The Ramadan Month and Its Delights

Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The lunar calendar is being used by Islam where the sighting of the new moon marks the beginning of each month. Due to the lunar calendar being eleven days shorter than the solar calendar, Islamic holidays "change"  each year. This year, 2012, Ramadan began last month at the sundown on July 19th. Ramadan is the month where Muslims around the world pray, fast and do charity. Fasting in the Ramadan month means that Muslims do not consume or drink anything including water while the sun is still up....

Kota Kinabalu's Unduk Ngadau 2012 (Part 3)

Miss Fenney Doimis is crowned as Kota Kinabalu Unduk Ngadau 2012!  She bagged the RM4,000 cash prize, a winning trophy, RM3,000 worth of jewelery from Diamoney and other goodies from the organisers. She earned the right to represent the city at the State-level Unduk Ngadau contest to be held at the Hongkod Koisaan on May 31. Charlyn Christopher Sherman, 18, was declared the first runner-up and besides claiming the RM3,000 cash prize, a trophy, jewelery from Diamoney worth RM2,000 and goodies, she will represent Likas at the State-level contest. Meanwhile, 25-year-old Vanessa Samantha Manih was the second runner-up...

Kota Kinabalu's Unduk Ngadau 2012 (Part 2)

Unduk Ngadau owes its origin from the part of the KadazanDusun genesis story which pertains to the sacrifice of Huminodun, Kinoingan's only daughter. The Unduk Ngadau which derives its name from Tunduk do Tadau which means "Zenith of the Sun" crowned in the 'afternoon' completed the meaning of the Kaamatan (Harvest) Festival as the Unduk Ngadau is indeed the Tunduk which can grow and be the new shoot. To this day, the KadazanDusun people have included the Unduk Ngadau Pageant as a grand part of their Kaamatan Festivals. It is a manifestation to the deep sense of respect...

Kota Kinabalu's Unduk Ngadau 2012 (Part 1)

The KadazanDusunMurut (KDM) Kaamatan festival (also called Harvest Festival) is perhaps the most indigenous and grandest festival in Sabah. Merry celebrations are held at all levels commencing from the kampong (village), then the district and climaxing at the state level. To the KDM, the Kaamatan festival is particularly significant as it marks the occasion to thank God for their bountiful harvest and for His generosity in prolonging life on  earth. It is also an occasion where the promise of friendship and brotherhood is renewed through mutual forgiveness as manifested in the open-to-all sharing-caring Kaamatan festival. In every Kaamatan...

Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIFF) 2012

Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIFF) is an annual event in KK and this year, 2012, is its 4th year. KKIFF states that this year it will be organizing an even more exciting and memorable event. The event, to be held from 08 to 14 June, will provide to the people of Kota Kinabalu exciting opportunities and be able to enjoy various international and local movies while increasing their knowledge on film-making. Firstly, it will be showing several foreign films from countries such as France, Japan, Germany and the Philippines. Secondly, a filmmakers’ competition called ‘Links5’ (which it...

Trade Fair Scheme Unveiled to Promote Responsibility In Tourism Related Business

On January 12, 2012, Kota Kinabalu City Hall unveiled its 'Fair Trade Tourism Select- An Accredited Outlet' programme to give recognition to tourism related small business premises which put into practice aspects of accountability and fairness in their business. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun who launched the programme said, "This implies that business premises picked in this programme have been evaluated by City Hall to satisfy all of the terms and conditions to help them to be recognized as reliable businesses." "The Ministry is thrilled with this programme as it will increase benefit to the...