KOTA KINABALU: Romandawi Gapari (pic) may have influential family links, but the Johor Unduk Ngadau queen is determined to chart her own path.
With the finals drawing closer, she believes that being the daughter of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and niece of Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan organising chairman Joanna Kitingan may not be in her favour.
Furthermore, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin, who is president of Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Huguan Siou (Kadazandusun and Murut paramount leader), is also the elder brother of Jeffrey and Joanna.
KDCA’s role is to ensure that the Kaamatan celebration remains faithful to the traditions and cultures of the Kadazandusun, Murut (KDM) and Rungus ethnic groups.
“I would consider myself ‘warned’. When I decided to register for the beauty pageant, I consulted my family, and their advice was to be prepared for whatever people might say.
“My father was afraid that I would feel affected, but he remains supportive,” said the 25-year-old.
Romandawi, a Dusun word which means “heavenly realm”, said her father, who was invited as the guest of honour for the Johor Kaamatan Festival earlier this month, also witnessed her crowning.
The state government is taking the lead in organising the festival, widely regarded as the largest and most significant cultural festival in Malaysia.
One of the judging criteria includes the contestant’s proficiency in their native language.
While they have the option to respond in English or Bahasa Malaysia, speaking the mother tongue earns additional points.
Romandawi admitted that her fluency in the Dusun language falls short of her aspirations.
She worked hard to master the language, she even has a dictionary in her handbag.
“I bought the Komiboros Dictionary, Dusun, (conversational Dusun dictionary), which has the English and Bahasa Malaysia translations of the Dusun language, and it has been in my handbag ever since.
“I find Dusun language challenging to converse in fluently,” she said.
Romandawi said she wants the younger generation to appreciate the true meaning of Kaamatan (harvest) and Unduk Ngadau, which is derived from the Kadazandusun phrase “runduk tadau” meaning “the girl crowned by the sunlight”.
The month-long Kaamatan festival is celebrated to give thanks for a bountiful harvest and to honour Bambaazon, the spirit of rice, while Unduk Ngadau is a beauty pageant that commemorates the spirit of Huminodun, a maiden of exceptional beauty in heart, mind and soul, who was sacrificed by her father to save the people from famine.
The state-level celebration will be held at the Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang today and tomorrow.
The highlight of the event is the crowning of this year’s Unduk Ngadau, which will see Romandawi and 50 other finalists vying for the title.
