By Allan G. Dumbong,
International Correspondent
KOTA KINABALU : – The Sabah state government has approved an allocation of RM5 million (USD 0.6 million) to support the Kaamatan Festival Celebration 2025.
This was announced by the chairman of the main committee for the Kaamatan Festival at the Sabah state level, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan, at a meeting at the Wisma Pertanian Sabah, here, on Thursday.
Dr Jeffrey, who is also Deputy Chief Minister I, said the funds will be used to finance various programmes and activities related to the festival which will be held in May at both the state and district levels.
The Tambunan district has been selected to host this year’s opening ceremony of the Kaamatan Festival, which is a major event in the month-long harvest celebrations.
The climax of the festival will be held at the Hongkod Koisaan (Kadazan Dusun Cultural Centre), in Penampang
In addition, the Buvazoi Tavantang Kaamatan, formerly known as Mr Kaamatan, has been officially included in the festival’s programme with an improved concept and expanded activities.
It is expected that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will be invited to officiate the closing ceremony on May 31.
All main events of the Kaamatan Festival will be telecast live by TV Sabah to ensure wide media coverage of the cultural celebration.
Kaamatan Festival is an annual cultural festival celebrated by the Kadazandusun and Murut communities in Sabah to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.
The festival features traditional performances, sports competitions, Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (Beauty Pageant) and other cultural events that showcase the rich heritage of Sabah’s indigenous peoples.
As usual, the festival will bring together hundreds of thousands of Sabahans who will participate in the various events, as well as foreign tourists who want to learn more about Sabah’s rich indigenous culture and beautiful nature.
Kaamatan is celebrated not only in Peninsular Malaysia (Klang Valley, Johor Bahru, and Pulau Pinang) and Sarawak but also among the Sabahan diaspora, particularly in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The theme of this year’s Kaamatan is Kaamatan Montok Songovian (Kaamatan Untuk Semua or Kaamatan for Everyone).
