From Seed to Spirit
Celebrating the Harvest
Sabah’s annual harvest festival, Tadau Kaamatan, is deeply rooted in the Kadazandusun community’s cultural heritage. Centred around the rice harvest, the month-long event features rituals and traditions, that highlight the grain’s significance.
Dusun Tindal Priestess by Tsen Lip Kai from Sabah Tourism
Historically and traditionally, Kaamatan was held at the first sighting of the full moon following the harvesting season. This period, known as “tawang” (literally meaning “full moon”), signified the perfect timing for the festival. The month-long celebration culminates on May 30th and 31st, highlighting the profound significance of rice for the indigenous communities of Sabah.
Rooted in Legend
The roots of Kaamatan stretch back centuries, intertwined with the Kadazan legend of Huminodun. This tale tells of a time when harmony reigned between a benevolent god, Kinoingan, and his people on earth. However, Kinoingan’s son, Ponompulan, disrupted this peace, leading to his banishment to Kolungkud, or the underworld, and a series of devastating plagues upon humanity.
Faced with drought and famine, Huminodun, Kinoingan’s daughter, made the ultimate sacrifice, she offered her own body to nourish the people. Through Huminodun’s sacrifice, her body transformed into various food sources: rice from her flesh, coconuts from her head, tapioca from her bones, ginger from her toes, maize from her teeth, and yams from her knees. and a variety of other edible plants sprang forth, ensuring the community’s survival.
This bountiful harvest marked a turning point, and Kaamatan became an annual celebration to honour Huminodun’s sacrifice and express gratitude for the blessings of the land.
While the details differ, a similar theme of sacrifice for the community’s well-being emerges in the Murut (tagal) genesis myth of siblings, Olomor and Sulia. In this narrative, Olomor sacrifices his sister Sulia, following a vision during their rice field clearing. Seven days later, various plants sprout, including rice, highlighting the theme of sacrifice for the community’s well-being.
Both Kadazan and Murut legends tell of sacrifices made for the community’s well-being. These stories highlight the deep respect these cultures have for the land and the rice harvest it provides.
Rituals
The heart of Tadau Kaamatan unfolds through a series of rituals performed by the Bobohizan, a traditional priest or priestess. The six distinct rituals described below are typical of the Kadazandusun community of the “tangara” in the Penampang-Papar area.
Credit: https://mpu2015kadazandusun.blogspot.com/
Kumogos: Before harvest, a Bobohizan chooses seven best rice stalks. These are left scattered in the field to appease any spirits and promise an offering after harvest.
Kumotob: Following Kumogos, the Bobohizan selects the best unharvested rice stalks. These are tied together and stored in a tadang (rice basket) for next season’s planting.
Posisip: The Bobohizan carries seven tied rice stalks to the rice hut and inserts them into a bamboo pole kept in the tangkob (container) while chanting prayers for Bambaazon, the rice spirit, to stay and bless the harvest.
Poiib: The Bobohizan carefully poured rice into the tangkob within the hut. This continues until all the rice is transferred, accompanied by chants beseeching the rice spirits to watch over the stored harvest.
Magavau: The most significant ceremony, Magavau restores Bambaazon’s spirit and offers food as a gesture of respect.
Humabot: This final part is one of joyous celebrations, with traditional dances and games, and crowning of the Unduk Ngadau, a maiden who embodies the spirit of Huminodun.
A Look at Specific Traditions
The Kadazandusun are not alone in celebrating this bountiful season. There are other indigenous communities that have each developed unique traditions to express gratitude for a bountiful crop and appease the spirits who ensure their success.
Credit: The Borneo Post
The names for the harvest festival vary across ethnicities. The Rungus call it “kokotual” and the Timugon Murut celebrate “orou napangaan nanantab.” Despite these different names, a common thread of thanksgiving and respect for the land runs through all these celebrations. Here’s a glimpse into the traditions of several communities:
WhenMeaning & TraditionsTuaran Lotud (Lotud Dusun)For the Lotud of Tuaran, harvest celebrations are intimate affairs focused on rituals. Eight distinct rites – mansalud, monuras, tumakau, matang, mohogoi rumahi, mogimpuun, sumondot, and monumbui – are performed to invoke the spirits’ protection for the rice fields. A piglet is sacrificed during these rituals. Additionally, the tantagas (priestesses) perform a symbolic act of self-defence called “bosilat” to ward off evil spirits from the harvest. The festivities conclude with a small celebration featuring traditional food and “bahar” (coconut toddy).Timugon Murut
The Timugon Murut of Tenom celebrates “mansisia,” a Thanksgiving festival held after the harvest season. Each family contributes cash or goods to the village headman for a communal feast and celebration held in his house. A key aspect of the festivities is the “pansisiaan,” a community-wide tapai (rice or tapioca wine) drinking session. Sharing the contributions to the feast reinforces communal bonds and strengthens the village community.
Also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, and Buddha Pournami.
Learn more about Wesak Day and how it is celebrated across different region: Wesak Day – Traditions Across Cultures
Tagal MurutThe Tagal Murut of Nabawan and Pensiangan call their harvest festival “napangaan nongotom nalaparan.” Celebrated over seven days, this festive event features exciting activities like cockerel fighting matches, drinking sessions, and lively dancing on the “lansaran” (a springy platform).Kudat RungusThe Rungus of Kudat observe harvest rituals that express gratitude through the sacrifice of poultry and animals to the “bambarazon” (rice spirits). During the “mongigivit” rites, chickens are offered in the rice fields as thanks for a bountiful harvest. A purification ceremony called “magahau” involves sacrificing pigs, with the blood used to cleanse household tools, jars, and gongs believed to be inhabited by spirits. The meat is then prepared for a celebratory feast. Following the feast, the Rungus perform the “mongigol sumundai,” a ritual dance held throughout the longhouse’s corridor throughout the night.
A Celebration of Community
As Tadau Kaamatan reaches its peak, the Unduk Ngadau pageant takes centre stage. Held on May 31st, contestants from various districts embody the spirit and grace of Huminodun, the mythical figure who sacrificed herself for the harvest. Through their elegance and cultural knowledge, they compete to be crowned the Unduk Ngadau, literally meaning “the sun at its zenith—the brightest point of the day” in Kadazandusun.
Credit : Jabatan Penerangan Sabah
While the Unduk Ngadau pageant captures the spotlight, Kaamatan also celebrates the rich musical heritage of the Kadazandusun people through a vibrant singing competition known as Sugandoi. The Sugandoi competition features age-group categories, ensuring traditional music resonates across generations.
Fun Fact: The Spirit Behind the Song
Did you know Sugandoi has a fascinating history? For the KadazanDusun community, Sugandoi was once a “spirit” invoked by the Bobohizan (priestess) and housed in a large jar called a “Kakanan” by the Kadazan Tangaah tribe. This spirit was believed to watch over families and bring good fortune through a ceremony called “Moginakan.” During this ritual, the Bobohizan would chant incantations called “Monugandoi,” which praised the creator (Kinoingan) and the spirit of Sugandoi. These chants laid the foundation for the modern Sugandoi singing competition. No wonder the name stuck!
Adding to the atmosphere are traditional games and competitions. From displays of strength in arm wrestling (mipulos) and knuckle wrestling (mipadsa) to showcasing skills in blow piping (monopuk) and catapulting (momolositik), these games provide a fun and interactive way to experience Kadazan Dusun culture. Teamwork is tested in tug-of-war (migayat lukug), while balance and agility are on display during bamboo stilt walking (rampanau).
Credit: https://makangang2015.blogspot.com/
A Feast for the Senses
No festival is complete without a feast for the senses, and Tadau Kaamatan doesn’t disappoint. From the tangy zing of hinava (raw fish) to the textures of butod (sago grubs), the flavours of pinasakan (braised fish), the tart tang of ambangan (wild mango), and the earthy warmth of tuhau (wild ginger), Tadau Kaamatan is a feast for the senses. Lihing, a rice wine made from fermented rice and stored in clay jars, adds a special touch to the celebratory spirit.
Credit: https://borneonews.net/
Practising these age-old traditions ensure their shared cultural heritage continues to thrive for generations to come.
References
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Sabah’s Culture (Harvest Festival) from https://sourcesofknowledge.wordpress.com/2013/06/02/sabahs-culture-harvest-festival/
Keningau, The Guide from https://pubhtml5.com/xvgw/junm/Keningau_The_Guide_2023/18
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Who is Huminodun?. Sumandak. Sino. Kadazan from http://borneobonita.blogspot.com/2017/01/who-is-huminodun.html
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Dusunology from https://www.facebook.com/sundayak777northborneo
Kaamatan highlights spirit of peace and friendship this season by By Mariah Doksil from https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-borneo-post/20160514/282411283538614
The Encyclopedia of Malaysia: Peoples and Traditions by Hood Salleh