Cultural rendezvous at Sabah's Harvest Festival

The Suau Do Bambarayon or Tarian Sambut Tamu by LKS, KKJ and Art Collection groups

Unduk Ngadau 2008 finalists

Musicians playing traditional musical instruments

Boys showing their skills using long poles

Kadazandusun girls from Papar district

Kadazandusun dancers

Photos courtesy of and Copyright to Rahmat bin Haji Abdul Rahman and Brunei Press Sdn Bhd

By Rahmat Haji Abdul Rahman

Tadau Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) Open House Malaysia 2008 involved the grassroots and had Kadazandusun cultural performances, traditional house exhibition, the Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Festival Queen) pageant and a colouring contest for children.

The guest of honour TYT Yang Di-Pertuan Negeri Sabah Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah bin Abdullah and Yang Amat Berbahagia Toh Puan Datuk Seri Panglima Hajah Dayang Masyuyah bte Awang Japar accompanied by other state dignitaries visited traditional houses of Runggus, Dusun Tambunan, Dusun Lotud, exhibition, traditional food kiosks and the Murut house.

Two "Bobohizan" led the guest of honour to the grand stand, followed by the national anthem Negaraku and Sabah Tanah Airku, a welcome dance "Suau Do Bambarayon", a welcoming speech from the Minister of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Datuk Mohd Shafie bin Hj Apdal, an interlude Samazau Dance, a speech from Deputy Minister of Sabah, YB Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan, a stage performance with the people's song Tadau Kaamatan, a speech from the Chief Minister of Sabah Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, a Pinakang dance performed by Dusun Kimaragang, Kota Marudu.

Artists and "Pembawa Sandangon (Selendang) and "Rantai Manik" lined up the pathways, while from huge and powerful speakers blared Malaysian music and Tadau Kaamatan before the arrival of YB Minister of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Datuk Mohd Shafie bin Hj Apdal and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sabah Environment Datuk Msidi Manjun and their spouses.

A Kaamatan cultural diversity rendezvous held for the first time showcased the sub-ethnic tribes of Sabah through food, song, dance and music. It started on Thursday at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association cultural village of Hongkod Koisaan at Penampang.

The very important guests and the people of Sabah were entertained with a stage show. Segment number one had "Tangon Do Nunuk Ragang" or community legend with the "poem" song "Peace Through Culture", a parade by Nunuk Ragang community with 60 people carrying oil light torches and 60 female dancers, and "Khazanah Orang Kita" by Abu Bakar Ellah.

In segment number two, "Pisompuruan" - "Keharmonian Masyarkat" or Community Harmony showed the villagers doing their rice fields activities and a song "Salam Do Kaamatan" and "Jambatan Tamparuli".

The third segment, "Tadau Kaamatan" or "Pesta Menuai", showed the "upacara kesyukuran" or "magavau" by Bobohizan, the Dusun Tindal dance, Mongigol dance and Sazau Papar.

The people at Padang Merdeka were entertained with "Tungkus Di Hominodun" - "Memperingati Pengorbanan Huminodun" performed by the seven Unduk Ngadau Finalists 2008 with Unduk Ngadau and Rumandawi. "Sinakagon Di Odu Aki" or "Penerusan Warisan" participated by dance performer from Brunei, Bajau of Kota Belud, and Bajau of Semporna. The songs Umang Ting Ting, Ampuk Ampuk Bulan, Budaya Bangso and Lampa Lampa Pisang were sang by artists Fauziah Suhaili, Afiq Ahmed and Den Bisa.

Noiduanan Minakan, Norikot Nodi Bulan Lima and Tadau Tagayo Do Kaamatan were sang in the closing ceremony by the choir group, the Unduk Ngadau Finalists 2008. The people were entertained by artists involved with the DJ Abon and Abu Bakar Ellah.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Sunday