TONGOD: There is a traditional flaw in the use of the native language that needs to be corrected in the history of the Unduk Ngadau Pesta Kaamatan competition in Sabah.
” Although the Kadazan Dusun language is used on the question and answer side for each participant, not many Unduk Ngadau participants master the dialect of the language.
“This issue clearly denies the opportunity for Unduk Ngadau contestants to step up to a higher level even though they have surpluses as potential queens,” said Kuamut Representative Datuk Masiung Banah.
He was speaking at the Tongod District Kaamatan Festival, which was officiated by the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Datuk Dr. Jeffery G. Kitingan, on Saturday.
Masiung questioned that many young women participating in the competition from various ethnic groups from different parts of the state actually lacked understanding of the Kadazan-Dusun dialect.
“This issue also denies the opportunity for Unduk Ngadau participants to step up to a higher level, even though they have other advantages in terms of beauty,” he stressed.
Masiung suggested that the questions and answers of Unduk Ngadau participants should not only be limited to the KadazanDusun language but should be diversified according to the dialect of the participant’s home region.
The Vice President of the Sabah People’s Ideas Party (Gagasan Rakyat) wants the State Kaamatan Festival Master Committee to draw up new guidelines regarding the conditions of the competition, which will be the highlight of the festival next year.
He said the traditional highlight of the Kaamatan Festival in Sabah needs to be improved, not only dignifying the tribal language, but it is also necessary to display traditional clothes according to each ethnic branch.
Masiung also urged the State Kaamatan Festival parent body to send some of the festival’s presenters to courses to master the dialects of other ethnic languages in Sabah.
The biggest festival in Sabah should be shared to promote cultural traditions, according to the 33 ethnic lists in the state.
