Metro

Friday May 16, 2008

Cultural shows mark Kaamatan fest

By RUBEN SARIO


BEAUFORT: The symbolic harvesting of seven padi stalks marked the launch of Sabah’s month-long cultural extravaganza.

Chief Minister Datik Musa Aman performed the ritual and struck the gong seven times at the Beaufort community centre on May 1 to kick off the Kaamatan or Harvest Festival celebrations in Sabah’s 23 districts throughout May.

The celebrations went up several notches three days later when Yang Di Pertua Negri Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah launched the colourful Sabah Fest.

The launch of the Kaamatan festivities at Dewan Pak Musa in the south-western town of Beaufort was followed by the magavau ceremony or appeasement of rice spirits performed by Kadazandusun priestesses from nearby Kampung Tikuli.

Among the state leaders who witnessed the Kaamatan's launch was Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the Kadazandusun Huguan Siou or paramount chief.

Before an audience of hundreds of people packing the hall, a group of youths dramatised the Kadazandusun legend of Hominodun, the daughter of the Creator God, who was sacrificed so that parts of her body could become the padi plant for humans to use as food.

This was followed by cultural performances by Sabah’s ethnic groups such as the sumazau dance of the Kadazandusuns, the adai adai dance of the Brunei community, mongigol of the Rungus and the magunatip of the Murut community.

Kaamatan festivities will be held in the districts before ending in a two-day state celebration at Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang on May 30 and 31.

The vibrant Sabah Fest launch was witnessed by hundreds of people, including tourists who were entranced by the colourful performances.

Among the memorable performances was one by a group of youngsters from the interior Tambunan district, who nimbly carryied out dances like the magunatip while stepping around on bamboo stilts.

Ahmadshah and Musa joined the audience in applauding as the Tambunan youngsters confidently climbed up and down stairs on their stilts in their performance.

As part of Sabah Fest, Sabah Museum displayed rare rituals and replicas of traditional houses of the state’s ethnic groups on May 5 and 6 at its Heritage Village.

At the longhouse of the Rungus people, who are from the northern Kudat district, visitors were treated to the mamapak ceremony to appease evil spirits and maintain balance between the spiritual and physical realms.

The visitors also had the opportunity to witness the monimbung ceremony in which priestesses recalled and restored spirits, which had wandered away from households.

At the Dusun Lotud house, the tatangas or ritual specialists performed the mamahui lamin or cleansing of the house.

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