Kaamatan celebrated in Perak for the first time

The Kadazan-Dusun Murut Rungus (KDMR) community in Sabah celebrated the Kaamatan Festival in Perak for the first time with great enthusiasm. The festival is a major traditional event that is celebrated with much grandeur every year by the KDMR community in Sabah.

This year’s celebration was attended by around 100 Sabah natives living in Perak, along with the locals. The festival was officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister’s Department’s Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division Secretary, Datuk Toisin Gantor.

Celebrating Kaamatan Festival in Perak

The Perak Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) took the initiative to celebrate the Kaamatan Festival in Perak with the intention of strengthening the bonds of friendship among the multi-racial population, especially the KDMR community living, working, or studying in the state.

The association’s advisor, Jesseca Daimis, expressed her hopes of carrying out more activities on a larger scale and bringing more KDMR people together in the state.

KDCA is responsible for organizing the Kaamatan Festival celebrations in every district in Sabah. However, with the establishment of the association in several states in Peninsular Malaysia, including Perak, the festival is now being celebrated in these states as well. KDCA aims to promote the culture and traditions of the KDMR community in Malaysia and overseas.

Significance of Kaamatan Festival

The festival, also known as Tadau Kaamatan, is celebrated annually in Sabah on May 30 and 31. It is a significant event that marks the end of the harvest season and is a sign of gratitude for the bountiful harvest.

The festival includes various cultural performances, traditional sports, and food exhibitions. People dress up in traditional attire and participate in various activities.

The celebration of the Kaamatan Festival in Perak is a significant step towards promoting multi-racial ties among communities in Malaysia. The KDMR community has been an integral part of Malaysia’s multi-racial society, and its traditions and culture are worth preserving.

The festival provides an excellent opportunity for people from different backgrounds to come together and learn more about the KDMR community’s culture and traditions.