Latest news with #StateKaamatanFestival
The Star
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Kaamatan celebrates heritage, promotes cultural preservation, unity, says Kitingan
KOTA KINABALU: Kaamatan is a platform to not only celebrate heritage but also to promote cultural preservation, unity and women empowerment, says Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. The Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I, who is also this year's State Kaamatan Festival organising chairman, said events surrounding this festival, including the Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen), help to introduce Sabah's rich cultural heritage and boost local economy. 'The Unduk Ngadau pageant is not only a competition of beauties but acts as a form of cultural, nature and economic promotion for local communities,' he said. Kitingan said this after officiating at the Sodop Unduk Ngadau (gala night) at the Hongkod Koisaan Hall at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) in Penampang, Thursday (May 29). He said the Unduk Ngadau participants are now considered as influencers in their own right, promoting local products, showcasing cultural identities and bringing social and economical impacts to the community. "This year's Kaamatan for All theme shows the state's commitment in celebrating the festival in an inclusive, harmonious and diverse manner," he said. 'As the Kaamatan festival enters its 65th year, it becomes a symbol of unity and cultural treasure which has to be preserved and protected regardless of race, religion or creed,' said Kitingan. He took the opportunity to thank everyone who have and continue to work hard to make this event a success, as well as to all for being part of this tradition-preservation initiative. Also present were the wife of Sabah's Head of State, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin, the Chief Minister's wife Datin Juliah Salag, Huguan Siou (paramount leader of the Kadazandusun Murut natives) Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, KDCA Women Council chairman Datuk Joanna Kitingan and the Unduk Ngadau 2025 co-chairman Mary Gambidau.
Daily Express
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Sabah schools to showcase poetic heritage in Hiis competition
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 Text Size: Steve (left) and Lorendah PENAMPANG: The public is invited to witness the Hiis (traditional poetry) competition in conjunction with the State Kaamatan Festival at KDCA Hongkod Koisaan Hall here on Saturday (May 17). The event will run from 10am to 11pm and conclude with an official closing ceremony and prize presentation. Advertisement Hiis, also known as Hius or Lilihis, is a traditional oral poetry form of the Kadazandusun people, rich in sound variation, expression, and ancestral wisdom. This year's competition, co-chaired by Steve Johnny Mositun (KDCA) and Lorendah Joseph (Sabah Education Department), aims to instil cultural appreciation among the youth. Huguan Siou Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan will officiate the closing, featuring performances, and the final round involving ten school teams from across Sabah. * 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
