Happy Harvest Festival 2008

Happy Harvest Festival
Kotobian Tadau Tagazo do Kaamatan
Selamat Hari Pesta Menuai
to all Sabahans!

The Harvest festival celebrated in Malaysia by the Kadazan of Sabah (Land below the wind) each May with thanksgiving dedicated to the rice gods. Agricultural shows, exhibitions, cultural programs, buffalo races, and other traditional games are held. There is much merrymaking and feasting with rice wine flowing freely throughout the festivities.

At harvest time the whole of the Malaysian community work together in the rice fields, gathering the stalks by hand. Traditional Malaysians harvest rice with a special knife whose carved handle is said to appease the Semangat or rice spirit.

In the month of May, Sabahans celebrate The Kadazan Harvest Festival. The Kadazan Harvest Festival is known locally as ‘Tadau Kaamatan’.

According to their beliefs, the spirit of the paddy plant is said to be part of the Kinoingan - also known as the Bambaazon, who is revered as the creator, a source of life and existence. The rice spirit Bambaazon is therefore revered in the rice plant, the rice grain and the cooked rice. Many believe that “Without rice, there is no life”.

During the festival, Sabah natives wear their traditional costumes and enjoy a carnival atmosphere which stretches from daybreak till dawn. ‘Tapai’ or home-made rice wine is served as the specialty for the day.

Sabahans are greeted with a special greeting for the harvest festival known as ‘Kopivosian Tadau Kaamatan’ or ‘Happy Harvest Festival’.

source : harvestfestivals

The most anticipated event during Kaamatan is Unduk Ngadau (Miss Harvest Festival) beauty pageant. It is the best traditional beauty pageant in Sabah. Lining up all the pretty sumandak (girls) to compete for the Unduk Ngadau title from district level up to State level.

Few faces (random) of the winners from previous Unduk Ngadau.

Trinna J. Dison - Penampang district 2006 winner (right)
Madelyne M.Nandu - Unduk Ngadau Winner 2005 (left)


Devenna Jaikob - Sabah State Unduk Ngadau 2006
(Miss Sabah 2008 as well)

source : mysabah.com

Daphne Iking - Sabah State Unduk Ngadau 2003

source : worldrec & lowyat


Who will be the winner of Unduk Ngadau 2008?

Apart from that beautiful event, sumazau and other culture dance/show...drinking session (till you drop) will never be forgotten. Tapai, montoku, carlsberg and so on. Some people drink until like really 'dead' on the ground...some people drink but still insist that they're ok, hence drink & driving = accident..some get high = rape cases, some get crazy;out of their mind = quarrel, killing etc...

Hope this year less cases on that.

So, enjoy the holiday and have a Happy Kaamatan! Drink (moginum) moderately la..

Aramaii Ti!

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Winner of Unduk Ngadau 2008



Winner of Unduk Ngadau State Level 2008 - Tati Leonie Lawrence Gontuni from Penampang
1st Runner Up - Tati Florence Masimbin from Kinabatangan
2nd Runner Up - Tati Emily Majil from Tambunan

source : MyTitania