Pesta Kaamatan

Pesta Kaamatan is a harvest festival celebrated annually in the state of Sabah in Malaysia. It is celebrated by the ethnic Kadazan-Dusuns as well as other ethnic groups in the State. The festival is celebrated to honour the commitment shown by their God, Kinoinga who gave them the gift of Rice, their staple diet. According to the Kadazan-Dusun’s legend, Kinoinga sacrificed his only daughter, Huminodu and sowed her body as parts of seeds, which later grew to become paddy (rice). During Pesta Kaamatan, various ceremonies are conducted as attribute to Bambaazon, the spirit of their God, Kinoinga’s daughter, Huminodu. During the Pesta Keaamatan, the Magavau ritual is conducted to invite the spirit of Bambaazon to the Festival. The Magavau ritual is performed only by the Bobohizans (high priestess) to search and salvage the lost Bambaazon who has been separated from the main mystical body. It is believed that without the spirit of Bambaazon, the festival cannot proceed.