Liew (middle), flanked by OKK Makinsos (on her right) and Flora, with the delegation from PRBS and LKNS.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah United Rungus Organisation (PRBS) is seeking the support of the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry (KePKAS) in organising the forthcoming 7th Sabah Rungus Cultural Festival.
A delegation from PRBS led by its President OKK Makinsos Nawai paid a courtesy call on KePKAS Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew at her office at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens, here, recently.
“PRBS is one of the active indigenous organisations in Sabah. We will consider the organisation’s request for assistance within the capability of the Ministry,” she said.
Liew has been invited to officiate at the opening of the festival scheduled to be held at Dewan Kebudayaan Rungus Sabah in Kota Marudu on July 3.
It is being organised by PRBS in collaboration with the Kota Marudu District Office and Sabah Cultural Board (LKNS).
Formed on August 24, 2015, PRBS is registered with LKNS, an agency under KePKAS.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is expected to officially close the festival on July 5.
Briefing the Minister, Makinsos said the celebration will involve five districts and one sub-district. The Rungus communities living in Kudat, Matunggong, Kota Marudu, Pitas and Paitan, as well as Pulau Banggi will participate in the event.
He said the traditional Rungus dance (Mongigol Sumundai), the best Tapai, traditional Rungus song writing and sports competitions, are among the highlights of the celebration. The Mongigol Sumundai Competition has four categories of participants – adult, youth, veteran and open.
“This year, we are opening the beauty contest (or Gimpuhut Tinongkupan in the Rungus language) not only to the Rungus community but also to other ethnic groups such as Tobilung, Kimaragang, Tatana, Lundayeh and Baju Sama.
“As part of the festival, there will be cultural performances from the Rungus and other ethnic groups to depict Sabah’s ethnic cultural diversity,” said Makinsos.
In addition, the traditional sports competition will cover five types of activity, namely Monokon (spear throwing), Monopuk (blowpipe), Miahaba (hand wrestling), Tubau (top spinning) and Mingranggou (walking on bamboo stilts).
Also present were PRBS Deputy President Rico Ongikal, Information Chief Sopiun Manggang, Executive Secretary Vianna Makinsos, Committee Member Juanis Mansarading (Custom and Religion), Committee Member cum Women Head Lily Masuin, LKNS Deputy General Manager Flora Iban and LKNS Reinforcement Division Officer Nora Martin.
