Sabah CM launches month-long Kaamatan festival
KENINGAU: The annual Kaamatan festival is a showcase of Sabah’s multi-ethnic community, which lives in peace and unity, Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman said today.
Celebrated mainly by the state’s Kadazandusun and Murut communities, the event is an expression of thanksgiving for the season’s crop harvest and an homage to the goddess Huminudon who sacrificed herself to save her people from famine.
“This celebration also delivers the message of the importance (of being) thankful with what we have achieved (in terms of) stability, peace and prosperity, which we should (preserve).
“Besides that, Kaamatan also gives the people an opportunity to better understand and respect customs and traditions of the Kadazandusun and Murut people, as well as other (groups),” he said during the launch of the month-long state-level Kaaamatan festival at Padang Bandaran here.
Also present were Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and wife Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni; deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan; and state secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.
Musa added that he hopes this year’s programme, themed “Kaamatan is the foundation of unity and friendship,” will foster better relationships among the people.
Meanwhile, Pairin, who is also the Huguon Siou (or paramount leader of the Kadazandusun and Murut people), said that the festival is a platform for people to preserve traditions and customs passed down for generations.
He added that society has to intensify efforts to transmit traditional knowledge and experiences to the younger generation.
“Meanwhile, touching on the district’s (social and economic development), the state government always thinks of the best ways to help develop Keningau, especially its interior.
“Keningau will be developed in stages according to current needs, until the district becomes one of the more important towns in Sabah,” Pairin added.
With the launch of Visit Keningau Year 2018, the district has become a main tourist attraction and transit point for people and travellers from Sabah’s east coast.
Source: New Straits Times
