Sabah Fest is considered a prelude to the state wide Harvest Festival on the month of May, it is a superbly entertaining cultural extravanganza that incorporates dance, music, fashion, food and more. Sabah Fest 2014 presents a wonderful blend of cultural and natural heritage that is richly embedded in folklore. The event was held from 2nd to 4th of May 2014 at the Kompleks Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara (JKKN) Sabah Auditorium.
Take a journey back in time to witness the art of rituals as Sabah Fest this year showcases seven ethnic groups in Sabah that rely on Mount Kinabalu as a central feature in their traditional, cultural and religious beliefs.
The KadazanDusun community opens the curtain with the Pampang, which tells the origin of Mount Kinabalu and mankind. They believe that Mount Kinabalu was created by the female supreme deity, Umunsumundu, while the male supreme deity, Kinoingan or Kinarohingan, created the sky.
Imbued with its mythical elements, Mount Kinabalu is featured predominantly in local folklore, still holding sway in both the spiritual and secular life of many indigenous communities. The show will then feature the Dusun Ranau ritual, the Monolob, appeasing the Spirits of the Aki Nabalu. A rice-honouring ritual known as the Humabot is the performed by the Kadazan people of Penampang. The ritual is conducted to summon the spirit of the Bambaazon.
The Bajau, Dusun Tindal and Iranun will then gather at the meeting point or Badi, today known as the Tamu or open-air market. During all the social gatherings, Mount Kinabalu has stood tall and majestic serving as backdrop as the people went on with their daily lives. The audience will also be treated to the Mongkidim do hatod, the Rungus ritual performed to call upon the spirit of a sick person. The Dusun Lotod will perform Mohlukas, a housewarming ceremony. The spectacular Sabah Fest stage performance wraps up with a healing ritual of the Murut Nabai, called Mansilai.
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