This event started in morning of May 13. Like other Harvest Festival celebration, they had Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Festival Queen) beauty pageant for N.16 Luyang district, cooking contest, Sugandoi (KadazanDusun song) competition, cultural dance performance, traditional sport, lucky draw, etc. One interesting programme (to Uncle Gold Fish) is the kid fashion competition, though most of them dressed in traditional costumes actually. They were totally lost, when the adult asked them to do “catwalk” on the stage, they ran instead. So cute…
Normally, two stars would be born for such event. One is Sugandoi champion singer, and another is Unduk Ngadau, for that district. Both of them will be sent to compete in State-Level later. Usually these competition are open to KadazanDusun and Murut communities. Sino can join too, if they know the language. Click Here to see more photos of Luyang Kaamatan >>
This is probably the smallest Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant that I’ve ever seen, only six contestants! That means half of them can win a title (Queen, 1st Runner-Up and 2nd Runner-Up). One of the contestants won 1st place in Sugandoi competition and 2nd Runner-Up in Unduk Ngadau. Heck… I used to see so many liang moi in Luyang, where have they gone huh? Click Here to see more photos of Luyang Kaamatan >>
The carnival was from May 10 to 12 at Gaya Street. Frankly, they had carnivals for Christmas, Chinese New Year, etc., but all look the same to me. Same stalls, same firework, same programme… A bit bored already… The only new stuff is a Rungus longhouse, where handicrafts were sold and traditional Rungus dance was performed regularly.
One thing that caught my attention was the two long queues at the Traffic Police booth, as if there was some big sales going on, always full of people. Seem like there are more drivers kena saman nowadays. This sort of 50% discount promotion really pissed me off. “Good” citizens (like me), who pay on time, will have to pay in FULL, while those who purposely delay payment will get special offer later, WTF. This is how our country “penalises” good citizens and users. If you don’t give them a damn, they will beg you to pay, by giving you deep discount, lucky draw, free gift, etc. So slowly the people learn to be “smart”. The government keeps on blaming Malaysians are “last-minute men”, without realising that they are THE ONE who have been cultivating and promoting such bad habit.
There were still thousands of people came to this event, but relatively less people if compared to previous carnivals. May is a month full of grand events and celebration. Probably people get tired of it. For them, it just looked like a Gaya Street Sunday Market in night time.
This should be a Harvest Festival celebration for KK district. 15 KadazanDusun ladies were joining the Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Festival Queen) beauty pageant. I didn’t take their photos this time, as it was too dark and the stage was far away for any clear shot. I have too many Unduk Ngadau photos already.
Don’t know why I sound so negative… The carnivals become bigger and bigger, but also becoming more and more formal, with more boring protocol setting. I still prefer it in small stage setting and people can gather near to enjoy the performance. If you want me to sit more than 30 feet away to watch a show, I would prefer watching TV at home.
Photos taken in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Borneo
Sabah Fest is the most colourful annual tourism event, which is made lively and impressive by rich display of traditional costumes, music, cultural dances, and handicrafts from different indigenous groups of Sabah. Very well done this year (thanks to Sabah Tourism). I notice there were a lot more visitors than last year, and the RM20 (US$6) tickets to watch cultural performance and stage show were all sold out. In 2006, they even offered early bird promotion of RM10 (US$3), a 50% discount, to sell more tickets. No more discount this year, probably the response is too good, due to Visit Malaysia Year 2007. If you missed the show, no worry, they will publish a CD for sales later.
My mission is to capture as many beautiful photos as possible, of those indigenous people dressed in their newly-made traditional costumes. Usually the most colourful and bright-colored ethnic groups are Bajau (from Kota Belud) and Suluk (from Semporna). There were a few traditional dance performance around, so I also snapped some pictures. All of them were very cooperative and even made excellent pose for photo-shooting. Another catchy target is Murut warriors, with swords and long-feather headgears. I also took pictures of Kadazan Papar, Rungus (from Kudat), Tidung (from Tawau), Orang Brunei (from Papar), Orang Sungai (from Kinabatangan), Iranun (from Kota Belud), Bonggi (from Banggi Island) and Lundayeh (from Sipitang) people. It was a fruitful photography trip. Just check out my photos to see more…
Some souvenir, handicraft making demo, food and tourism product booths were setup and free for you to browse. To watch the performance, you need to buy the ticket (sold out). The programme is not the same every year. Each year they will invite certain indigenous groups from very far district to come here to perform authentic cultural dance. Since everything will be taped, it is a great way to document and preserve their culture too. It is a big lose if you never come to this event.
Visiting the event is a VVIP experience (free, no ticket required). Start from entrance, every guest will walk on red carpet and welcome by hundred of performers in their unique and colourful costumes. Along the way, your ears will be busy occupied by music played by all sort of Sabah’s traditional musical instruments such as tonggungak, gong, kulintangan, drum, and sompoton. And the warm and sweet greeting from those cute children, in beautiful dresses, will melt your heart. You can see their photos in my photo album. Click Here to see more photos of Sabah Fest 2007 >>
Open the newspaper every day, and we will see depressing news on people hate and kill one another, due to difference in races, religion, political view, interest, etc. It is a blessing that the people of Sabah, which are formed by over 30 ethnic groups, can live in harmony together.
This year the official State-Level launching of Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) was at Ranau on May 1, which marked the start of Harvest Festival month for KadazanDusun and Murut people. Last year the launching was at Kota Marudu. Different district has its own ways and colours of celebrating, so you won’t see the same thing. But one thing for sure is that the event will turn the town into a busy and lively spot. FYI, Sabah has over 30 districts.
Rice is the most important food for Sabah people, so the month after the harvest of paddy is the time for the thanksgiving festival. We don’t plant that much paddy nowadays, but the tradition is still carrying on. We will have Mangavau ceremony to recover Bambarayon (Paddy God), wishing for another bountiful harvest next time. You would hear the touching story of “Huminodun”, the name of a Goddess who sacrificed herself to save the people from starving. The Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen) beauty pageant is also meant to remember this greatest female in KadazanDusun legand and pass on her spirit.
Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen) beauty pageant will let you see the beauty of KadazanDusun ladies in their local traditional costumes. 14 contestants were competing for Ranau-district Unduk Ngadau title this year. If you look at the photos, you will find that most of them dressed in Kadazan Ranau costume, which has very unique design and pattern only found in Ranau and Kundasang districts.
There were two rounds for Unduk Ngadau competition. First round is catwalk and introduction. Then 10 finalists were selected for knowledge test in second round, where they picked the winners. The girls also performed some traditional dances of indigenous people such as Sumazau, Sazau, Limbai. The VIPs would be invited to dance Sumazau with them. In case you are curious about what questions were being asked in their knowledge test, here you go:
Malaysia is a country that successfully cultivates the unity among the people of different races and religions. In your opinion, how does our country achieve this?
Ranau district is a place of interest for Malaysian and overseas tourists. In your opinion, besides having great nature such as Kinabalu Park, is there any other way to attract more tourists to visit our place?
What lesson can we learn from the legend of Huminodun that should become part of the value in our generation?
If you are chosen to be a Unduk Ngadau and given the opportunity to organise a welfare activity, what is the FIRST activity you want to do and why?
The statistics, which shows the drug abuse among the teenagers, has come to an alarming state. In your opinion, what steps should be taken to resolve this issue?
In your opinion, what are the benefits and advantages that we can gain from celebration of Harvest Festival in Sabah every year?
Thanks to SESB. There was a 30-minute power blackout that delayed the programme. After a long wait, the Unduk Ngadau for Ranau district was finally born. Below is the result (see photo above, from left to right): 3rd Runner-Up: Sulina Musing (contestant no.6) 1st Runner-Up: Florisa Samin (contestant no.15) Unduk Ngadau (Ranau): Magdalen John (contestant no.4) 2nd Runner-Up + Best Traditional Dress: Merry Masion (contestant no.9) 4th Runner-Up: Fiona Fey Fedelis (contestant no.7)
It has been a long time I don’t blog. When I looked at all my unpublished photos yesterday, I was surprised how weak my memory is. Even though I can’t blog in regular basis, I think it is still a good idea to keep a record of what I photograph before I forget all the story behind. Another reason is that I still see many traffic generated from my old blog. If this site serves the online community well, probably I can spend minimal time to inject new content occassionally.
I went to the traditional Dance Carnival held on August 12 in Papar. The show was performed from 8PM to 11PM. Usually I am very reluctant to take pictures at night. The main reason is that the maximum light sensitivity of my camera is ISO400 (SLR can handle ISO800, 1600… with minimum noise). If the pictures are taken under low light and far distance, 70% will turn out blur, underexposed and grainy. Rather than disappointed by the outcome, might be better sleep at home. Well, I went anyway. You say “Buy a SLR lah”? Talk2 easy lah. Camera + len kits may cost around RM3,000. Don’t forget the extra batteries, charger, memory cards, filter lens, flash, bag… easily another 2K already.
What excited me was that I got the photos of indigenous groups from East Coast (Sukau / Kinabatangan / Tawau districts), namely, Orang Sungai and Orang Tidung. I also watched the performance of KadazanDusun, Bajau, Murut, Dusun Segama, Bisaya, Dusun Tatana, Orang Brunei, Lundayeh… What impressed me was the headgear of Murut Nabai from Keningau, as the picture below:
“What is the Nunuk Ragang function about?”, my Ranau friends asked and waited for me to satisfy their curiosity. Actually I was the one who started this question, then ended up I answered it myself. Based on what I knew (which was not much), I only could tell them that according to the legend, Nunuk Ragang was the place where KadazanDusun civilization began. Every year they will visit Nunuk Ragang as a remembrance of their origin and ancestors.
Nunuk Ragang is about one-hour drive from Ranau, through the Ranau-Telupid-Sandakan highway. After you reach KM 54, you will cross a 100 Meters long Liwogu Bridge. Shortly you will see a big Nunuk Ragang sign board at your left, follow the sign to turn right, moving on a gravel road for 0.7 KM. Some told me I would see a beautiful BIG TREE when I reached there, some said BIG HOUSE. I was confused, Tree or House?… until I saw the 3-floor-high Nunuk Ragang Heritage Building.
The Nunuk Ragang Ceremony is fixed on the first weekend of July every year. I was there on Friday (Jun 30), so there were only a few workers busy preparing the site. The Nunuk Ragang Heritage Building looked like a building made from a super-big tree. I must say this is one of the most creative and interesting building in Sabah. You can see more photos of it in the photo gallery.
Nunuk Ragang is also a famous fishing spot among the locals. The surrounding view of Nunuk Ragang is magnificient. From there, you can see the confluence of two rivers, namely Kogibangan (left) and Kawananan (right), to form a greater river, Liwogu River. A long time ago, this place was a fertile land covered with paddy field.
The highlight was on second day, Jul 1. Besides the 11th Annual Visit by KDCA, that day was also the installation of Huguan Siou, the Paramount Leader of the Kadazandusuns. FYI, YB Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Datuk Kitingan is the Huguan Siou. He arrived Nunuk Ragang around 10:30AM, then he was escorted to the Heritage Building, for a 1-hour installation and blessing ceremony, which was performed by the Bobolians (traditional priests / priestesses). After the ceremony, there were a series of cultural performances and merry making activities.
This was a comfortable mission coz the weather in Ranau and Nunuk Ragang was cooling and refreshing. Ya, forgot to tell you the meaning of Nunuk Ragang. Based on the documentary from KDCA, Nunuk Ragang means “Red Banyan Tree” in English (Ragang = Red). This was the name of a very HUGE tree which grew next to Liwogu River in the past. Many people loved to rest on / under this tree. So from a far distance, the tree looked like in red color. Another version is – this tree produced a reddish latex which could cure skin diseases. That’s why the heritage building got a tree shape design.
Traditional costumes of Sabah indigenous people are always one of my favourite photography targets. So far I never see an “expert” in such area. Coz most people, even those from tourism or cultural sector, cannot name more than 10 indigenous groups in Sabah. Many say Sabah is a melting pot for so many cultures and ethnics, but how many of us really know what are inside the pot? I found that even newspapers got the name of the ethnic group wrong sometimes.
There are more than 30 indigenous groups in Sabah. Each indigenous group can have over 10 sub-ethnics / sub-groups, which might use different languages and costumes. For example, Suluk and Iranun are the sub-ethnic of Bajau. Getting the photos for 100+ groups seems like a Mission Impossible.
In the past one year of travelling around Sabah, I have been trying my best to “collect” the photos of indigenous people in different district. Their photos are scattered around in my 50+ photo galleries here, so I decide to categorise them for easy viewing below (most photos may look familiar to you). I know my collection is far from complete, but it is one of the best sources to see the people of Sabah online. You can even find the photos of minority such as Iban and Ulu of Sabah. Anyway, this is just a draft verion. In the future, I will add more photos and write-up. If there is any mistake, please correct me.
The Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) Grand Finale is celebrated at Penampang KDCA from May 30 to 31 every year. It is the biggest, most colourful and best cultural festival in Sabah. If you visit the first time, you will be totally “lost” coz you will see so many unique and beautiful costumes that you cannot name. You will be busy finding out “who are those people? Their costume is so cool,” “where are they from?”… If you are interested in costumes of indigenous people from all over Sabah, this is the BEST time to see them. I read the news the next day and found that 3 newspapers got the names of certain ethnic groups wrong.
There were so many things to see and experience, so I was there for 2 FULL days, 8 AM to 4 PM (but still not enough time to shoot everything). However, I was a bit disappointed coz the scale was smaller. For example, last year they got 6 booths for 6 ethnic groups, this year only got 3. And most of the programme and performance were quite same as last year. Nothing much new. Anyway, the event was still great. I have grouped 100+ photos into 11 categories for you to view. Trust me. I take better pictures than last year.
The biggest pleasant surprise is the Dusun Tombonuo from Pitas (northern part of Sabah). Their colourful headgear is so cool that they became the favourite of all photographers. I never saw such costume in any magazine, book and culture exhibition. Besides the booth, there are 8+ traditional houses and a stage that had cultural performance. Sometimes they got wedding demo inside the house. So I search for goodies from house to house and managed to get photos of Lotud and Dusun Tindal brides. I was also very glad to see Bobohizans / Bobolians, the high priestesses of the KadazanDusun. You can only see them in VERY important function.
