Alan McBride

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Photo-journo, writer, traveller, aspiring eccentric, music lover, Francophile, walker and chef!
 

Sabah Fest 09
A Celebration of Sabah’s Natural Charms

You may remember harvest festivals from your schooldays, local children bringing in fruits and vegetables to celebrate the bounty the seasons bring. They were usually joyous occasions with hymns being sung in assembly, at special church festivals or after school.

In Sabah, Borneo, the harvest festival takes on a whole new meaning as the various tribes of Sabah descend on the capital, Kota Kinabalu every year. Over 30 ethnic groups speaking over 100 local dialects perform over two or three days at the magnificent Sutera Village Resort while the entire festival proceeds over the whole month. Principally the Kadazandusun and Murut communities come together each May to offer thanksgiving to the bambaazon (rice spirit) for a bountiful harvest.

An array of traditional sports: arm wrestling, blow pipe skills, racing on bamboo stilts and a type of clog-less, clog dance over rapidly snapping, potentially ankle breaking, bamboo poles performed by the Murut head-hunting warriors, this and many other cultural dancing exhibitions, provide a tremendous buzz over the several hours of the main show. The mesmerising dance of the Suluk Sandakan people of the east coast for example, called the Pangalay Agung, is a skilful dance usually presented as a royal welcome,  it has been passed from generation to generation and is yet another highlight in a night of highlights.

One feature of the shows is the stunning beauty of the costumes and peoples. How Malaysia doesn’t win Miss World every year is beyond this writer's comprehension and is shown to the best extent in the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant.

Sabah Fest features many and varied events over the course of the month with separate events all over the state: the main event though is undoubtedly the Cultural Extravaganza held on the opening two days. The whole month is a spectacular presentation of song, dance, music – a total cultural blast with many food, handicraft stalls and booths on display.

As part of SabahFest a visit to Sabah Museum’s Heritage Village to learn about age-old rituals and intricate beliefs of the local ethnic groups will surely include traditional games and more exciting exhibitions.

The various stalls and events at the show and at selected venues in Sabah afterwards, extend the whole month of SabahFest. The official program lists these and many more, which include:

Sales of Local Handicraft

Crafts Exotica

Patterns and Colours of Sabah Art Exhibition

Kota Kinabalu Harvest Festival Carnival

Kadazan Wedding Ceremony Display

Harvest Festival Celebrations in Sandakan

Bamboo Orchestra Musical Show

Kaamatan Beauty Pageant

Wisma Merdeka Unduk Ngadau Beauty Contest

Handicrafts Exhibition

Traditional Murut Wedding Carnival Show

Kadazan Songs Singing Competition

Sabah World Museum Day 2009

Kaamatan Festival Fair

Handicraft Exhibition

Colors of Sabah Junior Beauty Pageant Contest

Rhythm of Sabah Musical Showcase

Kaamatan Singing Competition (Sugandoi)

The final week ends with more spectacular showpiece events but one of the most interesting in this far off land is the annual Malaysia National Harley (Davidson) Owners' Group (HOG) Rally 2009, Sabah. Incongruous but… get ready for some serious cruisin! Join the Harley Davidson parade as they wend their way through the hills and valleys, farms and rain forests of Sabah. The riders begin their journey from Tawau town and soak in the sights with a trip to Mabul island included. They continue to Sandakan and Kota Belud and end in the capital, Kota Kinabalu.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better:

SabahFest09 finished with Stayin’ Alive – a Charity Dinner & Concert 2009 for The Palliative Care Association (PCA) of Kota Kinabalu; who together with Sutera Harbour Resort put on a tribute to the legendary Bee Gees.

Thanks to Saba Tourism who organised my trip!
 I flew with Air AsiaX and Air Asia from Australia to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, stayed as a guest of the following properties:
 
Nexus Resort,Kurambanai
Eco Gayana Resort
Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu
Hyatt Regency, Kota Kinabalu
Borrneo Rainforest Lodge, Dannum Valley 
Tune Hotels, LCCT Kuala Lumpur

   Thank you, Alan for sharing another amazing article with us about Malaysia. A friend of mine sent me a magnet for my collection from Sabah. Now I know more about this magical destination! Thanks again! — Stephanie aka TravelDesigned   

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