Event In Sabah

Every years sabah will organized event that will attract tourist from all over the country . There is the event that already organized in Sabah :

SABAH DRAGON BOAT RACE

The thugs of drums and the roar of oarsmen unite with sounds of the waves as Dragon Boats steadily, yet surely and as quickly make their way across the River Milo. The men search desperately for the body of one whose love and loyalty for his country is the symbol of true patriotism. Maidens throw dumpling after dumpling into the river in the hope that the fishes will not find Qu Yuan, their beloved poet and countryman. To stand spectator to this scene, one is certain to feel their grief and pain and yet, will also feel strength in the voices of the men and the power of their united spirit.

Held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, the first Dragon Boat Races, the Chinese today celebrate the Duanwu Festival not only to remember Qu Yuan, but also to continue the tradition to honour “the spirit of the dragon” which is the spirit of uniting and working together as a team for one common purpose.

Initiated by the Sabah Chinese Cultural Association, the Race was placed under the responsibility of the Sabah Tourism Board in 1996. The race was then briefly under the organised by the Ministry of Youth & Sports in the years 2002 and 2003 but is now (since 2004) back in the hands of Sabah Tourism.

During the Race competing teams drive their boats forward rowing to the rhythm of pounding drums. The multicoloured boats are decorated with ferocious-looking dragon heads, scaly bodies and elaborate tails that rise out of the sea. The winners of the race are crowned king for the year which is a great honour among the Chinese in Sabah.

Spectators are not only able to watch an exciting series of races but there are plenty of delicious local fare to be sampled at the stalls set up along Likas Bay. Look out for one of the most popular Dragon Boat Festival delicacy, rice dumplings called tzung tzi or chung tze which were originally eaten in memory of Qu Yuan, but has since gradually evolved into a snack for all occasion

PESTA KEAAMATAN

Most native Sabahans consider rice to be more important than just the main staple food. There is a certain sacredness attached to it, for it is a food given to them by Kinoingan, the Almighty Creator so that his people should never want for food. He sacrificed His only daughter- Huminodun and from her body parts, padi (rice) grew. This was Kinoingan's ultimate act of benevolence and to this day, His people repay the deed by conducting various ceremonies to honour Bambaazon, the spirit of Huminodun as embodied in rice.

The most well-known of these is Pesta Kaamatan or Harvest Festival which begins on the first of May and celebrated throughout Sabah. Of major importance to this thanksgiving ceremony is the Magavau - a ritual to invite Bambaazon to the Pesta and is conducted only by the Bobohizan or high priestess. Festivities cannot proceed without the presence of Bambaazon and it is through Magavau that the Rice Spirit is invoked.

In the past, Magavau was conducted in the padi fields on the first full moon night after the harvest. A party of Bobohizan led by the foremost senior, would weave a slow procession through the fields chanting prayers to Bambaazon. A male warrior would walk ahead of this group waving a sword in the air, to ward off any evil that might try to disrupt the ritual. The food offered must be of the best quality. When the spirits come, only the Bobohizan will be able to feel their presence. The spirits will find, neatly laid out for them on banana leaves, the choicest chicken meat, eggs, betel leaves and pinang , tobacco and kirai . The finest tapai or rice wine is offered to the spirits.

REGATTA LEPA

The Sabah East Coast Bajau community has a unique lifestyle. In their dialect, lepa means "boat". The lepa is usually made of Ubar Suluk or Red Seraya wood. The lepa is a cultural legacy inherited by the people from many generations ago. The existence of lepa is believed to originate from the fishing community who live in Bum Bum Island and used by the Pa'alau people along the coast of Semporna.

The Regatta Lepa has been celebrated every year since 1994 to commemorate the Bajau tradition of building these splendid boats. Semporna comes to life as the colourful sails take to the sea to compete for the prize of the most beautiful lepa. This is judged based on its decoration, local ethnic music and dances performed on board, sambulayang (sails) and tapis-tapis (small flags).Other attractions include sea sports such as rowboat, sailing and kelleh-kelleh (small dugout boat) competitions, lepa tug of war, children swimming and duck catching competition. A colorful cultural night performance put on by this community is certainly not to be missed.

Visit Semporna and witness this spectacular annual event of the Bajau community in Sabah.

PEDAL FOR PEACE

Take part in an epic 200km cycling event from Kota Kinabalu to Labuan this April. Enjoy scenic views of Sabah's rustic west coast before ferrying across to Labuan for a round island ride.

Remember those who have sacrificed for peace and laid to rest at the Petagas War Memorial, the Starevich Memorial and WW II Memorial.

Pedal for peace is a mission to spread the spirit of peace and a tribute to peace at Peace Park will be held at the end of this event.