Revellers make the most of festivities during MCO

PENAMPANG: Sumandak Sabah ,a song made popular by reality television show Akademi Fantasia stars Marsha Londoh and Velvet Aduk, used to fill the Hongkod Koisaan Kadazandusun Cultural Association Sabah (KDCA) hall every year during the Kaamatan festival celebration. But this year, you could hear a pin drop in the closed and deserted hall.

KDCA Youth Council chairman Steve Johnny Mositon said the association, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (Motac), had instead organised an online singing competition in Kadazandusun.

Divided into two categories – children and adult – the winners would be judged based on presentation, costumes and the “mood” of their songs, he said.

The 2019 Unduk Ngadau (beauty queen) winner Francisca Ester Nain, 26, recalled that last year’s Kaamatan festival participants were all taken to visit the traditional home at the KDCA on the eve of the finals.

Francisca, who hails from Kota Belud and is the sixth of eight siblings, also said she was committed to continuing her role as the winner responsibly.

“The decision not to organise the event this year is in everyone’s best interest, but I will play my role as best as I can,” she said.

KDCA employee Jackson James, 37, said the subdued atmosphere this year was a strange experience for him because in previous years, they would have their hands full putting the Unduk Ngadau event together.

He said there would usually be various food stalls set up outside the premises to attract both local and overseas visitors.

“Usually, the KDCA stalls will be open from mid-May until May 31, which is the culmination of the Kaamatan festival celebration,” said James, who has been with the KDCA since 2010. — Bernama