Pageant puts spotlight on Bajausama traditional attire
Published on: Mon, Aug 11, 2025 Text Size: Contestants of the Children's Traditional Costume Competition. Tuaran: The Ratu Serimpak pageant showcases the beauty of traditional attire and the cultural heritage of the Bajausama community, which must be preserved for future generations. Sabah Bajausama Community Association (PRBSS) Vice-President Datuk Japlin Akim said the event is more than just a beauty or costume competition, it serves as a platform to empower knowledgeable, capable Bajausama women who understand and value the customs and traditions of their ancestors.
Advertisement 'Judging is not confined to the night of the pageant itself but starts from the very first day the contestants arrive. 'They have taken part in various activities such as cultural workshops, briefings, and traditional events, enabling the judges to comprehensively assess their personality, cultural knowledge, and commitment to the Bajausama heritage,' he said when officiating the Ratu Serimpak 2025 Grand Final, held in conjunction with the Sabah Bajausama Cultural Festival at the PRBSS Cultural Centre here on Friday. Japlin added that the competition is more than just a stage performance. 'It is a platform to find cultural ambassadors who can represent our identity to the world, safeguard our heritage roots, and reignite the younger generation's spirit to embrace who they are as Bajausama,' he said.
Advertisement A total of 20 contestants have been competing since August 6, with the final results to be announced on the festival's closing day this Sunday. Also present were PRBSS Secretary-General Datuk Kassim Razali and Ratu Serimpak 2025 Competition Chairman Muhd Arziz Afizy Rumsani. Meanwhile, the Children's Traditional Costume Competition for Sabah's ethnic groups was held in lively fashion on Friday in conjunction with the 2025 Sabah Bajausama Cultural Festival at the Lok Batik Cultural Hall. A total of 93 children took part, 14 from Kemas nurseries (Taska) and 79 from Kemas kindergartens (Tabika), showcasing a variety of traditional attire from Sabah's ethnic communities, including Bajau, Dusun, and Murut. The competition was divided into four categories: Tabika boys, Tabika girls, Taska boys, and Taska girls. In the Taska Girls category, first place went to Maryam Afifi Mohd Aziz from Taska Kemas Kampung Bolong Lama, followed by Aish Khadijah Amli (Taska Kemas Kampung Bolong Lama) in second place and Rania Azzalea Samsul (Taska Kemas Kampus Intan Sabah) in third. The Tabika Girls category saw Dellisyah Yusni from Tabika Kemas Taman Sri Rugading crowned champion, with Erena Etna Brian (Tabika Kemas Pekan Kiulu) as runner-up and Nurmisha Afifah Indra (Tabika Kemas Kampung Penimbawan) in third place. In the Tabika Boys category, first place went to Alddrey Arddy L. Bonny (Tabika Kemas Kampung Suromboton), second to Muhammad Aisy Firdaus Raynol (Tabika Kemas Taman Sri Rugading), and third to Aeril Miqail Ashar (Tabika Kemas Pertanian). Meanwhile, in the Taska Boys category, Muhammad Aniq Mikail Juidi (Taska Kemas Kampung Bolong Lama) took the top spot, followed by Muhammad Haufan Hazza Ahamzah (Taska Kemas Kampung Bolong Lama) in second place and Niyaz Mikail Muhammad Nazri (Taska Kemas Kampus Intan Sabah) in third. All winners received cash prizes, certificates, and hampers presented by Sabah Bajausama Community Association Supreme Council member Raisin Gagah, representing Festival Organising Committee Chairman Datuk Kassim Razali. The event was jointly organised by Kemas and the Sabah Cultural Board (LKNS). * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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Published on: Monday, August 11, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 11, 2025 Text Size: Some of the finalists for the Ratu Serimpak competition. Tuaran: The 2025 Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Festival serves as a vital platform to unite Bajau Sama associations across the State while elevating the art, culture and traditions of this ethnic community. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said this year's festival holds special significance as it marks the first collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac). Advertisement He said this at the Bertitik Competition Finals held at the Dewan Terbuka Pusat Kebudayaan Persatuan Rumpun Bajau Sama, here, Saturday. Since its establishment in 2012, the 13-year-old association has expanded to 19 branches statewide. The annual festival brings together association leaders to gather in Tuaran, particularly at the community's cultural centre. 'This festival serves as an important platform to strengthen the identity of the Bajau Sama community in Sabah, bringing together generations, including children as young as 10 who participate in the traditional dance competitions,' Armizan said. He said the Bajau Sama arts and culture represent Sabah's unique strengths that could attract tourists and stimulate the local economy. Advertisement The festival's economic potential through cultural tourism could draw more visitors to Sabah, especially to Tuaran and the cultural centre, particularly during next year's Visit Malaysia campaign. Armizan expressed hope that the festival would be included in Motac's official calendar to ensure continuous annual support. He also suggested modernising and commercialising traditional clothing motifs, similar to Sarawak's batik, for wider use, including official Thursday wear for civil servants. He urged association members and younger generations to continue preserving their cultural heritage to prevent it from being lost to time. The four-day festival features various art competitions, cultural performances and exhibitions of traditional Bajau Sama food and clothing. Also present were Persatuan Rumpun Bajau Sama Sabah Vice President Datuk Japlin Akim and Secretary General Datuk Kassim Razali, who also chairs the festival's organising committee. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
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Pageant puts spotlight on Bajausama traditional attire
Published on: Monday, August 11, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 11, 2025 Text Size: Contestants of the Children's Traditional Costume Competition. Tuaran: The Ratu Serimpak pageant showcases the beauty of traditional attire and the cultural heritage of the Bajausama community, which must be preserved for future generations. Sabah Bajausama Community Association (PRBSS) Vice-President Datuk Japlin Akim said the event is more than just a beauty or costume competition, it serves as a platform to empower knowledgeable, capable Bajausama women who understand and value the customs and traditions of their ancestors. Advertisement 'Judging is not confined to the night of the pageant itself but starts from the very first day the contestants arrive. 'They have taken part in various activities such as cultural workshops, briefings, and traditional events, enabling the judges to comprehensively assess their personality, cultural knowledge, and commitment to the Bajausama heritage,' he said when officiating the Ratu Serimpak 2025 Grand Final, held in conjunction with the Sabah Bajausama Cultural Festival at the PRBSS Cultural Centre here on Friday. Japlin added that the competition is more than just a stage performance. 'It is a platform to find cultural ambassadors who can represent our identity to the world, safeguard our heritage roots, and reignite the younger generation's spirit to embrace who they are as Bajausama,' he said. Advertisement A total of 20 contestants have been competing since August 6, with the final results to be announced on the festival's closing day this Sunday. Also present were PRBSS Secretary-General Datuk Kassim Razali and Ratu Serimpak 2025 Competition Chairman Muhd Arziz Afizy Rumsani. Meanwhile, the Children's Traditional Costume Competition for Sabah's ethnic groups was held in lively fashion on Friday in conjunction with the 2025 Sabah Bajausama Cultural Festival at the Lok Batik Cultural Hall. A total of 93 children took part, 14 from Kemas nurseries (Taska) and 79 from Kemas kindergartens (Tabika), showcasing a variety of traditional attire from Sabah's ethnic communities, including Bajau, Dusun, and Murut. The competition was divided into four categories: Tabika boys, Tabika girls, Taska boys, and Taska girls. In the Taska Girls category, first place went to Maryam Afifi Mohd Aziz from Taska Kemas Kampung Bolong Lama, followed by Aish Khadijah Amli (Taska Kemas Kampung Bolong Lama) in second place and Rania Azzalea Samsul (Taska Kemas Kampus Intan Sabah) in third. The Tabika Girls category saw Dellisyah Yusni from Tabika Kemas Taman Sri Rugading crowned champion, with Erena Etna Brian (Tabika Kemas Pekan Kiulu) as runner-up and Nurmisha Afifah Indra (Tabika Kemas Kampung Penimbawan) in third place. In the Tabika Boys category, first place went to Alddrey Arddy L. Bonny (Tabika Kemas Kampung Suromboton), second to Muhammad Aisy Firdaus Raynol (Tabika Kemas Taman Sri Rugading), and third to Aeril Miqail Ashar (Tabika Kemas Pertanian). Meanwhile, in the Taska Boys category, Muhammad Aniq Mikail Juidi (Taska Kemas Kampung Bolong Lama) took the top spot, followed by Muhammad Haufan Hazza Ahamzah (Taska Kemas Kampung Bolong Lama) in second place and Niyaz Mikail Muhammad Nazri (Taska Kemas Kampus Intan Sabah) in third. All winners received cash prizes, certificates, and hampers presented by Sabah Bajausama Community Association Supreme Council member Raisin Gagah, representing Festival Organising Committee Chairman Datuk Kassim Razali. The event was jointly organised by Kemas and the Sabah Cultural Board (LKNS). * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
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Raisin (fifth from left, back row) in a group photo with the winners.-Information Department photo TUARAN (Aug 9): The Sabah Ethnic Children's Fashion Competition was held vibrantly as part of the 2025 Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Festival at the Lok Batik Cultural Hall here on Friday. A total of 93 children participated in the competition, comprising 14 from Taska KEMAS and 79 from Tabika KEMAS. They showcased a variety of traditional attire from Sabah's ethnic groups, including the Bajau, Dusun and Murut communities. The competition was divided into four categories: Tabika (boys and girls) and Taska (boys and girls). Taska Girls Category: Champion: Maryam Afifi Mohd Aziz (Taska KEMAS Kampung Bolong Lama), Runner-up: Aish Khadijah Amli (Taska KEMAS Kampung Bolong Lama), Third Place: Rania Azzalea Samsul (Taska KEMAS Kampus INTAN Sabah). Tabika Girls Category: Champion: Dellisyah Yusni (Tabika KEMAS Taman Sri Rugading), Runner-up: Erena Etna Brian (Tabika KEMAS Pekan Kiulu), Third Place: Nurmisha Afifah Indra (Tabika KEMAS Kampung Penimbawan). Tabika Boys Category: Champion: Alddrey Arddy L. Bonny (Tabika KEMAS Kampung Suromboton), Runner-up: Muhammad Aisy Firdaus Raynol (Tabika KEMAS Taman Sri Rugading), Third Place: Aeril Miqail Ashar (Tabika KEMAS Pertanian). Taska Boys Category: Champion: Muhammad Aniq Mikail Juidi (Taska KEMAS Kampung Bolong Lama), Runner-up: Muhammad Haufan Hazza Ahamzah (Taska KEMAS Kampung Bolong Lama), Third Place: Niyaz Mikail Muhammad Nazri (Taska KEMAS Kampus INTAN Sabah). All the winners received cash prizes, certificates and gift hampers presented by Raisin Gagah, a Supreme Council member of the Sabah Bajau Sama Association, representing the Festival Organizing Committee chairman, Datuk Kassim Razali. The competition was organized in collaboration with KEMAS (Community Development Department) and the Sabah State Cultural Board.
