PRBS to hold 7th Festival Kebudayaan Rungus Sabah

24 May 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Pertubuhan Rungus Bersatu Sabah (PRBS or Sabah United Rungus Organisation) is calling for support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) to help organise the upcoming 7th Festival Kebudayaan Rungus Sabah, a vibrant celebration of Rungus culture and heritage.

A delegation from PRBS, led by President OKK Makinsos Nawai, recently paid a courtesy visit to Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew at her office in Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens.

“PRBS is one of the most active indigenous organisations in Sabah,” said the Minister. “We will consider their request for assistance within the capabilities of the Ministry.”

Liew has graciously been invited to officiate at the festival’s opening, scheduled for 3 July at Dewan Kebudayaan Rungus Sabah in Kota Marudu. The event is organised by PRBS in collaboration with the Kota Marudu District Office and Sabah Cultural Board (LKNS), with PRBS having been established on 24 August 2015 and officially registered with LKNS, an agency under KePKAS.

The Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, is expected to officiate the closing ceremony on 5 July.

During the briefing, Makinsos shared that the festival will span five districts and one sub-district, with Rungus communities from Kudat, Matunggong, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Paitan, and Pulau Banggi actively participating in the celebrations.

Highlights of the event include the traditional Rungus dance, Mongigol Sumundai, competitions for the best Tapai, traditional song writing, and various sports. The Mongigol Sumundai competition will feature four categories—adults, youth, veterans, and open.

“This year, we are also opening the Gimpuhut Tinongkupan beauty contest — the Rungus traditional beauty pageant — not only to Rungus women but also to other ethnic groups such as Tobilung, Kimaragang, Tatana, Lundayeh, and Baju Sama,” Makinsos explained.

Cultural performances showcasing Rungus and other Sabah ethnic groups will highlight Sabah’s rich cultural diversity. The festival will also feature traditional sports, including Monokon (spear throwing), Monopuk (blowpipe shooting), Miahaba (hand wrestling), Tubau (top spinning), and Mingranggou (bamboo stilts walking).

Representing the organising committee were PRBS Deputy President Rico Ongikal, Information Chief Sopiun Manggang, Executive Secretary Vianna Makinsos, Committee Member Juanis Mansarading (Custom and Religion), Women’s Head Lily Masuin, LKNS Deputy General Manager Flora Iban, and LKNS Reinforcement Division Officer Nora Martin.