Sabah Fest 2006

Sabah Fest 2006 has begun. It was officiated by Head Of State Of Sabah, TYT Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah in the presence of the Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Musa Aman and Deputy CM cum Minister of Tourism Datuk Chong Kah Kiat. It will run from May 6 until May 14. Cultural shows including traditional dances, songs and handicrafts by the 30+ ethnic groups in Sabah will be performed at the various shopping complexes/malls around Sabah. Visitors (foreign and local) are welcomed to sample the various traditional cookings available at the stores which will be put up by the organising body at each of the venue where such shows are held. The month May, is a month of celebrations in Sabah because Kaamatan, the most important festival for the largest ethnic group in Sabah - the Kadazandusun, will be celebrated at 30th & 31st of May every year. Starting at early of the month almost every town with Kadazandusun residents will take turns to hold Tamu (open air gatherings), where people of all races in Sabah will come out to watch dance performance, beauty contests, take part in rice wine drinking, consuming traditional home cookings. And on the actual days of Kaamatan (30th & 31st) the Tamu Besar (Grand Gathering) will be held. The role of playing host to the Tamu Besar will be rotated between the major towns each year. The Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) is to give thanks to the Rice Goddess after a boundiful harvest in May when the harvest season is just over for the year. But, please do not confuse the Sabah Fest with the Kaamatan (Harvest Festival), some ethnic groups in Sabah do not celebrate the Kaamatan. The Sabah Fest is held in May because the air is full of joy this particular month.