Intro l Handicraft l Musical Instruments l Song & Dance l Traditional Cuisine l Costumes  l Keamatan Festivals

Pesta Ka'amatan

Since the dawn of time, the Kadazandusun and Murut people have been celebrating an elaborate Harvest Festival, the Pesta Ka'amatan in their own unique way to pay homage to the Bambazon, the rice spirit, to mark their gratitude for ar bountiful harvest.

Merry-making takes place in virtually all villages and districts throughout Sabah which host their own celebrations during the month of May. The climax of the celebrations is the two-day state holiday and the ensuing festivals held at annually chosen places such as the Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang on the 30th and 31st of May.

MAGAVAU

One of the highlights of the Pesta Ka'amatan is the Magavau Ceremony, a traditional thanksgiving rite performed by the ritual specialists of Sabah, the Bobohizan.

Traditional beliefs have it that Bambazon can be threatened by pests, natural disasters, or even by the carelessness of the farmers themselves. To restore and appease Bambazon the Magavau Ceremony has to be performed. "Magavau" in the Kadazan language means "to recover what has been lost, by whatever means".

Lead by a senior ritual specialist, sometimes also referred to as the "high priestess", the Bobohizan and her assistants perform the ritual which symbolises the search for the lost and stray parts of Bambazon, and take them safely 'home'.

Moving in a single file, close to one another, the Bobohizan and her assistants enter the spirit world in search of Bambazon. Every time a lost part of Bambazon is met and recovered the leader of the ceremony shouts out in a piercing scream, the pangkis, expressing joy at the recovery and urging the others to keep on looking.

After paying homage to rice spirit, a merry feast ensues.  Those present are traditionally served chicken porridge, eggs and meat only, for it is believed that green vegetables connote disrespect to the guests of Bambazon. Only the best tapai, or rice wine, is served. The Ka'amatan Celebrations are filled with rituals, music, songs and dances which are pure expression of Sabah's cultural joy and merriment.

UNDUK NGADAU

Unduk Ngadau literally means the 'Noon Sun'. Legend has it that Kinoingan, the Creator, sacrificed his only daughter Huminodun so that all his people would have seeds to grow the food they needed.  

Her head gave rise to the coconut, her flesh became padi, her blood red rice, her fingers ginger, her teeth maize, her knees yam, and so on. When it was time to ascend to the heavens, Kinoingan and his wife Suminundu held a big feast as desired by their daughter, so that the people would not forget the sacrifice. But during the feast Kinoingan was overcome with grief for his daughter. He played a special tune on his bamboo flute and called out her name. Miraculously, she appeared from a big jar which was used to hold the remains of the threshed padi. Her return to life added much joy to the festivities. To honour the sacrifice made by Huminodun for the people, the search for Unduk Ngadau - or the Harvest Beauty Queen Pageant - the ideal Kadazandusun maiden resembling Huminodun in terms of total beauty of the heart, mind and body is the highlight of to-day's Ka'amatan Festivals!

Source: Sabah Tourism Board