Tadau Kaamatan: More Than A Regular Harvest Festival

In the Malaysian states of Sabah and Labuan Federal Territory, on May 30 and 31, there is a harvest festival known as Kaamatan or Pesta Kaamatan. The entire month of May is often observed by the ethnic Kadazan-Dusuns and other closely related ethnic groups in the state, and it concludes with a public holiday on a day determined by a priestess known as the bobohizan.

A poster by UKM about Kaamatan

In the annual host district, Penampang, specifically at KDCA, a pageant known as Unduk Ngadau will be placed, and it will conclude the harvest festival with a freshly crowned Unduk Ngadau (UN). Most of the time, the UN competition was held at the district level before the winner of each district or zones will be crowned as the official representative to compete at the state-level UN. The UN state-level winner was believed to be the icon of Sabah and she would hold the title for one year before a new UN was crowned the next year. 

A picture showing UN contestants from Tuaran

The belief system and way of life of the Kadazan-Dusun are known as hooliganism, and it encompasses the Harvest Festival. The Sumazau dance performance, Sugandoi singing competition, bodybuilding competition, and various arts and crafts performances are also featured. Folk sports and other competitions like gong-hitting contests have also evolved into the festival's main attractions.

Carol (middle) from Papar crowned as the winner of Unduk Ngadau 2023