Hello everyone...Welcome to the second of the SEVEN mystic stories of the Kadazandusun. 

For today's article, I wish to share on the Three 7-tier of Kadazandusun World.  Honestly, this is a very new knowledge to me let alone most of my own community itself.  Before I begin, I would like to share this beautiful picture taken by our local talent Nelson Michael Jr., of the sacred mountain of the Kadazandusun people; the Mount Kinabalu. This mountain is also renowned as Aki Nabalu.  Aki Nabalu is very dear to the community and it a symbol of pride and strength of the local people. 

Photo source 

The Three 7-tier Kadazandusun World

The Kadazandusun have their own belief system in the world.  Those following my posts may recall that in Series #02 of the Origin of Kadazandusun, the Kinoingan (God of Kadazandusun) and Sumundu (the Wife) are the joint Creators of man, the universe, the earth and everything seen and unseen, known and unknown.  They also have a daughter and a son.  

Since the beginning, God and his Wife created Heaven, Earth and the Divine Spirits of both Heaven and earth.  Later on, God and His Wife created human beings on this earth.  They emplaced the divinity in humanity and the humanity in Divinity. Both the daughter and the son are the custodians of earth.  

To understand the Three 7-tier of Kadazandusun world better, I herein publish this photo based on the information given to me by Dr. Benedict, an anthropologist from the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA). 

The stories of the world of the Kadazandusun were told by the Shaman (Bobolian / Bobohizan) where they are the mediums in touch with the spirit world.  This is the reason why all the terms are described in Kadazandusun language.  It is understood that the Kadazandusun world was divided into three parts; Heaven, Earth and Hell.

> Heaven is the Upperworld or Libabou. The Lobabou is the summit of the sacred mountain of the Kadazandusun which is non other than Mount Kinabalu. For someone who passes away, his spirit will go to Limpompon, Lungkowon, Dongkirison, Sinorindak, Limunduk, Napantai and finally to Kopinturu.

> Meanwhile Earth, is known as the Middle World or Winorun where the human beings (Kadayan) live. The Winorun are described as Pinosiban, Pitas, Koroloiyon, Koisapan, Tudanon, Panakasan and Guanon.

> Eventually, Hell the Underworld or Kolungkud is described as Sondoton, Kotonuhon, Ponguluan, Linumpatiu, Namatai, Liniguk and Pusok Raat.

Please enjoy this picture of the stars taken at night in Sabah. Sabah is also well known as among the best spots in the world for Star Photography. Photo source

In conclusion of today's story, let me say that it has been quite challenging for me to write in depth stories about the 7 Mystics of the Kadazandusun world due to a lack of documentation available.  There is very limited material that can be easily sourced that provides for any detail explanations of these tiers.  Those who are really interested to do an in-depth study of the spiritual world of this tribe may only do so by interaction with any of the Shaman around.

Thank you for visiting my blog and stay tuned for Series #06.

Love and light

@madeve 

P/S  Again, my appreciation to my friend Nelson Michael Jr. for giving me his permission to use his beautiful photographs in this story.  This is part of my effort to promote local talents to boost the creative industries in my community.  Any reader would like to know more about Nelson's work can always check his Facebook.   

Kindly visit all of KOPISUNDUAN Series #01, #02, #03, #04

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If you feel that my 24th article and my effort has contributed to the educational views of the world, please feel to put your comment below or at least to upvote and follow me if you like.  I will appreciate all good comments as this will encourage me to keep on writing on socio-cultural and education that shall contribute towards the growth of creative industries and sustainable future of my people. 

Disclaimer: All writings are original scholarly works and proprietary. Please contact @madeve for the use of publication.