The last day today of the month-long Kaamatan Harvest Festival was celebrated with much joy in Sabah, with the various ethnic communities engaging in their cultural performances.

NONE More than 5,000 people, among them foreign tourists, gathered at the cultural centre of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) in Penampang early today.

The event began with the symbolic harvesting of padi by the Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri, Juhar Mahiruddin, accompanied by the chairperson of the Kaamatan Celebration Committee, Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who represented Chief Minister Musa Aman.

Juhar declared the Kaamatan festival closed by beating a gong seven times, after which he toured an exhibition comprising stalls and traditional houses outside the hall.

Also present were Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister and chairperson of the implementation and coordination committee Dr Maximus Ongkili, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Ewon Ebin and other Sabah federal and state cabinet ministers.

Visitors were entertained to cultural dances of the various ethnic communities in Sabah, such as the Kadazandusun, Murut, Tatana and Rungus, as well as performances by the dance troupe from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kiawayan, Tambunan.  

NONE The highlight was the ‘Unduk Ngadau’ or beauty queen contest which attracted 40 participants from all over the state.

Norlidah RM Jasni, wife of the Yang Dipertua Negeri, crowned the ‘Unduk Ngadau’, signifying the end of the Kaamatan Festival which carried the theme of ‘Maintaining Goodwill and Understanding through Kaamatan’.

Pairin read out the text of speech of Musa at the official closing ceremony.

Musa urged the people to be thankful for the peace, prosperity and stability they enjoyed and maintain unity to further develop the state.

- Bernama