Kaamantan Festival is a harvest festival that highlights the Unduk Ngadau which is known as beauty pageant and Sugandoi called singing contents was announced to be organized online this year.
Kaamatan also known as Pesta Kaamatan is a form of harvest festival that is celebrated annually in the state of Sabah in Malaysia. The festival is celebrated for the whole month of May by the ethnic Kadazan-Dusuns as well as the other related groups in the state.
Why it is celebrated:
It was believed that in olden days people suffered from a great famine. In the kingdom many people were suffering with the shortage of food. Then the Kinoingan, a God took pity towards the people and in order to save the people, he scarified his own daughter Huminodun and sowed her over the land.
The crops were harvested and the people were saved. And the people believe that the spirit of Huminodun is embodied in the rice and therefore it is called as Bambarayon or Bambazon.
About the festival:
Kaamatan is a joyous occasion for friends and family when everyone makes time to appreciate each other. The last day of Kaamatan a closing ceremony known as The Humabot Ceremony is organized that includes variety of activities, entertainment, dances, food and delicacies throughout the day. The ceremony is important to ensure the farmers will be able to harvest again in the next season.
People perform traditional folk dance which is one of the most important dances and an absolute must-do dance that is inspired by eagle flying patterns witnessed by farmers during the festival. The Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant is held to commemorate the spirit of Huminodun.
During the festival almost everyone dresses in traditional costumes while the elders perform the traditional dance. You can grab Zalora coupons to have the best shopping experience with excellent discounts applied on things purchased.
The significant celebration of culture and heritage is what makes the festival so special. It is the harvest festival that sets the value of patience, diligence and hard work.