My Awesome Kaamatan [Part 1]

OK.

I think it's time for me to share my experience during my previous approximately two months holidays.

My holidays were awesome. I did so many things and I personally think that the previous holidays are the King of Holidays so far.

So, I went back to Sabah for the holidays in May. In Sabah, May is an exciting month because during this time, the celebration of Harvest Festival or Pesta Kaamatan will take place. It's held annually and it's the biggest festival in Sabah. It's celebrated by all the Kadazan Dusun Murut people, as well as people of the other ethnic group. 

During this time, people who came would be able to witness the uniqueness and awesomeness of the Kadazan Dusun Murut culture. I could never be able to picture it here in words. You have to come to experience the awesomeness of the Kadazan Dusun Murut culture.

Well, enough about that.

This year, I was involved in the celebration itself. As you (some of you) know, the main highlights of the Kaamatan Festival are the Sugandoi and Unduk Ngadau.

Like last year, I was involved in the Sugandoi, again, this year. Frankly speaking, I was so tired of participating in a singing competition because it's very mentally exhausting. I've experienced the pressure last year and this year, I had to experience it again. 

*sigh*

Nonetheless, it was really a great pleasure to be involved again. 

So, for this year's state level Sugandoi, I didn't win, like last year. I managed to be one the finalists though. It was already an achievement for me. Two years in a row, I was one of the finalists. I was lucky. Many of the contestants have tried, like, 6 times and still did not make the cut to the final. Oh, for you guys who don't know what Sugandoi is, it simply means, singing competition but the songs chosen must be in Kadazan Dusun Murut language.

It's me in the traditional costume called Sinipak. It's a

traditional costume of the Dusun Tindal from Kota Belud.

[Photo: Credit to George Duat] 

So, like I said, I didn't win the Sugandoi this year. It's OK. The most important thing is I had fun. And I met so many wonderful and talented people (some of them are my old friends) such as Arie Famree. He's the Sugandoi champion. He has a very good voice and his tone is just superb, very rare. I really really admire his voice. You deserve the prize my friend. All the best!

This is Arie Famree, the Champion. 

He's from Kota Belud. 

[Photo: Credit to Qisthine Syl]

Another highlight of the festival is Unduk Ngadau. For those who don't know, it simply means beauty pageant. But it's different from other beauty pageants that we have nowadays such as Miss World or Miss Universe. Unduk Ngadau is a beauty pageant instilled with cultural aspects of the Kadazan Dusun Murut people. It is to choose a girl that symbolizes Huminodun, the one who sacrificed herself for the survival of her people. They (the contestants) wear traditional costumes instead of bikinis that we often see in any of the pageants today. 

This year's winner is a pretty girl representing Tanjung Aru. I was rooting for the Ranau girl but unfortunately, she didn't win. Well, it's OK. Congrats to Crystal Eve Huminodun for winning the Unduk Ngadau. I really really love her name. Classic!

Unduk Ngadau 2010

Well, well.

After the state level Kaamatan in KDCA was successfully ended, I was called by my great friend, Albert Oliver, and he told me that I would be joining another Sugandoi state level competition held in Keningau. This time it was organized by UPKO. 

I was like "What? Not again" because singing competition really stressed me out at that point. However, as much as I hate the pressure, I went for it for the sake of singing because I really love singing (duh).

I did not expect to win but miraculously, I won this time. It indeed feels really really good to win a competition.

I won the UPKO State Level Sugandoi in Keningau

Yours sincerely,

FANZI