KOTA KINABALU: KDCA will not proceed with the Kaamatan Festival celebration this year 2020 due to the pandemic COVID-19.
According to a press release, the KDCA’s previous Press Release made on 22 February 2020 to proceed with the Kaamatan Festival has made a turnaround decision in light of this great health concern.
This decision was reached after deliberations with Huguan Siou Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Datuk Kitingan, KDCA President and the KDCA Central Committee members.
“It was a tough decision to make as all KDCA members with the respective committees from all districts to Hongkod Koisaan are all geared up to have the much awaited yearly celebrations,” stated Suman Yasambun, KDCA Secretary-General
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“Pesta Kaamatan for Kadazandusun is a time of thanksgiving for bountiful harvests and also the time for a get-together, to feast, to renew communal relationship and gather together to share our traditional food, the “hinompot, hinava and nomsom bambangan” among others and the traditional rice wine ‘tapai’ drinks,” he said.
“All these celebrated statewide during the month of May and culminate in KDCA Unity Hall, Penampang every year on 30th and 31st May.”
“This year, it looks like we are going to miss the Sugandoi and also Hiis competitions which are songs of praises as befitting for all creations to express our gratitude and appreciation for the gifts of life supportive system on earth that the Creator lovingly and generously gave us and also the Unduk Ngadau competition which is in search of a Kadazandusun beauty that ascribed to the personality of Huminodun, the symbol of “Love and Sacrifice”.”
He said, kaamatan is a very important celebration for the Kadazandusun community, hence the theme “Kaamatan, Our Sacred Festival”.
“Unfortunately, the Covid-19 menace is preventing all this and we feel that this year’s absence of the Kaamatan Festival will not only be felt by the Kadazandusun community but also by Malaysians in general,” he added.
“Though we are not able to hold the celebration, but through our heart, we wish everyone a very Happy Harvest Festival 2020 and praying that 2021 will enable us to celebrate with gusto.”-pr/BNN
