May 29th- The Kaamatan Festival celebrated every May in Sabah to mark the rice harvest was today brought to Scotland. The family of Farouq Omaro from Papar decided to organize a Kaamatan party in Glasgow, Scotland. Mr.Omaro's wife, Betty is currently doing her PhD in Education Leadership at the University of Glasgow. Mr.Omaro & his children are living with her until she finishes her studies in 2023.
The Omaros prepared rice wine in a traditional jar, cooked chicken in coconut milk and made a traditional Sabahan sweetmeat called panjaram. The rice wine and the food were so well-liked by their Scottish guests that everything was finished when the party ended. The host family also belted out the traditional Sabahan dance of Sumazau for the guests. Mr.Omaro also rendered some popular Kadazandusun songs for the enchanted guests. The Kaamatan feast which was held at a garden by the River Kelvin was attended by about 30 guests in total. The number of guests was small due to the current Covid19 pandemic.
The Omaros hope to organize a bigger celebration next year should the pandemic end.
