Kaamatan
| Kaamatan | |
|---|---|
A group of bobohizan and their apprentices leads the procession of guests of honour during Kaamatan Festival, at the Hongkod Koisaan KDCA, Penampang District, Sabah | |
| Official name | Kaamatan |
| Also called | Tadau Kaamatan, Pesta Kaamatan |
| Observed by | Kadazan-Dusun, Murut (Kalimaran), Rungus, Lundayeh |
| Type | Ethnic, cultural |
| Significance | Commemoration of Huminodun, the sacrificed Ponompuan — Daughter of Kinoingan (God) |
| Celebrations | Family and other social gatherings, symbolic decoration |
| Observances | Beauty pageants of Unduk Ngadau (female) and Buvazoi Tavantang (male), dance performance of Sumazau, Sugandoi singing competition, and other arts and crafts performances |
| Begins | 30 May |
| Ends | 31 May |
| Date | May 30, May 31 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 1960 in Crown colony of North Borneo |
| Related to | Gawai Dayak, Kalimaran, Magahau |
Kaamatan, Tadau Kaamatan or Pesta Kaamatan is a form of harvest festival celebrated on 30 and 31 May annually in the state of Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan in Malaysia.
It is observed annually on the month of May by the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, Rungus, and Lundayeh ethnic groups as a commemoration for the sacrifice of Huminodun towards her community where various cultural and crafts performances were exhibited throughout the celebrations at the Hongkod Koisaan KDCA Hall in Penampang District with symbolic decoration followed by family and other social gatherings. The festival is also celebrated by Kadazan-Dusuns diaspora all around Malaysia, and abroad.
The festival is celebrated with various symbolic decoration and family and other social gatherings activities such as beauty pageants of Unduk Ngadau (female) and Buvazoi Tavantang (male), dance performance of Sumazau, Sugandoi singing competition, and other arts and crafts performances together with the availability of food stalls throughout the festivals.