Ka'amatan

 

Ka'amatan Harvest Festival 

It is six days to go before the festival..
Kaamatan Harvest Festival in Sabah is the biggest single holiday which is state wide and celebrated throughout North Borneo for a full month. The end of May marks the final days of the festival where it will be held at the KDCA (Kadazandusun Cultural Association) or Hongkod Koisaan center in Penampang Sabah. Thousands of locals and tourist will head here for the closing ceremony and also the finals of the Unduk Ngadau. 

At the KDCA grounds, there will be an exciting and totally different atmosphere where locals will be seen with song and dance while visit to the many ethnic homes offer guests a tasting of local foods and playing the traditional games here. All sorts of stalls line a section of the grounds with demonstrations of agriculture and ethnic handcraft. Souvenirs locally made are sold and abundance of food and drink stalls are readily available for the hungry. Be prepared to have a unique experience for the Kaamatan Festival here which is on the 30th and 31st of May.

KDCA

While the KDCA is located about 15-20 minutes from Kota Kinabalu town, this will be the main area where everything will be happening over the last two days of May. Many of the ethnic cultures from around Sabah will be here showcasing their traditions, food and culture. There are a number of original ethnic houses located throughout the premises here and each are fully decorated by the individual tribe. Performers in each home entertain visitors with song and dance while some offer the local food and rice wine called Tapaior Lihing.

Bobohizan priestess and her family

The Kadazan Priestess called Bobohizan is one of the most important people of the Kaamatan Festival. She will determine the official harvest festival date and officiate it. As this ceremony goes back hundreds of years, the involvement of a Bobolian is crucial to the ceremony here. At the KDCA, you will have a chance to see the priestess in person while her direct descendants will be around here. As she is a very respected and serious person, please do not approach her and ask her for a photograph.

Even pets are dressed for the occasion

If you are planning on visiting the KDCA for the end of the Kaamatan Festival, I suggest you go early to witness this. The many 'Open Homes' will be an interesting visit while overall, it could take up to half a day here or even a full day if you want to witness the Harvest Queen Finals inside the main building. Overall, it is an experience to remember if you do visit this place. 

          

Testing local tapai/lihing

More information;
Organiser : Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA)
Venue : Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), Penampang
Contact Person : Dr. Benedict Topin
Telephone : +60 88 713696
Fax : +60 88 713350
Email Contact : bovis@asia.com

Dates: 30th and 31st May 

Source From: Malaysia Asia Blog