Kaamatan: Breathing Life Into Every Grain

If you ever drop a grain of rice on the floor in Sabah, do not simply brush it away, as for the elders, that tiny lost grain is more than food. It is a whisper from the spirit world, a living spark of Bambarayon herself. They say that to leave even a single grain behind on your plate is to risk the sorrow of “crying rice,” for each kernel is watched over by the ancient soul of the harvest, and to waste it is to wound the spirit that has fed our people since the dawn of time.

Let me tell you a tale as old as the hills and rivers of North Borneo, when the world was still young and the Kadazandusun people faced hunger. The great creator Kinoingan and his beloved spouse chose compassion over comfort. Their only daughter, Huminodun, was sacrificed so that life could flourish. From her flesh grew the sacred red rice; her spirit transformed into Bambarayon, the seven-in-one soul of rice, the guardian of every stalk, every grain, and every meal.

It is said that Bambarayon’s spirit is woven through the paddy fields. Each part of the plant holds a piece of her, and should any fragment be lost, whether through neglect, misfortune, or carelessness, the balance is broken. This is why, after every harvest, the Bobolian, the wise shaman, must walk the fields in the stillness of dusk, chanting ancient words to gather the scattered pieces of Bambarayon’s soul, calling them home so that the next season may be blessed. This belief has been passed down through generations, shared by several native communities in Sabah beyond the Kadazandusun. It shapes not only how rice is planted, harvested, and eaten in Sabah, but also how it is celebrated during Kaamatan, the grand Harvest Festival.

Six Sacred Rituals That Awaken Kaamatan

If you wander into a Sabahan village at the break of Kaamatan, you will feel the air buzzing with more than just the sweet scent of ripening rice. The fields, the homes, even the earth itself seem to come alive with ancient rhythms and sacred rituals. Each one is a living story told through six major ritual stages that honour the cycle of life.

• Kumogos 

Before the harvest begins, the Bobolian steps into the fields with reverence and purpose. She carefully selects seven stalks of the finest rice and ties them together with a sacred thread. These stalks are then scattered back into the fields, an offering to the unseen spirits that dwell in the land. It is a humble plea, a promise whispered on the wind: “Please do not disturb our harvest, and we will share our bounty with you.”

• Kumotob

Once the harvest is complete, the Bobolian returns to the fields once more. From a patch left untouched, she selects another seven stalks, tying them with care before placing them into a tadanga (traditional rice basket). This ritual is a heartfelt thanksgiving, a gesture of gratitude from the community to the earth and the spirits for their generosity. 

• Posisip

The journey of these sacred stalks continues as they are brought to the tangkob (the rice hut), where the community stores its precious harvest. Here, the Bobolian inserts the stalks into a bamboo pole, her voice rising in ancient chants that call upon Bambarayon, asking the spirit to remain and protect the rice through the months ahead.

• Poiib 

In the quiet rice hut, the Bobolian gently pours the harvested rice into the tangkob, repeating the process with care. As the grains settle, she chants ancient prayers, calling upon the rice spirits to watch over the stored rice and protect it.

• Magavau

As the harvest season unfolds, the community comes together for the Magavau ceremony—a spiritual cleansing and renewal. This ritual is a delicate search for lost grains of rice believed to carry the wandering spirit of Bambarayon, scattered during harvesting or processing. The Bobolian leads the way, chanting and calling the spirit home, ensuring that no fragment of blessing is left behind. 

• Humabot

Finally, the festival reaches its vibrant peak with a joyful thanksgiving feast that bursts with life and energy. As traditional dances such as the graceful Sumazau fill the air with movement, the harmonious voices of the Sugandoi singing competitions echo throughout the celebration. Central to the festivities is the much-anticipated crowning of the Unduk Ngadau, the Harvest Festival Queen, to honour the legend of Huminodun.

From Sacred Rituals to Living Symphony

If the Bambarayon breathes life into every grain, then Sumazau is the heartbeat that stirs the spirit of Sabah’s people. But to speak of Sumazau as a single dance is to miss the vibrant tapestry of styles woven across Sabah’s districts. 

Sumazau Penampang, sumazau Maragang, sazau Papar, and Rungus’ mongingol sumundai are some of the dance variations from the Sabah subethnic groups.

In recent years, it has been noticeable that young Sabahans, proud of their roots yet eager to express their individuality, have introduced contemporary twists by blending traditional dance steps with a modern twist, staging creative collaborations that bridge tradition and dance innovation. 

Despite these fresh expressions and evolving forms, the heart of Kaamatan remains steadfast and often circles back to the familiar beat of the gongs. As the final gong fades and the last dance step settles into the earth, Kaamatan leaves behind more than just memories; it leaves a living legacy. 

Through keeping the Kaamatan spirit and recognizing these traditions, Sabahans reaffirm their resilience in the face of change and their enduring hope for the future. So, if you ever find yourself in a Sabahan home, remember to treat every grain with reverence. For each one is a fragment of Bambarayon’s gift, a sliver of an ancient sacrifice that has watched over the ancestors for countless generations.

References:
Inside Borneo. (n.d.). Borneo Leisure: The Rituals of Tadau Kaamatan (Harvest Festival). www.e-Borneo.com. https://www.e-borneo.com/insideborneo/leisure0205.shtml
Low, K. O. (2012). Belief in Bambarayon (Paddy Spirit) among the Kadazandusun of North Borneo. Borneo Research Journal, 6, 75–101. https://ejournal.um.edu.my/index.php/BRJ/article/download/9845/6955/19788