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Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Tamparuli girl crowned 2025 state-level Unduk Ngadau
The 2025 state-level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, Atitih Yatie Robert, has a degree in education from Universiti Putra Malaysia. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Atitih Yatie Robert has been crowned the winner of the 2025 state-level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan pageant, beating 50 other contestants to the title. Atitih, who hails from Tamparuli, won RM17,500 in cash, a North Borneo University College scholarship worth about RM35,000, a return trip to South Korea as well as a year's supply of rice, among other prizes. She is a graduate of Universiti Putra Malaysia with a bachelor's degree in education, majoring in Bahasa Melayu. Elka Alika Pijeh from Tambunan was the runner-up, earning her RM13,000, a scholarship worth RM30,000 to NBUC, while Celarin Jenny from Kiulu came in third, the Borneo Post reported. The latter received RM10,500 in cash and also an NBUC scholarship worth RM20,000, among others. The Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan pageant is held annually as part of the harvest festival in Sabah.
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Sarawak's RM6.8b rural budget boost to bridge urban-rural gap, says Uggah
KUCHING, May 31 — The increase in rural development allocation for this year's Sarawak budget is a reflection of the state government's unwavering resolve to narrow the rural–urban gap and ensure equitable growth. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas recently said RM6.8 billion had been allocated under the Sarawak 2025 Budget for rural development, which rose from RM5.695 billion in 2024, indicating the State Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg's clear commitment to uplift the wellbeing of the rural communities. In his message for the Gawai Dayak festival, which begins tomorrow, Uggah said the rural development focus has seen major bridge projects being implemented as growth catalysts. 'Five (bridges) have already been completed, including the Batang Saribas 1 Bridge in Pusa, Betong and others such as the iconic Bintulu Jepak, Muara Lassa, Marudi and Batang Rajang bridges. 'Six more, including the nation's longest river bridge — Batang Lupar 1 — are expected to be completed by year-end,' said Uggah, who is also the State Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development. He said that Gawai Dayak should be accepted as a festival to bridge inter-racial relationships in Sarawak, which has been a pertinent essence for the state to continue progressing. 'Just as bridges connect our cities and villages, this Gawai season should also serve as a 'bridge' to strengthen the bond of friendship, unity and harmony among us all. Let us celebrate our diversity under the spirit of 'Segulai Sejalai' or Together in Unity,' he added. — Bernama
Malay Mail
16 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Incumbents make the best candidates': SUPP to defend seats, help new faces build stronger team
SIBU, May 31 — Incumbents from Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) will get to defend their respective seats in the coming Sarawak election, opined Datuk Michael Tiang. The Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government and Pelawan assemblyman expressed confidence in the performance and track record of current representatives. 'We're going to field incumbents (in the coming Sarawak election). I believe incumbents make the best candidates because they have already participated in elections and have proven track records. 'Not only are we going to field our incumbents, but we also want our incumbents to help those new and fresh candidates in our (SUPP) constituencies. 'This will help us build a larger and stronger team to serve Sarawak,' Tiang told reporters, when met prior to the distribution of rice dumplings to senior citizens at Jalan Bunga Teratai here today. The event was organised by SUPP Pelawan Youth section, distributing over 500 packs of dumplings in conjunction with the Dragon Boat Festival today. On the timing of the next state polls, Tiang said he does not foresee the state election being called this year. 'At the moment, I have not sensed any 'breeze' about the Sarawak election. Primarily, I think people are focusing on Sabah (election) first, followed by Johor and Melaka. After that, I believe you'll start feeling some 'winds' about the Sarawak Election.' 'And if you ask me whether Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is ready, or if SUPP is ready – we're always ready, because GPS under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, has been working very hard. 'Every year, we have been working to find more revenue streams for Sarawak, so that we can make Sarawak financially independent. Our people can enjoy the fruits of our autonomy over natural resources.' On this, he cited the example of the joint declaration between Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros), which clearly affirmed Sarawak's regulatory control over her own natural gas. 'Elections are simply a time for the people to assess us. But we are always working hard to serve Sarawak, in line with the promises outlined in our manifesto,' Tiang concluded. Among those present at the event was Penghulu Ting Tien Huat. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
19 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
The heartbeat of Kaamatan: Inside the Kadazandusun's sacred ‘Magavau' ceremony that calls the rice spirit home
KOTA KINABALU, May 31 — The Kadazandusun people of Sabah are known not only for their vibrant traditions — such as gong music, rice wine, and dance — but also, as the largest indigenous ethnic group in the state, for their deep spiritual connection to the land from which they draw life and livelihood. To them, the land and all living beings are imbued with spirit, history, and meaning. This belief is reflected in their rich traditions and rituals — from birth to death, from planting to healing, and every action in between. At the heart of their identity is a reverence for the Bambarayon, the rice spirit and essence of life. To them, rice is more than just food or sustenance — it is life itself. They believe it is their duty to respect, protect, and live in harmony with the natural world. This belief forms the basis of their many sacred rituals, including those practiced during Kaamatan, the annual Harvest Festival. The Magavau ceremony is perhaps the most well-known, sacred, and traditional ritual of the Kaamatan Festival, centred on giving thanks to the spirits for a bountiful harvest. It is performed annually at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) during the state-level launch event. Magavau means 'to recover' in the Kadazandusun language and the ceremony is a thanksgiving ritual to honour and appease the rice spirit after the harvest. Sabah Native Council Affairs president Benedict Topin said that Magavau also derives from the root word tavau, which means 'fragrance', as the bobolians (high priestesses) use the scent of new rice to communicate with the scattered parts of the rice spirit, Bambarayon. According to tradition, when rice is harvested, parts of the rice spirit may become scattered or lost. Pests and predators such as insects, birds, and animals, as well as calamities like floods and droughts, can harm or carry away parts of Bambarayon. These parts can also be carelessly dropped during harvesting, transporting, winnowing, pounding, or milling, leaving them at the mercy of environmental hazards. Even discarded rice wine can cause the spirits to be lost. The Magavau ritual is performed to 'recall' the spirits to ensure continued blessings and bountiful harvests in the future. The ritual is conducted by a bobohizan or bobolian, the traditional priestess or spiritual leader of the Kadazandusun. She leads chants called rinaits, which can be in the form of songs, dances, and symbolic gestures to invoke the spirit of Bambarayon and guide it back to the rice barns and homes of the community. For the Kadazandusun people, rice is more than just food or sustenance — it is life itself. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin 'Magavau has enriched meanings, typical of the creative compositions of the rinaits (bobolian recitals) using rhyming words to maximise intentional meanings and purposes of words,' said Topin. The ritual chants begin with a circle of bobohizan and bobolians of a certain number, all chanting in ancient Kadazan language to communicate with the spirit world. It is said that the priestesses may enter a trance-like state during the ceremony. The rinaits serve to beckon the spirits to reunite with the whole Bambarayon spirit, symbolised by the Toguruon — seven ears of paddy hoisted on a bamboo pole. They repeat the chants continuously until they rise, place their hands on each other's shoulders, and move together in a circle. A male bobohizan normally takes the front of the line, waving a 'sword' while the others continue to chant to beckon the strayed Bambarayon to come home with them. Intermittently, a pangkis (triumphant war-cry) may be released by the male bobohizan as an expression of joy each time a part of Bambarayon is found and recovered. Throughout the Magavau ceremony, the bobohizan and their followers must stay close together, with their hands on the leader's shoulders. This is to maintain an orderly procession and to reduce the risk of stumbling at night, which could anger the many unseen spirits in the soil, water, wind, and vegetation. Sometimes, offerings such as cooked rice, chicken, rice wine (tapai), and traditional cakes are prepared and presented to the spirits. The priestesses may also use items like bamboo containers, rice stalks, and cloth to symbolically 'gather' the spirit. At some point, a gong ensemble and Sumazau dance will accompany the ritual, especially in the bigger district or community level rituals. With the adoption of religion and modern beliefs, such rituals are becoming rarer, but a symbolic ritual is still performed during the state-level Kaamatan closing ceremony to celebrate and promote Kadazandusun culture among the public and younger generation, reminding them of their ancestral beliefs.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Malay Mail
Kaamatan: More than drinking and merrymaking, Sabah's iconic harvest festival celebrates cultural identity and community bonding
KOTA KINABALU, May 31 — Every year in May, the unmistakable sounds of the kulintangan and gongs echo across villages and hotspots in Sabah, signalling the month-long Kaamatan or harvest festival, arguably Sabah's most iconic festival. Held annually throughout May, culminating in the state-level celebration on May 30 and 31, Kaamatan has always held a special place in the hearts of Sabahans, especially the Kadazandusun, Murut, Rungus and other land-dwelling indigenous communities across Sabah. Although it recently had a reputation as a massive local drinking festival, Kaamatan is a deeply rooted cultural celebration of identity, history and communal harmony. Celebrated as a thanksgiving, it is essentially a time for gratitude, community and cultural preservation, evident not just in the long list of events and programmes organised by the state, but also in the family homecomings across the state. 'Kaamatan is not just about the rice harvest. It is about honouring our ancestors, our culture and our relationship with the land,' said Sabah deputy chief minister and Kaamatan main organising committee chairman Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan. Deputy Chief Minister and Kaamatan main organising committee chairman Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan highlights the festival's deep cultural significance, emphasising its role in honouring ancestors, preserving traditions, and strengthening the community's bond with the land. Rooted in sacrifice and thanksgiving At its spiritual core, Kaamatan commemorates the legend of Huminodun, the only daughter of the God Kinoingan and his wife Suminodun, Huminodun sacrificed herself to save the people during a time of famine when no rice or crops would grow. According to folklore, Huminodun's flesh and blood became rice, her head became coconuts, her fingers bananas, her teeth and hair became maize, her toes ginger, her skeleton sugar canes, her heart and intestines fruits of all types, her ears turned all types of vegetables and her soul became the rice spirit Bambarayon, which resides in rice stalks. That year, the harvest was the most plentiful so far and marked the beginning of Kaamatan to pay thanks to the rice gods and the Bambarayon spirit for the bountiful harvest but pay homage to the native beliefs, customary rules and traditions, and observances of the multi-ethnic Kadazandusuns. A significant aspect of the myth includes Huminodun's instruction that, before starting the harvest, Kinoingan should take seven stalks of paddy, tie them to one end of a spliced bamboo stick, plant them at the centre of the field, and then store them in the rice container after the harvest. These seven stalks of paddy symbolise the spirit of rice. To the Kadazandusuns, who are dependent on rice, to honour Huminodun's sacrifice was to honour the Bambarayon. Every year, during the Kaamatan festival, the 'Magavau ceremony' — a spiritual cleansing and renewal ceremony to call back the wandering rice spirit spread across the grains of rice — is performed by the elders and high priestesses (bobolian). This folklore has been passed down through generations and although such beliefs may have gotten lost or misinterpreted over time, one tribute that has remained and thrives is the Unduk Ngadau or harvest festival queen, to find a maiden from Sabah's many districts who possess similar beauty and character to that of Huminodun. The contestants usually have to be of Sabahan native descent and have fluent language skills and knowledge of the culture. The crowning of the Unduk Ngadau is among the highlights of the Kaamatan festival. A celebration for all Although celebrated at every district level, for many Sabahans the Kadazandusun Cultural Association building also known as Hongkod, is the Kaamatan icon. For two weeks every year, they play host to the state-wide Kaamatan celebration, drawing people from all walks of life — regardless of ethnicity or religion. The event culminates during the last two days of the month, turning into the centre of cultural celebrations. Aside from the crowning of the Unduk Ngadau, there is a singing competition (Sugandoi), traditional games such as arm wrestling (mipulos), tug-of-war (migazat dukug), buffalo trapping (monungkava kalabau), stilt walking (ram-panau), giant slipper (sipatu tompulanggoi), blowpipe shooting (monopuk), slingshot shooting (momolisitik), paddy carrying (mamagandal), rice pounding (tumutu), fire starting (mobpiri/mangapui) and spearing (manandus). Visitors can explore some 14 traditional houses from the various ethnic groups in the cultural village with their 'open house' concept, each showcasing their own costume, dance or music, as well as sample various foods and local brews. The Murut house — which features the lansaran, a trampoline made from bamboo — is always a crowd favourite. Within the cultural village, organiser Datuk Joseph Lantip said only local Sabahan products would be available for sale or showcased, like local brews, food, handicraft and others. Also, on the grounds of the KDCA is a lively festival with huge tent setups for mini concerts and entertainment. Many take to the tents to gather with friends and start merry-making early in the day to late night. For some, this is one of the highlights of the festival, an event and place to meet old friends and make new ones and bask in the Kaamatan vibe. A platform for unity among Sabahans Kaamatan is also seen as a time for reconciliation and unity. For a state as diverse as Sabah, it is a time when all races and ethnicities, ages and backgrounds can come together without care for their differences. It is common for Malay food stalls to be set up in between the beer tents and Muslims wearing the iconic Kadazan black velvet and gold trimmed costumes to cheer for their district's Unduk Ngadau representative. Entrepreneurs selling traditional food and clothing say Kaamatan is one of the best times for business, with high demand from diverse customers. Even cafes and restaurants have come up with Kaamatan promotions, offering local fares and new concoctions featuring Sabah's indigenous cuisine and ingredients. 'Kaamatan is not merely a nostalgic commemoration but a living tradition that adapts to contemporary realities. Young people, including those raised in urban areas, are increasingly participating in Kaamatan by learning traditional dances, speaking their mother tongues and taking part in cultural events,' said Richard Gontusan, a judge for the Unduk Ngadau Kepayan division. However, this year's celebration is slightly unique, as it comes at a time when the state gears up for its 17th state election, the event plays a role in bringing together not just its thirty or so indigenous groups but also its aspirations to the leaders. Beyond celebrating culture and identity, Kaamatan also provides a platform for local leaders to engage with communities — though they must navigate this carefully to avoid politicisation.
