In Malaysia, religions are not supposed to communicate with each other or all hell will break loose. Another religion or belief that has crossed into the Malay belief  in Malaysia is those practiced by the Chinese.

Wearing a Kopiah (head cap) and sarong and holding Keris in its right hand, this idol clearly depict a Malay

A majority of the Chinese in Malaysia claim to be Buddhist or Taoist, though the lines between them are often blurred and, typically, a syncretic Chinese religion incorporating elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and traditional ancestor-worship is practised, with the fact that each individual follows it in varying degrees. About 9.6% are Christian (Mainstream Protestants, Catholics and other denominations including a fast-growing number of Evangelicals and Charismatics) and a small number (0.7-1.0%) profess Islam as their faith.

To put it simply, other Asian religions is based on local belief and the nature to worship. Datoks could be remnants of pre-Islamic era in Malaysia. Before the Islamic religious authorities started to clearly define what Islam is and is not, the worship of Datoks and Keramats were widespread among Malay and Indian Muslims. By that time, Na Toks worshipping have taken root in the local Chinese spiritual beliefs. In Malay pagan spirits are usually called jin kafir while guardian spirits are called penunggu. Penunggu usually means watchman, guard or attendant. The worship of Datoks among Malays and Indian Muslims have declined steadily after the authorities clamped down on such activities and nowadays are secluded.

Datoks and Keramats were seen as an alternative power to help in spiritual healing and grant protection. Mediums (Bomoh) were engaged to enable communication between worshippers with the Datoks and Keramats. The Datoks and Keramats include spirits residing in trees, stones and even the spirits of well known local Muslim religious teachers (worshipped at their graves).

It is not clear why the Chinese, having their own earth deity can easily accept the Datoks into their religious pantheon. May be they need a local deity to gain more spiritual protection. Datoks are known to grant winning TOTO or lottery numbers to worshippers. That could be one reason Datoks were absorbed into the Malaysian Chinese religious pantheon.

Malaysian Chinese’s definition

To most Malaysian Chinese, the Na Tok Kong / Na Tuk Kong (Hokkien : Da Tok Kong) is a local guardian spirit that resides in trees, ant hills, caves, riversides and in strange stone formations. A Na Tok Kong worship usually begin after a person is granted vision of the Na Tok’s spiritual form. Some common forms are a white tiger and the form of an old man dressed in white. A Na Tok Kong can also be ‘invited’ to reside outside (never indoors) a family home for spiritual protection and luck. Some people build small shrines by the road for this deity.

Strictly Local and Halal offering for a Muslim Deity

Dato Haji Keramat

The local Malay word ‘Datok Keramat’ means deity of the shrine, translated to Chinese as Na Tok Kong (Datok; Chinese pronunciation Na Tok and Kong is a call of respect). Datok Haji Keramat is believed to be a very powerful local earth deity that help many people who sincerely pray for him and known to hate any form of liquor.

There are various Na Tok Kongs. Datok Panglima Hitam is associated as a fierce guardian of villages. A Datok that resides in trees is called Datok Hijau. Some Datok even have their own personal names, which are revealed to worshippers during trance session. Their identity can be ascertained by looking at the banner at the shrine. Usually, the Datoks’ name and the shrine’s date of establishment would be stated there. Among other known Malay Na Tok Kongs in Malaysia are Datok Ali and Datok Samsuri.

Worship

The Na Tok can be worshipped on any day. The basic offerings are a pair of white candles, 3 joss sticks and burning gum benjamin (kemenyan). Na Tok worshippers prepare special offerings for the Na Tok on Thursday evenings. A set of betel nut leaves complete with lime (kapur), sliced betel nut (pinang), Javanese tobacco (tembakau Jawa) and palm cigarette leaves (rokok daun) are offered together with fruits and the basic offerings.

Every Na Tok has different individual feast days. In the Northern States (Perlis, Kedah & Penang), worshippers usually slaughter chickens, and sometimes goats to honour the Na Tok on the feast day. The chickens and goats MUST be slaughtered by a Muslim so as to make the offering allowable for the Na Tok. The meat is later cooked in curry and offered to the Na Tok together with turmeric rice (nasi kunyit). This offering is also done when worshippers get their wishes granted (e.g. winning lucky numbers requested from the Na Tok previously).

Offerings

Worshippers can place offerings of shredded tobacco, areca nut flakes, betel leaves with lime paste and fruits. Strictly no pork, beer, wine and alcoholic products (due to the Islamic nature of the Datoks, although Datoks has been incorporated into the local Chinese belief system, which has nothing to do with the Islamic religion whatsoever).

Naked-Malaysian: This post’s title itself is in contradiction to everything’s that is Islamic. In Islam even the great prophet Muhammad PBUH is only regarded as a messenger and not to be worship. To look at this at from a Chinese political angle would equal to blasphemy at the highest order since the Chinese are known to be anti Ketuanan Melayu (Malay superiority), as to worship the Malay deities would equal upholding Ketuhanan Melayu (Malay Godship). To be in Malaysia is to be in the most ironic country in the world.

Technorati Tags: Bomoh, chinese, Islam, Kedah, Keramat, Ketuanan Melayu, Malay, Malaysia, Malaysian, Na Tok Kong, Na Tuk Kong, Penang, Perlis

Related posts:

1. The Fuss over the Name Allah
2. ‘Allah’ issue; 4 More Churches Attacked and RM600,000 Relief