KAAMATAN A SACRED FEAST; EQUATING IT TO A BEER FEST IS UTTERLY DISRESPECTFUL

The magavau dance which is part of an age-old ritual performed during Ka’amatan.
The magavau dance which is part of an age-old ritual performed during Kaamatan.
 
By DATUK IR JOHN ANTHONY

COMMENT: The recent statement by a DAP politician insinuating that the Kaamatan Festival may also one day be banned as it involves tapai/liquor drinking is not only distasteful but uncalled for as an irresponsible statement.
 
The misleading statement that highlights Kaamatan Festival as mere ‘tapai drinking’ is not only insulting but disrespectful to the Kadazandusun community who regards the Kaamatan Festival as their sacred festival to commemorate the sacrifice of their Goddess Saviour Huminodun to save them from the curses of terminal famine.
 
It is also an opportunity for them to thank and praise their Creator Couple Deities Kinoingan and Sumundu for their loving providence of their staple sacred food rice along with other diverse food resources.
 
Kaamatan Festival is a harmonious time for forgiveness among relatives and friends and establishing new friendship and renewing old ones.
 
Rice wine or tapai is of course served during the Kaamatan Festival as sacred drink but certainly tapai and liquor drinking are not, and should not, be viewed as the main highlights of the Kaamatan Festival.
 
If you do not know about our Kaamatan Festival, please do not volunteer to talk about it on our behalf.
 




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