44 KDM lads eye for 2022 Mr Kaamatan title

23 May 2022

KOTA KINABALU: The Mr Kaamatan or State Buvazoi Tavantang title for this year is being contested by a total of 44 Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) lads across Sabah.

Buvazoi Tavantang organising chairman Casey Jovial said prizes worth more than RM60,000 await this year’s title winner.

He also said attractive prizes will be offered to the other top winners for this year’s edition of Buvazoi Tavantang or also known as Mr Kaamatan (MrK).

“This year’s MrK marks its 15th edition and since last year, it has been recognised as one of the official events for the State Kaamatan Festival and the State Cultural Board (LKNS) has been appointed as the male cultural pageant’s implementation coordinator,” he said at the State MrK registration, here, Saturday.

LKNS General Manager Mackey Apison officiated the registration and sash hand-over ceremony, and also present was MrK 2021 winner Royvernand Jaydarren.

Casey said, in line with this year’s Kaamatan Festival theme, “Kaamatan Ensouls Nature”, various activities had been lined up for the contestants, including spending a few days in a village.

“They (the contestants) will explore the village area to identify beneficial plants with the help of villagers, and they will be required to present their findings.”

He added, that on June 4, A Night of Cultural Fashion will be held at a hotel here where the contestants would showcase contemporary wear by local designers.

“All finalists are also required to prepare a manifesto which is also their personal ‘assignment’ to contribute to our culture and train them to become a leader.

“Aside from preserving our culture, language and traditional costumes, MrK is also a platform for the finalists to highlight their talents – many of the former winners and contestants had been hired for commercials and creative industry,” he said.

On May 30, Mr Kaamatan finalists will also make a joint appearance with district Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan representatives at the Hongkod Koisaan KDCA, Penampang.

The final stage of MrK is scheduled to be held at the Sabah National Department of Culture and Arts (JKKNS) Auditorium, on June 18.

The male cultural pageant was first held in 2008 on a small scale, and in 2018, Mr Kaamatan was registered as a brand with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO).

In 2017, the pageant’s concept and implementation were improved with the formation of new committee members, the selection of new venues and fringe events as well a new judging system.