Stick to the SOPs for Kaamatan

 By Olivia Miwil - May 1, 2021 @ 1:20pm

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (centre) during the launching of Kaamatan Festival, at Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang. -NSTP/MOHD ADAM ARININ

PENAMPANG: As the month-long 'Kaamatan' or Harvest festival begins today, the public are urged to stay vigilant at all times when celebrating it.

Sabah Kaamatan Organising Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said this was because Sabah's not "out of the woods yet" from Covid-19 threat.

"Kaamatan this year is being held amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, so be careful when celebrating out there.

"Although we are not allowed to gather or be at Hongkod Koisaan here, we can still celebrate the festival at home where it is safer.

"However, I still would like to advise everyone to observe the standard operating procedures even though we can gather at home," he said when launching the event at the Hongkod Koisaan building here.

The launch, with less than 50 people attending, was also broadcast via several platforms. The theme this year is "Borderless Kaamatan for Peace and Reconciliation".

"The festival programme this year is being held digitally, which is in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan and Sabah Maju Jaya Plan in embracing digitalisation.

"The recording of the event and the broadcast play significant roles. New programmes such as "Tik Tok Challenge" and "Best Influencers" have also been included," he said, adding that a channel dubbed Kaamatan TV, dedicated to the festival, was recently launched.

Jeffrey, who is Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, said he hoped more youngsters would be part of the celebration as the harvest festival entered its 61st year this year.

"We are hoping the harvest festival this year will become the main core in ensuring peace and unity apart from defending the customs and culture, as well as preserving languages."

Kaamatan is traditionally held as a thanksgiving gesture after the harvest of padi.

A highlight of the festival is the beauty pageant on May 31, which will crown someone as "Unduk Ngadau".

Francisca Ester Nain, 27, broke the record for holding the title more than a year since 2019 as the festival was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

The pageant celebrates Huminodun, a maiden who was sacrificed by her father, Kinoingan, to save the people from famine to bring about a bountiful harvest.