Carolling still very much alive in Sabah
Carollers sing to keep age-old Christmas tradition alive
KOTA KINABALU: In the past when Christmas drew near, beautiful carols and music could be heard in many households, especially those celebrating it.
Groups of carollers would start their annual house-to-house visit to serenade residents with Christmas songs. Although this practice is slowly fading away in larger cities or towns, it is still very much alive in villages or on the outskirts.
City folk who wish to get carollers to visit their homes must now make pre-arrangements.
For a group of cousins and friends in Kg Mandap, Kota Belud, it has been their tradition to gather, practise and go carolling as early as the second week of December.
The group from various Christian denominations, led by Felix Ranjosto Gusting, will visit homes bringing candles and a guitar.
“We have been doing this for as long as I can remember, rain or shine. It is a time when cousins and friends bond,” he said.
He added that some of the group members are as young as nine.
They sing Christmas songs and play the guitar several evenings a week until Christmas Eve.
Gusting, 31, said they enjoy carolling because they get to bring smiles to their neighbours.
“It is heart-warming to see our youth come together to join us,” he said, adding that he hopes the practice will go on in years to come.
In the city, a group of carollers actively bringing music and joy during this yuletide season is the Bible Apostolate Sacred Heart, led by Esther George.
The 32-year-old said her group would visit houses of those who inform them earlier and schedule a time that is suitable for both parties.
“Times have changed but we try to keep it alive. We enjoy this time of the year as we gather to sing and spread the joy and good news of Christmas to people out there,” she said, adding that the group was formed two years ago.
George said they feel happy when families they visit also sing along.
“It is the smiles and happiness we bring through Christmas carols that fire up our spirits and I hope this tradition will not fade away,” she said.