Keamatan Festival in Malaysia

The numerous indigenous ethnic groups are divided into three main families - Dusunic, Murutic and Paitanic - in addition to several other groups. Of these, there are around 30 who produce rice and therefore celebrate the Keamatan or Harvest Festival.

The indigenous groups mentioned above are mainly farmers who are predominantly wet and hill rice cultivators, living on the northern and western coastal plains and the area around Mount Kinabalu, with the east coast. The Murutic groups live in the deep interiors of Sabah and areas bordering Sarawak and Kalimantan. Until recently they were remote and isolated subsistence farmers, practising swidden agriculture and hunting.

The animistic religious system of the Kadazandusun centres largely on their staple food, rice, and rituals to maintain the balance and harmony between man and his environment to provide conditions for successful rice cultivation and harvest. Rice is an important source in creating wealth and status in the traditional societies. Though modernisation and conversion to other faiths have removed or diminished many of the religious customs and practices, those which continue to be practised are considered definite features of the Kadazandusun identity.

Pesta Kaamatan or Harvest Festival is a unique celebration of Kadazandusun society. It's a celebration to honour the Rice Spirit - Bambaazon or Bambarayon and giving thanks for yet another bountiful year. The festival begins on the first of May at many district levels. The rites and customs of the Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) is a tribal practice of Kadazandusun and also Murut peoples. The Bobohizan or Bobolian who are the High Priests or Priestesses (depending on the district/area undertaking the preservation) will conduct the ritual. In different districts, the priests or priestesses may be addressed to differently, for instance in Tambunan district they are known as Bobolian, in Tuaran as Tantagas and in Penampang as Bobohizan.

It is believed that rice in whatever form embodies Bambaazon that must be protected from harm. The homecoming of Bambaazon is an integral part of the Harvest Festival. Ancient folklore tells of the ultimate deed of Kinoingan or Minamagun - The Almighty God or Creator, who sacrificed his only beloved daughter, Huminodun so that his people would have food. Various parts of her body were planted from which plants grew. During the Magavau (meaning in Kadazan 'to recover what has been lost by whatever means') ceremony, the Bobohizan will select some stalks of rice that are left undistributed until the harvest is over. In some districts, the chosen stalks are cut before the field is harvested and are then brought into the owner's house. The task of Bobohizan is to search and salvage the lost Bambaazon who are hurt or separated from the main mystical body. In the old days, this ceremony was often performed in freshly harvested fields during the first full moon after the harvest to invoke the rice spirit.

The language used by Bobohizan is archaic whose meanings have been buried in time and known only to the few remaining Bobohizan these days. The vital aspect of Magavau is the paraphernalia used to summon Bambaazon. The sacrament of Magavau may vary according to district practices but the ceremony always ends with food offerings to Bambaazon and merry making for the village folks.

There are usually graceful sumazau dance performed by both men and women. Their traditional costumes of black velvet embroidered with gold and silver threads are strikingly attractive. The men wear colourful dastars on their heads which distinguish the district they hail from, while the ladies wear colourful threaded beads as well as silver coins or silver chains on their hips and anklets. The dancers have their hands spread out to imitate birds in flight and they flick their wrists in subtle timing with the drumbeats all the while sliding in slow tempo to the beat of the gongs and the strains of the sompotan. Guests are also invited to join in this lively dancing.

The highlight of Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) is the selection of the pageant queen or "Unduk Ngadau" which can be literally translated as "Zenith of the Sun". It conceptually derives from the sacrifice of Huminodun. The maiden who has the honour of being selected should bear semblance to Huminodun and will represent all that is virtuous in the revered Huminodun.

The ritual of tapai drinking is a fascinating affair. Tapai is a kind a rice wine that is normally served during the festival. Everyone is invited to participate, regardless of age. A tall thin straw is inserted into a large jar and this is passed around. Women and children also enjoy imbibing tapai. Each person is supposed to siphon the wine until a certain marker.