Kaamatan — Sabah Harvest Festival

The festival

Kaamatan is the harvest festival of the Kadazan-Dusun, the largest indigenous people of Sabah (Borneo Malaysian). Throughout May, villages and districts celebrate new rice before the grand final of May 30 and 31, fixed dates, state holidays, in Hongkod Koisaan, the cultural centre of the Kadazan-dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) in Penampang, near Kota Kinabalu.

The bobohizan, the guardian priests of rituals, lead there the Magavau, the ceremonial call of Bambarayon, the spirit of rice, in thanksgiving for the harvest — according to the myth, born of the sacrifice of Huminodun, daughter of the creator Kinoingan, whose body gave rice to men.

Sumazau dances with bird gestures, Sugandii singing contest, traditional sports, long ethnic houses open to visitors and tapai tastings (rice wine) are held every two days, crowned by the election of Unduk Ngadau, the "Queen of the Harvests" which embodies Huminodun. The first state festival took place in 1960.