National Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025 kicks off with 51 finalists, Kinabatangan opts out

Borneo Post

6 days ago

The 51 finalists for the 2025 National UNK pageant, with last year's winner Hyellene Danius (front row, 14th from left).
KOTA KINABALU (May 26): The National Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025 (UNK 2025) officially began on Monday with the registration of all 51 finalists from across Malaysia at the Hilton Hotel.
UNK 2025 co-chair, Datuk Joanna Kitingan, said this marks the start of the Cultural Pageant Week from May 26 till May 31 and this year's edition holds special significance as it commemorates the 65th anniversary of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, a cultural pageant that continues to honour the legend of Huminodun and celebrate the enduring beauty, strength and wisdom of Kadazandusun women.
The Kinabatangan district opted out from participating in the UNK 2025 and did not send a representative due to the lack of participation in the district level UNK contest.
'This is the Kinabatangan district's first absense in the National Level Unduk Ngadau pageant in so many years. I heard they celebrated the Kaamatan festival there but did not hold the Unduk Ngadau contest,' said Joanna.
2024 National UNK winner, Hyellene Danius (centre) holds up the sash that will be worn by winner of the 2025 National UNK on May 31, as well as showcases the crown for the upcoming queen. Also in the picture are Joanna (right) and Mary.
Out of the 51 finalists, only one will be crowned as the 2025 UNK queen on May 31, and receive the main prizes of RM15,000 in cash prize, a custom-designed crown, a handmade beaded sash, a scholarship from the North Borneu University College (NBUC) and others.
The prizes for the first runner-up and second runner-up as well as the top seven winners will be announced later on May 31, she said.
Meanwhile, throughout this week, the finalists will embark on a journey of cultural immersion and learning. Highlights include an experiential visit to the Sabah Museum, where they will participate in traditional activities such as Magagung (pounding the gong), Menutu Parai (rice pounding), bead making, and the preparation of traditional dishes like tuhau, losun and hinava.
The finalists will also make a special appearance at the Malaysian International Cocoa Festival at the Sabah International Convention Centre, take part in the culture, gro-tourism and nature (CAN) short film awards at Imago Shopping Mall, and attend educational talks on cultural heritage and healthcare.
Their itinerary also includes a visit to the traditional houses at Koisaan Cultural Village, KDCA.
On May 28, the prestigious Sodop Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Gala night will bring together dignitaries, community leaders and cultural supporters.
While all dinner tables are fully sold, gallery tickets (without dinner) are still available for purchase.
The grand coronation will be held on May 31, where one finalist will be crowned Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025.
To commemorate this milestone year, a limited edition 65th anniversary Unduk Ngadau commemorative stamp and souvenir book will be released.
Co-chairperson, Dr Mary Gambidau, also shared that among the improvements adopted for this year's UNK finale is getting translators for the finalists answering questions in Lundayeh and Murut.
'We have listened to netizens, and in our effort to improve, there will be a translator for finalists delivering their answers in Lundayeh and in Murut,' said Mary.
She added that the translators are not among the juries.
'We have a team to prepare questions from Maktab Perguruan (Teachers College), the Kadazan Dusun Foundation (KLF), and the Dusun language enthusiasts,' she explained.
On May 31, all 51 finalists will be showcasing and introducing themselves, after which the number will be narrowed down to 15, who will answer a question in their mother tongue with the assistance of an interpreter. From there, the selection will move to the top 7, where the finalists will undergo another round of question-and-answer session, and thereafter, the top three will be selected.
Joanna said that a total of seven judges are employed to carry out the judging, and they have also employed a computerised system for the finals on May 31.
'We hope to conclude everything and present the next reigning queen by 5pm or 6pm on May 31.'
Further details will be announced via our official Unduk Ngadau social media platform.
Sponsors for the event include Sawit Kinabalu, Jetama, Skintific Malaysia, Imago Shopping Mall, PHI Dental, KOVAC, Trusted Shark, PopOutlink, Beauty Wonderland, Happy Place, Chuck & Dunk, Vaseline, Sazarice, Pepsi, Maxis and many more.
The theme for this year's event is 'Kaamatan for all', or 'Kaamatan montok toinsanan'.
The UNK 2025 stands as a testament to cultural continuity, heritage preservation and the evolving role of women as ambassadors of tradition in a modern world.
Also present during the press conference was 2024 UNK Hyellene Danius.