Sabahans usher in New Year with ‘buang sial’ ritual

Tuesday January 1, 2008

KOTA KINABALU: The New Year is a time to party – but many Sabahans prefer to jump in the river or sea instead.

It is a ritual they call “buang sial” or “cleansing of bad luck” dip.

Cleansing dip: Mohd Yusof and his friends jumping into the sea on the eve of New Year at the Tanjung Aru beach in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

Roads leading to the popular Tanjung Aru beach were clogged with heavy traffic late yesterday as city folk made a beeline to the coastline to take the traditional cold dip in the South China Sea.

Although the beach celebration was a moderate affair, many Sabahans also took the opportunity to throw barbecue parties among families, friends and relatives.

Mohamad Yusof Yaakub, 30, said he hoped 2008 would be a better year for him and his family with the buang sial ritual.

He decided to perform the traditional dip with his wife and daughter after his house was razed on Sept 28.

Tuaran resident Radolph Lagakung, who has performed the ritual for years, said it was right thing to do. “We may get bad luck if we don’t do it.”

Policemen were also deployed to the beach to keep an eye on the revellers.

Many kampung folk throughout the state also held similar buang sial rituals at rivers.

While the traditionalist took to the water, many other city folk ushered in 2008 with an all-night street party at Asia City Complex.

The city also saw a colourful firework display at midnight.

Hotels, clubs and pubs hosted New Year parties for patrons.

Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman called on Sabahans to work harder in 2008 to further improve their socio-economic position.