Buvazoi Tavantang (Harvest Prince, Sabah)

Hi, there!

Some of you might have known it, while some of you may not. As I google around, there is not much information I obtained from the internet (online searching). So, whatever I have written here are based on my amateur knowledge. But, hey, dear readers, if you have some information regarding on this traditional-oriented male beauty pageant, feel free to give me any responds for further improvements. This competition is a male version of Unduk Ngadau.

Unduk Ngadau gone too commercial?

Dear readers,

With numerous organizations, including even nightspots and trade associations now seen organizing their own Unduk Ngadaus (traditional harvest beauty pageants), some feel the time has come to place restrictions on staging this now highly commercialized event so that it would not lose its dignity.

Carrying a gong-styled hair

And the winner goes to…

Clap clap clap. Tears of joy. Feeling proud. 

Final Prediction 2013 Sabah State Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan

Salaam, all.

Time's up!

Anyone who would win, congratulations in advance. Here are my final Top Seven prediction (in random order) - Klang Valley, Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Tambunan, Tanjong Aru and Beaufort. 

2013 Sabah State Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan prediction and analyses

Salaam, friends.

It has been almost a year and the question of who will be crowned as the winner of 2013 Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan hovering in the minds of every fan of this competition. Of course it is not an easy task. Various factors are taken into consideration based on the sets of criteria. 

As usual, I will analyze the participants based on the photographs and invented my own list. I am not saying I am good, but in the past 2-3 years, my prediction would be almost accurate (still a long shot). Gifted? Maybe. Simply, if you frequently taking pictures of tradition and culture oriented subject (i.e Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan), you will eventually generate the ability to predict based on the exposures obtained in different occasions. For example, the ability to assess beauty aspect of a lady, originality, traditional attire, personality, and so on. Against my better judgment, my predictions are a combination of realism and fantasy(whoa!). For example, those I'm pretty certain will make the cut and some who I'd like to see selected (but probably won't be). It's a pretty competitive year this year, but I think there are realistically only 4-5 girls in with a real shot at the title. Just my amateur thoughts. Jangan marah arr.. 

Inner beauty needs no make-up

Salaam, valued readers.

There is no doubt that the celebration of Harvest Festival is a celebration that is often eagerly awaited each year, especially for Sabahan. And, of course, the most anticipated event is Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (traditional beauty pageant). This event will be less lively without the presence of "non-professional jury." This sounds cynical, but this is the reality. Here are some of the verses that will normally be echoed here and there, much less something like these:

“Punya cantik tu sumandak. Bulih tahan oh!”

“Ini kalilah saya punya kuda. Kihoyy!”

“Mana cantik tu. Bida juga tu kalau inda da mekap.”

“Astaga, paitungnya!”

“Arahi oku ti sumandak.”

…and the list goes on. Oh, dear!

Precious winning moments

Salaam, readers.

Kaamatan Harvest Festival is around the corner (May 30th and 31st). For all of us (Sabahan, and Malaysian at large), this is the moment we are all have been waiting for. Surely, there are hundreds of celebrations taking place every month all over the world, and Kaamatan Harvest Festival is one of them. The main highlight of this event is Unduk Ngadau. As mentioned by Mrs. Angie Boilis (blog), "The Unduk Ngadau Queen selection is never meant to be just another of those Beauty Queen contest.  Beyond physical beauty, concealed in piety and attired gracefully in full traditional costumes of her ethnic community, the Unduk Ngadau must satisfy the judges that in her most natural self, she portrays the best virtues and potentials to resemble the beatified Huminodun, the Kadazandusun Queen of love and compassion, the ultimate symbol of perfection and purity as reflected in the ancient Bobohizan’s (Kadazandusun Priestess) rinait or mantras."

Cultural Biodiversity

Salaam, all.

With range of cultural influences, Malaysia is among most diverse countries in Asia. Two of Malaysia states - Sabah and Sarawak are located in the island of Borneo. Borneo is the third largest island in the world.  Although an overused term, the island of Borneo truly is a melting pot of cultures, customs and religions.  It is also a melting pot of peoples who have inhabited the island for thousands of years and intermarried with those who arrived in later waves of migration. With a varied ethnic composition comes a great diversity of cultures and religions. Borneo is still largely unpopulated, with the coastal regions being the most developed.

Living in unity : cultural understanding - the way forward!

Salaam to all lovely readers,

Hi all,

What is unity? What is unity stands for? Very often, we hear from our own people who say, “Malaysia is a unite country.” As for me, I believe that there is unity in Malaysia but because unity can’t be defined within strict parameters, we often “see” unity. Why? One learned person said to me – there is no unity in Malaysia, there is only tolerance. Is it true? Come to think of it, there might be some truth (based on my amateur and inexperience observation). Look at certain people talking to the press; they constantly remind us of one’s race and religion. As a unite citizens, why is it very hard for us to practice what we’ve said? Some people even openly object to the term, “Bangsa Malaysia.” How often do we hear the word “muhibbah” nowadays?

I had the opportunity to participate in the Orientation Course for Federal Officers from Sabah, Sarawak and Federal Territory of Labuan, from 2 until 7 March, 2010, which was organized by the Division of Unity and National Integration. This course was organized to expose participants about the purpose of unity and integration among Malaysian. During the course, many ideas have been expressed on how we can move the country to a higher level of integration. From what I’ve observed, many of prescriptions proposed are simplistic and superficial. Having said that, they do not reflect any in-depth understanding of the issues involved. More serious analyzes are needed to be done. But overall, I enjoyed the course!