Keningau E Book

First Free Travel Guide in Malaysia KENINGAU CFORPEYE The Hinterland Gem of North Borneo KENINGAU THE GUIDE KENINGAUTHEGUIDE

KUDAT DIV TAMBUNAN KIMANIS APIN APIN WEST COAST DIVISIO TENOM BINGKOR TU KOTA KINABALU KENINGAU PUTATAN KINDASAN BT.6 KUALA PAPAR PENYU SOOK BEAUFORT K KENINGAU DISTRICT TENOM SIPI- TANG INTERIOR DIVIS

VISION KUDAT PITAS ON KOTA BELURAN SANDAKAN DIVISION KOTA MARUDU UARAN BELUD SANDAKAN RANAU PENAMPANG R TAMBUNAN KENINGAU KINABATANGAN LAHAD DATU TONGOD M KUNAK NABAWAN TAWAU SION SEMPORNA TAWAU DIVISION

YEARLY EVENTS 6

Kalimaran Festival Yearly Events Pesta Kalimaran (Kalimaran Fest) is an annual cultural celebration of the Muruts. It celebrates the richness of Muruts culture and presents most of their cultural aspects. The word Kalimaran refers to the craftsmanship activities of the Muruts. It is derived from the Murut's words ralaa and alimar. Ralaa means young lady and  alimar  means hardworking, strong-minded, diligent and trustworthy. According to a folklore, there was a young Murut lady called Ralaa. She was a hardworking, strong-minded, diligent and trustworthy young lady. But her brother Yolomor had to sacrifice her for the benefit of their community. Before she was sacrificed, she managed to produce many handicrafts like the  Tikar, Silaung, Tikalis, Buyung, Lintoyog  and  Onot  by using raw materials like bamboo, rattan and bamban. Ralaa ended her kalimaran by weaving cloth, sampoi (scarf) by using thread, which was produced from Timahan roots. Finally, Ralaa was sacrificed by Yolomor to get seeds for his cultivation farm. Kaamatan Festival Kaamatan is a Kadazan-Dusun term for \"harvest\" and is celebrated for the whole month of May. It is normally celebrated by the ethnic Kadazan-Dusuns, as well as by other related ethnic groups in Sabah. It is an annual event to celebrate the relationship between Creator and Creation. The bobohizan (the Kadazan Priestess) plays an important role in this festival because she is the one who determines the official harvest festival date as well as officiated the Tadau Kaamatan. However, Kaamatan Harvest Festival is not just a celebration to signify the beginning of harvest; there is significance to the reason why the Kadazan-dusun celebrates it. Date: 30, 31 May every year Location: Padang / Keningau Sports Complex Festival of Lights Festival of lights in Keningau is the most happening festival in Keningau. It features a gorgeous light show that looks simply amazing and the town of Keningau will be lights up with colorful lights. Get your camera ready and strike a pose! Location: Padang Bandaran Cinnamon Festival Cinnamon Festival is a festival that showcases cinnamon, a type of spice that commonly found in Keningau. The name Keningau was actually derived from the name of a tree that grew in abundance in Keningau, which is Koningau (cinnamon tree). During this four days festival, there are many activities held such as coloring contest, cultural dance, concert and even arm wrestling competition! Location: Padang Bandaran 7

Yearly Events The Crocker Range Festival The Crocker Range Festival aims to introduce the cultures of rural communities as well as help to improve socio-economy of the local. It also provides an opportunity for villagers to market their agricultural produce and local products. The festival lasted for 4 days, and on the last day they will held a beauty pageant where their costumes are made using flora and fauna. Date: November Location: Padang Bandaran North Borneo Youth Camp North Borneo Youth Camp provides a variety of exciting activities that brings together youths from across the state of Sabah. The camp was organized on the first term of school holidays so that the youth would have activities during the school holiday. It has been recognized by the State Education Department as a state level status program. Date: March Location: Bandukan Recreation Park, Bunsit, Bingkor Bandukan Music Festival The Bandukan Music Festival organized by North Borneo Eventz in Bandukan Recreation Park, Bingkor. There will be live performance from various bands within and outside the country during the festival. Location: Bandukan Recreation Park, Bunsit, Bingkor Karnival Gegar Keningau One of the awaited festivals among the locals, Karnival Gegar Keningau is held annually to attract out of district travelers to come to Keningau. The festival usually lasts for three days; and usually during the weekend. There are many activities to be enjoyed and a live performance from local artist as well. Location: Padang Bandaran 8

Languages and Religion History Bahasa Malaysia is the national language which is spoken widely across ethnicities of the state. However, the way Sabahans speak Bahasa Malaysia is with the Sabahan Baku dialect; which is a little different from West Malaysian dialect. Apart from the respective indigenous mother-tongue such as Kadazan, Dusun, Bajau, and Murut; Mandarin and some Chinese dialects like the Hakka and Cantonese, as well as the English language are also spoken here.Islam is the state religion; but other religions may be practiced in peace and harmony in any part of the state. Cultures and Arts Sabah’s population is heterogeneous and culturally diverse with more than 30 different ethnic races and over 80 local dialects. Expect to be enchanted by different traditions and customs that have long been part of Sabahans’ daily lives. Be mesmerized by their unique tribal dresses of various styles that have retained much of their original design and colour. Traditional costumes also included antique beads, necklaces and belts, antique hand- engraved silver jewellery, and belts of old silver dollar coins that are handed down from generation to generation. Other than that, each indigenous group also has their own unique dance, music and handicraft that differentiate them from each other. Common Customs Sabah, which is also a part of Malaysia, still retains customary practices like proper dress and manners adhered at all times. It’s customary to remove shoes before entering a mosque or temples- namely places of worship and any homes. Due to religious reasons, some may prefer not to have physical contact with others. However, handshakes are generally acceptable as a way of introducing oneself. 11