The month of May is when the Harvest Festival, otherwise called Kaamatan, is celebrated by the Kadazandusun people of Sabah. The festival celebrations is carried out on the 30th and 31st of May, it is a festival not to be missed.
Last Sunday, in City Mall Kota Kinabalu, the activities for Kaamatan has already begun. With merchandise stalls that carries the native design themes, and showcasing the Kadazandusun culture. There were food stalls selling local fun and delicacies, and a stall where you can try out your skills with the blow-pipe.
The Kaamatan Celebrations
The finale of the Kaamatan is when the Untuk Ngadau (Ethnic Beauty Pageant of the Kadazandusun) is chosen. There is a story behind this ethnic beauty contest, and it is one where the heroine sacrifices herself for the good of her people. This is one of the more well-known oral folkore from the Kadazandusuns.
Throughout the month of May, local districts such as Kota Kinabalu, Inanam, Tuaran, and many others will be hosting their Beauty contest. The winner from the local contest will go on to complete in the Grand Final on 30th May at KDCA, Penampang.
KDCA, which stands for KadazanDusun Cultural Association, will be a fantastic place for photograph during this month. Many non-Kadazandusuns will be able to experience the activities and lifestyle of the Natives. All it takes is a little imagination to understand how life must be like.
This is one of the classic Kadazandusun song, well loved by many Sabahans, including non-natives. My Princess loves this song, and she is going to have it in her Ipod Touch when that arrives.
