Latest news with #KaamatanforAll
The Star
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
MOU with Boseong county marks new chapter in cultural ties, says Bangkuai
KOTA KINABALU: The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Sabah's Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry and Boseong County, South Korea, marks a meaningful step towards building deeper cultural ties and fostering mutual understanding, says Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. The state Assistant Tourism Minister further described the collaboration as a people-focused partnership, adding the timing of the agreement made it especially significant. The MOU was inked during a welcoming dinner held in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festival in Kota Kinabalu on Friday (May 31). It was signed by the ministry's deputy permanent secretary I Mary Malangking and Boseong County deputy governor Seo Hyung Bin, and witnessed by Bangkuai, who is also the Sabah Tourism Board chairman, alongside the Culture and Tourism Bureau of Boseong County director-general, Rho Joung Yi. 'This partnership is about people. It is about building connections and sharing stories. Signing this MOU during the Kaamatan Festival makes it all the more special. 'With this year's theme, Kaamatan for All, we are eager to share our celebration with the world, and it is an honour to welcome our friends from Boseong to be part of it,' he said. Bangkuai highlighted Sabah's recent participation in the Green Tea Festival in Boseong as a valuable cultural exchange, adding that the warm welcome and chance to learn about Korean tea culture were deeply appreciated and reflective of the spirit of mutual respect. With direct flights between Kota Kinabalu and South Korea, he believes the collaboration could lead to more exchanges in the form of cultural performances, reciprocal visits and tourism promotions. As part of this cultural exchange, a Boseong cultural troupe is scheduled to perform during the Kaamatan Festival grand finale at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association's Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang. 'This will allow Sabahans to experience the vibrancy of Boseong's cultural heritage, just as we hope to one day bring the Kaamatan Festival to Boseong,' Bangkuai added.
The Star
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Embrace unity in diversity through occasions like Kaamatan, says Anwar
KOTA KINABALU: Traditional dances with modern elements and songs portraying the spirit of Sabahans' diversity, as well as performances aimed at unifying the people, opened this year's state-level Kaamatan Festival in Penampang on Friday (May 30). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who officiated the event, struck a gong seven times to mark the start of the celebration, one of the most important events in the calendar of the Kadazandusun Murut and Rungus communities. Held at the Hongkod Koisaan Hall in the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) building, he said the event, themed "Kaamatan for All", is for the preservation of heritage, culture and tradition. ALSO READ: Fadillah extends Kaamatan Festival greetings He added that, as with all cultural programmes and celebrations, inclusivity was an important element, especially in a multicultural nation like Malaysia. However, not everyone understands the importance or appreciates the meaning of unity in diversity, Anwar said. He said some people continued to find fault with the differences, instead of focusing on the similarities. He said when the Federation of Malaysia was formed, Tunku Abdul Rahman spoke about unifying agents and celebrating differences. ALSO READ: 'Kaamatan for All' highlights Sabahans' community spirit 'Look at countries that focus on differences, all are destroyed. Therefore, leaders with wisdom will always focus on and talk about unity. Do not sacrifice your state because of differences,' he said. Earlier, organising chairman and Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the theme of this year's ce; celebration is simple yet clear and easy to understand. It emphasises unity in diversity in a multicultural country, he said in his speech, read out by Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam. 'Although Kaamatan is a festival of the natives in Sabah, it is also celebrated by all regardless of race, religion and creed,' he said. This is to strengthen unity among the people, and is a manifestation of harmony in line with the Federal Government's ambition of better uniting the people, said Kitingan, who is also State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry minister. ALSO READ: Kaamatan celebrates heritage, promotes cultural preservation, unity, says Kitingan He said his ministry is committed to increasing yields and helping farmers and those in the sector to develop and help improve the economic status of rural folk. On the month-long festival that began on May 1, Kitingan said various programmes involving youth have been lined up for the purpose of cultural preservation. 'With the involvement of youths, we hope to promote cultural awareness and to also foster unity among the people,' he said, pointing out that traditional food, music, cultural attire and activities can also promote tourism in the state. Guests were entertained with special dance performances from the district of Tambunan, a choir, the winners of the International Student Cultural Exchange Programme, traditional dances from Penampang, Bisaya, Tombonuo and Rungus, native poetry or Hiis, and appearances by the Unduk Ngadau finalists. Kaamatan culminates on Friday and Saturday (May 31), with the state Unduk Ngadau winner to be announced tomorrow. She will be the face of the native Kadazandusun Murut and Rungus communities, the ambassador for various cultural programmes, and tasked with various duties, including promoting Sabah.
Daily Express
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Unduk Ngadau celebrates legacy with bigger prizes, wider reach
Published on: Monday, May 26, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 26, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2024 winner Hyellene Danius (middle) shows the new sash for this year's winner while Joanna (right) and Mary look on. KOTA KINABALU: The cash prize has been increased for this year's State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan as the organisers mark the pageant's 65th anniversary with expanded cultural and national reach. Co-chairperson Mary Gambidau announced that the winner will receive RM15,000, up from RM12,000 previously, while the first and second runners-up will receive RM12,000 and RM10,000 respectively. Her fellow co-chairperson Datuk Joanna Kitingan said 51 finalists from across Malaysia are participating in the cultural pageant from May 26 to 31, under the theme 'Kaamatan for All'. Joanna described Unduk Ngadau as Malaysia's oldest cultural pageant, rooted in the legend of Huminodun and recognised by the British administration in 1960 as part of Sabah's official heritage. Organisers said this year's programme will include cultural showcases, a gala event honouring local designers, a short film contest, and new efforts to document forgotten traditional attires. * 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
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Anwar to officiate Kaamatan Festival May 30
Published on: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 20, 2025 Text Size: Jeffrey Kitingan presenting a memento to Musa. Kota Kinabalu: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to officiate Sabah's Kaamatan Festival on Friday (May 30). Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said this year's theme, 'Kaamatan for All,' highlights the festival as a national event that unites people and generates economic benefits. Advertisement 'The PM is scheduled to attend and officiate the opening ceremony, while Sabah Head of State Tun Musa Aman is expected to close the event on May 31,' he said after paying a courtesy call on Musa at Istana Seri Kinabalu, Monday. Jeffrey, who is the State-level Kaamatan organising chairperson, said some main highlights include the Unduk Ngadau competition, cultural performances, visits to traditional houses and traditional food and beverages for sale. 'We hope the event this year will proceed smoothly, with more visitors coming from within and outside Sabah,' he said. Invitations have been extended to expats, ambassadors and investors as well, he added. Advertisement Jeffrey said while Kaamatan, or Harvest Festival, used to be celebrated solely in Sabah, it has expanded to other states, including Sarawak and overseas. The economic and social impact is tremendous, he said, adding that tourism players and traders from villages and outskirts also benefit from this celebration. It also gives local products better chances of being exposed and introduced outside Sabah, and even overseas, he stated. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
The Star
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Anwar to officiate Sabah's Kaamatan Festival
Jeffrey Kitingan presenting a memento to Musa. KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to officiate Sabah's Kaamatan Festival on Friday (May 30). State Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, said this year's theme, 'Kaamatan for All,' highlights the festival as a national event that unites people and generates economic benefits. 'The PM is scheduled to attend and officiate the opening ceremony, while Sabah Head of State Tun Musa Aman is expected to close the event on May 31,' he said. He made these remarks after paying a courtesy call to Musa at Istana Seri Kinabalu on Monday (May 19). Kitingan, who is the state-level Kaamatan organising chairperson, said some main highlights include the Unduk Ngadau competition, cultural performances, visits to traditional houses, and traditional food and beverages for sale. 'We hope the event this year will proceed smoothly, with more visitors coming from within and outside Sabah,' he said. Invitations have been extended to expats, ambassadors, and investors as well, he added. Kitingan said while Kaamatan, or the Harvest Festival, used to be celebrated solely in Sabah, it has expanded to other states, including Sarawak, and overseas. The economic and social impact is tremendous, he said, adding that tourism players and traders from villages and outskirts also benefit from this celebration. It also gives local products better chances of being exposed and introduced outside Sabah, and even overseas, he stated.
