Maswings celebrates Kaamatan with Passengers at Kota Kinabalu International Airport

MASwings Celebrates Kaamatan With Passengers At KKIA

MASwings, wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines celebrates Pesta Kaamatan or the Harvest Festival with passengers by having its staff in Kadazan-dusun traditional costumes garlanding special Kaamatan beads to passengers arriving and departing from Kota Kinabalu International airport on 30th and 31st May 2011 morning flights.

The initiative by MASwings is aimed to enliven the airport atmosphere during this major festive occasion which is celebrated only in Sabah. It also provides an opportunity for the community airline to share Sabah’s rich and diverse cultures and traditions with other passengers especially those who arrived into Kota Kinabalu during these two days.

“We in MASwings is always proud to be associated with the local festival as we wish to share this Kaamatan joy by spreading the love and harmony spirit the festive carries to the people of Malaysia,” said Shauqi Ahmad, MASwings Regional Vice Preident Sabah.

Earlier during the eve of the festival, staff despite their busy schedule celebrated Kaamatan amongst cross functional department and divisions within MASwings and Malaysia Airlines by having their own MH Unduk Ngadau Contest.

“It was the 1st ever contest done within our organisation which saw participation from our very own staff donning the rich and colourful costumes from various kadazan-dusun ethnic groups and it reflected our good relations and working spirit among staff as ONEMH.” said Shauqi.

During the contest, the MH Unduk Ngadau Winner 2011 was crowned to Ms Melisand Patrick from the Human Capital Divison; 1st Runner Up went to Ms Tracy Penny Ephen of Reservations/Ticketing Department and 2nd Runner up went to Ms Jun Mitchelle of Inflight Services.

Well done MASwings.

Source : MASwings

Happy Harvest Festival - Aramai Tiee

Every 1st May, Sabahans celebrate a month long festival called Pesta Kaamatan or the Harvest Festival or Tadau Kaamatan..

So... ARamaitieee (meaning SUngguh Meriah or Very Jovial)!!! and it is time to get some booze either traditional rice wine or conventional drinks like Beer!!!!


Happy Singgarung (Cheers - one kick - Tius - scene like this is not uncommon during Kaamatan Festival)


Bottoms up or Tius

But do not over indulge in alcholic consumption or else you will celebrate Kaamatan Festival in the other world!!

Well What is Kaamatan??

The Harvest festival is celebrated every 1st May to 31st May in Malaysia by the Kadazan Dusun Murut ethnics of Sabah, with thanksgiving dedicated to the rice gods. Beauty queen competitions in the district and state level or Unduk Ngadau, dance shows, musical shows, singgarung tasting, agricultural shows, exhibitions, cultural programs, buffalo races, and other traditional games are held.

It is public holiday in Sabah during the culmination of the Kaamatan celebration on 30 and 31st May.

There is much merrymaking and feasting with rice wine known as singgarung, tapai, bahar, lihing, montoku and talak, flowing freely throughout the festivities.

However over consumption of those drinks often resulted in vomitting, free sleeper creatures ( very drunk people who sleep anywhere from paddy field to middle of the road to airport runaways!!!)

The Kadazandusun and Murut people have been celebrating Pesta Keamatan or Harvest Festival in their own unique way, paying homage to the rice spirits called Bambarayon to show their gratitude for their bountiful harvest.

Highlights of the festival include the Magavau, a traditional thanksgiving ceremony by the Bobohizan or High Priestess, the Unduk Ngadau or traditional Harvest Festival Queen, cultural dances and much merrymaking.


Unduk Ngadau or Miss HArvest Festival Beauty Queen 2007


Multi Ethnics dance show in Sabah


But the moginum or drinking session will not always end up like this!!!