The Small Shrine at the Doorstep: The Culture and Significance of Sangga

Sangga is a ritual altar found in the homes of the Temuan villagers, used for ancestor worship, bringing peace and protection to the family. In Kampung Pulau Kempas, most villagers have their own family’s Sangga at their doorstep.

The Temuan people believe that ancestors or spiritually "things" should not enter the house, which is why the Sangga is placed at the entrance. Unlike Chinese altars, there are no statues or spirit tablets placed in the Sangga. When the villagers perform rituals, they simply speak to their ancestors, and the ancestors will hear them.

During the festival, the villagers are required to offer sacrifices to their ancestors before each meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). The offerings placed on the Sangga include white candles, drinks, cookies, glutinous rice cake (Pulut), and other items, used to worship the ancestors and pray for the family’s peace and protection.

On regular days, the villagers do not have fixed dates and times for worship. Instead, they perform rituals based on circumstances. For example, when people have special dreams or need to pray for health and safety, they will go to the Sangga to make offerings. In daily life, even without specific offerings, villagers are expected to "invite" their ancestors to partake in the meal before each meal as a sign of respect.

The villagers periodically replace the offerings in the Sangga, and any discarded offerings must be disposed of and cannot be eaten or taken home. Fresh foods, such as fish or other perishable items, must be removed and properly handled by the following morning. Non-perishable offerings, such as cigarettes or drinks, can remain for longer periods but need to be replaced regularly to show respect and care for the ancestors.

From Wood to PVC Pipes: The Evolution of Sangga's Material

Initially, Sangga was built using wood, but due to its susceptibility to termite damage, the villagers had to rebuild it every year.

The villagers later switched to constructing the Sangga using PVC pipes, to improve durability.

This material not only extended the lifespan but also reduced maintenance costs, as the villagers only needed to repair damaged parts, saving time and effort on reconstruction.