| Kaamatan | |
| Status: | Active |
| Genre: | Harvest festival |
| Date: | May |
| Begins: | 1 May |
| Ends: | 31 May |
| Frequency: | Annual |
| Country: | Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia |
| Participants: | Kadazan-Dusun people |
Kaamatan or Pesta Kaamatan is a form of harvest festival celebrated on 30 and 31 of May annually in the state of Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan in Malaysia.
According to a belief shared by all Dusun peoples, with some variations, the human race, created by the Supreme Being Kinoingan, experienced a severe famine at the beginning of time. Kinoingan's maiden daughter, Huminodun, sacrificed herself to provide food for humanity, resulting in the production of rice as the main staple, along with other essential crops such as coconut, tapioca, ginger, maize, and yams from different parts of her body. The myth further narrates that Huminodun was transformed into Unduk Ngadau, a spirit emerging from a large jar containing the rice harvested by humans on the first day. An essential aspect of the myth includes Huminodun's instruction that, before starting the harvest, the father should take seven stalks of padi (called toguruon), tie them to one end of a spliced bamboo stick, plant them at the center of the field, and then store them in the rice container after the harvest.[1] These seven stalks of padi symbolize the spirit of rice, Bambaazon (or Bambarayon in interior dialects), which is believed to be responsible for abundant harvests [2]
This creation story played a central role in the traditional belief system of the Dusun peoples and formed the basis of numerous rituals performed annually during the rice harvest. The most significant of these rituals was the magavau ceremony, led by the ritual specialists known as bobohizan, to recover grains of rice that might have been lost or left in the field, carrying the Bambaazon with them and thereby preventing future crop shortages. Harvest-related rituals were the most important of the year, involving extensive celebration and feasting within villages. Another traditional ritual was the moginakan, which was costly and held during particularly good harvests, as well as for events like house reconstruction, childbirth, or recovery from illness.
Kaamatan is normally celebrated by the ethnic Kadazan-Dusuns, as well as by other related ethnic groups in the state, and lasts for the whole of the month of May, ending with a public holiday on a date selected by a priestess known as the bobohizan.[3]
A beauty pageant known as Unduk Ngadau will be held and it ends the harvest festival with a newly crowned Unduk Ngadau in the annual host district, Penampang. The Harvest Festival comes under the ambit of what is known as Momolianism, the belief system and life philosophy of the Kadazan-Dusun. There is also a dance performance called the Sumazau, a singing contest called Sugandoi, a bodybuilding competition, and other arts and crafts performances. Competitions such as hitting the gong and folk sports have also become one of the main events in this festival.
Popular drinks during the festival are tapai and Kinomol, which is a traditional alak drink. Tapai is drunk from a small bamboo vessel known as a sumbiling or from special glasses called singgarung, likewise made from bamboo.[4]