KENINGAU: The much-anticipated national-level “Tadau Kaamatan” (Harvest Festival) celebration to be held in Keningau, in the interior of Sabah, on June 16 is set to bring not only a festive mood but also historic memories.
For the first time, Keningau, a sprawling timber and agricultural town, will play host to the national-level celebration which is expected to be graced by none other than Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The prime minister’s presence will definitely add more significance to the celebration, especially among the Kadazan-Dusun-Murut (KDM) community, for whom the special event is a wonderful reminder of their heritage.
The yearly celebration is also meant to foster goodwill and understanding and enhance unity among the various ethnic groups in Sabah.
However, this coming harvest festival will also bring historic memories, partly because Keningau town is where a “batu sumpah” (oath stone) was erected to acknowledge Sabah’s acceptance of joining the federation.
The monument, which was completed on Aug 31, 1964, the first anniversary of Malaysia Day, was unveiled by the then Federal Minister of Labour, the late Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam.
“I really feel excited and am looking forward to it (the Tadau Kaamatan celebration), especially knowing that Datuk Seri Najib is coming to our town.
“Of course, his presence will make this celebration more meaningful, especially in making this event an avenue to foster goodwill and understanding and enhance unity among the various ethnic groups in Sabah,” said Azman Ruslan, who lives in Kampung Bayangan, about 5 km from the Keningau township.
Azman, who is Keningau Umno Youth head, also suggested that the KDM community find a better way of value adding the yearly event and not just see it simply as a ‘merry-making affair’.
“There is no doubt that the celebration has contributed meaningfully in terms of fostering goodwill, understanding and unity but I think we (the KDM community) need to go beyond that, especially in economic achievement,” he said.
Continue reading at: Keningau folk gear up for colourful national-level Kaamatan celebration
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