Malaysia Borneo Cultural Festival 2014

Salaam Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2014!

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 is the nation's biggest and grandest tourism celebration with Malaysia Truly Asia's endless wonders of events, festivals and activities all-year round. For our international tourists, this is the perfect time to see, feel and experience Malaysia! With the tagline "Celebrating 1Malaysia Truly Asia,” Sabah Cultural and Heritage Association Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya (Warisan Sabah) is organizing Malaysia Borneo Cultural Festival 2014. With the theme "...bridging cultures and traditions," and endorsed by Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, it is an inaugural event with the aim to build unity, understanding and strong bond between Malaysian in line with the 1Malaysia concept.

Buvazoi Tavantang (Harvest Prince, Sabah)

Hi, there!

Some of you might have known it, while some of you may not. As I google around, there is not much information I obtained from the internet (online searching). So, whatever I have written here are based on my amateur knowledge. But, hey, dear readers, if you have some information regarding on this traditional-oriented male beauty pageant, feel free to give me any responds for further improvements. This competition is a male version of Unduk Ngadau.

Ratu Serimpak and The Land of The Cowboys of the East

Dear lovely readers,

The quaint town of Kota Belud lies about 70 kilometers, or an hour’s drive away, from Kota Kinabalu. Well-known for one of the most scenic districts in Sabah. Kota Belud is a wonderful tapestry of cultures and customs; embracing those of the Bajau Muslim majority and smatterings of the Kadazan Dusun and Irranun mores. For many centuries, Kota Belud has played an imperative role as the cultural hub of Northern Borneo. It is mostly known for its vivacious 'tamu' and unique handicrafts. Kota Belud is also the gateway to the beautiful Mantanani Island.

Huminodun: The Mystical Origin of the Kadazandusun People

Dear all, lovely readers.

First, there was nothing but Kinoingan and Suminundu . Together, they created man and the universe, the earth, and everything seen and unseen, known and unknown. 

"Malaysian’s work of art fetches RM117,000 at Christie’s" The Star, Monday 26 May 2008, under Southeast Asian Modern and Contemporary Art. One of Yee I-Lann's "Kinabalu series, Huminodun explores the eroded spiritual power of a Kadazandusun woman and her shifting relationship to her land.

That Kinoingan so loved the world that He sacrificed His only beloved Daughter, Ponompuan. This greatest love of all was the expression of Kinoingan’s purest love for mankind. Overwhelmed, they repented, genuflected and uttered prayers of thanks to Kinoingan, Sumundu and Ponompuan whom they now call Huminodun, (the transformed Sacrifice). Huminodun’s rusod (spirit) now lives in every plant. Huminodun’s rusod in paddy is regarded as Sunduan in status and is fondly called Bambarayon by Bobolians to denote the highest hierarchical position of this plant in the eyes of all Kadazandusuns. - A piece of creative photography by Benny Liew (www.bennyliew.com)

The Kaamatan Festival

Salaam, all.

The word Kaamatan is derived from the root word 'tomot,' a Kadazandusun term for harvest. Kaamatan refers to the paddy-harvesting period, which involves a series of traditional rituals culminating finally to the Kaamatan (harvest) festival. The Kaamatan festival is an annual event in the cultural life of the Kadazandusuns of Sabah since time immemorial. In its deepest sense, Kaamatan festival is a manifestation of Creator and Creation relationship, as well as Inter-Creations relationship. It embodies the principal acts of invocation of divinities, appeasing, purification and restoration, re-union of benevolent spirits, and thanksgiving to the Source of All. It is part of a complex wholesome 'Momolian' religious system centered on the paddy rites of passage and the life cycle of 'Bambarayon' - the in-dwelling spirit of paddy.

Putrajaya Botanical Garden: Persona Borneo

Salaam, all.

Outdoor photography session with DiaNni Othoe Kayar Lee and Ren Yon (Sharon Adrain). Dianni is a reigning harvest festival queen (Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Peringkat Negeri Johor 2013). Sharon was the runner-up for Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan KDCA Johor State Level 2013, and is a reigning harvest festival queen (Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Daerah Semporna 2013). Wardrobe by Mrs' Caroline's and Cleopatra's collection. Album: Putrajaya Botanical Garden - Persona Borneo.

"...Pada pandangan saya, pertandingan ratu cantik berkonsepkan tradisional ini sangat-sangat diperlukan pada masa ini kerana dengan adanya pertandingan sebegini, orang-orang muda akan lebih menghargai warisan bangsa. Seperti saya sendiri, banyak saya tidak tahu tentang bangsa saya sehingga la saya mengikuti pertandingan berkonsepkan tradisional ini. sesetengah orang sangat sukar untuk menghayati sesuatu hanya melalui bacaan di buku tetapi lebih mudah memahami melalui pengalaman, kan? Jadi kepada gadis-gadis KadazanDusunMurut (KDM) di luar sana, jangan lepaskan peluang untuk menyertai pertandingan ratu cantik tradisional kerana pengalaman tidak boleh dibeli dengan duit..." -Sharon.

"...Konsep tradisional bagi saya lebih kepada budaya dan adat resam sesuatu kaum, bersifat sopan santun. Saya tidak gemar mengenakan pakaian yang terlalu menjolok mata malah lebih kepada pemakaian baju tradisional dan ini sangat bagus kerana dapat mengekal dan meneruskan budaya/adat resam supaya tidak pupus ditelan arus permodenan..." - Dianni. 

Read more about them, click here - Dianni Murni Kayar and Sharon Adrain. 

Mount Kinabalu: The day the Dusun people returned to the mountain

Salaam, friends.

 

Mount Kinabalu is sacred to the Dusun communities. Gayoh Ngaran or Big Name, as the mountain is known to the Dusun, is our final resting place.

 

In the old days, the Dusun could hunt on the mountain and take rattan and other forest produce from the foothills. Then the white men came. They wanted to protect the mountain they said. Because everybody recognized that the mountain was sacred to the Dusun, the British officers came, along with the local authorities, and talked with the Dusun Elders from the villages on the foothills of the mountain.

Malaysia Day Outdoor Photography: Persona Borneo

Malaysia Day (September 16th, 2013) outdoor photography session with Borneo Hornbill Festival alumni - Sanddy Ngu (First runner up, Kumang Iban, Borneo Hornbill Festival 2011), Cleopatra Sandud (Winner of two subsidiary titles, Borneo Hornbill Festival 2012), Magdalen Patrick Bejig (Second runner-up, Bidayuh Category, Borneo Hornbill Festival 2012), Kevin Jantan (Borneo Hornbill Festival Working Committee) and Gilbert Katang (Borneo Hornbill Festival Working Committee). Location: Taman Tasek Permaisuri. Wardrobe: Mrs. Caroline Rudolf's, Cleo's and Kevin's Collection. Album: Malaysia Day Outdoor Photography-Persona Borneo