Borneo Forum Harvest Festival 2024 Edition

• At harvest time the whole of the community work together in the rice fields, gathering the stalks by hand. Traditionally the rice is harvest with a special knife whose carved handle is said to appease the rice spirit.
• In the month of May, Sabahans celebrate the Kaamatan or Harvest Festival.
• According to their beliefs, the spirit of the paddy plant is said to be part of the Kinoingan - also known as the Bambaazon, who is revered as the creator, a source of life and existence. The rice spirit Bambaazon is therefore revered in the rice plant, the rice grain and the cooked rice. Many believe that “Without rice, there is no life”.
• During the festival, Sabah natives wear their traditional costumes and enjoy a carnival atmosphere which stretches from daybreak till dawn. ‘Tapai’ or home-made rice wine is served as the specialty for the day.
• Sabahans are greeted with a special greeting for the harvest festival known as ‘Kopivosian Tadau Ka’amatan’ or ‘Happy Harvest Festival’.
• In Sarawak the rice harvest is celebrated every year on the June 2nd, sometimes the 1st. When the last of the grain has been collected, villagers gather at midnight, in slant-roofed longhouses perched on tall stilts, deep in the jungle. They first offer a thanksgiving for the harvest and invoke blessings for the next harvest; the people then eat a protracted banquet. A most essential part of the meal is the rice wine, also offered to the Gods in the miring ceremony.
• In this session we will dig into our unique Bornean Traditions during the end of rice harvest. We will look at how the Muruts celebrate Kalimaran, how the Kelabits celebrate Irau Pat Pulu' and how the Kanayatn celebrate Naik Dango. We will also be brief on how Borneans who are living overseas celebrate harvest festival in the United States of America, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. And, last but not least we will have a live Sape session by the Sanggar Selako Dance Troupe from West Kalimantan introducing their culture through music and dance.

Sabahan beauty Wenanita Angang, who reigns as Miss World Malaysia 2022, represented Malaysia and showcase Sabah’s culture at the 71st Miss World pageant on March 9th, 2024 in Mumbai, India. Wenanita has gone further than most Sabahan beauty queens, being only the second Sabahan to make it to the Miss World international stage since the pageant’s inception in 1951.

Wenanita is currently working as a Data Analyst after completing her Bachelor of Science (Honours) Information Systems (Business Analytics). She has also worked as an International Conference Producer, producing conferences in Data Science and Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG). She would like to continue her studies with a Masters Degree in Public Policy. Her proudest moment was organising the ‘Artistic Autistic; Art Exhibition' in her alma mater, to raise funds for the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM). Wenanita has received the ‘Platinum Award’ twice for completing a total of 358 hours volunteering by teaching English, Maths, and Science to refugee children, raising funds for single mothers during COVID-19 lockdowns and organising a blood donation campaign. Her dream job is to be a Social Entrepreneur. She is of a Tatana and Murut descent.

"Donning my national costume representing the Murut tribe of the people "below the wind" last night at the 71st Miss World Pageantry 2024 in Mumbai, India" - Wenanita Angang.

Allan G. Dumbong is a passionate cultural activist. He is the co-founder and Secretary General of the Dayak International Organisation of Australia and New Zealand (DIOANZ) and the Dayak Cultural Ambassador in New Zealand. He was, for a time, Deputy Secretary General of the Kadazan-Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA). Over the years, he has been involved in indigenous cultural activities, including promoting Kaamatan festivals in Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, and New Zealand. In 1994, he was the organising chairman of the Kaamatan Festival inKuala Lumpur, where the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) Competition was held for the first time in Peninsula Malaysia. DIOANZ plans to organise the Borneo Festival (Kaamatan, Gawai & Naik Dango) in 2025 in Melbourne, Australia.

He holds a BA Hons in Political Science with minors in Anthropology and Sociology from the National University of Malaysia, a Master of Business Administration from Ohio University, USA and a Master of International Relations from the University of Otago, New Zealand. He is a PhD candidate in International Relations and Strategic Studies at the University of Malaya.

Nama lengkap Abelnus, biasa dipangil Abel. Abel terlahir di salah satu Kampung kecil di Kampung Tapang, Desa Kaliau’, Kecamatan Sajingan Besar, Kabuapten Sambas, Provinsi Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia dari Subsuku Dayak Salako, Benua Bantanan yang penduduknya mayoritas Suku Dayak.

Pendidikan terakhir Magister Ilmu Politik Internasional, ditempuh di Universitas Tanjungpura Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia dan sekarang ini Abel sedang mempersiapkan diri untuk melanjutkan studi PhD Program Ilmu Politik di Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Kemanusian, Universitas Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

Pengamalan kerja, pernah bekerja sebagai Jurnalistik bidang Politik dan Pemerintahan di Media Visual dan Cetak di Kota Pontianak, Kaliamantan Barat, Indonesia selama Tujuh Tahun dan sebagai Dosen/Tenaga Pendidik Ilmu Politik, Antropologi dan Jurnalistik di Fakultas Ilmu Sosial Dan Ilmu Politik, Universitas Tanjungpura, Pontianak dan dibeberap perguruan tinggi lainnya. Selain memiliki pengalaman sebagai Jurnalistik dan Dosen/Tenaga Pendidik.

Abel juga memiliki pengalaman dan aktif diberbagai kegiatan budaya dan organisasi adat dan kepemudaan Dayak seperti Periode 2014-2018 sebagai Sekretaris Jenderal Barisan Pemuda Adat Nusantara (BPAN) Provinsi Kalimantan Barat, Periode 2018-2022 sebagai Ketua Biro Perbatasan, Pesisir dan Pedalaman Dewan Adat Dayak (DAD) Provinsi Kalimantan Barat, Tahun 2018 sebagai Pengagas Musyarawah Besar Pemuda Dayak Provinsi Kalimantan Barat, Tahun 2018 sebagai Anggota Deklrasi Ikatan Cendikiawan Dayak Nasional (ICDN) di Kota Palangkarya, Kalimantan Tengah, Periode 2022-2025 sebagai Ketua Ikatan Cendikiawan Dayak Nasional (ICDN) Kabupaten Sambas.

Sebagai upaya untuk memperkenalkan budaya Dayak, Abel juga aktif sebagai pembicara di media-media lokal dan nasional baik media cetak maupun media visual dan eletronik. Selain itu juga, Abel aktif menulis di kolom oponi dan pendapat di berbasgai mediadalam memberikan ide dan gagasan baik budaya, politik serta pemerintahan.

Abelnus yang terlahir di suku Dayak yang sangat kental adat dan budayanya, sudah tentu sangat paham tentang budaya Dayak, karen di keluarga Abel adat adalah sangat terutama untuk modal berinteraksi dengan mahluk social lainnya.

Berikut alamat media social saya: Email: [email protected]

Fb: Abelnus, Iq: @Abelnus, Tiktok: Abelnus

Dr. Laurence John

Got his PhD at University Putra Malaysia / MSc Faculty Of Medicine, University Science Malaysia

Current job: Director of the Global Research & Innovation Centre UK

Vast experience in a variety of job situations as teacher, Education Marketing Consultant, tour consultant, entrepreneur, and roadshow promoter of Malaysian and Borneo products in the UK and Malaysia.

Dr. Laurence is a strong, enthusiastic and prolific promoter of Malaysia in the United Kingdom. He has also been doing numerous local and international events such as the Borneo Entrepreneurs Programme Partners, the Southeast UK Networking with Prince Charles, and the London Craft Exhibition 2023 (especially invited by the Queen of Malaysia).

He has also been involved in many events in the UK such as the International Borneo Festival London, the Japan Borneo Cultural Show, Taiwan Trade Cultural Show, the Amsterdam Cultural Show, several Asia Food Festival in the UK, and the World Travel Market London.

Dr. Laurence is a Member of the Conservative Party in the UK and was a candidate for the local council in Hatfield, UK.

Meet Dr. Pamela Petrus, hailing from Keningau, Sabah. She is the heart and soul behind the North Borneo Abroad Ka'amatan event, a vibrant celebration of Kadazan Dusun culture that has captured the hearts of many. Starting in 2021, during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Pamela and fellow enthusiasts transformed a simple backyard gathering in Crestview, Florida, into an annual cultural pilgrimage. Their dedication birthed a festival that showcases the resilience of Sabahans abroad and their rich cultural legacy.

As the Ka'amatan journeyed from its modest beginnings to more significant celebrations in cities like San Antonio, TX, and Destin, FL, Dr. Pamela's role as a steward of tradition and community became undeniable. Whether spotlighted on local TV or hosted with heartfelt hospitality, each event drew more people into the fold, celebrating Sabahan culture through traditional foods, dances, and games.

Now, as the event prepares for its next chapter in Belleville, Arkansas, Dr. Pamela's vision continues to expand. The upcoming Ka'amatan promises a fusion of old and new, inviting a broader audience to experience the depth of Kadazan Dusun heritage. This ongoing saga is not just a series of events but a growing legacy, with Dr. Pamela at the helm, guiding it toward a future where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly.

Beyond the festivities, Dr. Pamela's life story is a journey of healing and connection. With advanced degrees in Oriental Medicine and acupuncture practice, she embodies a blend of traditional wisdom and modern science. Her work in medicine and cultural preservation showcases her commitment to nurturing the body and soul, highlighting the importance of heritage and community.

Dr. Pamela isn't just organizing events; she's crafting a movement, weaving together the threads of past and present to create a vibrant tapestry of cultural unity and understanding. Her influence on the Ka'amatan event and beyond is a beacon of inspiration, showing how passion and heritage can unite people worldwide.

She is extremely grateful for the support from the hosts and participants, who gave her their undivided attention. She would like to acknowledge Zia and David Holly from Crestview, FL; Janet and Kerry Harwick from San Antonio, TX; and Flora Gene and Bill Norman from Belleview, AR.

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