Sabah Fest with a difference

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Fest two-day affair at the Magellan Sutera on May 3 and 4 promises to be different this year by featuring a series of traditional dances and musical performance exhibited for the first time at the festival.

The highlights are dances by the Bangi islanders known as Tamadak, another by the Lundayehs, the Arang Tawak and Suaan by the Dumpas from Beluran, the Rungus Mongingivit ritual and a gambus orchestra performance.

There will also be a handicraft exhibition when visitors can watch how items like the Serdang baskets from Kota Belud are made as well as the popular beadwork of the Rungus, swords from Kg Siasai in Kota Belud, lepa-lepa boats from Semporna and wood carvings from Ranau.

Fine traditional embroidery such as the dastar, tinohian and linangkit and many more will be made and sold by women from Kota Belud and Kudat.

The Sabah Tourism Board will bring in a total of 500 musicians, dancers and crew members for the two-day extravaganza.

Head of State, Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah will officially launch the Sabah Fest on May 4.

The event is open to the public and tourists with tickets at RM5 before the launch and RM20 during the launching.

Tickets can be purchased from the Sabah Tourism Board or Sri Pelancongan Sdn Bhd while enquiries can be made at tel: 088-232121.

Other than the Magellan Sutera other events during the month-long Sabah Fest celebration will be held at the Heritage Village Sabah Museum, Jesselton Point, hotels and shopping malls in Kota Kinabalu.

It will constitute a myriad of cultural performances, exhibitions and display of local food.