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The Star
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
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.
Daily Express
23-05-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Research on a forgotten Sabah female warrior
Published on: Friday, May 23, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 23, 2025 By: Ahmad Apong Text Size: Azizah and some local leaders. BEAUFORT: A long-forgotten female warrior of Sabah's past is finally being brought into the spotlight, following the launch of a historical study titled 'Srikandi Dang Insum: Women's Heroism in the History of Sabah'. The study, initiated by the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah, was officiated by IDS Chairperson Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun, here, on Wednesday. Azizah said the research aims to document the legacy of Dang Insum, a lesser-known yet symbolically powerful female figure remembered for her courage, wisdom and leadership. 'This study is not merely an effort to revisit the past. It is about restoring the voices and roles of women in the narrative of Sabah's development, defence and civilisation,' she said during the launch. She described Dang Insum as a woman of strength and integrity, whose contributions have long been overlooked in mainstream historical records dominated by male figures. Highlighting the presence of a memorial monument dedicated to Dang Insum in Kampung Padas Damit, Azizah called for the site to be recognised as a heritage attraction and developed into a historical and cultural tourism destination. Advertisement 'The monument is more than just a marker of remembrance. It has the potential to become a significant heritage site which is similar to the Mahsuri Mausoleum in Langkawi,' she said. She urged relevant government bodies including the District Office, Sabah Museum, State Archives and the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to support efforts in preserving and promoting the site. Azizah highlighted the importance of incorporating digital innovation in heritage preservation. She proposed developing interactive digital content based on the findings of the study, such as virtual exhibitions, QR codes embedded with historical information, digital storytelling platforms and on-site interpretive panels and community-based educational activities. 'We hope the monument can be transformed into a meaningful educational tourism site with a complete with interpretive boards, a small gallery, and community engagement, so that the story of Dang Insum lives on in the hearts of Sabahans,' she said. She believes this project can help grow the local economy by attracting tourists from within the country who appreciate history and culture. She also urged that the Dang Insum monument in Kota Makarang be officially declared a Historical Heritage Site, emphasising that this recognition could create new tourism opportunities and support local businesses. 'I encourage the Beaufort District Office and Sabah Museum to act quickly to get this heritage status approved, so our plans and hopes can come true,' she said. The study is expected to culminate in the publication of a book chronicling the life and contributions of Dang Insum, which could serve as a reference for academics, educators and the public. Azizah hopes that the project would spark broader efforts to highlight the stories of other women who played significant roles in shaping Sabah's past. 'These women were not mere bystanders in history, but they were pillars of strength in our society. Their stories deserve to be told,' she said. She also extended gratitude to the team of researchers involved in the project and appealed to all stakeholders for their continued support in completing and publishing the study. Also present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ruslan Muharam, GRS Women's Coordinator for Zone 3 Datuk Surinam Sadikun, Sabah Museum Director Arif Abd Hamid and District Officer Mohd Nazri Ajun. * 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
