KOKOK of Beluran
This spirit takes the form of a monster human being. It has long straggling hair with the upper lip being deformed and hangs over the jaw. When it wants to eat, it has to lift the upper lip to put food in its mouth. Many people have disappeared and been found days afterwards sometimes on top of a tree. They that someone beautiful had lured them to a beautiful palace and fed them food. Usually, you can see those who are searching for them but they cannot call out. It is thought they are speechless. The remedy, when you get lost, is to take off all your clothes and be naked and to put them on upside down. When KOKOK sees you naked it will laugh until its eyes are closed and you can find your way home.
The author was once in Beluran in 1947 and a policeman got lost just a few yards from his kitchen. It was getting dark and the poor man was cutting down trees and leaves to make his sulap. He did not even hear the people who were shouting and banging only fifty yards away. He was saved when other police constables were guided by the noise he made cutting the trees and was brought home.
Report from the District Office, Beluran, North Borneo disappearance of Manambul bin Rungkumak
On the night of 4th November 1958 after dark at about 7:30 p.m., Manambul had just finished eating with a normal appetite in the house of the second dresser, Mr Gabriel Guakin. He was staying with two friends, Tandok and Basion, who were also residing at Guakins house. Manambul seemed quite normal to his friends.
Manambul, having finished eating went out to the back of the house where the kitchen, pantry, latrine and washroom are. A few minutes later, Tandok followed him out but he was not to be found. Mr Gabriel Guakins dogs did not bark although they were only a chain (20 meters) away although these dogs always bark when people pass.
Tandok and police constable Yusof then went down to the Assistant District Officer House. The officer had not seen or heard anything and neither had the bitch with puppies. Tandok was frightened lest Manambul had been taken by KOKOK.
The Assistant District Officer and Yusof climbed to the top of the hill, where, lighted by the pressure lamps from the house, they found Manambul’s tobacco tin. A search was made for most of the night and all the following day to no effect. The track in the long grass showed that one person had plunged straight for the edge of the jungle but the track stopped there.
On the morning of the 5th, the Assistant District Officer suggested contacting a medium, Panglima Kulang. He was a Muslim convert and was distantly related to Yusof and Manambul. He used part of the Koran (Yassin) and said Manambul would walk far and cross rivers, and if they did not find him in two days, it would be hard to find him. He confirmed that Manambul was unhurt.
The Assistant District Officer suggested that the hunting dogs be used to track Manambul but this was not looked upon as a good idea as none of the dogs had been trained to track people. Besides, the kampong folks did not want their valuable hunting dogs to tangle with KOKOK.
The search continued. On the 5th and 6th days, rain poured and a gong was sounded all night. On the 7th day, a search was made of the jungle but no trace was found of the missing man. On the eighth day, a gong was sounded around in the jungle from Beluran to Muanad without success.
Manambuls friends never for a moment suspected anything other than KOKOK. They were convinced that no human was involved because the dogs did not bark. They were convinced he was not harmed but explained that if a man was missing, a female had passed behind him while he was urinating and then he could no longer find his way back to the house.
On the tenth day, a food offering was made to KOKOK so that Manambul would be released. However, the offering was not made because of a false rumour that Manambul had been found. On the eleventh day, Manambul came out of the jungle.
His story:
I went outside the dressers quarters to urinate. I did not dare to use the water closet that was within the building. I urinated not far from the building and when I squatted put my tobacco tin down on the path. I had finished urinating and was doing up my sarong when I felt someone take a hold of my shoulders and try to shake me. I looked around but could see no one. Then I stood up but my hair and head were seized and pulled around from behind. I walked on and on and the house was fully lit behind me. I never heard any gongs or came across any sign of man, I did not have any rain in the jungle and my clothing was not wet. I only saw the sunrise five times.
When I came to after three days, I climbed a high tree as I wanted to get back to Beluran. I shouted but no one came and all I could see was the jungle. I crossed a freshwater river twice, one about a chain in width and the other about two chains. At first, the land was flat but eventually, I got into low hills. I had nothing to eat while I was in the jungle.
Eventually, as I slept I had a dream. A boy told me ” Keep straight on, the Panglima’s house is not far away but do not change direction” I woke up and it was morning and getting up from the foot of the tree I set off. After hours I heard children’s voices and hastened on, my weak legs gaining strength as the voices grew louder. The voices passed and I came out on a path and followed after the children. I came up to one boy “Is the Panglima’s house far from here?” “No”, said the boy. “But I am his son and I will lead you to him.”
The above account was signed by G.F. Douglas The Assistant District Officer Beluran
From: The Kokok Monster by W.C. Wookey in The Sarawak Museum Journal December 1959
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