Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Music and dance caps Kaamatan

KOTA KINABALU: A marathon of traditional dances accompanied by traditional music of Sabah’s over 30 ethnic communities was the highlight of the state-level Kaamatan or Harvest Festival celebrations in Penampang near here.

Popular dances like sumazau of the Kadazandusun, magunatip of the Murut, and monggigol of the Rungus were showcased non-stop for over 30 minutes along with lesser known ones like the kadandiu of the Tidong and igal igal of the Bajau and Suluk communities.

This event yesterday thrilled the audience who packed the Hongkod Koisaan hall to witness the closing of the month-long Kaamatan festivities by the Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah.

Earlier, Ahmadshah together with Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman and “Huguan Siou” or Kadazandusun Murut leader Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan each cut seven padi stalks and placed them in a “takob” or bamboo basket to symbolically close the festivities.

This was followed by the “magavao” or appeasing the rice spirits ceremony as a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest conducted by a group of Kadazan­dusun “bobohizan” or traditional priestesses and elders.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Music and dance caps Kaamatan
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