the human and spiritual worlds.

It’s worth noting that the Mamahui Pogun is also known as “Cleansing the Universe”¹. It’s a symbol of the strength of the Lotud’s heritage and serves as a reminder to the community of the importance of maintaining their traditions.