Pesta Kaamatan

wahh wahhh wahhhhh... rami nya orang situ bah, rasa mau ikut ja kan? :D

Hee... well...

This is Pesta Kaamatan, Hmm, Most native Sabahans consider rice to be more important than just the main staple food. There is a certain sacredness attached to it, for it is a food given to them by Kinoingan, the Almighty Creator so that his people should never want for food. He sacrificed His only daughter- Huminodun and from her body parts, padi (rice) grew. This was Kinoingan's ultimate act of benevolence and to this day, His people repay the deed by conducting various ceremonies to honour Bambaazon, the spirit of Huminodun as embodied in rice.

The most well-known of these is Pesta Kaamatan or Harvest Festival which begins on the first of May and celebrated throughout Sabah. Of major importance to this thanksgiving ceremony is the Magavau - a ritual to invite Bambaazon to the Pesta and is conducted only by the Bobohizan or high priestess. Festivities cannot proceed without the presence of Bambaazon and it is through Magavau that the Rice Spirit is invoked.

 In the past, Magavau was conducted in the padi fields on the first full moon night after the harvest. A party of Bobohizan led by the foremost senior, would weave a slow procession through the fields chanting prayers to Bambaazon. A male warrior would walk ahead of this group waving a sword in the air, to ward off any evil that might try to disrupt the ritual. The food offered must be of the best quality. When the spirits come, only the Bobohizan will be able to feel their presence. The spirits will find, neatly laid out for them on banana leaves, the choicest chicken meat, eggs, betel leaves and pinang (areca nut), tobacco and kirai ("rollie"). The finest tapai or rice wine is offered to the spirits.

A second offering arranged in a winnowing tray is placed on a specially built bamboo platform. This is for the spirits to bring back to the spirit world to feed those creatures that would otherwise feed off the padi. Pesta Kaamatan around the state culminates in the state level celebrations on May 30 and 31 every year with Magavau being enacted indoors before the celebrations begin.

Festivals? Festivals in Sabah??

Well, what festival? Of cause there are many types of festival there.

Sabah's indigenous peoples celebrate their colourful past and present in festivals of music, dance and food that are uniquely theirs. All the major religions of the world are practiced here and this blend of religious and cultural celebrations mixes so brilliantly to create an atmosphere of harmony and unity with an unmistakable Sabah flavour and charm.

Nice isn't it?

There are many types of festival in Sabah, for example la,

.Pesta Kaamatan
.Regatta Lepa Semporna
.Pesta Rumbia
.Pesta Kelapa
.Pesta Jagung
.Tamu Besar Kota Belud
.Kiulu 4M Challenge

The culture in Sabah

Your Journey To The Warm Heart of Borneo Starts here... 

Sabah's population is heterogeneous and culturally diverse, with more than 30 different ethnic races and over 80 local dialects spoken. Traditions and customs have long been part of our daily lives. Most of it has survived for eons; others have barely endured, touched by other influences that have led others yet to be forgotten altogether.

Well known as the Land Below The Wind and also Land Of The Sacred Mountain , Sabah is a land of varied landscapes and natural wonders. One will normally ask what kinds of people live in this land of eco-treasures? Often by further understanding our spectrum of cultures, you will find the answer as all types, colours and creeds. All these ethnic groups live together harmoniously while at the same time preserving their own culture, traditions, festivals and customs to make Sabah a multiculturally exotic experience unlike any other that you might have already experienced.

Like the rest of the Southeast Asian archipelago, Sabah has been culturally affected by the powerful external, continental influences from mainland Asia. However the heterogeneous population often dramatically reveals its well-preserved wonderful customs and practices. Though the country modernizes, and certain rituals and special ceremonial occasions are less frequently performed, one can still experience and observe Sabah's rich tapestry of custom in the local population's daily life as well as their special local festivals.

This segment will take you through a virtual experience in getting to know Sabah through the understanding of our traditional musical instruments, costume and ethnic lifestyle. The interactive on-line video streaming featuring Sabah - Malaysian Borneo in general will give you an insight of our unique customs and a special section on the wonderful sounds of Borneo will captivate your heart and soul.

Come to Sabah and let us show you the way to indulge yourself in our most precious custom and shower you with endless affection in our very own unique Sabahan way.

Hmm,Well, Sabah like Sarawak here too, different races like chinese, penan, iban, bidayuh, malay, melanau and many more. But, in Sabah, there's many more.

Here's the ethnic that i knew in sabah,

.Kadazan-Dusun                                                           

Sabahan :D

.Bajau

.Bruneian Malay

.Murut

.Rungus

.Kedayans

.Bisaya

.Lotud

.Kwijau

.Tambanuo

.people River

.Dumpas

.Mangka'ak

.Tidong

.Maragang

.Ida'an

.Minokok

.Rumanau

.Paitan

.Lun Bawang / Lun Dayeh

Oh ya, want to know something about Sabah culture, you can click here bah...xp SABAH CULTURE