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Borneo Post
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Sabahan spirit shines at Kaamatan celebration in UK
SAUK Kaamatan Unduk Ngadau 2025 contestants. From left: Clara Zubilewicz (Basingstoke), Anya Mae Kolis-Mee (Leicester/Penampang), Mia Ming Steel (London/Papar), Maya Linawa Graham (Littlehampton/Penampang) and Cameron Ann Steel (London/Papar). KOTA KINABALU (July 9): Sabahan Abroad UK (SAUK) brought the vibrant spirit of Sabah to Old Basing Hall, Basingstoke as around 200 attendees from the UK, Norway, France, Germany, Switzerland and Sabah gathered to celebrate Kaamatan, with the theme 'Kaamatan for Everyone' or 'Kaamatan Montok Toinsanan' recently. This cultural showcase brought together communities through food, music and shared heritage. Daytime activities included traditional games like arm wrestling, while the evening opened with Momokis by Jennifer Lasimbang, magagung and sumazau performances led by Jessie Robert and Hayden Hansanon. The emotional highlight was a dramatic retelling of the Huminodun legend by Savillah Angell, followed by a moving Magavau chant from Olga George Kiloh that brought many to tears. 'The event was very well organised. I'm so happy to see the younger generation performing sumazau and singing in Kadazandusun. Aramaitii betul – it felt like Sabah in the UK!' shared Christina Langgayang from Norway. The community's generosity shone during the 'Buy My Voice' karaoke fundraiser, supporting students at Asrama Santa Maria Goretti in Keningau and the construction of St Mary Perpetual Help Chapel in Tambunan, strengthening ties with their Sabahan homeland. The evening's highlight was the Unduk Ngadau pageant, where five contestants dazzled in traditional attire. Mia Ming-Steel from Papar/London was crowned 'Sauk Kaamatan 2025 Unduk Ngadau' for her cultural pride and eloquence. No Kaamatan celebration is complete without food, and guests enjoyed authentic Sabahan dishes like bambangan, pinasakan and hinava, lovingly prepared by Nelda Hendon, Leorita Joseph Henry and Emelda Spencer. The event was made possible by the generosity of numerous UK and overseas sponsors, with special thanks to Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit for their unwavering support in preserving Sabah's heritage abroad. This was echoed in a warm personal greeting from Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor. 'As we celebrate, let us also commit to protecting our land, honouring our ancestors, and embracing the future with hope,' reminded SAUK president Alfred Raymond Lee. Laura Andrew, Mariecella J Lease and Savillah Angell led by Jessie Robert performing a traditional dance of Kulintangan group.
Daily Express
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
200 share Kaamatan joy in UK celebration
Published on: Tuesday, July 08, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 08, 2025 By: Lorena Binisol Text Size: The guests dancing away during a 'Sumazau' session. Kota Kinabalu: Some 200 guests took part in the Kaamatan celebration organised by the Sabahan Abroad UK (Sauk), which was held at Old Basing Village Hall in Hampshire, United Kingdom. Themed 'Kaamatan for Everyone', the event brought together Sabahan families and friends from across the UK, as well as guests from France, Norway and Germany. Their presence added warmth and strengthened the bonds of a growing diaspora community there. Sauk, a non-profit organisation active for nearly a decade, aimed at uniting Sabahans living in the UK through cltural events, friendship and heritage preservation. With an estimated 5,000 Sabahans residing in the UK, including professionals, students, and second-generation Sabahan-British, Sauk continues to build a sense of home away from home. The day-long celebration featured traditional games like 'mimpulos' (arm wrestling) and 'tarik tali' (tug-of-war), a lucky draw for charities in Sabah as well as a lavish spread of Sabahan and Malaysian cuisine, including bambangan, tuhau, hinava, basungan and a variety of Malaysian pastries. Guests were welcomed with Lihing shots (rice wine), produced by Nelda Hendon, who also demonstrated the art of Lihing-making. Cultural highlights included the Momokis ritual performed by Jennifer Lasimbang, the Magavau chant led by Olga George Kiloh, a Huminodun sketch directed by Savillah Angell, and a poem reading by Alfred Raymond Lee. The Kulintangan dance crew, led by Jessie Roberts, delivered captivating performances, while the evening's Magagung session, led by Hayden Hansanon, a student from Penampang, captured the Kaamatan spirit. A key moment was the Unduk Ngadau pageant, where five young women of Sabahan heritage – Mia, Anya, Cami, Maya, and Clara – graced the stage with pride and poise. Mia Ming-Steel was crowned Sauk Kaamatan 2025 Unduk Ngadau, earning admiration for her cultural pride and grace. The event also received personal greetings from Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor and Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, recognising the community's efforts in preserving and promoting Sabah's heritage abroad. Now in its eighth year, Sauk's Kaamatan celebration continues to grow in scale and significance, serving as a bridge between generations and geographies. Sabahans abroad are keeping their culture alive and sharing it with the world through such events. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
