UMS music student Maya Hejnowska wins 2021 Unduk Ngadau title

 By Olivia Miwil - May 31, 2021 @ 9:52pm

Maya Hejnowska of Kadazan-Polish descent has been crowned Unduk Ngadau in this year’s Kaamatan festival. - Photo by Aizad Abdullah.
Maya Hejnowska of Kadazan-Polish descent has been crowned Unduk Ngadau in this year’s Kaamatan festival. - Photo by Aizad Abdullah.

PENAMPANG: Maya Hejnowska has been crowned Unduk Ngadau in this year's Kaamatan festival.

The 21-year-old Kadazan-Polish lass, who represented Api Api, took over the role of the legendary figure Huminodun from former two-year Unduk Ngadau, Francisca Ester Nain.

The Unduk Ngadau pageant is one of the most important highlights of Kaamatan, which celebrates Huminodun, a maiden who was sacrificed by her father, Kinoingan to save the people from famine to bring about a bountiful harvest.

During the question-and-answer session for top seven finalists, Maya, who is the second of three siblings conversed fluently in Kadazan.

She talked about how the socioeconomic agrarian community, which involves the Kadazan Dusun Murut Rungus, can be improved.

"Apart from providing subsidies to farmers, the people can also use social media for e-commerce.

"They could also do live streaming of their products via YouTube," she said.

Maya, who outshone 78 other contestants, brought home prizes worth RM66,830, which include RM15,000 cash to become ambassador for local products for a year. She also received an educational scholarship worth RM35,000, a crown and trophy, Chanteek Borneo sarong, T-shirts and accessories.

The Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student, who is majoring in music studies, also won RM1,000 for the Miss Charming subsidiary title.

First runner-up was Dianarin Vahidin representing Paginatan, who won RM45,280 including RM12,000 in hampers and an educational scholarship worth RM30,000, among other things.

The second runner-up was Febby Angelica representing Kundasang, who brought home prizes worth of RM32,980, which include RM10,000 in hampers and RM20,000 in educational scholarship and others.

In fourth place was Lisa Christie Deminic from Tulid; followed by Avrill Elvira Roger Anthony (Tanjung Keramat); Sharon Stephen (Kawang); and Carrey Evanne Kim Lee (Penampang).



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