Harvest Festival "Pesta Kaamatan"

-
Kotobian Tadau Tagazo do Kaamatan
pounsikou... kotouhuadan!

Kaamatan Queen 2012
Telupid District Queen 2012
 

Most native Sabahans consider rice to be more important than just the main staple food. There is a certain sacredness attached to it, for it is a food given to them by Kinoingan, the Almighty Creator so that his people should never want for food. He sacrificed His only daughter- Huminodun and from her body parts, padi (rice) grew. This was Kinoingan's ultimate act of benevolence and to this day, His people repay the deed by conducting various ceremonies to honour Bambaazon, the spirit of Huminodun as embodied in rice.
The most well-known of these is Pesta Kaamatan or Harvest Festival which begins on the first of May and celebrated throughout Sabah.
UN  Penampang District

Of major importance to this thanksgiving ceremony is the Magavau - a ritual to invite Bambaazon to the Pesta and is conducted only by the Bobohizan or high priestess. 

In the past, Magavau was conducted in the padi fields on the first full moon night after the harvest. A party of Bobohizan led by the foremost senior, would weave a slow procession through the fields chanting prayers to Bambaazon. A male warrior would walk ahead of this group waving a sword in the air, to ward off any evil that might try to disrupt the ritual. The food offered must be of the best quality. When the spirits come, only the Bobohizan will be able to feel their presence. The spirits will find, neatly laid out for them on banana leaves, the choicest chicken meat, eggs, betel leaves and pinang (areca nut), tobacco and kirai ("rollie").

ARAIMAITII...Cheers of luck > The finest tapai or rice wine is offered to the spirits.
A second offering arranged in a winnowing tray is placed on a specially built bamboo platform. This is for the spirits to bring back to the spirit world to feed those creatures that would otherwise feed off the padi. Pesta Kaamatan around the state culminates in the state level celebrations on May 30 and 31 every year with Magavau being enacted indoors before the celebrations begin. 

This year Pesta Kaamatan Calender for every district before the final event on the 30th and 31st.
1st of May 2012 - Kuala Penyu
Opening Harvest Festival Kuala Penyu District

5th of May       -  Putatan 
                         Kunak

8th of May          Kudat

10th of May        Matunggong

12th of May        Klang Valley
                        Papar
                        Sandakan
                        Ranau
                        Tongod
                        Membakut
                        Kemabong
                        Lahad Datu

14th of May       BeluranTelupid

15th of May       Tenom

16th of May       Nabawan
                       Sipitang
                       

19th of May      KK
                      Pitas
                      Tambunan 
                      Penampang
                      Beaufort
                      Paitan
                      Tawau


20th of May     Keningau

Pesta kaamataan Kota Merudu Destrict
                       Kota Marudu
                       Kota Belud



Thanks "Start your day with a SMILE"

Comments

Post a Comment

Read Me

Lahad Datu

-
Image
Biography Archeology study shown that the earlier human(paleolithic) community stay in Tinkayu and Madai Cave.It was the time when early humans gained increasing control over their surroundings and later saw the emergence of modern humans around 20,000 years ago. Stone tool manufacturing developed a more sophisticated tool making technique which permitted the creation of more controlled and consistent flakes. Hunting provided the primary food source but people also began to exploit shellfish and may have begun smoking and drying meat to preserve it. This would have required a mastery of fire and some sites indicate that plant resources were managed through selective burning of wide areas. There is also some evidence of purposeful burial of the dead which may indicate religious and ritual behaviors. History of Sabah shown that Idahan's is the earlier community stay in Madai Cave 10 000yrs ago. LAHAD DATU NAME COME FROM?   History show...
Read more

Kuala Kubu Bharu

-
Image
KUALA KUBU BHARU This just a simple stories of my single journey to the Greenery of KKB; After a few hours of walking...i finally found a place where i can sit and relax myself for a couple of minutes..or shall we say..just take a breath of a fresh air before my journey continues. As you can see the two big stone next to me is the Trade Mark of the Bukit Kutu, located in small town of  Kampung Pertak, Kuala Kubu Bharu. I believed every journey have their own stories and histories.My walk start with a smile in a stranger place and my journey just begun...Kuala Kubu Bharu very relaxing town surrounding with a beautiful greenery, the small town looks like in the 60's,70's era during British time. The architecture of the old buildings still standing strong among the new buildings in town.Tye people in Kuala Kubu Bharu @KKB, enjoy a moderate lifestyle, most of the villagers work in government agencies some in private sectors as running their own businesses.And the best among all...
Read more

Borneo Rainforest Lodge & Danum Valley

-
Image
Believing in Myself with D7000 Borneo Rainforest lodge or known as BRL located 2hours gravel road from small town of Lahad Datu. The Borneo Rainforest Lodge is a international-standard lodge built alongside the Danum River. Danum Velley Conservation Area -43,8000 Hestares of pristine and undisturbed tropical flora and fauna. Danum Valley Rainforest is heavenly home to more than;   340 species of Birds,  124 species of Mammals,    72 species of Reptiles,    56 species of Amphibians and more than   200 species of plants. The lodge only have 31 Chalets that can accommodates a maximum of 60 people a day with Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner. The Chalets are installed with ceiling fans, sliding open doors to the amazing nature view with extra relaxing sound from the rainforest' sound of the nature'. Lodge activities include jungle walks, bird watching with resident nature guides,and the only place in Sabah you can find this 300m...
Read more