POPULAR EVENT IN SABAH

PESTA KAAMATAN

   

   

Most native Sabahans Consider IMPORTANT rice to be more than just the main staple food. CERTAIN There is a sacredness attached to it, for it is a food given to Them by Kinoingan, the Almighty Creator so that's Should his people never want for food. He Graded-Huminodun His only daughter and from her body parts, paddy (rice) grew. This was Kinoingan's ultimate act of benevolence and to this day, His people repay the deed by conducting various Bambaazon CEREMONIES to honor, the spirit of Huminodun as embodied in rice.

The Most well-known of These is Harvest Festival or Harvest Festival Selatan begins on the first of May and celebrated throughout Sabah. Of Major Importance to this is the Magavau thanksgiving ceremony - a ritual to invite Bambaazon to the festival and is conducted only by the Bobohizan or high priestess. Festivities can not proceed without the presence of Bambaazon and it is through Magavau that's the Rice Spirit is invoked.

 In the past, Magavau was conducted in the paddy fields on the first full moon night after it the harvest. A party of Bobohizan led by the senior Foremost, 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 water, to ward off any evil that's MIGHT try to Disrupt the ritual. OFFERED The food must be of the best quality. When the spirits come, only the Bobohizan will be Able to feel are solely for presence. The spirits will find, neatly laid out for Them on banana leaves, the choicest chicken meat, eggs, betel leaves and betel nut (Areca nut), tobacco and long strip ("Rollie"). The finest rice wine or rice wine is OFFERED to the spirits.

A second offerings arranged in a winnowing tray is placed on a specially built bamboo platforms. This is for the spirits to Bring back to the spirit world to feed Otherwise Those Creatures that's would feed off the rice. Harvest Festival culminates around the state in the state-level celebrations on May 30 and 31 every year with Magavau Being Indoors enacted BEFORE the celebrations begin.

PESTA BETITIK

  

This festival is to celebrate the culture of Borneo Bajau community featuring a range of performances Betitik (Bajau traditional music) and a four-day homestay program for those keen to learn the art Betitik. Betitik history exhibition and sale of handicrafts and food were also held during the festival.