Tag - Kaamatan

PENAMPANG: The warmth and friendliness of Sabah people, the beautiful terrains and its nature, and the uniqueness of its cultural diversity may all sound like words taken directly out of tourism promotional reading materials. But these qualities remain to be the very reasons tourists from across the globe come to the Land Below the Wind and make that decision to visit this multicultural state, and for some, to keep coming back. A visit to the Kaamatan Festival at Hongkod Koisaan KDCA yesterday affirmed that these attributes remain relevant to this day. Australian couple, Kevin, 59, and Linda Jones, 64, have visited Sabah for the fourth time. For them, the hospitality of the people is one of the many reasons that made them keep returning to Sabah for vacations. Having visited many countries, they were pleasantly surprised by the friendliness that Sabah people in particular, showed. “It’s the people,” replied Linda when asked why the couple kept coming back to Sabah. “Other than being welcoming and hospitable, it is also interesting to see the multicultural backgrounds they come from and it is enlightening to learn about people that way,” she added. “Yeah, we have been to Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong and other countries, but it’s better here. We have random people just coming up to us and greet us,” her husband, Kevin, concurred. Although it was their fourth visit to Sabah, it was the couple’s first visit to the mammoth Harvest Festival celebration at Hongkod Koisaaan KDCA. “We heard about this festival when we were on board the cruise ship that took us to Kota Kinabalu. We heard it would be grand but we did not know it would be this big, nor did we expect it to be this interesting,” said Kevin. “It’s always interesting to learn about people of diverse cultures and coming here today to see all those colourful crafts produced by the locals, the traditional costumes, traditional games and dance performances, it just keeps getting better,” noted Linda. Another interesting bit of the Kaamatan Festival for the Jones  was the free entrance. “In Perth, we have the Royal Agricultural Show, which is almost a similar festival but not as cultural as this, where local farmers bring their agricultural produce to showcase and sell. “The better thing about the Harvest Festival here is the fact that you don’t need tickets to enter, compared to the Royal Agricultural Show in Perth. It’s nice that they let people in to have a look around without having to pay for it and only spend money on whatever it is that you want to spend on,” they said. For Japanese couple, Humiyo and Izuo Hayakawa, visiting the grandeur festival on their first ever visit to Sabah also made it easier for them to learn about the state as a whole. “This is our first time here and we find it so interesting that culture can be as vast as this. “Back where we come from in Tokyo, we have the Cherry Blossom or Autumn Festival which is also a very grand celebration. “But this (Kaamatan festival) is even more engaging. To see so many cultures in one place is just so intriguing,” said the Hayakawa couple, when met at the Rungus longhouse at the KDCA grounds while they were trying to play a Rungus traditional game called ‘inuogdazang’. May 30 and 31 mark the climax of the month-long Kaamatan Festival which culminates at the Hongkod Koisaan KDCA grounds. This time of the year would mean massive traffic congestion as vehicles are parked miles-long along the sides of the road leading to Hongkod Koisaan, as locals from various districts flock the grounds to take part in numerous activities. Whether it’s to take part in the traditional sports and games, watch and learn from cultural demonstrations, dance performances, or simply to visit stalls selling and promoting various products from foods, clothing, handicrafts, and many others, it is always a time for Sabahans from all over to gather and celebrate the Kaamatan festival in unison Source: Borneo Post

Kota Kinabalu: The Unduk Ngadau representing Kota Kinabalu, Cheryl Lynn Pinsius, beat 41 other contestants from various districts in Sabah to be adjudged the new State-level Kaamatan Queen 2014, Saturday. She received RM6,000, trophy, a tiara worth RM20,000 by Diamoney Jewellery Sdn Bhd, a smartphone worth RM2,000, bouquet of flowers worth RM200, scholarships from ATI College and Binary University worth RM25, 000 each, personalised bracelet, ring and earrings worth RM8,000, one year reload of RM200 per month worth RM2,400, hampers sponsored by Giant and Nestle each worth RM200 and RM150 followed by other goodies from Toh Puan Norlidah Datuk RM Jasni, wife of the Head of State. Second place was won by Kota Marudu's Scarlett Megan Liew Zi Ling followed by Johor representative, Liz Lorena Rayner. Fourth place was won by representative from Putatan, Samantha Sharon C.E.Laujang. In Fifth place was Tuaran representative, Hemy Manjadi, followed by Papar district's, Debbie Colette Christopher while seventh by Klang Valley representative, Maylesthelyn Matius. Pinsius could not believe when told she won. "However, I am happy and grateful to be able to win," she said, adding that she was able to gain more confidence and get to know new friends throughout the competition. Pinsius who participated in the competition for the third time also said she would accept the study scholarship at ATI College despite having other choice to pursue her studies at Binary University. "This is to allow me to promote more actively in terms of Sabah tourism," she said, adding that she is proud to be able to defend the crown for Kota Kinabalu. The State-level Kaamatan Queen 2013 was also won by Kota Kinabalu representative, Immaculate Lojuki. Pinsius, originally from Kg Bantayan, Inanam and the youngest among four siblings also advised future interested candidates to do their best, have more confidence, smile and never express their stress. In the past, Pinsius emerged top 15 representing Inanam in 2011 and later as the KKIP Unduk Ngadau Beauty Queen title in 2012. She is currently working as a clerk at a music store at Karamunsing Capital and enjoys watching English dramas in order to improve her English Language. She also said that her sister who used to represent in Inanam in 2001 had also managed to be among the top five in the State-level Kaamatan Queen Competition 2001. On the other hand, Miss Popular was won by Lahad Datu representative, Solius Ingrid Gangkangon. She received a sash worth RM1,000, a crystal tiara, a smart phone, cash prize worth RM5,000, RM200 reload per month and other goodies from ALTEL Communication SDdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Yaacob. Source : Daily Express