‘Kaamatan For All’ Unites Sabahans Across Europe
- nabalunews
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
31 May 2025
KOTA KINABALU: The spirit of Kaamatan transcended borders this year as Sabahans from across Europe gathered in southern France to celebrate the Harvest Festival, embracing the national theme, "Kaamatan For All."
The event marked the first large-scale Kaamatan celebration held in France and brought together more than 60 participants from the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, and various parts of France.
Initiated by Alexandra George and Nicolas Decugis, the idea for the event was sparked after they attended the 2024 Kaamatan celebration in Sweden. Moved by the deep spirit of unity, the duo decided to organise a similar gathering in France for the growing Sabahan community.
“There are many Sabahans living across Europe, and we felt it was time to bring them together through our shared heritage,” said Alexandra, who led the formation of the organising committee.
Organising committee spokesperson Elvena Dolusim@Podeur said the celebration gave Sabahans abroad a rare opportunity to reconnect with their roots.
“Kaamatan is not only a cultural celebration but also a way for us to maintain our sense of identity,” she told Nabalu News.
She noted that this year’s theme, 'Kaamatan For All,' held special significance due to the event’s diverse attendance and inclusive spirit, adding that it fostered a strong sense of community and belonging.
“This theme reminds us that Kaamatan is not limited to any one group, but is a celebration that welcomes all. It is about unity, and that is exactly what we experienced here,” she said.
The celebration also received support from the local French community, particularly those who had worked or travelled in Malaysia.
“Many French guests were happy to relive memories of Kaamatan from their time in Sabah. Their presence and enthusiasm made the event even more meaningful,” she added.
The event featured a variety of cultural activities, including the Sugandoi, Zandi Tavanus and Buvanzoi Tavantang competition, as well as traditional games such as tug-of-war, sack races, three-legged races, and mipulos.
"One of the highlights was the mogunatip, or bamboo dance, which drew interest from participants experiencing it for the first time," said Elvena, who won both the Sugandoi and mipulos competitions.
Although the Unduk Ngadau pageant could not be held due to limited participants, organisers ensured the event remained rich in cultural expression.
“We wanted to showcase the heart of Kaamatan through our music, dance, attire and our food. This helped non-Sabahans understand what the festival truly represents,” said Elvena.
Traditional Sabahan dishes, including hinava, pinarasakan, sup lihing, and sambal ikan masin, were served alongside local desserts such as kuih wajik and kuih lapis pandan.
“The food was prepared by both organisers and volunteers. We did face challenges sourcing ingredients like bunga kantan and tuhau, but we managed. It was worth the effort, as everyone truly enjoyed the food,” she said.
Preparation for the event took nearly a year, with promotion carried out mainly through social media and personal networks. It received strong support in terms of attendance, participation, and sponsorship.
“Although our team was small, the response and support we received kept us going. It was encouraging to see the community come together, even from different parts of the region,” said Elvena.
Looking ahead, the organising committee hopes the event will inspire more Sabahans across Europe to join future Kaamatan celebrations.
“We want this to become an annual tradition and a platform to promote cultural pride among Sabahans living abroad,” she said, adding that Kaamatan serves as a powerful reminder of identity, regardless of where one lives.
“This festival keeps us grounded in our values and culture, even when we’re thousands of kilometres away from home,” she added.
The organising committee expressed appreciation to all sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who contributed to the success of the first Kaamatan celebration in France.
Among those acknowledged were the Sabah Tourism Board, Maison Chelle, Katrina Neal, Nelda, Carolyn, Dusun Boy Bridal, Claudette Mollier, Maryse Podeur, Bake With Love, and Anne Ravera. Special thanks were also extended to Kee Gawah from Sweden for assisting with food preparation, and to Mike Heldon from the UK for providing the sound system.
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