KOTA KINABALU: A total of 46 participants of Kadazandusun ethnicity will be vying to be this year’s Mr Kaamatan, or popularly known as MrK.
The MrK, or Buvazoi Tavantang in the Kadazan dialect, is the state’s cultural male pageant equivalent to the albeit more renowned women’s Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan pageant.
However, its organisers said the event is on track to become a better recognised event for Sabah’s May-long Harvest Festival, or Kaamatan.
The MrK, which has been held since 2008, is aimed at promoting the uniqueness of the culture, customs and traditional costumes of the Kadazandusun society, which is the same mission and vision of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan pageant.
State-level MrK organising chairman Casey Jovial said the 46 young men, aged between 18 and 30, from around Sabah and Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) branches will be eyeing to win the state Buvazoi Tavantang 2023 title.
And for the first time, he said, the grand finale will be staged in the month of Kaamatan on May 29 at the KDCA Hongkod Koisaan hall in Penampang near here, where the final of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan will be held two days later, symbolising the culmination of the festival.
For the past 16 years, Casey said, this event was traditionally held after the Kaamatan celebrations at other venues and not at the KDCA Hongkod Koisaan.
“MrK is an official event and we are glad that it can be held during Kaamatan. For me, it is more festive when the event can be organised in May,” he said on Sunday (May 14) after the registration and sash hand-over ceremony.
Besides the male pageant, he said, a host of main events have been planned including a talent show.
“Other than preserving our culture, language, and traditional costumes, the MrK is also a platform for the finalists to showcase their talents.
“Many former winners and contestants have been hired for commercials and in the creative industry,” Casey added.
The winner, as well as other top placed contestants, will get to bring home attractive prizes, including cash, he said.
The handing over of sash to the contestants was carried out by Sabah Cultural Board (LKNS) general manager Mackey Apison at the Sabah Art Gallery here.
Also with him was MrK 2021 winner Royvernand Jaydarren.
In his speech, Mackey said the MrK was an important event, adding it was a potential tourism attraction.
He also wished the contestants all the best and praised them for their courage to participate in the event.
In 2018, the MrK was registered as a brand with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), and later recognised as one of the official events for the state's Kaamatan Festival celebrations in 2021.
