By Social Activist Dr Jikat Binol Darimbang
KOTA KINABALU: The launch of the state-level Kaamatan Festival in the Tambunan district on May 1, 2025, is very meaningful for the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) community.
This annual harvest festival is rooted in the cultural traditions of the indigenous people of Sabah, especially the KDM (Kadazan Dusun Murut) community, celebrating a bountiful harvest and paying homage to the spirit of paddy, Bambarayon.
In addition, this festival also serves as a time for the community to come together, renew bonds, and showcase their rich cultural heritage.
However, this time’s Kaamatan Festival is considered ‘extraordinary’ because it coincides with the crucial stage of the preparation for the 17th Sabah State Election, which is predicted to be held in late July or early August 2025. It is akin to gear 5 in motoring terms.
This festival certainly provides an opportunity for political leaders to get closer to the community to gain their support.
The festival serves as a platform for politicians to address key issues involving the multi-racial community and showcase their commitment to preserving the culture and heritage of the indigenous people in Sabah.
The Kaamatan Festival and the state elections offer a unique opportunity for the KDM community to voice their concerns and aspirations to political leaders. It allows for meaningful dialogue and engagement between politicians and the public, fostering better understanding and cooperation.
While the festival can be a catalyst for promoting cultural awareness and appreciation among the wider population of Sabah, it is also a channel for fostering unity and solidarity.
The Kaamatan festival provides space and opportunity for political parties to channel the festival’s potential as a strategic campaigning opportunity given the large gatherings and enthusiastic participation of the local community.
Leaders and politicians seize the opportunity to engage with voters, promote their party agendas, and connect with the people on a more personal level. Speeches delivered during the Kaamatan festival often carry a dual tone of celebration and political appeal, touching on both cultural aspects and election messages.
This integration of cultural pride with political campaigning has sparked debates about preserving the non-partisan spirit of the festival.
Therefore, this year’s celebration has potential negative and positive aspects to consider. Politicising the Kaamatan Festival risks overshadowing its cultural significance and turning it into a mere political spectacle.
If this were to happen, it would undermine the original spirit of the festival and diminish its value as a time-honoured tradition. There is also the potential for political tensions to arise within the community, as different factions seek to exploit the festival for their own agendas.
Looking ahead, it is important to strike a balance between celebrating the cultural richness of the Kaamatan Festival and recognising its political implications.
Efforts need to be made to uphold the integrity of the festival as a cultural heritage event while also using it as a platform for meaningful discourse on important issues facing the indigenous people of Sabah and other communities who practise and celebrate it together.
By fostering closer collaboration between cultural, political and community leaders, the Kaamatan Festival can continue to grow as a symbol of unity and cultural pride for the people of KDM.
In conclusion, the launch of the state-level Kaamatan Festival in Tambunan on 1 May 2025 promises to be a significant event for the Kadazan Dusun Murut community.
It is a time to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Sabah’s indigenous people while also engaging in meaningful dialogue and collaboration with political leaders.
By balancing tradition and politics, the Kaamatan Festival can continue to be a beacon of unity and cultural pride for generations to come.
Kopivosian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan
