CMI organises low-key Kaamatan celebration

BUKIT PADANG – The Church of Mary Immaculate here organised a low-key Kaamatan celebration on 6 May 2018 to thank God for a bountiful harvest of love,  faith, and joyful service.

The celebration started with a procession before Mass from the canteen to the church. The procession, known as Mamanau Kampung, included the celebrant, altar servers, readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and parishioners dressed in their traditional costume.

The Mass was presided by Father Joshua Liew. The Proclamation of the Word of God was trilingual, in Bahasa Malaysia, Kadazan and English.

After Mass, parishioners were invited for a fellowship at the canteen. About 100 showed up and together with Fr Joshua, had a simple but meaningful fellowship. Members of the CMI parish council, groups and ministries were present to support the event.

Besides lunch, other activities included a best-dressed in traditional costume competition for men and women, and Sumazau dancing.

During lunch, the guests had the opportunity to savour traditional dishes, like pickled delicacies such as tuhau and nonsom bambangan. Dessert such as hinompuka (sticky rice cake) and Lihing, the local rice wine, were served too.

The best-dressed in traditional costume competition saw six winners – three men and three women.

May is the month when the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) communities celebrate bountiful harvests. – Catherine Engsun