Carrying a gong-styled hair

And the winner goes to…

Clap clap clap. Tears of joy. Feeling proud. 

Congratulations to the entire recipient especially to the grand prize winner of 2013 Sabah State Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan.

Are you satisfied…or not? As always, there can never be a result that could please everyone. You can’t always please everybody. You’ll never be able to please everyone, even if you really want to, and even if you think you can. Even superheroes can’t please everyone. So instead of focusing on what people want you to do, focus on what you want to do and you will find yourself having a lot more peace of mind. Of course, there will be lacks, anywhere, in certain places. We should accept the decision made by the judges on that day.

Jangan kamurang bertumbuk ah!

Heartiest congratulations to:

(1) Miss Immaculate Lojuki, Kota Kinabalu

(2) Miss Ritchell Andreas, Ranau

(3) Miss Nillsey Debbie Sening, Tuaran

(4) Miss Diana Gilbert, Putatan

(5) Miss Didie Phang, Penampang

(6) Miss Ledesma Steven, Klang Valley

(7) Miss Sarah Gleophas Gorotud, Tambunan

Definitely, these girls had the best gong-styled hair! Kannnnn.

Oh, by the way I predicted 5/7 for Top Seven and 11/15 for top Fifteen. Well predicted, huh? Bolehlah. (Related article, kindly read HERE and HERE)

Now, the more interesting question is, "Are the participants really commemorate the spirit of Huminodun or solely concerned with popularity?" Can someone enlighten me with a logic answer?

Knock knock knock. Anyone?

As we know, the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) competition format is almost similar with other beauty pageant competition. But, the unique part is its relation to the customs and traditions of Kadazan Dusun and Murut (KDM). During this competition, participants are tested with a series of questions related to the customs and culture of the KDM. Their ability to communicate in native language is also being tested.

The contestants are judged based on beauty; traditional attire; presentation; questions and answers: two(2) sets of questions, one of which is in local dialect and another question to be answered in Bahasa Malaysia. This carries 35% of overall marks, and attitude and personality

For as long as I can remember, every year in May, many girls will try their luck to participate in this annually held beauty pageant. At this point, we can see a lot of girls wearing traditional attire according to their respective ethnicity; putting on thick makeup; gong-styled hair and the list goes on.

Back to the issue - Are all the girls who participated in this competition really commemorate the spirit of Huminodun or solely concerned with popularity?  What kind of popularity? Nationwide coverage? We live in a society in which women are forever being told that being empowered is all about looking good and being attractive to men whether it is through beauty pageants or cosmetic surgery, or a new lipstick or becoming a lap dancer. But is that real empowerment? 

Apa dorang mau sebenarnya ni?

In my opinion, we should see it in a positive perspective. "Unduk Ngadau" is not just a reflection of the legendary Huminodun but it also represents the community of KDM and respective districts. Each district sent their elected representatives to compete in the state level. Meaning to say, all of them are already winners.

UNK can be an important focus of national pride. On an individual level, it gives young women an opportunity to enrich not only their own lives, but the lives of the KDM community. UNK also provide the perfect opportunity for some of the most beautiful young women to fulfil their ambitions and develop themselves as human beings.

Nowadays (the way I see it), whenever UNK began, they were viewed as trivial events whose interpretation required no intellectual effort. In fact, many critics of UNK beauty pageant argue that such contests reinforce the idea that girls and women should be valued primarily for their physical appearance, and that this puts tremendous pressure on young women to conform to conventional beauty standards by spending time and money on cosmetics, hair styling et cetera.

Personally, I would like to see Unduk Ngadau representing a pure personality of sumandak KDM (and the legendary Huminodun). They should be evaluated through a rigorous selection such as knowledge and practice of traditions, language, culture, and including current issues (political, economic, and social). Contohnya taruh tinodul di mulut, jahit linangkit dan buat tuhau.. bulih kaitu?

Unduk Ngadau is supposed to be "ambassadress" for the people who can afford to uphold the name of KDM rather than be “exploited” as a dancing companion to the VVIP on social occasions in the name of so-called "queen of responsibility and culture”. Do not be overshadowed by the glittering crown and forgetting the real duty as Unduk Ngadau.

Carrying a gong-styled hair is hard. Carrying the crown is harder. Nahh, ini kali lah!

Sincerely yours.

PICTURE WINNING MOMENTS

The Top Seven recipients.

Miss Immaculate Lojuki of Kota Kinabalu

2012 winner Miss Melinda Louis

 Some of my favorite contestants throughout the event.

Picture source: Tay TC Kenneth, David Aramaitii, Nelson Michael Photography, Kauluan Express and Tony Wong.