Vying for Unduk Ngadau title can cost a lot

KOTA KINABALU: No pain, no gain. That is true in a beauty pageant, including the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan contest that involves having to use specific costume, hairdo and makeup.

The mother of one of the Unduk Ngadau finalists this year said the higher the level of competition, the higher the cost.

“If you want to win a beauty pageant, you’d better be prepared to spend a pretty penny and before you get to the pageant, there are clothes, hair and makeup costs that you should think of.

“In the Unduk Ngadau competition, the district level competition would only need a few hundred ringgit but once chosen to be in the state level competition, you are talking of thousands of ringgit,” said Emelty Sebastian who accompanied her daughter at the registration session of the annual beauty pageant at Le Meridien Hotel yesterday morning.

Without any expectation to win the state level competition, Emelty is trying to do the best for her daughter, Magdeline Evone Michael of Kunak.

She told The Borneo Post that even though she had to spend about RM700 only for the makeup and hairdo for the three events in the five-day Unduk Ngadau journey, there were many other things that they had to prepare right after her daughter was crowned as the Kunak Unduk Ngadau recently, including clothes, shoes, jewellery and others.

That will be the cost for a mother like Emelty.

As for the contestants, the pain will be the suffering from strict diets in order to stay slim and look nice.

Continue reading at: Vying for Unduk Ngadau title can cost a lot
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New Itinerary For This Year's Kaamatan Celebration

PENAMPANG (Sabah) -- Over the years, local residents and tourists have been flocking to Hongkod Koisaan (which means the Unity Hall in the Kadazan language), the venue for the state level Kaamatan festival held every May 30 and 31.

Regular or repeat visitors already familiar with the traditional houses, the multipurpose hall and the handicraft and food stalls erected around the vicinity know what to expect during the two-day programme.

However, this year the organizer, the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA)of Sabah, has decided to go for a major revamping, therefore visitors to the event can expect a refreshing change, both with the itinerary and the facilities for the harvest festival.

CULTURAL VILLAGE TO BE PROMOTED THROUGH TOURISM PACKAGES

The renewal literally starts at the doorstep, with visitors greeted by the 'KDCA Cultural Village' arch which leads them to a hanging bridge with a man-made pond underneath.

After crossing the bridge, there is a new open stage on the left, and just further up, a handicraft outlet awaits those interested in bringing home souvenirs. It would be hard not to notice the new cafe next to it.

Also, some of the traditional houses now sport a new look.

"Renovation work on landscaping and those on traditional houses started about two months ago."

"Most of the houses have been given touch-ups, but we even went to the extent of demolishing one of the houses, namely the Tambunan house, and erected a new one," said KDCA Secretary General Suman Yasambun.

CENTRE TO BE USED EVEN AFTER KAAMATAN

While some may think that all the preparations may be too much, compared with previous years, there is actually another reason for it.

After the Kaamatan celebrations end, the KDCA Cultural Village will be promoted as a tourism destination through a joint venture company to generate year-round economic activities at Hongkod Koisaan.

KDCA and Tombituon Enterprise had jointly established KDCA Cultural Village Sdn Bhd to manage the Cultural Village, which would largely promote the 11 traditional houses through daily activities for visitors and tourists.

"Over the years, local and international tourists alike have been crowding this place during the Kaamatan state-level event.

"KDCA is embarking on this new area of advancement, we want to use these traditional houses for money-making activities," said Suman.

At the same time, they also hope to provide an educational avenue for students and younger people, to remind them of traditional cultures and their ancestor's activities through demonstrations to be held at the houses.

"Most of the youths nowadays are not familiar with their own cultural background, so if we introduce this tourism product, it can also give them some knowledge and maybe they will get to know traditional rituals or tools used from the olden days," he explained.

UNDUK NGADAU ON BOTH DAYS

On the itineraries, the highlight of the celebration is the Unduk Ngadau or the Harvest Festival beauty pageant.

George Mijin, the programme head for the state-level Kaamatan celebration, said that previously the event was held on the second afternoon with results expected at the end of the day.

However, this time around the first round will be held on the morning of the first day and the 15 short-listed finalists will continue on to the finals on the second day.

"The beauty contest is usually held inside the multipurpose hall, but this year we will hold the first round on May 30 at the open stage to accommodate a bigger audience."

At the same time, George said that this year's state-level Kaamatan celebration will also showcase, for the first time, a 'menabib' demonstration, which is the ancestral art of making 'lokub'(rope) using rattan.

This rope, back in the old days, was tied onto the buffalos' pierced nose and used to pull the animal, he explained.

"This demonstration is specifically requested by our KDCA President, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, and the art originates from Tambunan, his district of origin," he added.

Another new element that the public will get to see this year is the symbolic 'moginum orang tatana' ceremony during the launch of the celebration, which is unique to the district of Kuala Penyu, which is the district chosen for the launch of the next Kaamatan festival, said George.

Continue reading at: New Itinerary For This Year's Kaamatan Celebration
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Top three winners of Unduk Ngadau stand to become MASwings cabin crew

KOTA KINABALU: The top three winners of the upcoming State-level Kaamatan Festival Unduk Ngadau pageant stand a chance of being recruited to work as a cabin crew for MASwings.

“If they wish to join as cabin crew, 50 per cent is already considered acceptable while the other qualities will be looked into during the interview. They will also become our icons in billboards to reflect our identity,” said MASwings managing director, Dato’ Capt Mohd Nawawi Awang.

He said this at the presentation of sponsorship to the State-level Kaamatan Festival, organising committee chairperson, Jornah Mozihim, in a form of a business class fare for the champion and an economy class fare for the first and second runner-up at a hotel yesterday.

The sponsorship tickets covers air travel to any destinations in Sarawak and Sabah served by MASwings, as well as the BIMP-EAGA region such as Brunei and Kalimantan, which the airline is still awaiting for approval from the respective governments.

Nawawi said they are eyeing to start operations in July to provide services to and from Kota Kinabalu to Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuching to Pontianak. Then, in October, the service from Kuching-Mulu-Bandar Seri Begawan and Kota Kinabalu-Tawau-Tarakan is expected to be launched.

These are all viable routes which are under ‘MASwings International’ programme and also within the operating capacity of the aircraft which is one hour, he said.

On their sponsorship for the Kaamatan Festival, he said it is under their newly launched programme called ‘Wings of Love’.

“Since we are serving here, in future we want Sabah and Sarawak to consider that this airline belongs to them. Furthermore, 90 per cent of our staff come from these two states and we also want to position MASwings as the icon for Sabah and Sarawak,” he stated.

Continue reading at: Top three winners of Unduk Ngadau stand to become MASwings cabin crew
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A little taste of home in Klang Valley Tadau Kaamatan 2011

Being far away from home in the Land Below the Wind, proved no hindrance for Kadazandusuns in the peninsula who celebrated Kaamatan at Wisma MCA in Jalan Ampang on Saturday.

The Klang Valley Tadau Kaamatan 2011 was a hit not just for the Sabahan community but also their friends who came along to join in the merry-making.

Most claimed surprise and wonder as they witnessed and participated in one of Sabah’s major festivals.

“I have never seen this part of Malaysia before. It is latent but a real beauty. Great culture, I wish I had come in the previous years,” said Hendero Fin from Indonesia, who stopped by to support one of the contestants in the Unduk Ngadau contest.

“I’ve heard about this culture but I’ve never seen how it is celebrated before. It’s different from the three main cultures in Malaysia. I think a beautiful culture such as this deserves enormous exposure” said Keshen Antioni, a film student who is looking for inspiration in his next film project.

Many felt at home as they conversed in their native tongue or local Sabah dialect and enjoyed traditional food like the raw fish salad, hinava and traditional brew, lihing.

It was not difficult to get guests to join in the traditional Sumazau dance accompanied by the lively beats of the gong.

The Huguan Siou (Paramount Leader) of the Kadazandusuns, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan marked the start of the event by beating the gong which was met with thunderous applause and cheer from the crowd.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Seri Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili was also present.

Kaamatan is a thanksgiving celebration after the rice is harvested and is also in commemoration of the legend of Huminodun, who was sacrificed by the creator, Kinoingan, to save the people from famine.

The celebration ends with the selection of the Unduk Ngadau beauty queen who is widely regarded to be a symbol of Hominodun.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: A little taste of home in Klang Valley Tadau Kaamatan 2011
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Kaamatan more than just Unduk Ngadau

Tuaran: The scope of Pesta Kaamatan celebration is more than just about the beauty of Unduk Ngadaus (beauty queens).

Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Infrastructure Development, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said Sunday, it is a meaningful occasion to foster unity and goodwill among all communities who partake of the celebration.

In an era of globalisation which is full of challenges, he said the Sodop Unduk Ngadau is one place where we can exchange notes, get acquainted with people and strengthen our relations in a cultural environment.

"This community-based activity creates a happy atmosphere for all Malaysians to promote friendship ties and mutual understanding.

"It reminds us of the beauty of our culture. That is why the theme of this year's celebration is 'Understanding Culture - Wise Forward Move'.

"Having 55 tables on this gala night is great. It is a good sign. On behalf of the State Government and the State-level Pesta Kaamatan Celebration Main Committee, I wish to express my appreciation to all the donors and sponsors who have contributed to the success of this event," he said when officiating at the Tuaran Sodop Unduk Ngadau (the district's first such event).

About 600 people attended the function held at Shangri-la's Rasa Ria Resort here.

Continue reading at: Kaamatan more than just Unduk Ngadau
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