As was previous years in conjunction with this cultural and musical festival, the Sabah Creative Dance Competition precludes the international participants of this ostentatious event where the assortment of ethnicity, traditions and lilting symphonies from schools all over the state gathers together for the second time at the Sabah Cultural Center.

The competition is held for two days from July 21^st to the 22^nd as part of a ‘curtain-raiser’ for the Sabah International Folklore Festival. It involves all elementary and secondary schools from each district in Sabah and each of them has the opportunity to showcase their creativity and talent. Tickets were priced at MYR 20.00 for premier class, MYR 10.00 for adults and MYR5.00 for under 17 years old.

The night was infused with an atmosphere of convivial cheers and high spirits coming from the crowd which pervades the hall that night. The gathering of audience which consists mostly of students from the participating schools, teachers and their families were amongst the crowd.

S.M. Saint Peter of Telipok district performing the ‘Nunuk Ragang’ dance.

S.M.K Datuk Panglima Abdullah from Semporna with their rendition of ‘Creative Igal‘ or ‘Kaut‘. This dance is a narrative which symbolizes the Bajau people being thankful for the bounties the ocean has given to them.

S.K Pekan Tamparuli elementary school performs the ethnic Lotud dance of Guno which in essence means ‘Spirit’.

The Kadandiu dance performed by S.M Teknik of  Keningau.

S.K Tanjung Papat 1 elementary school from Sandakan with their rendition of the Mengalai dance originating from the ethnic Suluk.

S.M.K Putatan performing Dansa which literally means ‘dance’ in malay and are usually executed for wedding ceremonies. It originates from the people of Kokos which derives from the Christmas Island of Australia.

S.K. Seri Gaya of Kota Kinabalu city with the dance called ‘Serumpun’ which connotes the lives of the Murut community in Sabah.

S.K Pengalat Besar from the district of Papar with the ‘Sulam’ dance.

S.K Kiawayan of Tambunan displaying their talents with the ‘Lumaag’ dance which was one of the many remarkable performances by the elementary school students as the second night continues with the Sabah Creative Dance Competition.

‘Sazau Papar’ from the students of S.M. St. Peter of  Telipok; which is a rendition of the sumazau dance which is performed by the Kadazandusun community of the Papar district as each area has a slightly different variation and uniqueness to its style in the execution of this acclaimed dance from Borneo.

S.M.K Datuk Panglima Abdullah high school brings to the audience the Igal-Igal dance also known as Igal Tabawan from the ethnic Bajau/Suluk people of Semporna.

S.M Teknik, Keningau executing the ‘Pengalai Kipas’ dance which how the Suluk elucidates the  philosophies of life in within their community.

S.K Tanjung Papat 1 from Sandakan performing the  ‘Mengiluk’ dance.

Towards the end of the night, more schools performed admirably and executed their dances with more panache and vigor than they did last year. One such performance was the students of S.M.K Putatan as they displayed a superlatively excellent recital of the ‘Rengut Selinap’ dance.

What separates this troupe from the rest was that they infused their fast paced performance with Step Dance and Hip-Hop into their arrangement of the traditional aspects of the dance. It is also the only school to have included a total of 18 dancers, the most performers for a single dance. It was definitely voluminous as they performed, for the deafening cheers of their friends and families reverberates throughout the hall showing support for their school.

S.K Seri Gaya, Kota Kinabalu elementary school performing the ‘Sazau Papar’ dance.

S.M.K Sepulut from Nabawan with their delivery of the ‘Lulusung’ dance.

S.K  Pekan Kinarut, Papar with the Limbai dance from the Bajau ethnic from the Kota Belud community.

Every school implemented their training and ingenuity to the fullest as more of the students accomplished their dances with vibrantly energetic and graceful maneuvers and it really shows that they worked harder this time around as shown by S.M. Maktab Sabah.

Once again the crowd went wild as the troupe took to the stage their version of the ‘Rait’ dance of the Bajau ethnic. Their costumes were not only stunning but their performance which added a few elements of alteration to their music induced their presentation with lithe acrobatics as the added tempo lent a vigorous spirit not only to the students but to the spectators as well.

Labuan Federal Territory also joined in this year represented by S.M.K Labuan with this piece known as ‘Waris Taming’. Their costumes which included blinking-lights around their wrists and elbows are some of the more uniquely reworked traditional attires of the night.

All of the 21 schools that participated these two nights have distinguished themselves as some of the best young performers from Sabah, probably even the whole of Malaysia. As it is known as a creative traditional dance competition, each group is allowed to affix their own interpretation of the dance they choose to perform.

Here are the full results of the competition:

Secondary School:

First Place – S.M.K. Desa Wawasan, Tambunan

Second Place – Maktab Sabah

Third Place – S.M.K. Sepulut, Nabawan

Best Choreography Award - S.M.K. Desa Wawasan, Tambunan

Best Costume Award - S.M.K. Sepulut, Nabawan

Best Performance Award - S.M.K. Sepulut, Nabawan

Best Music Award - S.M.K. Putatan

Best Male Dancer Award - Marius Manoel of Maktab Sabah

Best Female Dancer Award - Cherryann Chelsea Alex of S.M.K. Tenom

Primary School:

First Place – S.K. Kiawayan, Tambunan

Second Place – S.K. Pekan Tamparuli

Third Place – S.K. Pekan Kinarut

Best Choreography Award- S.K. Kiawayan, Tambunan

Best Costume Award - S.K. Kiawayan, Tambunan

Best Performance Award - S.K. Pekan Tamparuli

Best  Music Award – S.K. Kiawayan, Tambunan

Best Male Dancer Award – Mohd. Zahir Abdul Latif of S.K. Tamparuli

Best Female Dancer Award – Sharon Line Abinus of S.K. Kiawayan

We congratulate all the winners of the Local Folkdance Competition. Stay tune to Lifeinborneo.com for our coverage of the International Folkdance Competition!

Related posts

• 4th Sabah International Folklore Festival 2009- Sabah Creative Dance Competition School Level (0)
• Sabah Fest 2008 Launched – An Evening of Colours (11)
• SABAH FEST 2009 – Cultural Extravaganza (0)
• Sabah Fest 2008: A 4-Day Cultural Extravaganza (0)
• Kalimaran Festival 2009 (2)

Organized by Kota Kinabalu city council and Celcom being the executive sponsor of this event, it already promises to be quite an auspicious affair along with Nestle and Air Asia; the prizes that awaits the contestants were certainly substantial and generous indeed. As covered on May 14^th, there are other categories in which the participants will also have a chance to win.

Among these categories are Best Costume and Creative Design Attire which will be chosen tonight by the selected judges invited especially for this event; and it is also up to them who makes it to the 2^nd Heat for that night and finally which one will represent Kota Kinabalu city in the state level Unduk Ngadau pageant.

Miss Popular would be determined from the number of flower bouquets they garnered from May 14^th and the same goes to the Tati Tavanus Celcom where they are voted through SMS votes from the public since the beginning of the carnival.

These are the line up of the contestants that night that made into the 1^st Heat of the competition:

No.1 – Ms. Richelle Audrey J. Jautin

N0.2 – Ms. Noemi Halima Dingle Ligunjang

No.3 – Sharon Walker

No.4 – Cindy Jessica Frenendez

No.5 – Elinna Musiun in an attire of the Kadazan Penampang.

No.6 – Elsie R. Marius elegant in a Srimpak Dusun Tindal inspired from the district of Kota Belud.

No.7 – Ariel Jezlynda Jimmy was dazzling wearing the costume instinctive of the Lotud Tuaran.

No.8 – Angena Rubinsin

No.9 – Patricia Francis Jiolin

No.10 – Carrie Grace Jaymes

No.11 – Clarencena Kadius dressed in a Rungus outfit, a design uniquely dissimilar from the other contestants yet stunning.

No.12 – Anastasha Dina Yahia brilliant with her Sinuga Penampang costume.

No.13 – Pearl Dianne Petrus was refined and elegant donning the costume of Kadazan Penampang.

No.14 – Florencia Shamsudin graceful in her Murut dress.

No.15 – Macdelina Masidah wearing the Dusun Lotud clothing.

The public was given a show of local artistes performing a number of songs in the Kadazan language. Despite the rain still pouring as late as 9.30 p.m, the crowd stayed on regardless. Goes to show that this annual occasion always has the locals and foreigners filled with jovial spirits. As the night almost reached its apex, the results came in and with the elevation of emotions and suspense everyone felt it was worth the wait all through the harsh weather.

Presenting the winners …

Creative Design was given to #8 contestant, Miss Angena Rubinsin.

Miss Patricia, contestant #9 managed to collect the most votes via SMS thus winning her the Tati Tavanus Celcom category.

With the complementary categories completed, it was time to announce the Top 7 that made it into the 2^nd Heat of the illustrious city level pageant. For all that joined the competition and also the public, each and every one of these charming ladies are already winners. All the participants that did not manage to get into the finals are also awarded complimentary cash of MYR350.00.

7th – Ms. Cindy Jessica Frenendez.

6^th – Ms. Richelle Audery J. Jautin which was also awarded the Best Costume.

5^th – Ms. Clerencena Kadius

4^th – Ms. McDelina

3^rd – Ms. Elsie R. Marius, winning cash prize of MYR2500 and a ticket to Labuan courtesy of Air Asia.

2^nd – Ms. Elinna Musiun which managed to win cash prize of MYR3000.00 and an Air Asia ticket to Kuala Lumpur.

And the winner of Unduk Ngadau Kota Kinabalu …

Miss Pearl Dianne Petrus.

Since the beginning of this memorable event she was known to be the most propitious among the participants. Winning the hearts of both the crowd and the judges, this resplendent and statuesque 5’ 8” lady was also seen as one of the most favored contestant to win the Miss Popular category in which she also won that night.

Along with the honor of wearing the crown, Ms. Pearl also took home with her cash prize of MYR4000.00, hamper from Nestle and a trip to Bali courtesy of Air Asia. She will be contesting for the coming state level Unduk Ngadau which is the most renowned pageant in Sabah. Participants from all over the state will be eyeing for this esteemed title and it will definitely be a marvelous and wonderful festival.

Congratulations to all the winners and we wish them all the best in the upcoming state level Tadau Kaamatan event which will be held this weekend at KDCA.

Be sure to stay tuned to lifeinborneo.com as the crew makes its way to this ostentatious festival.

Related posts

• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 (1)
• Kota Kinabalu Kaamatan Carnival 2008 (3)
• Kaamatan Festival 2008 – Unduk Ngadau Grand Finals (4)
• Unduk Ngadau DBKK (Kota Kinabalu City Council) 2010 Finals (3)
• Sabah Fest 2008 Launched – An Evening of Colours (11)

This Kaamatan festival is a uniquely momentous affair for the Kadazan people in which to honour the Bambarayon which is also known as ‘Spirit of the Paddy’ and also to thank the god Kinoingan for their plenteous harvest and for fostering friendships and prolonged life on this earth through this festival.

As was last year, the whole spread of the Gaya Street and Lintasan Deasoka was vivid and dazzling with an assortment of radiant lights and a throng of high spirited people both foreign and domestic. The streets were dotted with diverse mixture of stalls and booths. A traditional hut in the centre of Lintasan Deasoka was set up presenting the range of traditional necklaces, locally made handicrafts and costume jewelry that many suburban Kadazan locals still wear till today.

This place is set to be one of the hottest tourist spot all throughout the year in Kota Kinabalu since this city-level event was started last year.

Upon the arrival of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Y.B Datuk Masidi Manjun at 8.15 p.m, he was greeted with a warm welcome from the Kota Kinabalu City Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim and also a traditional dance by the performers from the Tourism Board.

A speech was given by the Mayor of Kota Kinabalu city, indicating the significance of this years’ theme which is “To Mould a Better Future”. Kaamatan festival being the hub for nurturing harmony and togetherness among the multifarious ethnic groups that exists in Sabah, he reminds every one what could be achieved when we cooperate together to better understand one another through cultural diversity and work hard to maintain a healthy relationship for the future.

After the speech was given, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Y.B Datuk Masidi Manjun and the Mayor were accompanied by other delegates upon the stage to officiate the carnival with the Gong-hitting ceremony.

Everyone was given a presentation by the Maktab Sabah Choir Group; a high school within the Kota Kinabalu district, with their dance and song performance.

The Magavau rite was up next upon the stage as it is a significant part of the Kaamatan festival. Magavau is the Kadazan word which in essence means ‘to recover what one has lost’.

It also refers to the charge of the Bobohizan, an elder high priestess, to reclaim what was lost, taken or abandoned Bambarayon/Bambaazon or spirit of the rice.

At 9.15 pm, the dancers yet again enthralled the crowd with their immaculate choreography as they performed the Sumazau which translates to ‘dancing’ in the Kadazan language. The show went on with the Magunatip, a bamboo dance. The dancers with their meticulous timing and feat would dance through the snapping bamboo shoots thumping at their feet as they are brought together by other performers.

The throng of people that gathered around the stage was also given a show of fireworks at 10.00 pm, which also marked the climax of the night where the contestants of the Kota Kinabalu city level of the well known Unduk Ngadau event; were brought upon stage. These young and vibrant ladies of the Kadazan-dusun descent are to compete for the title of Kota Kinabalu Unduk Ngadau and to represent the city in the final state level of this prestigious occasion.

Among the categories were Miss Popular and Miss Tati Tavanus Celcom. The winner of Tati Tavanus would be ascertained by the number of SMS votes (text message) they collect in this three day event and as for Miss Popular; these are determined to be the winner if they managed to acquire the most bouquets of flowers given to them by the public; the flowers were being sold every night of this event to the public.

The VIPs and delegates were among the first to show their favorites that night and many of the ladies received plentiful amount of bouquets; notably the ones that had most that night were 18 year old Miss Macdelina Masidah, 20 year old Pearl Dianne Petrus and 22 year old Cindy Jessica Frenendez. Though only on the final night will the winners be revealed.

The night was still young as can be seen from the number of people still captivated by the show on the stage, Linda Nanuwil was also invited to perform a couple of Kadazan songs. She was quite the crowd puller; being one of the favorites in the last Akademi Fantasia 6 show (a local singing competition shown in national cable network) it was no surprise why the Kota Kinabalu Tadau Kaamatan city level event was as memorable as it was last year.

Stay tuned for ‘Part 2′ of the Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 which showcases the finals of the Unduk Ngadau and high lights of the second and final night of this event, coming up soon in lifeinborneo.com.

Related posts

• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 – Part II (1)
• Kota Kinabalu Kaamatan Carnival 2008 (3)
• Kaamatan Festival 2008 – Unduk Ngadau Grand Finals (4)
• Unduk Ngadau DBKK (Kota Kinabalu City Council) 2010 Finals (3)
• Sabah Fest 2008 Launched – An Evening of Colours (11)

The legendary Monsopiad was an actual warrior who lived 200 years ago in the village of Kuai. The main mission and objective of the Monsopiad Cultural Village is to become a Living Museum, a cultural showcase of Kadazandusun culture, and a unique attraction for travelers coming to Sabah, be they from international or Malaysians. Monsopiad Cultural Village is the legacy of this fearsome warrior, located beside the Penampang River, about 30 minutes from the Kota Kinabalu City. It is a living museum built around the village where he once fought to protect. Read more about the Legend of Monsopiad here>

Once you step into village, you are transported back in time where headhunters and spirit worshippers roamed the land; a place and time when the village was controlled by the Bobohizans (female high priestesses of the Kadazan). The village keeps the culture, beliefs and traditions alive. The Village is run by Monsopiad’s direct descendants and theirs stories will leave a chill down your spine… so vivid they are that it felt as if the warrior is still living amongst them.

Many who have visited feel that one of the true essences of Sabah is the Monsopiad Cultural Village. You cannot say that you have been to Sabah if you did not pay a visit to this historical site.

Operating Hours
Monday to Sunday 9.00am till 5.00pm

Address
Monsopiad Cultural Village Sdn Bhd
Kg. Kuai/Kandazon, Penampang
Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

Tel : +6 088 761336
Fax : +6 088 761680
Email : info@monsopiad.com
website : www.monsopiad.com

Related posts

• World Harvest Festival 2008 – Part 2 (5)
• World Harvest Festival 2008 – Part 1 (0)
• Traditional Costume and Musical Instrument Exhibition (1)
• The Legend of Monsopiad (1)
• Sarawak World Harvest Festival 2008 – Part 4 (8)

In the footsteps of a Legend

The first Unduk Ngadau competition was held in the early 1960s, but the true history and meaning of the beauty pageant goes back to the time of myth and legends, when the earth was plagued by the seven scourges sent down by the deity Kinoingan to punish mankind for their sinful ways. The seventh scourge was draught and famine which threatened to end all life on earth. Kinoingan’s only daughter Ponompuan, often referred as Huminodun, took pity on mankind’s plight and sacrificed herself to end the famine that had plagued her father’s people. Her body parts were planted as seeds and became rice, the food resource of the world. Thus the importance of rice in the lives of the Kadazandusun, as rice embodies the spirit of Huminodun who sacrified herself to save humanity.

Ethnic Beauties of the Harvest

Earlier during the event, the hosts introduced the contestants one by one on stage as they walked on stage, accompanied by roaring cheers from the crowd, which filled up every seats there were on that day. The ladies of the pageant were garbed in the most dazzling traditional ethnic costumes, with accessories befitting a princess of princesses.

The Finalists

Out of 36 potentials, 15 made it through to the second round. Also known as the question-and-answer round, the second round has always been regarded by many as the most difficult stage of the competition. This is the stage where the contestants’ wisdom are tested; to walk on the path of a legend, one must not only have the heart but also the mind. The winner of this year’s Unduk Ngadau gave the best answer to the best question, in which the crowd responded in a thunderous applause.

After the second round, only 7 finalists were shortlisted.

The results were announced in reverse order from 7th place to 3rd place. It all went down to these two lovely ladies; Ms. Florence Masimbin and Ms. Leonie Lawrence Gontuni.

And the Unduk Ngadau 2008 title goes to..

Ms. Leonie Lawrence Gontuni!

The full list of winners:

• Unduk Ngadau: Ms. Leonie Lawrence Gontuni (Penampang)
• 1st Runner Up: Ms. Florence Masimbin (Kinabatangan)
• 2nd Runner Up: Ms. Emily Majil (Tambunan)
• 3rd Runner Up: Ms. Petronella Cherry Bernard (Papar)
• 4th Runner Up: Ms. Verone Lansu (Keningau)
• 5th Runner Up: Ms. Aloysia Thecla Philip (Kota Belud)
• 6th Runner Up: Ms. AnneMary T. Khan (Klang Valley)
• Celcom Tati Tavanus: Ms. Florence Masimbin (Kinabatangan)

The end of Harvest Festival

The winner of Unduk Ngadau, Ms. Leonie Lawrence, gave the best answer to the best question of that day. The question was: “What makes the Unduk Ngadau Beauty Pageant different from other beauty pageants?” And Ms. Leonie’s answer was: “Unlike other beauty pageants, Unduk Ngadau re-lives the story of the legend of Huminodun, who sacrified herself to save mankind.” That answer tells a lot about the people of Sabah, their traditions and their culture. And for that, the title of Unduk Ngadau was deservingly hers. Lifeinborneo congratulates all the winners and all the participants for re-living the legend, and preserving the ways of the Kadazandusun.

Related posts

• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 – Part II (1)
• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 (1)
• Kota Kinabalu Kaamatan Carnival 2008 (3)
• Kaamatan Festival 2008 Launching Soon (0)
• Introduction to the Kaamatan Festival (0)

At KK Kaamatan Carnival 2008, the citizens of Kota Kinabalu were treated to three nights of carnival last week celebrating the Harvest Festival at municipal level. Held at Lintasan Deasoka, the three-night event started with its officiation on Thursday night by Yang Berhormat Datuk Dr. Yee Moh Chai, Minister of Resource Development & Information Technology, and ended with the closing on Saturday night with the crowning of the winner of the Unduk Ngadau. Yang Berbahagia Datuk Iliyas Bin Ibrahim, Mayor of Kota Kinabalu City and his wife Yang Berbahagia Datin Naimah Hajjah Hassan attended all of the events.

Harvest Festival and Peace Through Culture

Sumazau Dance

The aim of the organizer this year is to promote the Harvest Festival or Kaamatan alongside the other various cultures in Sabah, as well as to promote the city of Kota Kinabalu as a tourist destination, a platform to promote locally made goods, and to choose representatives for Kota Kinabalu to compete in Sugandoi (Star of Kaamatan) and Unduk Ngadau (Beauty Queen) at Sabah State Level on the 30th – 31st May 2008.

The Municipal Council also took this opportunity to promote its on-going campaign to educate the public on the importance of keeping the city clean, which was also pointed out during the Mayor´s speech.

Locally made handicrafts

Throughout the three-day nightly event, visitors could loot at and even purchase a variety of locally made handicrafts, displayed in a long-house style display booths brilliantly constructed out of wood and bamboos, recreating the feel of a traditional Sunday bazaar or Tamu as it is more commonly known by the locals. A variety of other goods were also being sold at the nearby Gaya Street, a stretch of road also well-known for its weekly Sunday Tamu.

Three Nights of Festivities

Thursday Night – The Opening Night

The events on Thursday night includes the Opening Ceremony (including the officiation of the event by Yang Berhormat Datuk Dr. Yee Moh Chai, Minister of Resource Development & Information Technology), the Magavau Ceremony (a traditional ritual to appease ¨Bambaazon¨ or ¨Bambarayon¨, the Spirit of Rice), and lastly performances by a choir group, a cultural dance group and local artists. It was also on Thursday night that the Unduk Ngadau contestants for the Municipal Level were lined-up on stage and introduced to the public for the first time.

The Spirit of Rice

The Magavau Ceremony

Officiation by Datuk Dr. Yee Moh Chai

Fireworks after the officiation

Choir group with traditional costume

Friday Night – The Search for the Star of Kaamatan

The main event for Friday night was the search for Kota Kinabalu´s Sugandoi, or Star of the Harvest Festival. It is singing competition where the contestants were required to sing two songs (one from a compulsory list and the other one of their own choice) in the span of two rounds. The songs drawn from the compulsory list were all in Kadazandusun language. Between the rounds, the audience were treated to a performance by the Universiti Malaysia Sabah´s Musical Orchestra. The night ended with the prize giving ceremony to the winner of Kota Kinabalu´s Sugandoi, who will go on to represent the City of Kota Kinabalu at the State Level at the end of May.

Saturday Night – The Crowning of Kota Kinabalu´s Unduk Ngadau

On the third and final night of the Kota Kinabalu Kaamatan Carnival 2008, the crowd gathered to see the crowning of the Unduk Ngadau. Before that, the hosts of the event re-told the legend of Huminodun, and also the meaning as well as the importance of Unduk Ngadau to Kaamatan.

Below are the contestant that reach to the final seven..

Ms. Viola G. Julasim

Ms. Alvira Cora M. Jipinis

Ms. Kimberly Fay Cathrinus Sham

Ms. Noemi Halima Dingle Ligunjang

Ms. Andrea Peter

Ms. Flina Runtum

Ms. Jizeresta Jimmy

Just like the Sugandoi, the Unduk Ngadau were split into two rounds, with the second round being the final round. After the end of the second round, as the judges went on to discuss who will be crowned as Unduk Ngadau, local artists (one of which was the winner of Sugandoi the night before) entertained the crowds with a selection of local songs. But before the announcement of the winners and the prize giving ceremony, the dignitaries were invited to dance with the Unduk Ngadau contestants.

Crowning of the Unduk Ngadau

Kota Kinabalu Unduk Ngadau 2008 winners

The Winners of Kota Kinabalu City Unduk Ngadau 2008:
First Place – Ms. Jizeresta Jimmy
Second Place – Ms. Flina Runtum
Third Place – Ms. Andrea Peter
Fourth Place – Ms. Alvira Cora M. Jipinis
Fifth Place – Ms. Noemi Halima Dingle Ligunjang
Sixth Place – Ms. Kimberly Fay Cathrinus Sham
Seventh Place – Ms. Viola G. Julasim

The Spirit of Paddy Lives On

Despite the heavy rain on Thursday and Friday night, the locals pressed on night after night to support the event. The crowd was at its largest on the final night of the carnival, which was probably the most important night of all. The success of the event meant that the Spirit of Paddy lives on. And so will the traditions and cultures of the Kadazandusun.

Related posts

• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 – Part II (1)
• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 (1)
• Kaamatan Festival 2008 – Unduk Ngadau Grand Finals (4)
• Unduk Ngadau DBKK (Kota Kinabalu City Council) 2010 Finals (3)
• Sabah Fest 2008 Launched – An Evening of Colours (11)

“Welcome to the most spectacular celebration of Sabah’s cultural riches, Sabah Fest!”
That was the first two lines printed on the introduction of the booklet. Indeed, the launching of this year’s Sabah Fest on 3rd May, held at the Magellan Sutera last Saturday, was nothing less than spectacular!

Sabah Fest 2008 – Harmony In Diversity

Sabah Fest is a yearly event aimed to provide visitors the opportunity to see, taste, hear and feel Sabah’s unique culture through a kaleidoscope of cultural performances and spectrum of activities lined up throughout the month of May. Visitors will get to sample local delicacies such as cakes and traditional foods, and also witness unique works of crafts demonstrated live by skilled handicraft makers of various ethnic groups.

This year’s theme is ‘Harmony In Diversity’, which paints a picture of the people of Sabah living in unity within a society of diverse races and cultures. This was strongly reflected in the opening presentation of the launching ceremony with a mock enactment of a wedding ritual of a Bajau bride and a Murut groom. The display began with the matrimonial preparations and celebrations of Bajau bride’s family, which was then joined by the various races to celebrate that occasion and then concluded with a bridewealth presentation and dances of the Murut.

A Spectacle of Diversity and Unity

The evening started with a cultural dance performance by several ethnic groups. Dancers dressed in multitudes of colourful costumes – symbolizing the unity of the people of Sabah – bore gifts to bid a warm welcome to the dignitaries. Among those that attended the event were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussein, Datuk Masidi Manjun who is the current Minister of Culture, Tourism and Environment, and Sabah’s Head of State Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah bin Abdullah, who officiated the launching.

Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah bin Abdullah officiated the event with the hitting of the Gong

Datuk Masidi Manjun presents a souvenir to Head of State Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah bin Abdullah

After the opening presentation, the guests were treated to a variety of ethnic performances. Traditional dances of the Kota Belud Bajau were showed earlier on, namely the Limbai dance, the Kuda Pasu and the Berunsai.

Kudapasu Dance

Igal Tabawan Dance

As the evening went on, dances from other cultures were displayed such as the Dusun Tindal Mongigol, the Igal-Igal dance of the Bajau of Semporna, The Sumazau Penampang and the Sazau Papar of the Kadazandusun, The Nainung and Umang Ting-Ting by the Brunei Malays and the Dansa of the Cocos.

Umang Ting-Ting Dance

Some of the attention-grabbing presentations were performed by the youngest performers of the night. The children of the Dance and Cultural Society of the SK Kiawaian primary school from Tambunan performed the Pangkulian, a creative dance with the inclusion of bamboo play as its central theme.

Pangkulian Dance

Pangkulian Dance

Medtemu Dance

The Medtemu dance of the Ranau Dusun was awe-invoking, where the dancers performed a symbolic war dance of ‘a meeting to settle disputes’. The audience was also treated to a mock traditional Murut Tagal Wedding and the Murut Anggalang, a dance ritual traditionally performed in celebration of a victorious battle or a successful headhunting party (a part of Sabah’s culture no longer in practice). One of the best performance of the evening was the Magunatip, a fascinating dance where the dancers must dextrously skip between clapping bamboos in an ever-increasing tempo.

The Festival has Begun

The opening ceremony signalled the start of the festival, but the closure of the night’s event only marks the beginning of a month full of cultural activities. Ladies and gentlemen, Sabah Fest is back and it’s going to be a very colourful month of May.

Related posts

• Sabah Fest 2008: A 4-Day Cultural Extravaganza (0)
• Kalimaran Festival 2009 (2)
• Sarawak World Harvest Festival 2008 – Part 4 (8)
• Kota Kinabalu Kaamatan Carnival 2008 (3)
• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 – Part II (1)

The Kaamatan Festival is an annual event in the cultural life of the Kadazandusuns of Sabah since time immemorial. In its deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a manifestation of Creator and Creation relationship, as well as Inter-Creations relationship. It embodies the principal acts of invocation of divinities, appeasing, purification and restoration, re-union of benevolent spirits, and thanksgiving to the Source of All. It is part of a complex wholesome Momolian religious system centered on the paddy rites of passage and the life cycle of Bambarayon – the in-dwelling spirit of paddy.

Appeasing is done in respect of Bambarayon, Deities, Divinities and Spirits, who may have been hurt by human wrongful, acts. Purification is performed in respect of human and spiritual needs for forgiveness followed by resolutions to make themselves worthy of the gifts of life from God. Restoration in necessary to ensure the health and well being of Bambarayon, mankind and other spiritual beings. Re-union is realised in respect of human needs to be integrated in body, mind and spirit within the concept of the seven-in-one divinity in humanity, as well as re-union of Bambarayon with human Sunduan. Finally Thanksgiving is observed as befitting for all creations to express their gratitude and appreciation for the gifts of life (through Huminodun) and all life supportive system on earth that their Creator lovingly and generously gave them.

Today, the Kaamatan festival has become one of the major national festivals of Malaysia. Unfortunately, the essence, true meanings and purposes of the Kaamatan festival in the context of its original celebrants’ (the Kadazandusuns) culture and belief system have continued to elude the thousands of celebrants each year. As an annual event in the Malaysian tourism calendar, the Kaamatan festival is more than ever before in need of new and relevant approaches in its presentation to the global society so that it is properly understood, appreciated, and respected in its historical origin, cultural significance and contextual perspectives. It must be realized that the State Level Kaamatan festival as it is celebrated today is but only a portion of the whole complex Kadazandusun traditional Momolian religion.

To the younger Kadazandusun generation, who may be experiencing various degrees of cultural dilemma, alienation and values disorientation in the light of rapid social change, it is hoped that this book may help them regain back their cultural consciousness. May they realize in time that they have much to value and be proud of in the wealth of their unique cultural heritage. Most importantly, may this book help rectify the wrong notions, negative biases and the tendencies of those who are unfamiliar with Momolianism to regard it as wholly wrong and/or given to evil in all aspects, for these predispositions have led many to label Momolian as Animism, Paganism or Kafir. It is the author’s view that it is not only wise but necessary for modern religions to cultivate a more respectful openness towards understanding traditional religions, for they too share the major universal values and truth that cannot be monopolized by any individual or single religion. For even during his time, St. Paul had written to the Ephesians:

“This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in the past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel.”

(Ephesians – 3: 3-6)

Why the new religions are readily acceptable to the indigenous peoples of Sabah is perhaps due in part to the already existing shared fundamental concepts and values within both the traditional and the modern religious belief system. Hence syncretism of the new and the old religions have become common phenomenon in the practice of modern religions today.

“Within the realism of our religious pluralism, any religion which fails to open itself to others in the spirit of inter-religious dialogue and cooperation will eventually fall into narrow-minded ghettoism and intolerant fanatism which may eventually destroy other religions, and in itself become as cancerous cell in relation to the whole organism of which it is a parasite.”(Anonymous)

source: http://kdca.org.my/hongkod/kaamatan

Related posts

• Kaamatan Festival 2008 Launching Soon (0)
• Kaamatan Festival 2008 – Unduk Ngadau Grand Finals (4)
• Kota Kinabalu Kaamatan Carnival 2008 (3)
• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 – Part II (1)
• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 (1)

Sabah Fest, the festivity which presents the essence of the cultural extravaganza of Sabah’s diverse people will soon be here again. This year, the event takes place over four days, from May 3rd to the 6th. A presentation of Sabah’s colourful culture, it will be launched by Sabah’s Head of State, Tuan Yang Terutama Yang Di Pertua Negeri, Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah bin Abdullah on Saturday, May 3rd 2008 at the Magellan Grand Ballroom, Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu. On Sunday, the 4th of May audiences can enjoy another night of traditional music and dance while festivities take place at Sabah Museum’s Heritage Village on the 5th and 6th of May.

The much-anticipated event includes a multitude of cultural dances and traditional music performances, local food and beverage stalls for all to enjoy and handicraft-making demonstrations by the respective ethnic groups. On the 3rd and 4th of May there will be exhibitions from 10am to 10pm at the foyer of the Magellan Grand Ballroom, Sutera Harbour.

This is a great opportunity to see skilled craftspeople at work during the handicraft exhibition and a chance to purchase hard-to-find items, from handwoven baskets to intricately-carved Sea Bajau lepas (wooden boat replicas). This year, the Sabah Fest exhibition will also see the participation of some of Sabah’s top spas and wellness centres offering spa treatments for all to enjoy. Come and try delicious local delicacies such as the kuih cincin and sample our famous Sabah Tea.

On the concert nights on the 3rd and 4th May there will be a wonderful array of unique and rarely-seen traditional dances such as the Pangkulian, a Murut-inspired creative traditional dance performed by the students of SK Kiawaian Tambunan and the graceful Igal-Igal Tabawan dance, performed by the Bajau people who reside in Semporna along the East Coast of Sabah. The biggest ethnic tribe in Sabah, the Kadazandusun, will present the Paina and Sumazau, accompanied by the mesmerising beat of the gong.

Sabah is known for its multiculturalism and this year’s theme, Harmony in Diversity, reflects just that. The highlight of the night is the inter-marriage of two different ethnic groups, the Murut and the Bajau. Two traditional mock wedding displays with two very different rituals will be shown on stage – a truly unique experience!

This year an additional two days will be dedicated to give visitors a spectacular cultural experience at the Sabah Museum Cultural Village on the 5th and 6th of May. The village is made up of various traditional houses such as the Rungus longhouse and the bamboo Murut home. Visitors can mingle with the ethnic groups who will be there to show guests their way of life in their respective houses. Age-old rituals will be demonstrated, such as the Rungus fertility ritual called the moginum /manimbang at the Rungus longhouse and a ritual for house cleaning called the mamahui at the Lotud Dusun house. Various other activities will be held to make this event even more colourful, such as traditional musical and dance performances by the Lotud Dusun and the Bajau as well as cooking demonstrations by the Bisaya. This 2-day affair will take place from 10:00am to 5:00pm, with a special traditional dance performance at the Main Stage at 11:00am and 3:00pm.

This event is brought to the public by the Sabah Tourism Board and is organized by Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sabah Tourism Board. For more information, please call Susan Shahira or Melissa Leong of Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn. Bhd. (Tel: 088 – 232121).

Tickets for the cultural shows from 3 – 4 May are sold at RM30.00. Tickets for viewing the traditional houses and activities at Sabah Museum’s HeritageVillage are priced at RM10.00. For ticket bookings please contact Jane Lai at 088-232121 or Shirley Teo at 088-212121. All tickets can also be purchased at Sabah Tourism Board and Sri Pelancongan Sabah tourist information counters.

(Source: Sabah Tourism Press Release, 04 Apr 2008)

Related posts

• Sabah Fest 2008 Launched – An Evening of Colours (11)
• Kota Kinabalu Kaamatan Carnival 2008 (3)
• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 – Part II (1)
• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 (1)
• Kalimaran Festival 2009 (2)

As was the preceding year, the Closing Ceremony will be officiated by TYT Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah at the Hongkod Koisaan K.D.C.A. on 31st of May 2008. Don’t forget, this date is also the highly awaited finale that is “Ratu Unduk Ngadau” or Harvest Queen.

Celebration Events according to District/Area

No.	District/Area	Date
1	Tambunan	03 May
2	Keningau	04 May
3	Lahad Datu	04 May
4	Tawau	04 May
5	Kunak	04 May
6	Kudat	06 May
7	Kinabatangan	08 May
8	Tongod	08 May
9	Inanam	08 May
10	Tenom	10 May
11	Banggi	10 May
12	Kota Kinabalu City	11 May
13	Nabawan dan Pagalungan	11 May
14	Kota Belud	11 May
15	Sook	11 May
16	Telupid	12 May
17	Paitan	12 May
18	Matunggong	15 May
19	Sipitang	15 May
20	Sandakan	17 May
21	Beluran	17 May
22	Penampang	17 May
23	Labuan	17 May
24	Semporna	17 May
25	Pitas	18 May
26	Kota Marudu	18 May
27	Tuaran(Tamparuli dan Kiulu)	20 May
28	Menumbok	21 May
29	Kuala Penyu	21 May
30	Membakut	21 May
31	Ranau	22 May
32	Putatan	22 May
33	All of Sabah	31 May

translated from source: http://newkaamatan.blogspot.com/2008/02/kaamatan-2008.html

For KL’s Klang Valley, celebration will be held on 11th May. For more info, visit the KDCA Klang Valley page.

Related posts

• Introduction to the Kaamatan Festival (0)
• Kota Kinabalu Kaamatan Carnival 2008 (3)
• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 – Part II (1)
• Kota Kinabalu City Tadau Kaamatan Carnival 2009 (1)
• Kaamatan Festival 2008 – Unduk Ngadau Grand Finals (4)