KOTA KINABALU – The month-long Kaamatan festival is not without its controversies. Notorious slip-ups are often caught on camera and widely shared on social media.
For example, Sabahans were shocked last year by the news of a Unduk Ngadau technical department chief allegedly molesting a participant.
While the case has yet to be resolved, the allegations only came to light after going viral on social media.
This year is no different as Kaamatan again draws controversies.
Mispronounced lyrics
Many took issue with Vivianne Andrew’s rendition of the popular Dusun song 'Tupusku' when she performed at the Kaamatan’s Sugandoi singing competition at the KDCA Hall four days ago.
It was not so much about her singing or the song, which was jazzed up, but her mispronounced lyrics.
Social media user Ronney Bikin Panas Rbp II said: “She used modified Dusun (language). It's not the right Dusunic words. For me, it was only a performance, but it destroyed our mother tongue.”
Another commenter came to her defence, saying the singer apologised on TikTok and that she was not used to Dusun songs, but was more familiar with English tunes.
Her performance had more than 161,000 views, 1,600 shares and 852 comments with 6,700 likes.
Tupusku – which means “my love” – was written by Hain Jasli.
Bidding for KDCA stalls
The marked-up prices of food and drinks at the stalls in the KDCA car park are nothing new. This is attributed to the bidding that went as high as RM12,000 this year.
According to a KDCA source, the starting bid was not set by them, but by the operators to avoid counter bids.
Although it is unclear if successful bidders were able to cover their costs, some sub-let the space at a high price.
Unduk Ngadau participants body-shamed
Some netizens did not mince their words when it came to commenting about Melonia Lineri, an Unduk Ngadau participant from Keningau.
However, 2021 Keningau Unduk Ngadau winner Josephine Magdeline Joseph and former state champion Maya Hejnowska came to Lineri’s defence, criticising those who posted the body-shaming comments.
The Sabah Unduk Ngadau organising chairperson Joanna Kitingan also slammed the incident, saying: “Nobody has the right to judge anyone by their body shape. I have reminded all contestants that they are already winners and to not take any comments that degrade them as women.”
Roadblock scare
Last Sunday, at least 12 summonses were issued and five people arrested for drink-driving at a roadblock mounted near Jalan Bundusan, a few hundred metres from the KDCA Hall.
Penampang police chief Mohd Haris Ibrahim said the Ops Mabuk was held in conjunction with the state-level Kaamatan festival at the KDCA.
From cultural houses to pubs
If there’s one thing that would get into anyone’s nerves is the cultural houses at the KDCA Cultural Village turning into pubs at night.
Facebook user Orlando Oscar in expressing his disappointment said the organisers should have offered more cultural events and outdoor games.
Meanwhile, Emily Majingga said: “I miss the Kaamatan at KDCA in the past. Now they are turning the cultural houses into nightclubs.”
Many also expressed their disappointment in the Kaamatan festival turning into a drinking event, instead of one that is focused on culture and traditions. – The Vibes, May 31, 2022
