Pesta Kaamatan all set to enthrall crowd

Admin

THE colourful and vibrant state-level celebration of the Pesta Kaamatan will take centre stage at the Fort Cornwallis in Esplanade, Penang, on June 29 (Saturday) starting from 6pm to 10 pm.

The festival, which is celebrated primarily by the Kadazan-Dusuns as well as other ethnic groups in Sabah, will be held here so as to celebrate the cultural diversity in the state and Malaysia as a whole.

It is a traditional thanksgiving harvest festival celebrated as Pesta Kaamatan in Sabah and Pesta Gawai in Sarawak.

“As Penang embraces diversity and inclusiveness, this is a rare opportunity for everyone especially parents to expose their children to the diverse culture in Malaysia,” said Chong Eng, the state executive councillor for Women & Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness & Non-Islamic Religious Affairs during a press conference today.

Chong Eng in a ‘wefie’ with the ladies clad in traditional Sabah/Sarawak costume

“Children probably would have heard and known about Pesta Gawai from their books but now they can come see this colourful festival themselves and experience it.

“I urge all the parents to come with their children to the festival and take this as an opportunity to spend quality time with them (children) and at the same time provide them a ‘real-life’ cultural learning experience,” added Chong Eng.

A beauty contest (Mr & Ms Borneo) involving both men and women will also take place at the festival which is actually among the highlights of the event.

The cultural performances, arts and crafts performances, traditional costume showcase, and the East Malaysia flavoured food will definitely give the visitors a ‘gleeful’ time.

The organizing team of the Pesta Kaamatan a.k.a Pesta Gawai in a group picture

According to organising chairman of the festival Allexsis Ngilah, the event will be brought to the people of Penang by the Sabahans and Sarawakians who reside in the state and also by some invited guests.

Among the ethnic groups who will be showcasing their cultural significance are Kadazan-Penampang,Ulu-Kenyah, Dusun-Kimarageng, Dusun-Tatana, Dusun-Lotud, Murut, Bidayuh (Sarawak), Iban and Bajau.

Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Alissala Thian