From classroom to crown: Aspiring teacher Atitih Yatih takes top Unduk Ngadau 2025 in Sabah cultural pageant
Atitih Yatih, 26, a Bachelor of Education (Malay Language) graduate from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) last December and currently awaiting a teaching placement, beat 51 contestants in the traditional beauty pageant of Sabah's paddy harvest season held annually since 1960.
Earlier, Atitih Yatih, who participated in the competition for the second time this year after her first attempt in 2017, was selected from the round of 15 best participants before advancing to today's last stage of the top seven finalists, who were judged on public speaking, general knowledge, heritage and cultural understanding in their mother tongue (native language).
Unduk Ngadau is a traditional beauty pageant that showcases the diverse ethnic cultures and heritage of Sabah held in memory of the legendary 'Huminodun' who sacrificed herself for the bountiful harvest and well-being of her people in the religious observance (transcending folklore and legend) of the Kadazan-Dusun people.
Meanwhile, when interviewed by reporters, Atitih Yatih said she initially only targeted the top seven in the competition and was breathless to emerge as the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025.
'It is difficult for me to describe this victory because I have not yet processed this in my mind, I am still very shocked. I would like to thank all those who supported me, my family and friends who were willing to come from afar to support me.
'My plans after this depends on where I will be placed, I am waiting for my teaching placement ... as a Malay Language teacher later,' said Atitih Yatih, who hoped that this success would inspire the younger generation to preserve Sabah's culture and heritage.
She received a trophy, RM15,000 in cash and various prizes presented by the wife of the Yang di-Pertua (Governor) of Sabah, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin in the spectacle and witnessed by the wife of the Chief Minister, Datin Seri Juliah Salag, and the Joint Chairmen of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, Datuk Joanna Datuk Kitingan and Dr Mary Gambidau.
Atitih Yatih was then crowned as Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025 by Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2024 Hyellene Danius who is also a Malay Language teacher.
Second place went to Elka Alika Pijeh representing Tambunan (district) who took home a trophy, RM12,000 and accompanying prizes; while third place went to Celarin Jenny representing Kiulu who took home a trophy, RM10,000 and souvenirs.
Earlier, before the final stage of the competition, the 2025 Kaamatan Festival Celebration was officially closed by the Yang dI-Pertua Negeri Sabah (Governor) Tun Musa Aman with a 'mengomot' or rice harvesting ritual and seven strikes of the gong in a ceremony of splendour also attended by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
33 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Sea Park Dessert's evergreen appeal: ‘Tong sui', yam cake, ‘yau char kwai', fried spring rolls, curry puffs made using traditional recipes
PETALING JAYA, Aug 22 — Many PJ folks have grown up eating the tong sui and snacks from Sea Park Dessert. Very often, these customers still ask after founder Soo Yuen Eye and send their regards to him. Soo, 87, started his stall outside Sea Park wet market in 1969 assisted by his wife, Lean Choo. It didn't start with dessert though as Soo originally sold yau char kwai, an item that also saw success for other family members whom he passed the recipe to. Before this, Soo once worked as an ironsmith, hammering metal into various products. He then sold drinks by the roadside… his first venture into F&B. Sea Park Dessert was founded by Soo Yuen Eye in 1969 — Picture by Choo Choy May Tong sui like the classic Red Bean, Black Glutinous Rice, Gingko Barley, Mung Bean and Oat Porridge (mak chok) were added later, up till now with that same taste as everything is made using traditional recipes. When Ruby Cinema opened in 1972 just across from the market, they started later in the day from 4pm to 11pm, catering to cinema goers, who would seek their food for a quick bite. From a roadside stall, they earned a permanent spot in Paramount Kopitiam where they still operate from today. It is the reliable go-to for an after lunch treat, teatime or even a light dinner, as one can pair various bites with a bowl of tong sui. Yam Cake can be customised for vegetarians by omitting the toppings, if needed — Picture by Choo Choy May A distinct feature of their stall is their signature row of metal pots filled with various tong sui, kept warm over a gas fire. Soo's son Chun Wah runs the business now and continues his father's legacy together with his daughter. Expansion saw the brand establishing a second outlet in Taman OUG, offering the same items in Sea Park, with the addition of three dishes: Tomato Noodles, Nasi Lemak with Rendang Chicken and Siam Laksa. In Sea Park, the stall has been upgraded and relocated to the front of the popular corner restaurant. Sea Park Dessert located inside Paramount Kopitiam is a reliable go-to for snacks and 'tong sui' in Sea Park and their other outlet in Taman OUG. — Picture by Choo Choy May A total of 11 types of tong sui are available here; newer items include Tang Yuan in a fragrant ginger pandan soup and chilled varieties with Peach Gum or Snow Pear with White Fungus. Each bowl of tong sui is priced from RM4 to RM5.50, where the level of sweetness is just right for even older folks and portions are generous compared to that at other places. Although they have had to grapple with the erratic quality of ingredients through the years, the owners work hard to ensure the taste is not compromised and they only serve the good stuff. For instance, the classic Gingko Barley needs good quality beancurd skin (fuchuk) for an exceptional bowl, which they manage to achieve after testing many types of the fuchuk, producing a milky soup with a robust soybean flavour, rich with gingko nuts and creamy barley. Various snacks make faithful companions to a bowl of tong sui, like the Fried Dough Stick (RM1.50) or yau char kwai. Till today, Sea Park Dessert continues to offer an assortment of fried items like 'yau char kwai', 'ham chim peng' and 'mah kiok'. — Picture by Choo Choy May Try dipping the yau char kwai into the thick, creamy Black Glutinous Rice (RM4) or Red Bean (RM4) for an unusual pairing of slightly salty and sweet flavours that will change how you enjoy your fried Chinese crullers, in the future. Crowd favourites include the creamy, soft Yam Cake (RM4) with its toppings of dried shrimps, spring onions and sauces served on the side or the crunchy Fried Spring Roll (RM3.50) plump with a juicy filling of jicama and carrots. Fried Spring Rolls are made using a recipe from Lean Choo, Soo Yuen Eye's wife, and generously stuffed with crunchy jicama and carrots. — Picture by Choo Choy May Other goodies include a Thousand Layer Curry Puff (RM3.50) using two types of dough to create the distinct crispy layers, filled with a not overly spicy curry with diced chicken and hard boiled egg. Thousand Layer Curry Puff uses two different doughs to create the flaky layers of the plump curry puff stuffed with curry, diced chicken and a hard-boiled egg. — Picture by Choo Choy May For a heavier meal, the Glutinous Rice (RM4) has distinct grains with a slightly chewy-soft pleasant texture, eaten with peanuts. Even the fragrant Tomyum Meehoon (RM4.50) can be accompanied with Curry Fishball (3 pieces for RM3.50) for a complete meal. Other choices include Curry Pork Skin (3 pieces for RM3.50) or Curry Beancurd (2 pieces for RM4). The stall is also mindful of patrons of the neighbouring Chinese temple who practise vegetarianism on the first and fifteenth days of the Lunar month, allowing most of their snacks to be served without the non-vegetarian toppings. For easy convenience, their food can be ordered via GrabFood, Food Panda and Shoppee Food too. You can also take home your favourite 'tong sui'... or try something new from among the wide variety available. — Picture by Choo Choy May Sea Park Dessert also runs a 'Buy 2, Free 1' promotion from 7pm to 8pm at the Sea Park outlet and 8.30pm to 9.30pm at the Taman OUG outlet. Orders and catering are also available. Just contact the numbers below. Watch the full video here : @eatdrinkmm/seaparkdessert Sea Park Dessert Paramount Kopitiam, 50, Jalan 21/19, Sea Park, Petaling Jaya. Open daily: 1pm to 8pm Tel:012-613 4153 13. Jalan Hujan Rahmat 3 Taman OUG, Kuala Lumpur Open daily: 9.30am to 9.30pm. Tel: 012-377 7155 * Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems.
Malay Mail
33 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
RMAF fighter jet bursts into flames during take-off at Kuantan air base, both pilots confirmed safe and under medical observation (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet was involved in an accident on the runway of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (RMAF Kuantan Air Base) at 9.05pm last night. In a statement, the RMAF said immediate action is being taken and further updates on the incident will be announced in due course. 'The public is advised against circulating speculation or unverified reports,' it added. Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman confirmed the air force pilot and co-pilot were safe, noting the incident occurred during take-off. 'Police can confirm the incident. Both the pilot and co-pilot have been taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for examination,' he told Bernama. Meanwhile, video footage shared on social media showed the engine of the aircraft catching fire during take-off. The RMAF has a fleet of eight F/A-18D Hornets, acquired from McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) in 1997. — Bernama
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
RMAF fighter jet bursts into flames during take-off at Kuantan air base, both pilots confirmed safe and under medical observation
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornet was involved in an accident on the runway of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (RMAF Kuantan Air Base) at 9.05pm last night. In a statement, the RMAF said immediate action is being taken and further updates on the incident will be announced in due course. 'The public is advised against circulating speculation or unverified reports,' it added. Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman confirmed the air force pilot and co-pilot were safe, noting the incident occurred during take-off. 'Police can confirm the incident. Both the pilot and co-pilot have been taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for examination,' he told Bernama. Meanwhile, video footage shared on social media showed the engine of the aircraft catching fire during take-off. The RMAF has a fleet of eight F/A-18D Hornets, acquired from McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) in 1997. — Bernama
