Tadau Kaamatan – Pesta Kaamatan – Kaamatan Festival – Harvest Festival

Welcome to Sabah, Land below the Wind yahoo… in this week most of other place in Sabah, already start their Kaamatan. Then what is Kaamatan Festival..? Ahh.. you don’t know… me too heheheh… Ok ok.. From my title post, actually all the word has the same meaning.

What is Kaamatan Festival? In the kadazandusun culture, “Kaamatan” or other word “Magavau” is the special festival or celebration to respect the “Bambazon” also known as paddy spirit. This tradition is always being performed long and long long…….time ago until now days it became a special holiday in Sabah, just to celebrate this Kaamatan Festival. Thanks to Tun Haji Mohd Fuad Stephens or Donald Stephens, was the first Chief Minister of the state of Sabah in Malaysia. Why? He was the man who brings this Kaamatan Festival as a special holiday in Sabah and being approved by Majlis Undangan Kerajaan Koloni since 1960. Yeah…..holiday..30th and 31st May. There is lots activity in Sabah like, Sugandoi (Singing Competitions) , Unduk Ngadau (Beauty Contest) , Mipulos (Arm Wrestling) and more.

Well as you know, Kaamatan refers to paddy, harvesting period, which is from the traditional rituals culminating and finally to Kaamatan or Magavau or Harvest Festival. (In Bahasa Pesta Kaamatan) There several rituals stages, Bobohizan or Bobolian (ritual specialist) play an important role in the rituals stage. You can read more about the stages (CLiCK HERE).

Now days, Bobohizan or Bobolian (ritual specialist) are become less, most of the generation already forget about it. This is because of the modern era now become more high level and the religion like Christian and others also playing role. Hehehe… anyway.. in Sabah 30th and 31st May is the holiday for Kaamatan, there is lot of activity. I hope I can go and visit Kaamatan Festival at other place like Hongkod and my friend’s house.