PENAMPANG – Make the Kaamatan harvest festival Sabah’s pillar of unity, urged Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor today.
He said Kaamatan, which brings the message of reconciliation and peace, continues to be an important platform to galvanise unity and cooperation among the state’s residents.
“With strong unity and close cooperation, it will help propel Sabah towards greater heights, in line with the aspiration of the state government under Halatuju Sabah Maju Jaya.”
Speaking at the online launch of the state-level Kaamatan celebration at Hongkod Koisaan of the KDCA building, Hajiji said the festival is a major celebration in Sabah, particularly for its Kadazandusun Murut Rungus communities, but also other ethnic groups.
This year’s theme, “A Borderless Kaamatan for Reconciliation and Peace”, appropriately reflects the current situation, he said.
“Interstate and inter-district travel is restricted in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19.”
He said the pandemic has changed the way Kaamatan is celebrated, with programmes, such as Sugandoi (singing contest) and Unduk Ngadau (beauty pageant), being held online this time around.
It is still festive, albeit on a smaller scale, he added.
“I was informed that the livestream of Kaamatan programmes on social media received a very encouraging response.
“What is important is that we must always be on our toes and fully comply with the standard operating procedures so that we can stop the spread of Covid-19.”
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, who chairs the Kaamatan Festival Celebration Committee 2021, in his speech said aside from Unduk Ngadau and Sugandoi, other activities, too, saw a great response.
These include the Hiis (poetry), Managon (storytelling) and creative ethnic dance contests.
Jeffrey said Kaamatan has become an important platform for young art talent in the state, and has the potential to be developed at the international level.
“We have many talented artists in Sabah. We must not let them go to waste. I suggest that we start a more systematic mechanism for the development of the art industry in Sabah. I suggest that we start a Sabah artists’ academy in the future.”
He said the Kaamatan celebration online allows those outside the state to see for themselves Sabah’s culture, and could create opportunities to attract foreign investors.
The launch ended with 21 Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan finalists being presented onstage. The final round will be streamed live online tomorrow. – The Vibes, May 30, 2021
