Kaamatan, a time to appreciate our values
FIRST of all, let me wish all Sabahans “Kotobian Tadau Tagazo do Kaamatan!”
The Merry Month of May is the much awaited season of joy and celebrations in Sabah and we Momoguns are proud to be the centre of it, knowing it is uniquely ours.
Unlike religious celebration which are focussed more on religious devotion, the kaamatan is a cultural festival which we express our cultural values. In the kaamatan we remind ourselves and others of the beauty and richness of our cultural heritages.
As always we cannot separate the celebration from our tradition of feasting – eating and drinking. But we are saddened by a few who do it in excess.
The many premises on the KDCA grounds are still there with their karaokes and night club atmosphere, and throughout the Momogun regions, it’s time for such joyful camaraderie.
But what is sad is that this year the celebration was given a major shock with the unprecedented, and highly unexpected, celebration of an “Kaamatan Islamik” which caused a lot of agitation and anger among our people.
Even the Huguan Siou and Datuk Masidi Manjun were angry enough to reprimand the insensitive organizers. The organizers made a half-hearted apology, or a non-apology, when they said they were sorry if people got offended.
They agreed to drop the word “Islamik” but we don’t know if they had stopped celebrating in the same way in other places as well.
Many people started asking about what their motives were, and which political leaders, if any, were actually behind it all. Of course, the celebration of a “Kaamatan Islamik” is wrong because the kaamatan, as the Huguan Siou said, has nothing to do with religion.
The most memorable and objectionable scene from the celebration was the row of ladies in flowing black robes and the black hoods as head covers, with little similarity to the Kadazandusun traditional costumes.
The hoods, normally worn by the Tindals of Kadamaian, is considered part of the funeral attires in other Momogun districts. We hope this unpleasant incident will never be repeated ever again.
The other occasion which I think wasn’t very appropriate was the organising of the “Juara Lagu Popular Kadazan” (Popular Kadazan Songs Championship). I thought we have long agreed to call ourselves “Kadazandusuns” so why suddenly some organisers decided to revert to just “Kadazan”?
I noticed that the event on May 17 at the Hongkod was jointly organized by several bodies, including the federal government, RTM and KDCA.
So, I suspect the use of “Kadazan” was because of ignorance, or was decided based on the lack of knowledge among officials from the Peninsula.
They almost always refer to us as “Kadazans” and not “Kadazandusuns” or “Kadazandusun Murut.” But why didn’t the KDCA, as a coorganiser, tell the organising committee that it was very wrong, outdated and offensive?
I don’t believe that the songs contested were just Kadazan songs (from Penampang or Papar) only.
And I am disappointed that the Huguan Siou himself, who attended the event, didn’t find it necessary to query on the matter. After all he is the Huguan Siou of the Kadazandusuns.
Perhaps we have this attitude of just going along with decisions by other people and not complaining, worried that we might rock the boat? But right is right and wrong is wrong. We have to stand our ground to maintain our true identity.
Anyway, let’s continue celebrating in true harmony and unity, and avoid anymore negative elements that would tend to divide us. Let’s avoid going off from our original traditional ways. Let’s not modify so much that we will no longer feel comfortable with ourselves. The kaamatan is a season of joy, celebration, harmony and unity to preserve our heritages, not a season for conflicts.
Lastly, my heartiest congratulations to Jacinda Faye of Tuaran for winning the top spot in this year’s Sugandoi competition. You make us Tuaranites all so very proud. We wish you the best in your future as a professional singer.