Malaysia Borneo Cultural Festival 2014

Salaam Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2014!

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 is the nation's biggest and grandest tourism celebration with Malaysia Truly Asia's endless wonders of events, festivals and activities all-year round. For our international tourists, this is the perfect time to see, feel and experience Malaysia! With the tagline "Celebrating 1Malaysia Truly Asia,” Sabah Cultural and Heritage Association Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya (Warisan Sabah) is organizing Malaysia Borneo Cultural Festival 2014. With the theme "...bridging cultures and traditions," and endorsed by Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, it is an inaugural event with the aim to build unity, understanding and strong bond between Malaysian in line with the 1Malaysia concept.

A compilation, Part I

Salaam, all.

A year almost over, and a brand new year will start in just few days. Ups and downs, mixed. So, for starters - a compilation of all the positive things happened in 2013. And, to start with...drum rolls - beauty pageant! It is really a beautiful year in which I had the chance and opportunity to work with some new and fresh faces in beauty pageant lines. Although some of them were just a small scale events (unlike the Miss Universe/Miss World), doesn't matter. A once in life time opportunity - not to be missed! Certainly, it has opened another creative platforms for my personal growth. The attended events served as a perfect platform to connect with some beautiful and positive auras, all moving towards one common goal - positive networking and collaborations. The numbers there allowed for a good personal connection with many, and vice versa, and was small enough for everyone to feel a glimpse of everyone's essence of who they were. There was a wonderful mixture of learning and laughter, in equal measures - be it modern beauty pageant or the traditional oriented ones. Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, East Malaysian Bumiputra, and others - they are all lovely and possess queenly aura. Not all beauty pageant are solely meant for fabs and glams. Recognition, personal development, communication skills, confidence and handling the stress, pressure and disappointments in life  - all these are the benefits you’ll take with you from doing pageants. So, look at the positive and bright side ya! Well done to all the team/founder/talented fashion designers/skilled photographers/professional stylist and make-up artist/sponsors/Government support/friends who made it special. All of us (especially for a newbie like me/green horn) benefited so much from the whole experience. Of course there were issues here and there, but there is always room for improvement, right? With that being said, I am very excited about the coming 2014. And, with the help and support from Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Warisan Sabah's working committees (and potential partners/collaborations) we are going to bring the Association's brand to achieve another level, another platform. Much Fondness, Love and Light! P/S: The new year will be like the old one if you keep on doing the same old things, unless you improvise it. Gitu! (-: 

Much love.

Best in Traditional Attire, Miss Borneo Kebaya 2013

Salaam to all lovely readers.

Last week (November 22nd, 2013), I have had the chance to work with Miss Borneo Kebaya committee 2013 (MBK2013). Mrs. Julie and I (from Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Warisan Sabah Kuala Lumpur, Selangor dan Putrajaya) had the chance to do jugding for the Best in Traditional Attire category/subsidiary title. We really appreciate the chance given not only as part of the judging team but also to learn about the uniqueness of  Kebaya attire.

During the event, the first segment was traditional attire parade in which the contestants were given the opportunity to wear traditional attires that represent any ethnics in Malaysia. Most of the contestant chose to wear traditional attire from East Malaysia (Sabah/Sarawak). Then, came the self-introduction part. After a few catwalk-ing, the contestant intoduce themselves as “..Melati, 18, Sarawak!” And, continue with their motto part. All the contestants were equally gorgeous, and well prepared. You can easily tell from their fantabulous traditional attire and showmanship!

Putrajaya Botanical Garden: Persona Borneo

Salaam, all.

Outdoor photography session with DiaNni Othoe Kayar Lee and Ren Yon (Sharon Adrain). Dianni is a reigning harvest festival queen (Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Peringkat Negeri Johor 2013). Sharon was the runner-up for Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan KDCA Johor State Level 2013, and is a reigning harvest festival queen (Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Daerah Semporna 2013). Wardrobe by Mrs' Caroline's and Cleopatra's collection. Album: Putrajaya Botanical Garden - Persona Borneo.

"...Pada pandangan saya, pertandingan ratu cantik berkonsepkan tradisional ini sangat-sangat diperlukan pada masa ini kerana dengan adanya pertandingan sebegini, orang-orang muda akan lebih menghargai warisan bangsa. Seperti saya sendiri, banyak saya tidak tahu tentang bangsa saya sehingga la saya mengikuti pertandingan berkonsepkan tradisional ini. sesetengah orang sangat sukar untuk menghayati sesuatu hanya melalui bacaan di buku tetapi lebih mudah memahami melalui pengalaman, kan? Jadi kepada gadis-gadis KadazanDusunMurut (KDM) di luar sana, jangan lepaskan peluang untuk menyertai pertandingan ratu cantik tradisional kerana pengalaman tidak boleh dibeli dengan duit..." -Sharon.

"...Konsep tradisional bagi saya lebih kepada budaya dan adat resam sesuatu kaum, bersifat sopan santun. Saya tidak gemar mengenakan pakaian yang terlalu menjolok mata malah lebih kepada pemakaian baju tradisional dan ini sangat bagus kerana dapat mengekal dan meneruskan budaya/adat resam supaya tidak pupus ditelan arus permodenan..." - Dianni. 

Read more about them, click here - Dianni Murni Kayar and Sharon Adrain. 

Malaysia Day Outdoor Photography: Persona Borneo

Malaysia Day (September 16th, 2013) outdoor photography session with Borneo Hornbill Festival alumni - Sanddy Ngu (First runner up, Kumang Iban, Borneo Hornbill Festival 2011), Cleopatra Sandud (Winner of two subsidiary titles, Borneo Hornbill Festival 2012), Magdalen Patrick Bejig (Second runner-up, Bidayuh Category, Borneo Hornbill Festival 2012), Kevin Jantan (Borneo Hornbill Festival Working Committee) and Gilbert Katang (Borneo Hornbill Festival Working Committee). Location: Taman Tasek Permaisuri. Wardrobe: Mrs. Caroline Rudolf's, Cleo's and Kevin's Collection. Album: Malaysia Day Outdoor Photography-Persona Borneo

Personaliti Borneo - Vincent Alfred

1. Ceritakan sedikit mengenai biodata anda.

Nama diberi Vincent Mallang AK Alfred, dikenali sebagai Vinz. Seorang pelajar Politeknik Kota Kinabalu dalam jurusan Electronic Engineering (Computer). Saya berusia 20 tahun dan dilahirkan pada tanggal 02/12/1993. Anak kedua daripada lima orang adik beradik, berdarah kacukan Bidayuh dan Kayan. Saya seorang yang aktif, lasak, peramah, terbuka dan penyayang. Hobi saya ialah bersenam dan melayari internet. Cintakan makanan namun sangat perhatin terhadap kesihatan pada diri sendiri dan orang di sekeliling. Moto hidup saya ialah "Never give up and always be better than yesterday." Visi hidup ialah untuk menjadi seorang yang berjaya dalam apa jua keadaan.

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.

Personaliti Borneo - Sharon Adrain

1. Ceritakan sedikit mengenai biodata anda.

Nama saya Sharon Adrain, dilahirkan pada 8 Mei 1989 (24 tahun), anak sulung daripada empat(4) orang adik-beradik, berasal dari Tambunan, Sabah dan berketurunan Dusun. Saya adalah merupakan pemegang Higher National Diploma in Computing (Business IT) dan pernah bekerja sebagai website designer. Mempunyai hobi melancong dan membaca.

Keling - wise, brave, strong, fearless and handsome

Bagi masyarakat Iban di Sarawak perkataan keling sudah tentunya mempunyai maksud yang tersendiri.

The Uniqueness of Borneo Hornbill Festival - Mencari Kelainan

"People of different religions and cultures live side by side in almost every part of the world, and most of us have overlapping identities which unite us with very different groups. We can love what we are, without hating what – and who – we are not. We can thrive in our own tradition, even as we learn from others, and come to respect their teachings." - Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations

Kuching Photoshoot With Borneo Hornbill Festival Alumni, 2013

Event : Kuching Photoshoot With Borneo Hornbill Festival Alumni, 2013
Venue : Water Front, Kuching, Sarawak.
Talent : Borneo Hornbill Festival Winners/Alumni 
Photographer : SteviePhotography

Borneo Hornbill Festival 2012

Event : Borneo Hornbill Festival 2012
Venue : Pusat Pelancongan Malaysia (Malaysia Tourism Centre), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Talent : Borneo Hornbill Festival 2012 Winners
Organizer : Persatuan Warisan Sarawak Kuala Lumpur & Selangor
Photographer : SteviePhotography

Personaliti Borneo - Leona Gan

1. Ceritakan sedikit mengenai biodata anda.

Saya dikenali sebagai Leona Gan, berasal dari Kuala Penyu berbangsa Sinokadazan. Mama saya berbangsa Dusun Tetana manakala Papa berbangsa Cina Hokkien. Merupakan anak bongsu dari 8 orang adik-beradik. Hobi suka melancong dan memasak. Berbakat dalam bidang nyanyian dan menari. Kini sedang melanjutkan pelajaran di UiTM, Shah Alam. Saya seorang yang sangat cintakan budaya dan adat tradisi. 

Personaliti Borneo - Dianni Murni Kayar

Dianni Murni Kayar, Unduk Ngadau Kadazandusun Murut Johor State Level 2013 Winner/Top Fifteen Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Sabah State Level 2010. She is a flight stewardess for Malaysia Airlines. Her career helped her to travel all around the globe and exposing herself with a unique cultural experiences. She enjoyed taking photos featuring people and cultures, and share the captured moments with others. 

1. Ceritakan mengenai diri anda.

Nama saya Dianni Murni Kayar. Nama dipanggil Othoe atau Dianni. Tarikh lahir 6 Jun 1985, berumur 28 tahun. Hobi saya ialah melancong dan menjadi master chef di dapur sendiri.

Personaliti Borneo - Erma Fatimah Stiling

1. Ceritakan sedikit mengenai biodata anda.

Nama saya Erma Fatimah Binti Stiling. Anak sulung daripada tiga (3) orang adik beradik. Berasal dari Kampung Hobut, Kudat, Sabah. Saya sedang menuntut dalam jurusan Diploma in Physiotherapy di Windfield International College.

A Rungus ethnic lady in her traditional attire. In this photo - Erma Fatimah Stiling, top 11 finalist of Runduk Tadau category, Borneo Hornbill Festival 2012

Personaliti Borneo: Veeky-Leonora Andria

Veeky Leonora-Andria, Kumang Iban winner, Borneo Hornbill Festival 2011. She is  an active blogger. She has been a consistent writer since winning the coveted title. Already a cultural enthusiast, she wrote in her blog, "The information from my blog is mainly from what I see, I read, I experience, I feel....I believe that the things that I write is true to me and I tried my very best to convey the truth of what I know."

 - Kumang Saribas: And this is my story.

Personaliti Borneo - Cleopatra Sandud

1. Ceritakan mengenai diri anda.

Cleopatra Sandud berasal dari Kampung Tagaroh Kota Marudu, sabah. Berbangsa Dusun Tindal dan Dusun Bundu. Lepasan Bachelor In Healthcare Management di sebuah universiti swasta di Kuala Lumpur. Fasih berbahasa Dusun Tindal dan Dusun Bundu (bahasa lebih kurang sama). Lebih suka bertutur dalam Bahasa Dusun. Suka membaca, melayari internet, mendengar muzik, sangat meminati atau mempelajari sukukaum yang terdapat di Borneo. Sukakan alam semulajadi flora dan fauna.

 

Personaliti Borneo - Suzzy Anak Ramli

1. Ceritakan mengenai diri anda.

Full name saya Suzzy Anak Ramli, tarikh lahir 5 Januari 1990 dan sekarang saya berusia 23 tahun.  Saya anak sulung daripada 4 orang adik-beradik. Sekarang saya study dalam Bachelor (Hons) of Science in Healthcare Management.

Personaliti Borneo - Sanddy Ngu

1. Ceritakan mengenai diri anda.

Sanddy Ngu, berketurunan campuran Cina dan Iban, anak bongsu daripada tiga orang adik beradik. Berkelulusan ijazah dalam bidang perniagaan (pengkhususan pemasaran), dan kini sedang bekerja sebagai eksekutif bank.

Asal-usul masyarakat KadazanDusunMurut

Asal-usul masyarakat Kadazan? Dusun? Murut?

Mari kita mulakan. Ini pendapat peribadi sahaja ya.

Traditional clothes?

Traditional costume.

Traditional attire.

Traditional cloths.

Whatever it may be, peeps, this is the topic I LOVE the most!

Oh, by the way, salaam to all.

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.

Mount Kinabalu: The day the Dusun people returned to the mountain

Salaam, friends.

Mount Kinabalu is sacred to the Dusun communities. Gayoh Ngaran or Big Name, as the mountain is known to the Dusun, is our final resting place.

In the old days, the Dusun could hunt on the mountain and take rattan and other forest produce from the foothills. Then the white men came. They wanted to protect the mountain they said. Because everybody recognized that the mountain was sacred to the Dusun, the British officers came, along with the local authorities, and talked with the Dusun Elders from the villages on the foothills of the mountain.

Kenali Tantagas - Warisan tradisi Dusun Lotud

Salaam, semua.

Kenali 'Tantagas.' Bagi yang sudah tahu, bolehlah tunjuk ajar di mana-mana yang silap (sebagai pencerahan). Moga-moga info ini boleh dikongsi bersama.

Pakar ilmu tradisional (traditional priestesses) atau pakar dalam upacara ritual (kerohanian), atau 'Tantagas', adalah hampir kebanyakannya terdiri di kalangan kaum wanita, dan mahir dalam menghafal 'rinait,' iaitu sebuah pembacaan berupa dikir panjang/doa yang ditujukan kepada dewa-dewa di kalangan masyarakat kaum Dusun Lotud. Di kalangan kebanyakan kaum rumpun Dusun (Dusunic group) di Sabah, rinait merupakan satu genre yang unik umpama syair yang dibacakan secara lisan. Ia terdiri daripada siri ayat-ayat - pertama dalam bahasa sehari-harian, dan yang kedua (yang mempunyai makna yang sama) dalam upacara tersebut. Rinait tersebut  menceritakan tentang penciptaan dunia; hal-ehwal dewa-dewa, asal-usul nasi, preskripsi/pengubatan dalam kehidupan; amalan-amalan kerohanian, dan aspek-aspek  kebudayaan dalam kehidupan. Bacaan rinait mungkin dilakukan secara berbisik, laungan kuat atau lembut/sederhana, dan boleh bertahan untuk beberapa jam atau hari, mengikut konteks dan majlis.

What are the requirements and duties of a title holder?

Salaam to all lovely readers,

Watching Borneo Hornbill Festival, Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan and other traditional/cultural-oriented beauty  pageant never failed to keep me on wondering  one thing - do beauty pageants really contribute to the society? And if they do, is this contribution a positive or negative one? Winners, care to explain?

Why our culture should be jealously preserved

Salaam, lovely readers.

We hear people talking about forming association(s) for the cause of saving and preserving the 'richness and diversity' of cultures and traditions and so, and so, and so so on. But why do we need to conserve tradition? What will happen if we don't protect the cultures? Persatuan Warisan Sarawak KualaLumpur dan Selangor, KadazandusunCultural Association, Persatuan SuangLotud Sabah and the list goes on - all these are the example of associations with the aim to uphold our cultural heritage.

Our traditional costumes, through my amateur lense (Part III)

Salaam to all lovely readers,

I was not born as a Lundayeh. I am of Dusun Lotud ethnic. I have never been to a place where majority of its land are populated by Lundayeh. I don't have Lundayeh friends. So, where the hell to obtain such info about Lundayeh? Internet? The internet is the best place to find information on any topic because there are so many people and resources on it and connected to it. On the internet you get many different points of view that are more accessible and easier to find rather than looking through thousands of books and periodicals (in which I love to do all the time!)

Our traditional costumes, through my amateur lense (Part II)

Salaam, readers.

Kunjungan buat kali pertama ke negeri Sarawak pada tahun 2010 telah memberikan saya peluang untuk melihat keunikan dan kepelbagaian etnik di Negeri Bumi Kenyalang ini. Tempat pertama yang saya lawati ialah Rumah Kebudayaan Sarawak  (Sarawak Cultural Village).

Saya masih ingat lagi pada ketika itu tarian pertama yang saya lihat ialah tarian tradisi kaum Bidayuh. Dance performers keep traditional Bidayuh culture and costume alive through shows in this unique cultural village. Bunyi gong yang melatari persembahan tarian para penari sangat mengujakan. Bunyi gong bukanlah merupakan sesuatu yang asing bagi saya kerana di negeri kelahiran saya, Sabah, alat muzik ini sangat popular. Mungkin kerana didorong oleh sifat mencintai irama tradisional (yang begitu menebal dalam diri) menyebabkan kepala dan kaki saya turut bergoyang bersama-sama mengikut paluan gong! 

Our traditional costumes, through my amateur lense (Part I)

Kopiranggayan do kosuabon.

Ketika entry ini ditulis, pelbagai yang bermain di fikiran. Bagaimana harus memulakan, bagaimana harus mengakhirinya dan yang paling penting lagi bagaimana harus menjadikannya agar lebih minat dan mudah untuk dibaca oleh pembaca-pembaca budiman di luar sana.

Borneo Hornbill Festival - How does it all start?

Salaam, lovelies.

As far back as I can remember I've always wanted to capture Sarawak ethnic traditional attire. But, I never had the chance. I have seen them on television, printed materials, dancers, but not a closer look, what more to photograph them.

A picture's worth a thousand words

Above: Thank you auntie Pearly Kee for this marvelous shot!

Salaam, all.

Have you ever noticed how much more clearly you see yourself in a picture? I was taking pictures of myself earlier and my appearance is so different from what it was 10 years ago. My appearance is not what it once was and I'm glad for that. It, instead, is more of a road map of where I've been; a photobook of my memories...each page, a different story...maybe one I've not yet told. A picture of us, is not just a picture, but also a picture of a thousand pictures.

Cinta membawa kepada minat terhadap seni dan kebudayaan

Salaam, semuanya.

Adalah sesuatu yang melucukan bagaimana perkara yang berlaku dalam kehidupan kita benar-benar berlaku, dan kadangkala tidak menjangka ia akan berlaku. Kita tidak pernah tahu apakah kelainan yang bakal muncul dan apakah perkara yang akan bertukar sekali gus mencorakkan perjalanan kehidupan kita. Walaupun pada dasarnya semua pilihan ada di depan mata, tetapi  ia seolah-olah seperti kita mahukan 'kejutan' lantas mengelakkan untuk melakukan sebarang pilihan. Nah, apakah kaitan permulaan perenggan ini terhadap entri pada kali ini? "Cinta membawa kepada minat terhadap seni dan kebudayaan." Bolehlah dikatakan sebegitu. Bacalah sendiri, dan fahami isi kandungannya.

*hirup kupi O kaw. Kirai time*

Jauh di mata, dekat di hati

Salaam, semua.

Pepatah dalam Bahasa Inggeris ada menyatakan,“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Pepatah dalam Bahasa Melayu yang mempunyai maksud yang sama berbunyi ‘Jauh di mata dekat di hati.' Bagaimana kita memberi maksud  kepada kedua-dua pepatah ini bergantung kepada diri kita sendiri.

Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit

Salaam to all lovely readers.

Last week, I have had the chance to work with Borneo Hornbill Festival 2013 (BHF2013). On July 5th till 7th, 2013, I was invited to be one of the judges. I really appreciate the chance that I have been given not only as one of the judges but also to learn about the uniqueness and diversity in Borneo culture (specifically Sabah and Sarawak). I feel that it is an honour to be invited as a judge for the event. That shows people actually acknowledge your opinion. Thank you Persatuan WarisanSarawak Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Next year invite lah lagi ya (-:

Ungrateful people are always there around us

Salaam and hi to all valued readers,

Can you imagine doing somebody a favor and they don't even say "Thank you"?Believe it or not, there are many people who take others for granted. Oh yes, so many of them! Unfortunately, yes, unfortunately, there are many people like this wherever we go. In fact, sometimes when we give something to them and they don't say the magic word Thank You, I'd be the one embarrassed because he or she doesn;t know how to be appreciative. But as long as I learn to be grateful, that should be enough. Really?