The eclipse of the moon occurs quite often, and most people know what causes it.  But according to the kampong people of Tambunan and perhaps of the others places in Sabah it is due to the swallowing of the moon by an immense creature. They call this hungry creature Tarob or Barob, which means-greedy.

Even if his mother tells him to swallow stones Tarob's hunger will not be satisfied

    People believe that Tarob swallows the moon because the food which his mother cooks for him cannot satisfy his hunger. Even if his mother tells him to swallow stones Tarob's hunger will not be satisfied.  Therefore his mother tells him to go and swallow the moon; and then everything on earth becomes dark.

    During an eclipse of the moon, whoever sees the moon being swallowed must inform the head of the family and then must beat the gongs so that all the people will know.  A huge fire is then made outside.  People bring out their gongs and all sorts of empty containers which they put on large carpet called saab.  They beat the gongs and shout to Tarob to bring them good luck and a good harvest.  They even fire guns in the direction of the moon.

    When the mother of Tarob hears the people on earth shouting she tells him that they are angry and that he should spit out the moon.  Tarob obeys, and when the people see the moon getting brighter again they take all their property inside again.  Then a member of each family takes a bottle to the well and puts in water and some pebbles, uttering the words:  'Please, Tarob, give us good luck and good harvest.'  The bottle is closed and tied with cotton thread round the neck.  It is then put in the hut.  If the harvest for that season is not very god they say that Tarob must have favoured other people, and they hope that Tarob will bring them another year.