Loading ...SABAH FEST 2009 – Cultural Extravaganza
Sabah Fest 2009 – The Cultural Opening
Sabah Fest 2009 started its cultural extravaganza on Saturday, 2nd May 2009, and it was launched by the Sabah’s Head of State T.Y.T Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah bin Abdullah on Sunday, 3rd May 2009 which took place at the Magellan Grand Ballroom, Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu.
This year’s Sabah Fest was separated into two parts. The first part was The Cultural Extravaganza, a two-day event held at the Magellan Grand Ballroom, Sutera Harbour, while the second part was held at the Sabah Museum Cultural Village.
Sabah Fest 2009 – Mystical Sabah
The theme for this year’s Sabah Fest is “Mystical Sabah”, and the cultural show reflected the tone and feel of the theme. The show highlighted the various ethnic groups of Northern Borneo and their traditional songs, dance and rituals, the likes of which that had never been seen before by the audience.
Among the rituals performed that night was the Memahui Pogun by the Tantagas, High Priestesses of the Lotud people of Tuaran. Mamahui Pogun, which means ‘Cleansing of the Universe’, is a traditional ceremony carried out by the Tantagas once every 10 years to correct the imbalances in nature.
A Cultural Extravaganza
One of the most hypnotic presentation of the night was the Pangalai Agung of the Suluk Sandakan people, where a dancer gracefully dances to the mesmeric charm of the accompanying music – while skillfully balancing on a clay jar.
There were other performances of the night performed by various ethnic groups of Sabah, including the famous Magunatip dance of the Murut and the rarely-seen Monsilad dance of the Dusun Gana of Bingkor, Keningau. Sabah’s local artistes also made special appearances, namely Abu Bakar Ellah, Clarice John Matha, Den Bisa, Kimin Mudin and also Fauziah Gambus.
The festivities has begun, ladies and gentlemen. The month of May promises to bring colour, life and the mystical charm of Sabah, celebrating the diversity and magic of its culture.
Feel free to check the coverage for last’s year Sabah Fest show : Sabah Fest 2008 Launched – An Evening of Colours
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