THE harvest festival commonly known as Tadau Kaamatan in Sabah is a sacred tradition to honour the bond between the creator and creation.
According to legend, this is to give thanks to their god, Kinoingan, for sacrificing his daughter, Huminodun, by cutting her to pieces and spread them across the field which then produced a bountiful harvest of padi. The word ‘Kaamatan’ means ‘harvest’ in Kadazandusun.
Women from various cultural and religious backgrounds are the symbol of beauty and epitomise the ideals of a true Sabahan lady, according to the Huminodun legend.
The significance of this part of the harvest festival has been refined in recent years whereby the selection criteria for the Unduk Ngadau are related to the virtues and values of ‘Huminodun’ the legendary and only daughter of the Kadazan Kinoingan called Hinokizan. – June 9, 2019.
Two Murut ethnic girls posing for pictures during Kaamatan in Penampang, Sabah. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June, 9, 2019.The Lundayeh women dressed in traditional costume during the harvest festival or ‘Kaamatan’ in Penampang, Sabah. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June 9, 2019.Ethnic beaded jewellery for sale during the harvest festival in Penampang, Sabah. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June 9, 2019.Participants of the annual beauty queen contest lining up during harvest festival in Penampang, Sabah. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June 9, 2019.People attending the last day of the celebrations, which culminate in the selection and crowning of the harvest festival queen or ‘Unduk Ngadau’ in Penampang, Sabah. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June 9, 2019.Murut dancers performing a Magunatip also known as the bamboo dance, which is one of the most popular traditional dances in Sabah during Kaamatan in Penampang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June 9, 2019.The Rungus in their traditional costume during the harvest festival or Kaamatan in Penampang, Sabah. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June 9, 2019.A sculpture of the sompoton, a popular traditional musical instrument among Sabahans. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June 9, 2019.Sabah’s harvest festival is celebrated mainly by Kadazandusun and Murut communities throughout the month of May to thank for the season’s harvest and pay homage to the goddess Huminudon who sacrificed herself to save her people from famine. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June 9, 2019.The priestesses, called bobolian or bobohizan, of the Dusun Tombonuo from the Pitas district attending the harvest festival or ‘Kaamatan’ in Penampang, Sabah. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June 9, 2019.Francisca Ester Nain (centre) crowned as Unduk Ngadau at this year’s Kaamatan festival in Penampang, Sabah. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June 9, 2019.A composite portrait of women from various ethnic backgrounds in Sabah during Kaamatan in Penampang. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, June 9, 2019.
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