Musical show among Sabah Fest highlights

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KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Fest will be returning with another spectacular show to highlight Sabah’s diverse people, cultures and traditions in the form of a musical performance, ‘Aki Nabalu’.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun, told a press conference held at the Le Meridien Hotel here yesterday, the musical performance will be held at the Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara Sabah complex (JKKNS) auditorium between May 2 and May 4.

The performance will showcase a religious and solemn ceremony through a series of actions performed in accordance with a prescribed order.

The Sabah Fest this year will showcase seven ethnic groups in Sabah that look to Mount Kinabalu as a central feature in their traditional, cultural and religious beliefs, said Masidi.

The Kadazandusun community will open the curtains with the presentation of ‘Pampang’ which tells of the origin of Mount Kinabalu and mankind. The Bajau, Dusun Tindal and Iranun will then gather at the meeting point or Badi, or today known as the Tamu or open air market.

During these social gatherings, Mount Kinabalu would appear tall and majestic as a backdrop as the people go about with their daily lives.

The audience will also be treated to the Mogkodim do hatod, the Rungus ritual performed to call upon the spirit of a sick person.

The Dusun Lotud will perform the Mohlukas, a housewarming ceremony. The spectacular Sabah Fest stage performance will wrap up with a healing ritual of the Murut Nabal, called Mansilad.

Tickets for the performance are sold at RM50 each and seats limited to 560 per day are available. The performances start at 8 pm. For more information, please contact Susan Shahira, Sri Pelancongan Sabah event manager at 6088-232121.

Also present at the press conference were Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, Sabah Tourism Board chairman, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Sabah Tourism Board general manager, Datuk Irene Charuruks.