JKKN Complex for Sabah Fest 2012

The colourful Sabah Festival 2012 is starting today and if you need to know in brief what is the story this year, The Adventures of Ngarayang synopsis would suffice it.

Some of the snapshots of the venue for this year's festival. The extravaganza is staged at the newly opened 600-capacity Auditorium at Kompleks JKKN Sabah , Mile 2, Jalan Penampang, Kota Kinabalu. It is located beside the jogging track at Ujana Rimba Tropika. The following picures were taken on May 3, 2012 morning.

JKKN Complex fronting the drain along Jalan Penampang

Main entrance

Admin & exhibition building - one of the traditionally crafted buildings at the complex.

Ticket prices: RM30 - RM50
Presentation starts at 8.30pm sharp daily for 3 days (3rd - 5th April 2012)
Free entrance: for visiting the exhibition & traditional showcase outside the auditorium.

Let's preserve the colourful cultures of Sabah's indigenous people. More pictures to come in the near future!

Sabah Fest 2012

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Welcome to the colourful SABAH FEST 2012.

Image: Sabah Tourism

Sabah Fest is the largest cultural event among the many of Sabah's multicultural attractions and for the first time this year the event will be held at the newly-opened 600-capacity Auditorium, Kompleks JKKN Sabah , Mile 2, Jalan Penampang, Kota Kinabalu from 3rd - 5th May 2012.

What to expect

1) Cultural  extravaganza  which  will  take  place  outside  the  venue to offer visitors a  complete  cultural
    journey:
     a) Handicraft-making demonstrations by local experts
     b) Traditional music shows and dance performances
     c) Sampling of variety of traditional foods

2) The main highlight which will be the cultural performances, showcasing the Adventures of  
    Ngarayang, a dynamic, smooth-talking barter trader and his irresistible tales on the diverse
    West Coast ethnic groups he had encountered throughout his barter trade trips.


Storyline of the Adventure of Ngarayang

The story line is scripted in such a way to showcase the authentic, age-old dances, rituals and ceremonies of the Bonggi of Banggi Island, Dusun Kimaragang of Kota Marudu, the Lotud of Tuaran, the Bajau of Kota Belud, the Bruneian of Southwest Sabah, the Bisaya of Beaufort and the Dusun Tatana of Kuala Penyu.

A young adventurer named Ngarayang meaning ‘trader’ plied the west coast of Sabah bartering and distributing a variety of goods much sought after by the coastal communities. He was gifted with a charming look and a flair for story-telling. He captivated his audience wherever he went with wonderous stories of his travels and tales of cultures he encountered.

On one of his legendary journeys, the charms of a beautiful princess captured his heart, and while tales of mystical rituals, captivating dances and mesmerising music in a land of exotic people and cultures fascinated him, his heart yearned to see his princess again.

To find out what happened to Ngarayang in the end, come and find out for yourself.


Traditional dances and rituals

The followings are scheduled to be showcased beginning 8.30pm  by about 400 local performers from their respective areas, during the cultural extravaganza:

1) The Bonggi with their Adat Bebalang and Tabadak dances,
2) The Dusun Kimaragang with their Pinakang dance,
3) The Lotud donning the Sampangan cloth in their colourful and elaborate wedding ceremonies,
4) The Sama (Bajau) with their Runsai Cagayan,
5) The Dusun Menggatal Kuntau (martial arts),
6) The Brunei Zapin Jamilah,
7) The Bisaya Liliput dance and Bubu Mengalai ritual,
8) The Dusun Tatana Bakanjar (martial arts) integrated with the Moginum (drinking) ritual and dance called Sayau Loyop.

If you've noticed, these ethnic groups reside in the West Coast of Sabah.

Similar to the Sabah Fest 2011 at Sutera Magellan, there will be no entrance fee for visitors visiting the exhibitors booths. For the main show, tickets are priced at RM30 and RM50 per show. The building is said to be conforming to the green building guidelines, so, let's visit the new National Culture and Arts Department auditorium this May.

Sabah Fest 2011

Selamat Datang ke Pesta Sabah (Sabah Fest) 2011.

Kepada En. Phillipus dan Pn. Maria yang saya temui di Sabah Fest 2011 baru-baru ini, maaf kerana entri yang sangat lewat.

Mereka adalah antara peserta pameran yang sempat saya temu-bual ketika berlangsungnya Sabah Fest 2011 bertempat di Magellan Sutera Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Sabah Fest 2011 merupakan acara kebudayaan terbesar Sabah yang memaparkan kisah rakyat mengenai tujuh bersaudara bertajuk "Papakang: The Odyssey of Seven Brothers".  Kisah ini menceritakan mengenai tujuh anak lelaki Nunuk Ragang, ketua Kampung Tompios di daerah Ranau, dan berkisar pada pengembaraan anak lelaki bongsunya Aki Lintobon ke seluruh pelusuk negeri untuk menyatukan keluarganya dan batu mistik papakang.

Gambar diambil pada Julai 2010 semasa melawat lokasi ini

Replika gergasi tuod (banir) pokok Nunuk Ragang di Tompios, Ranau. Lagenda mengatakan kononnya di sinilah penempatan asal orang Dusun di Sabah, Borneo.

Saya sendiri tidak pernah mendengar cerita dongeng ini sehinggalah ia disebut semasa pesta kebudayaan Sabah tahun ini. Agak malang kerana tidak sempat menonton teater mengenainya kali ini. Difahamkan tiket-tiket dijual pada harga RM30 - RM50.

Saya setuju dengan kata Menteri Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Alam Sekitar Sabah Datuk Masidi Manjun bahawa sudah tiba masanya orang ramai menerima kenyataan yang kita perlu membayar untuk menyaksikan persembahan kebudayaan; sama seperti kita membayar untuk menonton konsert nyanyian.

Koleksi gambar ini saya ambil di lobi pameran di luar dewan teater Magellan Sutera.

Ruang pameran yang eksklusif dan selesa.

Pn. Maria Mariana memperagakan pakaian tradisional suku kaum Murut

Corak lain pakaian tradisi kaum Murut

"Ngam kah?" - Pn Maria mesra melayan pengunjung yang ingin mencuba pakaian tradisi yang dipamerkan. Bagi pengunjung yang berminat, pakaian-pakaian tradisi tersebut adalah untuk dijual.

Modern Murut attire, kepunyaan Pn Maria di Lawas boleh dihubungi di telefon 019-8858157. Harga pakaian-pakaian tradisi beliau sangat berpatutan dan pada hemat saya lebih murah daripada beberapa butik pakaian tradisi di sekitar Kota Kinabalu.

Artis, Phillipus Jani memainkan sekasfon yang diperbuat daripada bambu. Beliau sudah bergiat dalam pembuatan peralatan muzik daripada bambu sejak beberapa tahun dan mempunyai syarikatnya sendiri, Bambuza Productions.

Beliau boleh dihubungi di somporingsabah@yahoo.com; beliau juga menyediakan khidmat sebagai artis pengiring (sekasfon) dalam acara-acara tradisi dan moden.

"Macam piano juga ni, bunyinya boleh di kasi tune macam Do Re Me" - rakan Phillipus dengan alat kulintangan gabang kayu (wooden xylophone) diperbuat daripada kayu ringan.

Kediaman unik - Replika sebuah Lepa yang merupakan rumah tradisi etnik Bajau (Semporna) sejak dahulu kala. Rumah kediaman yang cukup menarik perhatian.

Pameran lukisan daripada Galeri Seni Sabah.

"Jangan goyang-goyang aah" - Artis, IdaMan membuat demonstrasi live painting. Senyuman sentiasa terpampang di wajah beliau semasa melukis. Best!

Mantap...! - beberapa karya nukilan IdaMan.

Jumpa lagi di Sabah Fest 2012. Pesta tahun depan dijangka diadakan pada tarikh yang hampir sama.

Faces of Celebration

[The Borneo Post news clipping]

Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman kicked start the Kaamatan in Tamparuli. He is also expected to officiate its conclusion on 31st May 2011.

I would probably be sharing mostly pictures of the opening and closing (or peak) ceremony of the month-long Harvest Festival, and not the faces of the winners of the Unduk Ngadaus as many would perhaps expect. In Sabah, one can feel the celebratory mood from 1st May to 31st May every year partly due to the various cultural and non-cultural events by both government and NGOs, and partly to the shopping carnivals organised by the big malls in the city. The general public play their part too by writing, blogging, taking part, and donating for the cause during the month.


Rain-soaked opening ceremony did not deter visitors from crowding the small town.


In between the dates, the more than 40 districts and sub-districts would hold their own festival which would normally be marked with the crowning of the Unduk Ngadau and Sugandoi champions. In the normal case the Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Festival Queen) would represent their respective district at the state level Kaamatan on 30th-31st May, traditionally held at KDCA Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang.

Citing an example of the Tuaran district level celebration, people of different cultures convene in the true spirit of solidarity, putting aside their differences in religious beliefs and political ideologies and sit back to enjoy the moment. While I can testify for the truthfulness of the high level of religious tolerance in Sabah, I can't assure myself about the latter.

But then again that is the sad truth of what is happening in Malaysia in general; leaders of different political ideology seldom sit together to work for the people. "My role is nothing else but to discredit my opposing team, from this election to the next".


Alright, let's forget about politics and let us see some pictures of people celebrating:

Red carpet for the VIPs


Ladies handing out the Linopot, a traditional Dusun staple. It's mainly rice with thick blend of yam. Other areas in the state use different blends for variety and for uniqueness.


Beating the gong and kulintangan (an array of smaller gongs) by the Lotud community.


Kids wearing the Lotud traditional costume:- the Siwot (head ornament) and the Mandapun (red cotton collar with embossed gold plate).

Find more about the Lotud Traditional Costume here.


Bajau traditional costume with jars and kitchenware.

Metal traditional accessories of the Kadazandusun.

Headhunters of Borneo?The blowpipe, locally called Sumpit is popular among the native Murut and Lundayeh, and is used as a hunting tool for live food such as birds, mouse deers, squirrels, and wild boars.

In Bajau language betitik means beating of traditional musical instruments such as kulintangan, tawak, bandil and gendang. The betitik regained its popularity following more aggressive promotion exercise by the state's cultural board since a couple of years back.

The gendang is an important component of the gong beating orchestra of the ethnic Kadazandusun in Papar.

Creative locals produced saxophone of their own. This one is made of bamboo and if you are familiar with the modern saxophone you will be amazed by the built quality and the pitch tuning precision of this instrument.

Gentlemen from ethnic Kadazandusun in Papar, Sabah.

Handwoven beads baskets trimmed down in size suitable for decoration. The motifs here are popular among the Murut and Lundayeh communities in Sabah.

Kotobian Tadau Do Kaamatan 2011