FOR many years, Judeth John Baptist has devoted her life to reviving, documenting and restoring ancient cultural practices – ensuring that they are not lost to time, but instead carried forward for future generations.
A former curator at the Sabah Museum, Judeth’s work has consistently bridged heritage preservation with contemporary storytelling. Now at 63, her latest production, “The Last Tantagas: Keeper of the Sacred Texts”, stands as a powerful testament to her lifelong mission.
She is also the founder of the Southeast Asia Music Education Exchange (SEAMEX), further reinforcing her commitment to cultural education and regional collaboration.
A Legacy of Cultural Storytelling Through Theatre
“The Last Tantagas” is not Judeth’s first foray into cultural theatre. She previously developed and presented “Huminodun: Myth and Its Magic – The Musical” and “The Hidden Charms of Sabah”, both of which explored the richness of Sabah’s myths, traditions, and cultural identity.
These productions garnered multiple awards at both state and national levels, establishing her as a leading figure in cultural performance.
During her tenure at the Sabah Museum, Judeth also worked closely with Sabah Tourism Board, contributing to the annual Sabah Fest dance drama. These experiences allowed her to collaborate with artists, cultural practitioners, and institutions, while gaining deep insight into the complexities of producing large-scale performances that are both authentic and engaging.
She acknowledged that these earlier experiences played a crucial role in preparing her for the challenges of “The Last Tantagas” – particularly in balancing artistic integrity, community involvement, and limited resources.
Reviving the Traditions of the Suang Lotud
At the heart of Judeth’s work lies a profound dedication to preserving the fading ritual traditions of the Suang Lotud community in Tuaran.
Through “The Last Tantagas”, she transformed sacred chants into a theatrical experience that connects deeply with younger audiences while documenting an important part of Sabah’s intangible cultural heritage.
Once regarded as healers, the Tantagas performed rituals of thanksgiving believed to restore balance between the seen and unseen worlds – healing both body and spirit. Today, however, only four remain:
- Odun Badin
- Odun Ribud
- Odun Lumanjar
- Odun Gading
These remaining custodians of tradition were not merely observers; they actively advised on and participated in the production, witnessing their ancient wisdom reimagined for a new generation.
A Theatre Experience That Resonates
Staged at JKKN Sabah earlier this year, the performance created a deeply immersive atmosphere.
The theatre was dimly lit as the soft echoes of chants filled the space. Dancers moved gracefully to the centre of the stage, bringing ancient rituals to life through music, movement, and storytelling. The audience sat in silence – curious, attentive, and captivated.
Many later described the performance as heart-wrenching, mind-blowing, and deeply engaging – a rare opportunity to witness traditional culture translated into a modern theatrical form.
Judeth clarified that the intention was not to revive the ritual practice in contemporary life, but to preserve its memory and cultural significance.
Through carefully crafted performances, audiences were transported into the past, where every movement and chant carried deep meaning and intention.
From Oral Tradition to Documented Legacy
Beyond performance, the production also included community dialogue sessions on heritage preservation, further strengthening its impact.
“Our intention is to transform vulnerable oral tradition into a theatrical medium,” Judeth explained, “to preserve it in an accessible, documented form while educating and engaging broader audiences about the fragility of one of Sabah’s indigenous cultural heritages.”
Her concern over the disappearing voices of the Lotud high priestesses led her to co-investigate an international research project with the University of Leicester titled “Disappearing Voices of the Lotud High Priestesses in Sabah (2025-2026)”.
Funded by the British Council through its Connections Through Culture Grant, the project collaborates with indigenous communities to preserve endangered ritual poetry and chants through bilingual films, workshops, and open engagement.
Safeguarding Endangered Craft Traditions
Judeth’s work extends beyond performing arts into material heritage preservation. She has also collaborated on *Rediscovering Linangkit: The Traditional Hand Needle Weaving of Women*, a long-term initiative under the British Museum Endangered Material Knowledge Programme.
This project documents the threatened craft of linangkit, mapping its techniques, motifs, and cultural meanings among artisan communities across Sabah.
Through workshops, seminars, performances, and research, Judeth continues to champion Sabah’s diverse indigenous traditions – ensuring they remain relevant in both local and global contexts.
Voices from the Audience
The emotional impact of “The Last Tantagas” was evident among its audience members.
Joanna Kitingan, Chairwoman of the KDCA Women’s Council, praised the production:
“The singers, dancers, lighting, and props were all done professionally and beautifully. It moved me deeply, as it was overwhelmingly presented.
“I have high hopes it will bring awareness to the present generation, to carry this torch of legacy and pass it on to the next.”
Another audience member, Buliha Apong, also known as Odun Libara, attended the performance at the age of 90.
A former Tantagas who practiced from 1973 until 2023, she was deeply emotional witnessing her once-lived tradition transformed into musical theatre.
Accompanied by her sister Umah, it was shared that despite her age and physical limitations, she was determined to attend.
“She wanted to see for herself what had become of their livelihood,” her sister explained.
Her story reflects a broader reality: the decline of the Tantagas tradition due to changing beliefs, with many embracing Christianity or Islam, and a lack of interest among younger generations.
A Legacy for Future Generations
At its core, Judeth’s work is driven by a simple yet powerful hope – that the younger generation will remember.
She hopes they will understand that the Tantagas were once a vital part of life – individuals who carried out sacred responsibilities and made personal sacrifices for the well-being of others.
Rather than fading into obscurity, she envisions this tradition living on as a meaningful memory – one that continues to shape identity, inspire appreciation, and connect generations.
Through “The Last Tantagas”, Judeth John Baptist has not only preserved a cultural practice – she has given it a new voice, ensuring that even as it disappears from daily life, it will never be forgotten.
