TAMBUNAN: The Kaamatan Festival in Kampung Lintuhun, Tambunan was held with immense enthusiasm on Saturday, made possible by the sponsorship from the chief of Tambunan Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), Dato Dr Victor P. Paut.
Dr Victor generously contributed RM10,000 towards the total expenses of the Kaamatan Festival celebration program in Kampung Lintuhun.
Additionally, he provided a motorcycle valued at RM4,000 as the grand prize for the lucky draw, along with 30 Kaamatan envelopes containing RM50 each (totaling RM5,500) for children aged 12 and under.
Furthermore, during the event, Dr. Victor announced a donation of RM1,500 to cover the installation of electrical lines for the community house, RM3,500 for the construction of two new public toilets and a toilet for the community hall, and RM10,000 for the acquisition of 10 units of 1000-watt solar-powered sportlight lamps with poles taller than 10 feet.
In total, Dr. Victor’s sponsorship amounts to RM30,000.
Dr. Victor mentioned that he decided to contribute after being informed by the village community leaders about the financial difficulties they were encountering in organizing the village’s Kaamatan festival.
“As a native of Kampung Lintuhun, I feel compelled to extend financial sponsorship so that the villagers’ desire to celebrate this year’s Kaamatan festival can be fulfilled and enjoyed in a festive atmosphere,” he said.
At the event, Dr. Victor also recounted his childhood filled with many memories, among which he remembered swimming with his peers at Sungai Pagalan.
The Chairperson of the event, Gundohing Wilfredoline Jakil, expressed appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Victor for his concern in extending the contribution.
The celebration of the Kaamatan Festival in Kg Lintuhun, Tambunan, shines brightly this year after two years of no organisation due to financial constraints.
“We are very grateful to have a native son of this village who has succeeded in the business world return to his hometown to provide assistance, including financial support to sponsor the village’s harvest festival program that has been postponed for two years,” he said.
Approximately 1,000 residents attended the celebration, including the Vice President of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Sabah and Chairman of KDCA Tambunan, Datuk Daniel Kinsik.
Also present were the KAN Mukim Lintuhun, Gundohing Jouti @Joseph Ajun; the Head of Kampung Lintuhun, Petrus Pani, and the Chairman of JKKK Kg Lintuhun, Dvies Benjamin.
Previously, during the inauguration of the event, Dr. Victor said that the Kaamatan festival is a heritage celebration passed down by the Kadazandusun and Murut (KDM) communities since ancient times as a sign of gratitude to God for the rice harvest each year.
He said that in the past, the Kaamatan festival was celebrated on a small scale, especially at the family level, then at the village level, but now the Kaamatan festival is celebrated at the district level and subsequently at the state level.
“What makes us as the KDM community very proud is that the Kaamatan festival today is no longer just a celebration but has become one of the country’s tourism products that plays a role in helping to boost the national economy through the tourism industry. Throughout the Kaamatan festival celebrated in May, it also involves the presence and participation of foreign tourists,” he said.
In this regard, he invited the villagers to jointly enjoy the Kaamatan festival with full tolerance and mutual respect because this Kaamatan festival is not only celebrated by the KDM community but also involves all ethnic groups in the country.
“The Kaamatan Festival is the only KDM celebration that is already well-known, so let us together preserve this celebration and further strive to elevate the status of the Kaamatan Festival in the eyes of the world,” he said.
