May is when the whole of Sabah celebrates the Harvest Festival - the Tadau Kaamatan! There are celebrations involving dancing, singing and traditional games - as well as drinking rice wine (lihing). The month kicks off with the Sabah Fest which has the theme of 'Harmony in Diversity' this year. And the gran
d concert which I attended at the beginning of the month really showed this. What a glittering display! The concert ended with more than 200 dancers gathered on stage. This is something that Sabah does very well. The traditional costumes were lovely - the dancers were young, energetic and enthusiastic - the music was an enticing mixture of gongs, drums, flutes and other local instruments - the atmosphere was delightful!
d concert which I attended at the beginning of the month really showed this. What a glittering display! The concert ended with more than 200 dancers gathered on stage. This is something that Sabah does very well. The traditional costumes were lovely - the dancers were young, energetic and enthusiastic - the music was an enticing mixture of gongs, drums, flutes and other local instruments - the atmosphere was delightful! 
There were also some handicraft stalls set up where women were busy weaving cloth, hats and beads, as well as doing embroidery. I really love seeing the
se things - as well as having the opportunity to buy! The sarong in the picture is being held up by the woman who made it. The four points in the design are embroidered but the vertical join is actually done as series of tiny knots - a bit like tatting but 
done with a needle. Just beautiful! And the woman who made it (and sold it to me) was dressed beautifully as well. See what she had around her waist! She is from the indigenous group called the Rungus.
se things - as well as having the opportunity to buy! The sarong in the picture is being held up by the woman who made it. The four points in the design are embroidered but the vertical join is actually done as series of tiny knots - a bit like tatting but 
done with a needle. Just beautiful! And the woman who made it (and sold it to me) was dressed beautifully as well. See what she had around her waist! She is from the indigenous group called the Rungus.There is so much joy in the traditions here in Sabah - the dance, the customs, the handicrafts - and in the people themselves that events like the Pesta Kaamatan are really a lot of fun!
If you have any questions or comments, please send them to me at: jude@astsabah.com. I'd love to hear from you!
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