Observed throughout May every year, the festival pays tribute and thanks to God, (Kinoingan in Kadazan) in recognition of a bountiful harvest season and to welcome Bambaazon, the spirit of padi.
Marcel Leiking, former Inanam assemblyman and Kadazan Society Sabah president, said the festival holds great spiritual significance to both Kadazan and Dusun communities, with its origins rooted in their religious mythology.
He explained that according to cultural lore, Kinoingan and his companion Huminodun had a daughter named Ponompuan.
During a period of severe famine, with nothing at hand to be planted, Kinoingan set off in search of seeds, padi in particular, in order to feed the people.
While Kinoingan was gone, Huminodun sacrificed their daughter and cut her into pieces, which once planted sprouted into plentiful padi.
Bambaazon is believed to be the soul of Ponompuan, with prayers performed during the Magavau ceremony at the end of the festival to usher her to reside in the barn where harvested rice from the past season is stored, and give thanks to Kinoingan.
Leiking said the annual prayers of thanks performed on the last two days of May are important parts of both the Kadazan and Dusun cultures, which must be upheld even with government SOPs in place.
“In spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Tadau Kaamatan spirit is well alive and undaunted. It was celebrated individually by each household in the form of a confined family reunion last year, and it will be in the same manner this year.”
He said the practice of padi farming was an “art and science in and of itself,” one which owes a debt to Kinoingan and nature at every step of the process, displayed through bountiful seasons in decades past predating modern agricultural techniques.
“Reviving traditional padi cultivation is a good idea to not only preserve those positive traditions and cultures but also to address the food security in our country, especially now with so many uncertainties in the world.”
He said that in recent times, the symbolism of the festival has moved beyond agriculture alone, and is thus an important festival for all to give thanks.
“In modern times, thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest means paying tribute and gratitude to Kinoingan for success such as in our work, career, study, business and any undertakings besides farming.”
In normal times, the festivities are often held throughout the month of May, and include the Unduk Ngadau pageant in celebration of Huminodun as well as cultural singing and dancing competitions.
“But understandably this has not been possible since the start of Covid-19, and everyone also understands this situation.”