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.