Datok Kong (拿督公), a.k.a as Keramat Datok, are local guardian spirits among the Chinese in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. One derivation of the name unites Dato or Datuk from the local Malay word for 'grandfather', which is used as an honorific, combined with Kong from the Malaysian Chinese, also used as an honorific. Another derivation of Na Tuk Kong is that they belong to the gods of Tu Di Gong(土地公) or Fu De Zheng Shen (福德正神), which originated from China.
Asian religions is nature worship. Na Tuks could be remnants of pre-Islamic Malay religion. In Malay, pagan spirits are usually called jin kafir while guardian spirits are called penunggu or Datuk Keramat. Penunggu usually means watchman, guard or attendant.
Datok Kong is a local guardian spirit that resides in trees, ant hills, caves, riversides and in strange stone formations. A Datok 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 Tuk 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.
Datos 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 Datos and Keramats. The Datos and Keramats include spirits residing in trees, stones and even the spirits of well known local Muslim religious teachers (worshipped at their graves).
There is one fierce guardian of villages called the Dato' Panglima Hitam. A Dato that resides in trees is called Dato' Hijau. Some Datos 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 Dato's name and the shrine's date of establishment would be stated there.
The worship of Datok Gong among Malays and Indian Muslims declined steadily after Islamic authorities started clamping down on such activities. By that time, Dato worship have taken root in the local Chinese spiritual beliefs.
The Datok Gong can be worshipped on any day. The basic offerings are a pair of white candles, 3 joss sticks and burning gum Benjamin (kemanyan). Na Tuk worshippers prepare special offerings for the Na Tuk 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 Datok Gong has different individual feast days. In the Northern States (Perlis, Kedah & Penang), worshippers usually slaughter chickens, and sometimes goats to honour the Datok Gong on the feast day. The chickens and cows must be slaughtered by a Muslim. Especially goats so as to make the offering allowable for the Na Tuk. The meat is later cooked in curry and offered to the Na Tuk 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 Tuk previously).
Worshippers can place offerings of shredded tobacco, areca nut flakes, betel leaves with lime paste and fruits. Pork, beer, wine and alcoholic products are not used in offerings, as they are in conflict with Islamic rules.
Datos are known to grant winning numbers to worshippers.
Documentary on Datuk-Gong Worship
Take Note:
1) For Singaporeans / Malaysians / Indonesians/ Asian Countries:Datok Gong (拿督公) do possess the Taoist Medium during Consultation Service in Temple. Approach him if You have important issue to seek help and not to look for him for Lottery Numbers. During his Celebration Day, he may give out Potential Winning Lottery Numbers and he is very good at it if he wants you to strike. Just hang around the Temple or Make-Shift Temple during his Celebration Day and You may get to see the Lottery Numbers written on Joss-Papers.
2) For Folks in Western Countries:
Taoist-Medium Consultation is totally unseen or unheard of in Western Countries. You surely have not heard and seen Datok Gong (拿督公) Statue before. Datok Gong (拿督公) Image is not suitable for Western Countries as the Spiritual Entities in Your Country is wearing in different outfit. The best way is to get a Figurine/Statue that represent the Native Old Person of Your Country and then get the Yellow Taoist Talisman to be framed and hang behind the Statue/Figurine. Only with the Yellow Taoist Talisman help to empower the Native Looking Statue and Altar by inviting a Holy Spirit or Ghost of the Olden Days.
Datok Gong (拿督公) Statue is usually worshiped under a tree or certain spots known to be possessed with spiritual entity. Make sure the Statue is Datok Gong (拿督公) consecrated. You may seek Lottery Numbers every time and anytime while facing the Datok Gong Statue but not during the time when he possessed the Taoist Medium to give consultation to people with more important issues to settle.
Learn How To Empower Your Taoist Deity and the Altar:
Consecration Of Taoist/Chinese Deity Statues
Just want to Strike the Lottery, without praying to Taoist Statue?
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