SABAH FEST TO HIGHLIGHT MYSTICAL PRACTICES

KOTA KINABALU: Mystical Sabah will be the theme for the month-long Sabah Fest cultural extravaganza from May 1.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said it would showcase the rituals of Sabah’s indigenous folk, particularly the Dusun-Lotud people of Tuaran.

There would be a show highlighting some of Sabah’s ethnic groups through traditional songs and dances combined with a display of rarely seen rituals and scenes of their daily lives.

A special segment on the tamu culture of Sabah would also be showcased at the annual fest, Masidi said.

He said that in the olden days, a sacrificial offering was made before the start of a tamu to ward off unwanted incidents such as cheating.

Visitors will get a chance to see skilled craftsmen of Sabah at work at the handicraft exhibition to be held in conjunction with the celebrations.

Masidi said that from May 4 to 11, Sabah Fest would be extended to the Sabah Museum Heritage Village where patrons would be entertained by the various tribes through traditional performances as well as enjoy the local delicacies.

There would also be rarely seen rituals and rites performed by healers and high priestesses, such as the Tumoron, a healing ceremony of the Rungus people and a mock wedding display of the Dusun Lotud, a ceremony known as Matod.

The Bajau Kubang community will be performing the Magpagal, a traditional healing ceremony. Sabah Fest will end on May 31 with the Tadau Kaamatan Festival.