deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the exhibition would be the highlight of the event, apart from traditional sports, sugandoi (singing) and unduk ngadau (beauty queen contest).

He said several areas namely Kirokot, Patau, Sunsuron, Toboh, Lintuhun, Nambayan and Monsorulung would be involved in the exhibition. Pairin said Kirokot would be displaying the modsupu (making of sharp object), Sunsuron the Tingolig (spiritual matters), Patau the Gama-gama do waig (how water is used in life), Nambayan the Winotuhan (weaving) and Monsorulung on commercial crops and traditional music.

In addition, the KDCA would be setting up booths for traditional food and drinks exhibition, he said.

Pairin, who is also Rural Development Minister, said the Kaamatan Festival should be a time for everyone to foster friendship and understanding as well as to promote culture for the State’s economy through tourism. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman would be officiating at the opening while Head of State Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah at the celebration culmination at Hongkod Koisaan, Penampang, on May 31.
Source: Daily Express 23rd April 2004

He said that although the interior had seldom received attention prior to this, there were signs that tourism development was picking up in these areas.

The government was making efforts to increase the number of tourists to the state and “we must work to get a portion of them to visit the interior, including Tambunan,” he said at the first meeting of the Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) 2005 organising
committee, here.

Pairin, who is also state Rural Development Minister, hoped that Malaysia Airlines’ move to have flight packages to the rural areas, including the recently launched Kudat-Kota Kinabalu package, would have an impact on development of the tourism sector in the interior.

He said the Pesta Kaamatan, an annual Kadazandusun celebration which is held in May, could catalyse the tourism industry in the interior.

Tambunan will be hostingthe festival on May 1 this year.

Source:BERNAMA