A Merry Christmas Gathering at Kadamaian Square Celebrates Community Spirit

By AVV

30 December 2024

KOTA BELUD: Around 5,000 people gathered at Kadamaian Square in Taginambur today to celebrate Christmas in conjunction with the MADANI KUSKOP Community. The festive atmosphere buzzed with joy and camaraderie as families and friends came together to mark this special occasion.

Vendors who participated in the celebration expressed their delight at the enthusiastic turnout. The bustling market scene fostered a strong sense of community, where buying and selling transformed into an opportunity for connection, support, and friendship among attendees. The event not only highlighted the festive spirit of Christmas but also strengthened the bonds within the local community.

Jainun Minteh, from Kampung Teguson, specialises in crafting beautiful handicrafts made from rattan. She creates intricate baskets and purses from tree bark, preserving an age-old tradition passed down through generations.

Jainun has been honing her skills since 1998, learning through trial and error, and she regularly participates in festive events like today's Christmas celebration.

Expressing her joy about the celebration, she noted that it not only provides her with a source of income but also offers a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow vendors. These interactions foster rapport and friendship among local artisans, creating a supportive community.

Jainun believes that the skills she has acquired can be passed down to her children, and she is hopeful that one of her daughters may develop an interest in this craft.

She also took a moment to commend Kadamaian State Assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedick for organizing such events and for establishing Kadamaian Square, which provides vendors like her a vital platform to showcase their work.

For Lima Jyh Len from Kg Tamalang Taginambur, a baker, selling her wares at the Christmas event was very rewarding. According to her, this is her first attempt at selling in public events and she was impressed with the crowds and the buyers.

“I usually sell from home and attend to orders from my customers, so I have never experienced the excitement of selling in public before. So, it is an eye opener. I hope to join other events like this in future,” she enthused.

The mother of six children with four girls shared that her eldest daughter is interested in baking and she believes the young girl will assist her in future.

She also thanked Datuk Ewon Benedick for his generousity and for helping the community in his capacity as Kadamaian State Assemblyman.

Lorina Santaim, hailing from Kampung Melangkap Nariou, showcased her handmade necklaces alongside traditional reed and bamboo baskets at the event. Drawing inspiration from her parents, particularly her mother, Lorina has been crafting these items since childhood, honing her skills over the years.

She expressed her delight at the warm reception her creations received from buyers, noting that the response exceeded her expectations. Thrilled with the success of today’s event, Lorina plans to participate in similar activities in the future to further share her artisanal work with the community.

“I wish to thank the organiser and Datuk Ewon Benedick for holding such an event and we hope that more similar event will be held in future,” she enthused.

Mayu Bongkulung, from Kampung Gondukut, displayed her handcrafted plastic baskets and containers, priced between RM10 and RM15. She shared that she has been creating these baskets for some time and selling them at the local Tamu (village market).

While she was thrilled to be part of the celebration and to see so many people attending, Mayu also expressed a tinge of sadness, unsure of how much longer she would be able to continue her craft.

"Making these plastic baskets requires significant strength in the fingers. As I age, my fingers are not as strong as they once were, and they sometimes hurt quite a bit. I may have to stop making baskets if I become too tired," she confided.

Despite her concerns, Mayu expressed her gratitude to Datuk Ewon Benedick for organizing the Christmas event and for his ongoing support for the people in her community, wishing him good health.

Darimpis Liman, from Kampung Melangkap Nariou, was equally excited about the event and extended her thanks to the State Assemblyman for hosting it.

"I am a handicraft maker and have been creating rattan baskets since I was nine years old. I would accompany my mother to gather rattan and craft baskets and mats. Back then, our wares sold for about RM5, but now they can reach as much as RM45. It’s incredible to think that over the years, both my skills and my income have improved," she said enthusiastically.

According to Darimpis, the skills and crafts of their heritage should be passed on to future generations, just as she learned from her mother.

With the crowds thronging to the Christmas in conjunction with the MADANI KUSKOP Community, the vendors had a lucrative day, besides being able to meet up with friends and fellow vendors.

The celebration today was launched by the state’s Chief minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.