I have always longed to write about my own people and culture and was fascinated by a chance meeting one afternoon when I was able to meet up with Dr. Benedict Topin, an anthropologist who is also the Head of Documentation, Research and Communication of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA). This has prompted me to put all this information into writing. I feel called to write about the Divine human mystery of our indigenous people of Sabah.
He mentioned that, "In order for us to understand the significance of Huminodun in Unduk Ngadau, and Unduk Ngadau in the Kaamatan festival, we must first familiarize ourselves with the socio-cultural and spiritual concepts and context of the Kaamatan festival within the Kadazandusun traditional worldview and momolian belief system", to start our conversation.
Momolian is the spiritual world of the Kadazandusun. The meeting has further inspired me to proceed with an in depth study and write about my own culture.
Sabah State level Unduk Ngadau (Beauty queen) 2017 winners. Photo credit: Nelson Michael Jr.
Dr Benedict presented a summary overview of the Kadazandusun genesis and the cosmological flow of events leading to Ponompuan (Huminodun's salvific sacrifice) as a symbol of the Greatest Love of All. He hoped that the revelations will enlighten our people to understand the heritage worldview and philosophical foundation of the Huminodun or Unduk Ngadau's institution within the Kadazandusun cultural heritage being practised today. This knowledge is entirely new to me and I believe that it is important enough to be shared with our younger generations.
In the summary written by him, he described that the cosmological flow of events leading to the Kaamatan Festival beauty pageant has a lot to do with this chronology of events;
- Kinoingan (the God of Kadazandusun) and Sumundu (Kinoingan's wife) are the supreme Duo Creator Deities.
- Ponompuan was Kinoingan and Sumundu’s benevolent redeemer daughter.
- Ponompulan was Kinoingan and Sumundu’s malevolent rebel son.
- Kinoingan and Sumundu created Libabou (Upperworld) and Winorun (Earth)
- Kinoingan and Sumundu created Sunduan (Devine Spirits) of Libabou
- Kinoingan and Sumundu created Rusod (Devine Spirits) of Winorun.
- Kinoingan and Sumundu created the Kadayan (human beings) of Winorun.
- Kinoingan and Sumundu emplaced Diwato (Divinity in Humanity)
- Kinoingan and Sumundu emplaced Koduduo (Humanity in Divinity)
- Ponompulan and Ponompuan were Custodians of Kadayan and Winorun
- Kadayan were given to live in Dusuns (Eden-like Gardens in the Forests)
- Then arose Kinobolingkangan id Sawat (a celestial calamity)
- Kinagaga’an (Rebellion) of Ponompulan against Kinoingan and Sumundu
- Ponompulan was relegated to Sinorindak - the fourth level of Libabou
- Ponompulan continued his evil intentions and actions (Ruminutum)
- Ponompulan was banished from Sinorindak and entire Libabou
- Ponompulan created Kolungkud, Kalayapan and Karaganan
- Ponompulan become Rogon Gayo - The devil chief and source of evil
- Rogon gayo and Karaganan are the cause of Winorun and Kadayan downfall
- To discipline the Kadayan, Kinoingan exacted Seven Scourges
- The last Scourge was prolonged severe drought, seedlessness and famine
- For Redemption Ponumpuanan was sacrificed and became Huminodun
- Huminodun is the soul of Bambarayon
- Bambarayon is the Soul of Rice
- Rice is the spiritual food of the Kadayan
- Other physical parts of sacrificed Huminodun enriched the Dusuns floral resources
- Huminodun is idolized as Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan
- Huminodun thus, is the soul of the Kaamatan Festival
- Huminodun in Unduk Ngadau is the soul of the Kaamatan Festival
- Kaamatan Festival is the rejuvenation of Holy Communion of Divinity and Humanity
- As Kadayan consume rice and drink rice wine, Huminodun communes with Koduduo
- Kaamatan Festival is a commemorative feast of Huminodun’s greatest love of all
- For Huminodun gave up her life for the salvation of the Kadayan and Winorun
- So the Kadayan celebrate (Rumamai) and sing their praise and thanks (Sugandoi) to God
- For Huminodun gave up her life for the salvation of the Kadayan and Winorun
- So the Kadayan celebrate (Rumamai) and sing their praise and thanks (Sugandoi) to God
Since Huminodun sacrificed herself to safe the Kadazandusun, the people will never grow hungry to the point of dying if they keep faithfully observing the tradition. Huminodun has been idolized as Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan. Hence, Huminodun herself is the soul of the Kaamatan Festival.
My favourite 2017 Unduk Ngadau is from Tambunan district, Miss Bibiana Artecca. Photo credit: Nelson Michael Jr.
The fact that not so many people especially the younger generation let alone the Kadazandusun community know about this legend. I feel therefore that it is perhaps an opportune time for me to write about it for the benefit of our next generation which I hope can be a source of reference to anyone interested in knowing about this legend.
Thank you for visiting my blog and stay tuned for Series #03.
Love and light.
P/s I would like to thank my friend Nelson Michael Jr. from Penampang, Sabah who has been a freelance photographer over the past 6 years, for giving me his permission to use his beautiful photographs in this story. As part of my effort to promote local talents, any reader would like to know more about Nelson's work can always check his Facebook.
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