Baloi Keningau set to shine at Kaamatan Festival with cultural showcases
KOTA KINABALU (May 28): 'Baloi Keningau,' a traditional house representing the identity and heritage of the Keningau community, is ready to welcome visitors during the Kaamatan Festival 2025, which will take place at Hongkod Koisaan, Penampang, on May 30 and 31.
Located within the Koisaan Cultural Village (KCV), Baloi Keningau is set to be one of the main attractions of this year's celebration, which carries the theme 'Kaamatan for All.'
This theme reflects the spirit of inclusivity and harmony, while emphasizing appreciation for cultural diversity among the Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) communities and Malaysians as a whole.
Chairman of the KDCA Keningau Coordinating Committee, Rafie Robert, invited the public to visit Baloi Keningau and experience the unique culture being showcased.
'We warmly welcome everyone to visit Baloi Keningau at the Koisaan Cultural Village. It's more than just a traditional house – it is a symbol of our community's heritage and identity. Kaamatan is a celebration for all, and we are truly honoured to share this culture with all Malaysians,' he said.
According to him, various cultural activities are scheduled to take place at KCV on May 30, including traditional cooking demonstrations, handicraft exhibitions, and traditional dance and music performances.
He added that Baloi Keningau will feature specific cultural showcases, including the Murut Naabai ethnic dance, Dusun Lobu ethnic dance, and performances of traditional musical instruments such as the Tongunggu (bamboo music) and Sompoton.
He noted that the highlight of the celebration will be held on May 31 with the National Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Pageant, which will see 51 participants from across Sabah and other states in Malaysia.
Rafie said the pageant not only showcases the grace and personality of Kadazandusun women but also highlights their cultural knowledge and the spirit of community unity.
'Kaamatan is a symbol of gratitude for the harvest and a reflection of unity among our diverse communities. KDCA Keningau invites all Malaysians to join in the celebration and take pride in our shared cultural heritage,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
'It's to ensure a safety net': Malaysian super diva Khadijah Ibrahim encourages musicians to move into business
Malaysia's legendary diva Khadijah Ibrahim believes young musicians and celebrities to not just rely on income from the entertainment world alone, but instead start planning for the future by joining the world of entrepreneurship while their names are still relevant and widely known According to her, the entertainment world sometimes can be unstable and even fickle at times so therefore, young celebrities are encouraged to use their popularity as a springboard to build a strong personal and business brand from the very beginning. "I have seen many of my musician friends who have fallen into despair after no longer being active on the entertainment stage. When their names are no longer mentioned, job offers are decreasing, and eventually, they lose their source of income. I don't want this to happen to the younger generation today. I have seen it so many times that I just want a better world for the younger ones," said Khadijah. Khadijah, who is also the Chairman of Karyawan, Malaysia's association for music industry staff, said it is also good for celebrities to be creative in their career and venture into other fronts that can help their career. And using their popularity to push themselves in the business is not at all a wrong step to take as it also gives them another avenue to look for extra funds for their future. "Learn about the ins and outs of business. Don't just be an ambassador or 'name' for a product. Go out into the field, find out about marketing, management, and production. If we don't understand it ourselves, others will easily take advantage," Khadijah added. Khadijah also shared her experience as an artist who transitioned into business by establishing her own food company, including the brand Sos Cili Ibu, which is now increasingly gaining a place in the hearts of consumers both domestically and internationally. "Doing business gives me satisfaction because it not only generates continuous income, but also opens up job opportunities for others and contributes to the national economy. I'm happy to be involved in the food industry now. "I started with a product that I loved and my love for food. I also know Malaysians love spicy food, so I created an original, locally made chilli sauce, now known as Sos Cili Ibu," he said. Khadijah and Sos Cili Ibu Meet Her Fans at Singapore Expo Khadijah has big plans for her product. She showcased her product at the Singapore Expo an event which was held in conjunction with the Malaysia Fest from July 31 to Aug 3. Many of her fans in Singapore crowded the show hall when Khadijah introduced the product to Singaporeans. On top of that, her Sos Cili Ibu was also given the thumbs up by top Malaysian artistes, including the likes of Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Ifa Raziah, Zaiton Sameon, Jasmin Hamid, dan many more. "I was overwhelmed by the support from fans and visitors at the Singapore Expo. Many came not just to buy sauce, but also to take pictures and share memories of my musical heyday. It was a pretty sweet experience," she said. Khadijah also announced besides Singapore, the chili sauce is also available in Indonesia and Brunei. On top of that, she and her team are also in talks with a major distributor who has chains in 23 other countries. For the record, Khadijah, better known as Kathy Ibrahim, has been an active singer since the 70s and is also one of the few artists in Malaysia who has produced her own album every decade since then. Her famous song "Kupendam Sebuah Duka" is a glorious ballad that is played in almost every household to this day. One of Malaysia's most profound vocalists, she continues to mesmerise music fans to this day. Besides being a brilliant musician, she is also an established actress and now an inspiring businesswoman. At the age of 66, many of us will be thinking of slowing down and even thinking of retiring from the workforce. For Khadijah, she is now making a name for herself in the business world. And for sure, fans will be wishing her the best of success in her new venture.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
House husband drives home brand-new Isuzu D-Max
The winners of the the 'Jom Masak & Menang Bersama' campaign with the organisers. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 12): Forty-two-year-old Likas resident, Awang Hisham Bin Sitar @ Awang Sitar, emerged victorious in the 'Jom Masak & Menang Bersama' campaign organised by MAGGI in conjunction with the Kaamatan season. The former food stall operator turned full-time house husband took home the grand prize — a brand-new Isuzu D-Max. Awang Hisham said the win was a blessing for his family of five. 'Cooking has always been a passion, and this competition gave me a chance to share my love for Sabahan food,' he said at the prize presentation ceremony at ITCC Mall in Penampang on Sunday. The first runner-up received branded cooking appliances worth RM3,000, while the other five finalists each took home RM1,500 worth of appliances. With the theme 'Honouring the Cooks Behind the Festivities', the event was a vibrant celebration of Sabahan cuisine, featuring local ingredients, passionate home cooks and charitable contributions to uplift communities. Seven finalists, selected after a two-month search across the state, competed under the tagline 'Warisan Citarasa Sabah'. In the first round, they were tasked with creating dishes using a mystery box of local produce, including Jeruk Bambangan — a nod to Sabah's rich culinary heritage. The top three moved on to a taste test challenge, identifying five mystery ingredients. Awang Hisham answered all the five ingredients correctly. MAGGI also marked the occasion with a charitable gesture, donating RM0.10 for every MAGGI product purchased between May 1 and June 30, raising RM15,000 for PACOS Trust Sabah, an NGO empowering women and indigenous communities across the state. Sabah Rural Development Corporation (KPD) chairman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang lauded the company's commitment, saying: 'For over two decades, MAGGI has stood alongside us during Kaamatan. Beyond embracing our culture and heritage, their efforts to uplift local communities are commendable, and I look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership.' MAGGI Malaysia and Singapore Business Executive Officer Ivy Tan Link Cheh said the campaign was about more than food. 'We are honoured to be part of Sabahans' lives and celebrations each year. Through meaningful partnerships, we can help underserved communities move forward while honouring local traditions and cuisine.' This year's celebrations also featured the first-ever East Malaysian stop of the nationwide MAGGI Kari-Lah Roadshow. Visitors experienced five interactive zones inspired by taste, aroma, texture, sound and sight, alongside cooking showcases of Kerabu MAGGI Latok and MAGGI Kari Jeruk Bambangan by MAGGI chefs Sharifah Hamidah Syed Mohsin and Muhammad Hakimi Badrul Hisham. The event wrapped up with cultural performances, games, and a warm reminder of Kaamatan's essence — togetherness, tradition and sharing good food.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Chopin spree: Pianist Melody Quah returns to KL for homecoming performance
Malaysian classical pianist and academic Melody Quah, based in the United States, makes her long-awaited return to Dewan Filharmonik Petronas this weekend for the Chopin Festival, performing with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. The two-part festival opens on Aug 16 under MPO music director Junichi Hirokami. The orchestra will partner with Quah to present the Polish composer's iconic Piano Concerto No. 1 In E minor . Premiered to great acclaim in Warsaw in 1830 as part of Chopin's 'farewell' concerts before leaving Poland at 20, the piece is often described as romantic and calm, yet tinged with melancholy – like recalling a beloved landscape in memory. Chopin composed 'Piano Concerto No. 1' at the age of 20. 'For a composer who wrote mainly for solo piano, Chopin prioritises cosiness and intimacy,' says Hirokami. 'So when conducting the piano concerto, I think of it as 'large chamber music.'' Being home 'It's always special to perform in Malaysia, not only because my VIP guests are able to attend (my parents!), but because of how it feels to collaborate with fellow Malaysians and those who have made Malaysia their home. There is a sense of unspoken kinship that is palpable,' says Quah, 37, in a recent interview in Kuala Lumpur. She is also no stranger to the DFP big stage and is set to enchant the audience with Chopin's emotional range and lyrical melodies. In 2018, she made her solo debut with the MPO under German-Japanese conductor Jun Markl. A Kuala Lumpur native, Quah currently resides in University Park, Pennsylvania, and teaches piano as an Assistant Professor at Penn State University. It's a delight for her to be back in Malaysia performing again with the MPO, reconnecting with musician friends here. 'My first performance with the MPO was in 2018, playing Beethoven's Concerto No. 1 in C major , so I'm glad to be back playing Chopin this time,' says Quah. 'Chopin is a special composer for pianists because he wrote primarily for the piano. When you think about romantic classical music, oftentimes the first composer that comes to people's minds is Chopin. He wrote very idiomatically for the instrument, meaning that all of the arpeggios, all of the virtuosic material, they fit very nicely in a pianist's hands,' she adds. 'When playing one of Chopin's works, the job of the pianist is often to try to make the piano sing as expressively as possible,' says Quah. Quah notes that much of Chopin's beauty comes from his love of opera, especially the singing style of Italian opera. 'When playing one of Chopin's works, the job of the pianist is often to try to make the piano sing as expressively as possible, like a singer. 'So even though there is this sort of drama of the soloist in front of the orchestra, it's really quite an intimate experience listening to Chopin live because of the way it's written. There are lots of 'singing' lines and plenty of nuance to appreciate – if we're doing our job right, at least,' she adds with a chuckle. Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 also happens to hold a special place in Quah's heart. 'This concerto is very special to me, because it was the first concerto that I performed with an orchestra when I was around 14. It was with the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra, soon after I had moved (from Kuala Lumpur) to Sydney, Australia to study piano at the Australian Institute of Music,' she says. 'I played it a few years ago in Pennsylvania, but now coming back to it after having hopefully improved, having much more experience and being able to interpret it in a more mature way, it's sure to be interesting. I'm pleased to have the chance to work on it again.' Emotional depth Chopin's works are known for exploring the full expressive range of the piano. Piano students often use his pieces to learn how to express emotional depth. For Quah, she can't quite recall what was the first Chopin piece she ever played – 'It was probably a short waltz?' – but one of the most important techniques she learned through Chopin very early on was the concept of 'rubato'. ''Rubato' describes this feeling of flexibility when playing a piece. Even though the beat is going very steadily in the background, as a soloist, you have this freedom to speed up the tempo or slow it down. The great thing about this is that every artist's interpretation is unique, so you'll never get the exact same performance. 'So when you're a young pianist, you get assigned these short Chopin pieces to learn how to practice that flexibility, that rubato, while staying on the beat,' says Quah. A life in music A musical virtuoso from a young age, Quah's love for the piano began when she was only two years old, when her family noticed that she had learned to play the piano by ear, improvising tunes she heard on the radio. In Kuala Lumpur, she attended SK Taman Tun Dr Ismail (2) for her first two primary years before moving to Sekolah Sri Cempaka in Damansara Heights from Standard Three to Form One. 'I had a lot of fun with music as a child and sought opportunities for it to be a part of most facets of my daily life – from accompanying Negaraku at school assemblies to playing violin at church and for Christmas carolling!' Quah's love for the piano began when she was only two years old. Quah completed high school at the Australian Institute of Music and earned a Bachelor of Music from the Vancouver Academy of Music, Canada. She later received a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, along with graduate degrees from the Yale School of Music and The Juilliard School. Through the years, she's been taught by respected pianists such as Boris Slutsky, Peter Frankl, Matti Raekallio, Lee Kum Sing, and Snezana Panovska. She joined a music appreciation class at four and began piano lessons with Panovska (founder of Chopin Society Malaysia) at six, soon composing and playing other instruments. At seven, she made her overseas debut in the Czech Republic and Hungary. 'I had many inspiring music teachers in KL, including Tan Siew Ghee, Clement Siow, Adeline Wong, Nora Kim, and Snezana Panovska, who all contributed to my musical education in their own, indispensable way,' she says. Quah has since performed on major stages – from playing the Electone at the 1998 Bukit Jalil Stadium opening to recitals at Carnegie Hall's Weill Hall and solo appearances with symphonies and orchestras worldwide. An expressive piece While the piano remains her primary instrument, Quah's musicianship extends far beyond its keys. A true music lover, she occasionally performs the pipe organ professionally, relishing the grandeur and complexity of the instrument. In more intimate settings – be it special requests or family gatherings – she's just as comfortable tucking a violin under her chin or coaxing warm, intricate tones from a classical guitar, reminding those around her that her relationship with music is as versatile as it is profound. Quah at the Penn's Woods Music Festival in 2022, which was when she last presented Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor. Photo courtesy Melody Quah. Even then, Quah still considers the Chopin concerto she will be playing 'a challenging one'. She last performed this Chopin piece at the Penn's Woods Music Festival in the US in 2022. 'I think one of the challenges lies in the fact that it is so expressive. The piano is inherently a percussive instrument, because you play it and then the sound dies right away. But in this concerto, through the piano, we have to create the illusion that we are a singer,' says Quah. 'Another challenge is in how the soloist is tasked to draw the audience in with all of this lyrical material and bring out the contrast between all of the drama that's in it. It's up to the soloist to decide what colour of sound they want to create, and this sort of nuance and subtlety can only be best appreciated when it's heard live in concert,' she concludes. Melody Quah will perform at the MPO's Chopin Festival at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Kuala Lumpur on Aug 16, 8pm. The MPO will also present Russian composer Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 in D minor at this festival opener. More info:
