Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Kaamatan Festival culminates in Sabah

Venue of the Kaamatan Festival or "Magavau,"
as it is known in the Kadazan language in Sabah

Fair damsels donning tribal colours

Magavau, a thanksgiving ceremony conducted by Bobohizan,
the Kadazandusun high priestess, to invoke the Rice Spirit, Bambaazon

Musicians embellish tradition with instruments like the gong and ethnic drums

Symbolic representation: As folklore goes ... the body of Huminodun (daughter of Kinoingan and his wife Suminundu who was sacrificed) produced padi seeds that have become the food we eat today. Thus, the existence of the belief that paddy possesses a spirit named "Bambaazon"

Stage proceedings with the paddy stalk taking centrestage

Maidens - from as many as 21 tribes - dressed to the hilt with ornate jewellery

Warriors in full regalia

Photos courtesy of and Copyright to Kasha and
Brunei Press Sdn Bhd


Story & photos by Kasha

It's that time of the year when the Kaamatan Festival or as it is known in the Kadazan language, "Magavau", culminates as a specific celebration to pay respects to "Bambaazon" or a good padi harvest. The festival is done traditionally by the Kadazandusun for generations, after harvesting.

According to folklore, "Kinoingan" and his wife Suminundu had a daughter named Huminodun. In order to save the Kadazandusun from hunger due to insufficient food supply, Kinoingan was forced to sacrifice his daughter and thus Huminodun was killed and her remains buried in accordance with tradition.

The story goes that the body of Huminodun produced a variety of padi seeds that has become the food we eat today therefore the existence of the belief that paddy possesses a spirit named "Bambaazon".

From here, the Kadazandusun started the Kaamatan Festival (Menuai Festival) in hope that they will receive good harvest yield and that respect is given by the Kadazandusun tribe to Kinoingan who willingly sacrificed his daughter in order to save his people from starvation.

The Kaamatan Festival celebration commenced on May 1 at district level. The Kaamatan Festival in Sabah was held at the Hongkod Koisaam Penampang that housed traditional homes in assorted shapes.

As many as 21 tribes donning clothes of various designs along with ornate jewellery, congregated. The official ceremony of the celebration was opened by Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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