Harvest Festival celebration showcases unity among the people
1 May 2024
By AVV
PENAMPANG: In a magnificent display of unity and cultural appreciation, eight villages gathered at the Mini Hall of Kg Dungkahang to celebrate the Harvest Festival, today.
This remarkable event was a testament to their spirit of togetherness, as Kg Kambau, Kg Tanaki, Kg Penampang Proper, Kg. Dambai, Kg Nampasan, Kg. Dahab, and Kg Kiongu all joined hands to make this occasion memorable.
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok chairman of SME Corp Malaysia represented Datuk Ewon Benedick the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Penampang (MEDC) Penampang Member of Parliament and President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) in launching the community event today.
Dompok emphasised that the celebration of the harvest festival has undergone significant transformations over the years, aligning with the progress and development of the community.
However, he firmly believes that this tradition remains an integral part of the people's culture, symbolising their deep-rooted connection to the land and their shared values.
Dompok who is also UPKO Honorary President highlighted the importance of unity among the people, which has contributed to a greater understanding and appreciation for one another.
This unity is reflected in the diverse languages spoken during the festival, as individuals strive to communicate in ways that are understood by everyone, whether it be Kadazan, English or Malay.
“It is imperative for us to embrace multilingualism, ensuring that our children and the younger generation, at the very least, have a basic understanding and ability to communicate in multiple languages,” he said.
By embracing this linguistic diversity, the community strengthens their bonds and fosters a sense of inclusivity and harmony.
He also emphasised the importance of embracing entrepreneurship as a cultural norm in order to improve the people's ability to secure a better livelihood.
“Commerce and success in business are closely intertwined with culture. The Chinese have a rich history of engaging in commerce for centuries, which has shaped their entrepreneurial mindset,” he said adding that they possess a unique ability to identify opportunities in every aspect of life.
“This exceptional trait can be learnt and made a culture by the people so that they too can succeed and grow the field of commerce. I have seen that many are now embracing this,” he stressed.
He was later joined on stage by other guests to harvest the paddy to declare the celebration open.
Notables present during the event were Datuk Donald Mojuntin the UPKO Deputy President and Kapayan State Assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang among others.
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