personality

PRESENTING THE UNDUK NGADAU TEAM: KAAMATAN ENCULTURATES UNITY

Unduk Ngadau is an annual pageant held during the Kaamatan festival. It started in 1960 and has since been running strong until today! Their secret? The passionate and dedicated team of organisers. Let’s meet this year’s Unduk Ngadau organising committee.

Tindarama Zandi Joanna Datuk Kitingan

Tindarama Zandi Joanna Datuk Kitingan, originally from Tambunan, is a prominent figure in her community. With a deep passion for preserving cultural heritage and empowering young women, Zandi Joanna serves as the current Unduk Ngadau chairperson. Her extensive involvement in the Kaamatan festival spans over three decades, starting from her early days as a committee member to eventually assuming the role of chairperson.

One of her main objectives this year is to revitalise the Unduk Ngadau pageant by actively involving more young people. Under her guidance, the organising committee aims to host the most vibrant and engaging Unduk Ngadau event to date. Embracing the theme of “Kaamatan Enculturates Unity,” Zandi Joanna believes that promoting unity within the government and the broader community is highly pertinent.

Zandi Joanna finds immense joy in witnessing the enthusiasm of participants during the registration process. As they proudly represent their districts, their passion and commitment to their cultural heritage deeply resonate with her. The pinnacle of the event, however, is the crowning ceremony, where the crowd eagerly awaits the announcement of the winner. Alongside the thrill of this responsibility, Zandi Joanna is determined to enhance the efficiency of the event, ensuring that the crowning of the Unduk Ngadau takes place by 6 pm sharp.

In addition to her organisational role, Zandi Joanna’s true passion lies in imparting knowledge about the history of Kaamatan and the significance of Unduk Ngadau to the young participants. With her extensive research and expertise as a historian, she educates and instil a sense of pride in the Unduks, emphasising their role in preserving the KadazanDusun cultural identity. She firmly believes that the Unduk Ngadau pageant goes beyond mere beauty, serving as a means of cultural preservation and propagation. Through traditional costumes and the use of the mother tongue, the Unduks exemplify the richness and beauty of their heritage.

Zandi Joanna’s dedication to her role as chairperson stems from her genuine love for her community and a desire to empower young women. She sees herself as a beacon of knowledge, ensuring that the spirit of Huminodun, the sacrificial figure in KadazanDusun folklore, lives on through the Unduk Ngadau pageant. Over the years, witnessing the remarkable achievements of numerous successful Unduk Ngadau contestants has filled her with immense pride and reaffirmed her commitment to the continued relevance of the Kaamatan festival and the Unduk Ngadau pageant.

Tindarama Zandi Joanna Datuk Kitingan is an inspiring leader, historian, and advocate for cultural heritage. Her unwavering dedication to the Unduk Ngadau pageant and her community has made her an invaluable asset to the organising committee, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of countless young women and the preservation of the KadazanDusun culture.

Angeline Boilis

Angeline Boilis, a resident of Penampang, has served as the Secretary of the committee since 2007, contributing significantly to the organisation and management of the event.

In regards to this year’s Kaamatan theme, Angeline believes it is timely and fitting. Kaamatan, being a traditional and cultural celebration of the Kadazandusun people, has evolved to include participation from individuals of diverse religious beliefs and races. The festival has become a unifying event where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate, fostering camaraderie, unity, and a sense of togetherness.

Angeline recognizes the inclusive nature of the festival, where the spirit of Kaamatan transcends cultural boundaries, creating an atmosphere of harmony and acceptance. The theme reflects the essence of this celebration, highlighting the collective celebration of traditions and the unity that emerges from it.

Overall, Angeline appreciates the theme for capturing the spirit of Kaamatan, where people from different backgrounds come together to celebrate and foster a sense of camaraderie, unity, and togetherness.

Philomena Engsun

Philomena Engsun, a vibrant 63-year-old resident of Penampang, has been actively involved in organising the state-level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan pageant for an impressive 15 years. Despite her age, Philomena maintains a youthful spirit and continues to contribute her expertise to the event.

Currently serving as the Vice Chairperson and Honorary Treasurer, Philomena plays a crucial role in ensuring the financial stability of the organisation. She also assists the chairperson and takes on responsibilities related to F&B, accommodation, and the selection of judges. The committee members work closely together in a small but dedicated team, often multitasking to accomplish various tasks. Despite occasional disagreements, the group functions like a family, prioritising progress, development, and the preservation of their cultural heritage.

Every year, the excitement surrounding the event remains unchanged, regardless of the committee’s long-standing involvement. The grandeur and pageantry of the occasion are ever-present, and the anticipation escalates as contestants register and entrust themselves to the committee until the grand finale on the 31st, which culminates in a thrilling experience.

The theme of this year’s Kaamatan, “Kaamatan Enculturates Unity,” resonates deeply with Philomena. The pageant brings together beauties representing various indigenous KDMR (Kadazan-Dusun-Murut-Rungus) groups, uniting people from diverse backgrounds in a single celebration. Philomena finds this unity and inclusiveness awe-inspiring, making the event truly remarkable.

Teresa Molidu

Introducing Teresa Molidu hailing from Kg. Kambau in Penampang. She has been an active member of the committee for an impressive period of 19 years, starting from 2004. Within the committee, Teresa holds the role of Penolong Bendahari, contributing her financial expertise to support the smooth functioning of the Kaamatan festival.

When asked about her perspective on this year’s Kaamatan theme, Teresa expresses her strong approval. She believes that the chosen theme is highly suitable, as the celebration has consistently fostered closer bonds and kinship among the diverse ethnicities in Sabah. Like any other festivity, Teresa emphasises the importance of respecting the customs and traditions of each community. By honouring and embracing these cultural practices, the people of Malaysia can coexist harmoniously, promoting unity and understanding.

Teresa Molidu’s longstanding commitment to the committee showcases her dedication to the success and continuity of the Kaamatan festival. Her role as Penolong Bendahari highlights her organisational skills and financial acumen, ensuring the efficient management of resources for the event. Her endorsement of the Kaamatan theme reflects her belief in the power of cultural celebration to strengthen relationships and promote harmony within society.

Frolyn Pansi

Frolyn Pansi, a dedicated member of the committee, has been serving as a committee member since 2009. Her commitment and contribution to the Unduk Ngadau organisation have spanned several years now.

She holds the role of managing sponsorships and plays a vital role in securing sponsorships for the Kaamatan event, ensuring the necessary financial support to make the celebration a success.

Regarding this year’s Kaamatan theme, Frolyn strongly believes it is on point. The theme emphasises the power of Kaamatan in unifying the people of Sabah, despite the region’s rich diversity, which is one of the highest in the country. She recognizes the importance of appreciating this theme as a means to prevent conflicts and ignorance. By embracing and understanding one another’s cultures and traditions, Sabahans can foster harmony and celebrate their diversity together.

Walter Misir

Walter Misir, an educator from Keningau, is a remarkable individual with a passion for promoting cultural diversity and unity. Currently serving as an educator at SM Lok Yuk in KK, Walter has dedicated himself to shaping young minds and nurturing their potential.

In addition to his role as an educator, Walter is also the founder of MRK (Mr Kaamatan Buvazoi Tavantang), an organisation that celebrates the rich traditions of the Kaamatan festival in Sabah. Since 2010, he has been actively involved as a committee member (AJK) for this event, demonstrating his commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of his community.

Walter’s talents extend beyond education and cultural advocacy. His role for the event is a stage artist and entertainment manager. Walter will be in charge of the multimedia, LED sound, and lights. With his expertise, he will also be orchestrating the Unduk Ngadau Gala Night performances and contributing as a dance choreographer, showcasing his artistic flair and organisational skills.

One of Walter’s core beliefs is that Kaamatan, a longstanding tradition among Sabahan people, emphasises the importance of diversity and serves as a reminder for generations to come. He strives to inspire the youth to embrace this message of harmony, fostering a peaceful coexistence among communities.

Walter Misir is an influential figure who combines his roles as an educator, cultural advocate, and artistic manager to contribute to the preservation of traditions, promote diversity, and ensure a harmonious society in Sabah.

Martin Buguk

Martin Buguk, a devoted resident of Penampang, has served as a committee member for over 20 years, dedicating himself to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Sabah.

His role involves styling, grooming, and attire for events, ensuring participants in the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan pageant exude elegance. He also emphasizes the importance of language preservation, requiring contestants to showcase their mother tongue proficiency during multimedia self-introductions. Martin’s expertise extends to teaching walking techniques and choreography to Unduk Ngadau contestants during the Gala Nite and Grand Final, captivating the audience with their synchronised movements.

The Kaamatan festival unites diverse ethnic groups to celebrate their customs and culture, passing down this unique legacy. Martin believes it fosters appreciation for Sabah’s cultural richness among Malays, Chinese, Indians, and others. With his unwavering dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to unity, Martin Buguk is a valuable committee member and an ambassador for Sabahan heritage.