Reigning Unduk Ngadau Danius to crown successor from among 51 finalists on May 31
KOTA KINABALU: Reigning queen Hyellene Danius will perform her final duty this Saturday (May 31) as she prepares to hand over the crown to the fairest maiden of all, marking the ceremonial climax of the 65th edition of the National Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan.
Danius, who has served as a cultural ambassador over the past year, will crown one of 51 young Sabahan lasses, each representing districts across Malaysia and proudly carrying the spirit of Huminodun into the future.
The journey officially began on May 26 with the registration of all finalists at the Hilton Hotel here, signalling the start of the Cultural Competition Week leading up to the grand coronation at the Hongkod Koisaan Hall in Penampang.
'This year's pageant is especially meaningful as it commemorates 65 years of celebrating the beauty, wisdom, and strength of Kadazandusun women,' said co-chairman Datuk Joanna Kitingan.
Kinabatangan is the only district unrepresented this year due to the absence of entries at the local level, a rare occurrence in the competition's long-standing history.
Throughout the week, finalists will undergo a cultural immersion, such as visiting the Sabah Museum to engage in traditional practices such as Magagung (gong beating), Menutu Parai (rice pounding), bead-making, and preparing native dishes like tuhau, losun, and hinava.
The finalists will also take part in the Malaysia International Cocoa Festival, the Culture, Agro-tourism and Nature (CAN) short film awards, and attend forums on heritage and healthcare.
Their cultural journey also includes visits to traditional homes at Kampung Budaya Koisaan under the KadazanDusun Cultural Association (KDCA).
A major highlight is the Sodop Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan gala night on May 28, where cultural leaders and dignitaries will gather to honour the finalists.
While dinner tables are sold out, gallery tickets without dinner are still available to the public.
On coronation day, all 51 finalists will take the stage to introduce themselves and perform before the field is narrowed to 15.
These selected few will respond to questions in their native languages, supported by interpreters for Lundayeh and Murut speakers.
The top seven will proceed to the final round of questioning before the new queen is announced.
Kitingan said judging will be carried out by a panel of seven, using a computerised scoring system, and the new Unduk Ngadau queen is expected to be announced at 5pm or 6pm on May 31.
The winner of Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025 will receive RM15,000 in cash, a specially designed crown, a handcrafted beaded sash, a scholarship from North Borneo University College (NBUC), and various sponsored prizes.
To mark the milestone 65th anniversary, organisers will also unveil a commemorative stamp and souvenir book highlighting the rich legacy of the Unduk Ngadau pageant.
This year's Kaamatan Festival is themed "Kaamatan montok Toinsanan (Kaamatan for All)".
The Unduk Ngadau 2025 stands as testament to cultural continuity, honouring heritage while empowering women to become cultural torchbearers in today's world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Cultural grace over global glitz, says Unduk Ngadau organiser
Published on: Tuesday, June 03, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 03, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Joanna (right) and Mary PENAMPANG: Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) should remain rooted in tradition and elegance, and not be swayed by the flashy presentation styles of international beauty pageants, said Datuk Joanna Kitingan. Responding to public reaction, the State UNK 2025 co-chair said she was shocked by the finalists' loud self-introductions at the May 28 Gala Night, calling it a break from the pageant's 65-year tradition. 'In our pageant, an Unduk is not just beautiful but graceful, gentle yet empowered – there is no need to shout or perform,' she said, adding that the traditional introduction style was about conveying poise, cultural pride and inner strength. She clarified the unexpected change had not been communicated during rehearsals, and both she and fellow co-chair Mary Gambidau were visibly stunned when it unfolded live. 'I turned to Mary and said, this is not Unduk,' she shared, expressing concern that the cultural pageant was being diluted by attempts to modernise it to fit global trends. Joanna warned that embracing such performative styles lowers the standard of a cultural event that was founded on deep belief systems and Indigenous identity. 'Look at the bobolians – their strength lies in spiritual power, not volume; that is what we want our Unduks to reflect,' she said, referring to Sabah's traditional ritual leaders. She stressed that while other pageants focus on glamour and spectacle, Unduk Ngadau celebrates modesty, heritage, and the role of women as cultural torchbearers. While some netizens supported the new approach, especially those more familiar with global pageantry, the majority of traditionalists felt the event had veered off course. It was also understood that some finalists confided they felt uncomfortable and embarrassed about the style of introduction but were compelled to comply with the format imposed on them. Joanna reiterated her commitment to restoring the pageant's original spirit next year, ensuring it reflects the unique grace and dignity that has defined Unduk Ngadau since its inception. 'We have already set the trend 65 years ago,' she said, vowing to uphold the cultural values that make the pageant unlike any other. * 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
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
Introducing Kaamatan early
Published on: Monday, June 02, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 02, 2025 Text Size: Unduk Ngadau contest winners. Kota Kinabalu: Shan Tao Kindergarten hosted a unique 'Harvest Festival Pageant Showcase' that saw enthusiastic participation from both parents and children. Centered around the theme 'Celebrating the Beauty of Culture,' the event aimed to help young children understand and appreciate the traditional festivals and attire of Sabah's Indigenous communities. Dressed in vibrant traditional costumes, the little contestants confidently walked the stage to the rhythm of music, showcasing their innocent charm and winning rounds of applause from the audience. The event also featured a mothers' pageant, traditional dance performances, and solo renditions of folk songs. These activities allowed children to experience the richness of cultural heritage in a fun and engaging environment. 'We hope to educate through entertainment, helping children connect with their cultural roots from a young age while also learning to respect the traditions and values of other communities,' said a spokesperson. * 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
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
No more ‘loud' introductions for Unduk Ngadau pageant
Joanna Kitingan – photo by Mariah Doksil KOTA KINABALU (June 3): Future Sabah State-level Unduk Ngadau pageants will not adopt the loud, showy self-introduction style often seen in international beauty contests, as demonstrated during the Gala Night held on May 28. Datuk Joanna Kitingan, co-chair of the 2025 Sabah State-level Unduk Ngadau Organising Committee, emphasized that after 65 years, the pageant should remain rooted in tradition and elegance, rather than imitate the flashy trends of international pageants. 'After 65 years, we should be elevating our Unduks to the next level of grace and finesse — not following the trends of other pageants,' she said. 'We have already set the trend 65 years ago as graceful, gentle yet strong, empowered women. You don't have to shout. Look at the strength and power of the bobolians — they have spiritual power.' Unlike many international contests, which feature upbeat and performative self-introductions, the Unduk Ngadau pageant traditionally highlights modesty, heritage and cultural identity. However, during the recent Gala Night, finalists introduced themselves in a loud and flamboyant manner, sparking debate about the preservation of the pageant's values. Joanna said she was not informed about the change during rehearsals and was shocked by the unexpected display. 'Looking back, I feel we are losing the unique elegance of our Unduk Ngadau, especially when they wear their ethnic contemporary evening wear. I always emphasise modesty — be elegant without being sexy, to be heard without being loud. 'Natagak nodi iti' (This is lost), which means we are going down to the level of any ordinary beauty pageant that does not have a cultural background or belief system,' she said. She acknowledged that some netizens are questioning whether the Unduk Ngadau pageant is losing its identity by mimicking other contests. 'So next year, we shall revert back to grace and elegance instead of loud and flashy.' Meanwhile, newly crowned 2025 Sabah State Unduk Ngadau, Atitih Yatih Robert, shared the personal sacrifices she made to compete in the pageant, including a dramatic weight loss of over 10kg. 'I think this is my biggest challenge, as I had to control my food intake. Prior to this, I weighed 70kg,' she said. A lover of sweets and chocolates, Atitih said she had to give them up during her preparation. 'There were days when I felt faint standing up because of fasting,' she admitted. She now weighs 57kg and stands at 163cm. In addition to the physical challenge, Atitih also struggled with extreme shyness. 'Even now, I am very shy,' she said. 'But I practiced. For eight years, I have been practising, and now I think I can control my shyness.' She first joined the pageant in 2017 at the age of 18, representing Kota Marudu and winning the Miss Popular Facebook title, though she did not reach the top seven.
