Echoes Of The Gong Kaamatan And The Soul Of Sabah


 



Each year, as May draws to a close, the gentle rhythm of the gong echoes through Sabah’s valleys and hills, heralding the Kaamatan festival - a time of harvest, gratitude, and deep cultural reflection among the Kadazandusun-Murut-Rungus (KDMR) communities.
Kaamatan, traditionally held at the end of the padi harvesting season, was once a village-scale celebration to give thanks to Bambarayon, the rice spirit.
Today, while festivities are larger and more modern, the soul of the festival remains intact, especially for Christians like Mariati Bakait, an ethnic Kadazandusun who hails from Ranau.
“Kaamatan isn’t just about merrymaking. It’s about honouring the sacrifice that gave us life, like Huminodun’s,” said the school teacher, referring to the mythic maiden who gave her body to restore life to the land during a great famine.
ADS“Her story still teaches us what love and courage really mean,” Mariati tells Malaysiakini.
Before the advent of Christianity
Long before the arrival of Christianity, Kaamatan was rooted in animist beliefs.
Elders would perform rituals such as mogondi to call upon the rice spirit. Food offerings were laid out, songs sung, and thanks given to the unseen forces that brought forth the harvest.
Even then, celebration and entertainment - dancing, singing, and feasting - were part of the community’s way of life.
But when Christianity took root in Sabah, the Kaamatan festival evolved. Rituals once central to the festival were reduced or transformed, particularly when the celebrations were held in church grounds.
“The mogondi ritual, for instance, is now often performed as a cultural demonstration rather than a spiritual rite,” says Mariati.
Mariati Bakait (left) helping at a Kaamatan bazaar in Penampang, SabahAccording to her, the essence of Kaamatan - gratitude - remains unchanged.
“In the past, people gave thanks to the rice spirit. Now, we give thanks to a known God, one we believe in. The focus on gratitude stays the same,” she said.
Balancing faith and culture
Among Christian KDMR communities today, there is little conflict between faith and festival.
Traditions like the Unduk Ngadau pageant, which honours the spirit of Huminodun, are seen not as religious relics but cultural affirmations.
ADS“I don’t see the Unduk Ngadau as conflicting with my faith,” said Mariati.
“She’s a symbol of who we are - of our resilience and compassion. That identity should be celebrated, not hidden.”
Even traditional rice wine, tapai, is recognised as part of the KDMR cultural identity. But Mariati is quick to add a cautionary note.
“Enjoying tapai in moderation is fine. But the drinking shouldn’t overshadow the real meaning of the festival. It’s about unity, not just partying.”
Passing the torch
For many like Mariati, Kaamatan is also an opportunity to teach the younger generation about cultural values, from respecting the land and food, to showcasing talents through events like Sugandoi (singing competitions), traditional games, and sports.
“It’s not just about who’s the prettiest in Unduk Ngadau,” she said, adding, “There are many platforms for people to be brave, confident, and proud of who they are.”
A festival for unity
At its core, Kaamatan is about unity - a message that resonates deeply in a multicultural, multireligious Malaysia.
“Unity isn’t easy,” Mariati said thoughtfully. “But Kaamatan reminds us we are one people, with one story. Whether we are Catholic, Protestant, or traditionalist, we can still come together to honour what matters most.”
In today’s globalised world, where younger generations are pulled in many directions, Kaamatan continues to offer a cultural anchor - one that is spiritual without being exclusive, and festive without losing meaning.
“As long as we understand and live its values, Kaamatan will never be lost,” said Mariati. “It will always be a celebration of who we are.” - Mkini
JOSEPH MASILAMANY is a seasoned journalist. He is a keen observer of the cultural and spiritual landscapes around him. Rooted in community life, he engages fondly with the people of the land, capturing their voices with insight.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT


Artikel ini hanyalah simpanan cache dari url asal penulis yang berkebarangkalian sudah terlalu lama atau sudah dibuang :

http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.com/2025/05/echoes-of-gong-kaamatan-and-soul-of.html

Kempen Promosi dan Iklan
Kami memerlukan jasa baik anda untuk menyokong kempen pengiklanan dalam website kami. Serba sedikit anda telah membantu kami untuk mengekalkan servis percuma aggregating ini kepada semua.

Anda juga boleh memberikan sumbangan anda kepada kami dengan menghubungi kami di sini
How You Can Celebrate Kaamatan And Gawai In The Klang Valley

How You Can Celebrate Kaamatan And Gawai In The Klang Valley

papar berkaitan - pada 25/5/2025 - jumlah : 170 hits
Enjoy traditional dishes from Sabah and Sarawak in celebration of Kaamatan and Gawai in KL ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE The StarGoing home to celebrate the harvest festival may not be feasible for most Sabahans and Sarawakians residing in Peninsular Ma...
Why Bung Moktar Should Sit Out Of The Upcoming Sabah Polls

Why Bung Moktar Should Sit Out Of The Upcoming Sabah Polls

papar berkaitan - pada 31/5/2025 - jumlah : 124 hits
ON May 22 the Court of Appeal dismissed Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad s bid to review a ruling requiring them to enter their defence in a corruption case involving RM2 8 mil Th...
Mekdi Celebrates Kaamatan With 1 500 Free Spicy Chicken Mcdeluxe Meals In Sabah

Mekdi Celebrates Kaamatan With 1 500 Free Spicy Chicken Mcdeluxe Meals In Sabah

papar berkaitan - pada 1/6/2025 - jumlah : 103 hits
Aramai Bersama Mekdi Brings Kaamatan Joy to Sabahans at McDonald s Keningau The festive spirit is alive and well in Sabah as McDonald s Malaysia brought the excitement of Kaamatan to life through its community celebration event Aramai Bersa...
Unhealthy Trend Of Washing Dirty Linen In Public Among Malaysian Social Media Influencers On The Rise

Unhealthy Trend Of Washing Dirty Linen In Public Among Malaysian Social Media Influencers On The Rise

papar berkaitan - pada 20/5/2025 - jumlah : 152 hits
REALITY TV to me is the museum of social decay award winning actor Gary Oldman once quipped Reality TV and by extension social media has drastically changed the boundaries of how people interact and consume media A case in point are recent ...
The Quartet Songzhuang Z Museum By Team Bldg Weaving Culture Into Architecture

The Quartet Songzhuang Z Museum By Team Bldg Weaving Culture Into Architecture

papar berkaitan - pada 20/5/2025 - jumlah : 229 hits
Project The Quartet Z Museum Architect TEAM BLDG Location China Songzhuang Village Songyang Zhejiang Year 2025 Area 472 m2 Photography The post appeared first on
The Trucks Haven T Changed What I Learned From Growing Up In Army Quarters

The Trucks Haven T Changed What I Learned From Growing Up In Army Quarters

papar berkaitan - pada 20/5/2025 - jumlah : 245 hits
I GREW up in military camps It was the only childhood I ever knew spent among rows of army quarters parade squares and the ever present rhythm of discipline and duty Like many children of armed forces personnel I often rode in the back of a...
Sinopsis Ejen Ali The Movie 2

Sinopsis Ejen Ali The Movie 2

papar berkaitan - pada 19/5/2025 - jumlah : 213 hits
Filem animasi tempatan Ejen Ali The Movie 2 bakal ditayangkan di pawagam pada 22 Mei 2025 Filem ini diterbitkan oleh WAU Animation dengan kerjasama Primeworks Studios dan Komet Productions Ejen Ali The Movie 2Genre AnimasiTarikh Tayangan 22...
The Tolpuddle Martyrs Pioneers Of The Modern Labor Movement

The Tolpuddle Martyrs Pioneers Of The Modern Labor Movement

papar berkaitan - pada 20/5/2025 - jumlah : 194 hits
In 1834 six agricultural laborers from Tolpuddle Dorset England formed the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers to protest wage reductions that had plunged them into poverty Although trade unions were technically legal the British gov...
Wan Fayhsal Defends Pas Over Hate Speech Claim Blames Dap Instead

Influencer Sounds Alarm After Paedophile Fb Group Uses Her School Pics

Mbi Debacle Why Did It Take So Long

Saya Tercampak Keluar Mayat Menimpa Saya Mangsa

Hiburan Penyanyi Lagu Basstamam Dedah Kini Bergelar Duda Setelah Setahun Bernikah

Lokomotif Pertama Beroperasi Di Tanah Melayu

Investor Partnering Benefits Risks

Family Insurance In Malaysia How To Protect What Matters Most


echo '';
Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Dendam Seorang Madu Slot Tiara Astro Prima

10 Fakta Biodata Amira Othman Yang Digosip Dengan Fattah Amin Penyanyi Lagu Bila Nak Kahwin

5 Tips Macam Mana Nak Ajak Orang Kita Suka Dating Dengan Kita

Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Keluarga Itu Slot Lestary TV3

Bolehkah Manusia Transgender Mencapai Klimaks Selepas Bertukar


Realme P3 Ultra Akan Tiba Di Malaysia 16 Jun Ini

Waspada Taktik Penipuan Jualan Anak Pokok Buah Ceri Dan Tembikai Yang Menyalahgunakan Nama Serta Logo Mardi

Kurung 3 Lelaki Dalam Pangsapuri Empat Penjaga Ditahan

Ha Ha Ha Tiba Tiba Ada Line Jalan Di Lokasi Pelajar Upsi Maut

Hells Bells The Mysterious Bell Shaped Speleothems In Cenotes

Rahma Rahmi Rindu Tanpa Jeda Chord