The rise and fall of the Sun, the Moon and the stars determine the time for planting, harvesting, fishing, building, travel and marriage.
[citation needed] The Melanau concept of the universe is a multilayered one, in which the territories of all should be respected and a balance maintained.
Since it is difficult for the Melanau to work outdoors because of the strong wind, they spend their time indoors cleaning the tools of their trades.
At the end of the month, the Melanau purify themselves and call the fish from the beaches and river mouths in a ceremony known as Kaul.
The Melanau build a large swing (known as a Tibow); during its construction they sing the tibow song, seeking the blessings of their guardian gods for plentiful flowers, bountiful harvests of fruits and fish and the removal of illness and evil.
After the feast, leftover food and drink is left by the shore for the guardians spirits to take with them; nothing is kept.
Melanau fishermen were formerly known for their barong panau, a fishing sailboat which could go out to sea for weeks on end and doubled as a travel and trade boat.
Suwah marks the third (and final) fishing season for the year; it is also the time to start planting rice, sago palm and other crops.
[citation needed] The ninth month, coinciding with November, is the beginning of the monsoon season (suloh).
It is the end of the fishing season; in the morning the sea is calm, but by afternoon the waves will be high.
His head disappeared from the house (becoming the Taboo Star) and the month is named for the killing of the shaman.
The wind blows branches and fronds of the coconut, sago palms and other trees, opening them to resemble the gills of a fish (hence its name).