Month-long Sabah harvest festival begins

Stage presence: Traditional dancers performing during the launch.

KOTA KINABALU: The chanting by bobohizan (Kadazandusun priestesses) during a thanksgiving ceremony in Tambunan district marked the launch of Sabah’s month-long Kaama­tan celebrations.

The event was held at Pisom­puruan Square in Tambunan, which is surrounded by padi fields and nestled in a valley in the Crocker Range.

The thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest was witnessed by Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Juhar Mahi­rud­din and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Also present was Huguan Siou or Kadazandusun paramount chief Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also Deputy Chief Minister.

In a symbolic gesture, Juhar harvested seven padi stalks and beat a gong seven times to mark the launch.

Steeped in tradition: A group of ‘bobohizan’ performing a traditional ritual called the ‘megavau’ at the launch of the Kaamatan festival at Pisompuruan Square in Tambunan.  

This was followed by cultural performances and a choir presentation of songs such as Tadau Do Kaamatan and Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan.

The crowd was also entertained with the sumazau dance of the Kada­zan­dusun, as well as the monggigol sumandai dance of the Rungus and the magunatip of the Murut communities.

The Kaamatan celebrations will be held at various districts throughout this month, with an Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen) to be chosen from each area.

In his speech, Musa said festivals such as Kaamatan helped to unify Sabah’s diverse communities by bringing people together and promo­ting cultural understanding.

He said the celebration also showcased the various ethnic communities.

The Kaamatan festival will culminate with state-level celebrations on May 30 and 31 at the Hongkod Koi­saan in Penampang near here.

The two-day finale will begin with the staging of various cultural and traditional sports events such as momolastik (shooting with a slingshot), mioulos (arm wrestling) and rimpanau (walking on stilts).

The last event will be the crowning of this year’s state Unduk Ngadau.