Unduk Ngadau
Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan is a beauty pageant held annually during the Kaamatan cultural event in Sabah, Malaysia.[1]
Profile
The Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant is held to commemorate the spirit of Huminodun, that she was of total beauty of the heart, mind and soul. The title comes from the ethnic word "Runduk Tadau". In Rungus Language, Runduk means "to communicate", and Tadau means "the Sun". Thus, it can be interpreted as to communicate with God asking for the blessing of sunlight. Unduk Ngadau is one of the most recognisable cultural events in Sabah and the beauty pageant is unique to the state.
Joanna Kitingan (chairperson of UNK) said, “the Unduk Ngadau winner is supposed to be able to exude a high degree of moral because they are representing the Kadazan, Dusun and Murut women. We are also looking at a winner who can be the role model to the younger generation and has a spirit of voluntarism in being willing to sacrifice her time for the community, besides being intelligent to ably present our country, culture and tourism to the world".[2]
Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (1987–present)
Year | Winner | District/Subdistrict | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1987 | Joan Gloria Tommy | Tanjung Aru | ||
1988 | Jennie Alasa | Penampang | First runner up at Unduk Ngadau Penampang 1988. That year, Penampang sent two representatives. | |
1989 | Deidre Peter Mojuntin | Penampang | She was the daughter of a local politician, the late Datuk Peter Mojuntin. | |
1990 | Julia Agustine | Tanjung Aru | ||
1991 | Sylvia Sandralisa Orow | Tuaran | Currently lives in New York City, New York, USA. | |
1992 | Anita Pudin | Petagas | ||
1993 | Luzie @ Lucy Tham | Inanam | Her sister, Lunny Tham was the Unduk Ngadau Inanam 2001. | |
1994 | Agatha Nora Lojimin | Penampang | She was the Unduk Ngadau Labuan in 1992. | |
1995 | Justinah Manius | Kawang | Runner-up in Unduk Ngadau Papar 1995. | |
1996 | Lynnefra @ Lynn Alfera Wong | Elopura | Runners up in Unduk Ngadau Sandakan 1996. | |
1997 | Jan Lisamarrie William | Bongawan | Winner in Unduk Ngadau Papar 1997. | |
1998 | Jeremia Ginajil | Inanam | 1st Runner Up Unduk Ngadau Inanam 1998. But represented Inanam because the original winner was underage. | |
1999 | Kathie Renjus | Inanam | ||
2000 | Regina Intang | Melalap | Runner-up in Unduk Ngadau Tenom 2000. | |
2001 | Nicolita Sanseh Masi | Petagas | 1st runner-up in Unduk Ngadau Penampang 2001. Later won at Putatan. Finalist Dewi Remaja 2006. | |
2002 | Patrecia Raymond Chong | Kiulu | 2nd runner-up in Unduk Ngadau Tuaran 2002. | |
2003 | Daphne @ Dahlia Eleanor Mozes Iking | Kuala Lumpur | She hails from Tambunan and best known as a TV host, model and actress. | |
2004 | Fharelynne Ivonne Henry | Tamparuli | 1st runner-up in Unduk Ngadau Tuaran 2004. First runner up in Miss Sabah World 2006. | |
2005 | Madelyne M.Nandu | Penampang | Miss Malaysia Earth 2009. | |
2006 | Devenna Jaikob | Sulaman | Runner-up in Unduk Ngadau Tuaran 2006. She also won the Unduk Ngadau SAPP 2006 and Miss Sabah World 2008. | |
2007 | Jo-Anna Sue Henley Rampas | Tuaran | She is half British and was a runner up at Bintang RTM. She is the current political secretary to Chief Minister of Sabah, Shafie Apdal.[3] In 2019, she was elected the organising chairperson for state Unduk Ngadau competition.[4] | |
2008 | Leonie Lawrence Gontuni | Penampang | ||
2009 | Appey Rowenna Januin | Papar | Miss Malaysia Earth 2010. Her sister, Arveyna Pamella Januin was the Unduk Ngadau Papar in 2017 and placed 2nd runner up. | |
2010 | Crystel Eve Huminodun William Majimbun | Tanjung Aru | 1st runner-up in Unduk Ngadau Kota Kinabalu 2010. Her mother, Esther Sikayun won the same title in 1984. She was first runner up at Miss Earth Malaysia 2011. | |
2011 | Botiza Arthur S.Disimond | Penampang | Martin Buguk and Madelyne M.Nandu made her win the title. | |
2012 | Melinda Louis | Telupid | She was the Unduk Ngadau Telupid 2008. Because of her studies, she unable to compete until she competed again in 2012. | |
2013 | Immaculate Lojuki | Kota Kinabalu | Her sister, Mary Grace Lojuki competed in 2018 representing Kota Kinabalu and placed as the 5th Runner Up. She also was Miss International Malaysia 2015. | |
2014 | Cheryl Lynn Pinsius | Kota Kinabalu | Previously, she was the Unduk Ngadau Inanam 2011. First runner up Miss Southeast Asia 2016. Her sister, Cracy Pinsius was the Unduk Ngadau Inanam 2000. | |
2015 | Ryannie Neils Yong | Tanjung Aru | 2nd runner-up in Unduk Ngadau Kota Kinabalu 2015. She also was the contestants at Unduk Ngadau Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu in 2013. She was Miss Grand Pututan 2019, later joined Miss Grand Sabah 2019 the title Miss Scuba Sabah 2019. | |
2016 | Sherry Anne Laujang | Penampang | The most competitive Unduk Ngadau year when she managed to beat the first runner up, Claryssa Henry Ogodong of Kudat who is crowd favour to win the crown. | |
2017 | Kerinah Mah | Kota Kinabalu | She is a Sino-Tombonuo[5] and was the Unduk Ngadau Pitas 2015. She was also Miss Grand Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu 2019, later joined Miss Grand Sabah 2019 and was crowned Miss Earth Sabah 2019. | |
2018 | Hosiani Keewon | Inanam | From Tambunan, representing Inanam. Was second runner up at Unduk Ngadau Tambunan 2015. | |
2019 | Francisca Ester Nain | Karambunai | She is from the tribe of Dusun Tindal and was the Unduk Ngadau for Kota Belud in 2017 where she is originated. During the year, she represented Kota Belud at the state level and secured a Top 15 placement.[6] | |
2020 | Gillian Henry | Lahad Datu |
Former editions (1960–1986)
Before the official title was changed, the pageant was called Miss Kadazan in the 60s, Miss Harvest Festival in the 70s and Ratu Pesta Menuai from 1980 to 1986. The title Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan began to be used from 1987 until present.
Miss Kadazan 1960–1970
Year | Winner | District/Subdistrict | Note |
---|---|---|---|
1960 | Mui Lan | Penampang | Her title was Hahaangai 1960. 25 contestants from various districts including some areas in Penampang competing in this very first competition. |
1961 | Talian Bunal | Papar | |
1962 | Marcella Tiansim | Papar | |
1963 | Mary Badak | Putatan | |
1964 | Rita Jaafar | Tuaran | |
1965 | Molina Daniel | Papar | |
1966 | Patricia Sinidol | Penampang | She was the late Datuk Fred Sinidol's daughter. Her sister, Evelyn Sinidol won the same title in 1972. |
1967 | Florina Bibi Abdullah | Papar | She is Punjabi-mixed and is the current (2018) Pro Chancellor of Lincoln University College, a private college in Kelana Jaya, Malaysia. |
1968 | Rita Mojilis | Penampang | She is a local singer along with her sisters. |
1969 | Sylvia Totu | Penampang | Her sister, Edwina Totu won the same title in 1976. |
1970 | Helen Mojiniu | Penampang | |
Miss Harvest Festival 1971–1980
Year | Winner | District/Subdistrict | Note |
---|---|---|---|
1971 | Mary @ Mili Jaikoh Imbayan | Tamparuli | She was the 2nd runner-up in the previous edition. |
1972 | Evelyn Sinidol | Penampang | Her sister, Patricia Sinidol won the same title in 1966. |
1973 | Prisca Tikoh | Penampang | She is mother-in-law of the Unduk Ngadau 2008. |
1974 | Susanna Jipanis | Penampang | |
1975 | Rita Sikawah | Penampang | |
1976 | Edwina Totu | Penampang | Her sister, Sylvia Totu won the same title in 1969. |
1977 | Mary Marjorie Kinjau | Penampang | Her sister, Janet Kinjau won the same title in 1983. She was first runner up in 1976 contest. |
1978 | Veronica Jefferin | Penampang | |
1979 | Mary Solly | Tanjung Aru | |
1980 | Roslina Amit | Tuaran | The only Muslim winner ever. |
Ratu Pesta Menuai 1981–1986
Year | Winner | District/Subdistrict | Note |
---|---|---|---|
1981 | Anthony Dabi | Penampang | Second runner up at Unduk Ngadau Penampang 1981. |
1982 | Dolly Jimayol | Beaufort | Was second runner up at Unduk Ngadau Penampang 1982. Later competed in Beaufort and won. |
1983 | Mary Kinjau | Penampang | Her sister, Mary Marjorie Kinjau won the same title in 1977. |
1984 | Esther Sikayun | Penampang | Her daughter, Crystel Eve Huminodun won the same title in 2010. |
1985 | Florence Jipiu | Penampang | |
1986 | Johanna Disimond | Penampang | Her first cousin, Jane Peter Disimond (representing Penampang) was the 2nd runner-up in 1979, while their niece, Botiza Arthur Disimond, won in 2011. |
Competition
Some districts hold joint pageants which produce more than one representative. Notably, Tuaran and Tamparuli hold a joint pageant with the winner going on to representing Tuaran, and the first runner-up representing Tamparuli.
Beginning in 1995, Sabahans residing in Peninsular Malaysia was celebrating Kaamatan but the selection of the Unduk Ngadau for Klang Valley first held at 2000, which the winner was Angeline Ongkunik. The first winner who won the state crown representing Klang Valley (used Kuala Lumpur) was Daphne M. Iking in 2003. Then in the following year, Janeitha Stephen was a representative from Klang Valley as well, placed as the first runner up to Tamparuli's Fharelynne Ivonne Henry in 2004. Many of the Klang Valley representatives had their best placement in the competition: 2001, Ryna Rychie James (2nd runner up), 2005, Susanna James Kenson (4th runner up), 2007, Jaslinder Kaur (6th runner up), 2008, Anne Marie Tauriq Khan (6th runner up), 2013, Ledesma Steven (5th runner up), 2014, Maylesthelyn Ley Matius (6th runner up), 2016, Patricia Elsa Jimy (5th runner up) and 2017, Sharlina Gilbert Mojinun (5th runner up). In 2014, the state of Johor in Peninsular Malaysia has been included in the list for the final competition with condition the representative is of Sabahan KDMR descent. The first winner for Johor was Liz Lorena Rayner who placed as the 2nd runner up at the pageant. The state of Penang was also debuted in 2018. First won by Sherleni Madawal (Unduk Ngadau Klang Valley 2015).
Since 2012, the final question format has been changed where final contestants must answer two given questions in their mother tongue and in Bahasa Malaysia respectively. Eventually, Melinda Louis from Telupid was the first contestant ever who succeeded the newly formatted final round and she was crowned as Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2012.
The state-level pageant is held on 31 May annually at the Hongkod Koisaan building or known as the KDCA building in Penampang, and is the highlight and ending point of the month-long Kaamatan celebrations.
Districts/sub-districts by winning the title
District/sub-district | Titles | Year(s) |
---|---|---|
Penampang | 24 | 1960, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1994, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2016 |
Tanjung Aru | 5 | 1979, 1987, 1990, 2010, 2015 |
Papar | 5 | 1961, 1962, 1965, 1967, 2009 |
Tuaran | 4 | 1964, 1980, 1991, 2007 |
Inanam | 4 | 1993, 1998, 1999, 2018 |
Putatan | 3 | 1963, 1992, 2001 |
Kota Kinabalu | 3 | 2013, 2014, 2017 |
Tamparuli | 2 | 1971, 2004 |
Beaufort | 1 | 1982 |
Kawang | 1 | 1995 |
Elopura | 1 | 1996 |
Bongawan | 1 | 1997 |
Melalap | 1 | 2000 |
Kiulu | 1 | 2002 |
Kuala Lumpur | 1 | 2003 |
Sulaman | 1 | 2006 |
Telupid | 1 | 2012 |
Karambunai | 1 | 2019 |
Lahad Datu | 1 | 2020 |
See also
References
- Barlocco, Fausto (2013). Identity and the State in Malaysia. Routledge. p. 126. ISBN 9781317932390.
- Lan (21 April 2016). "Unduk Ngadau 2016: Is she the next Huminodun or a Beauty Queen for 365 days?". Food, Culture, Arts, Places and Events in Malaysia & beyond... Retrieved 10 April 2017.
- "Sabah minister says Christians need not worry about their rights". Bernama. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Unto, Ricardo (24 April 2019). "Unduk Ngadau contest to see changes, improvement". Daily Express. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Geraldine, Avila (31 May 2017). "Kerinah Mah, crowned the new Unduk Ngadau queen". New Straits Times. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- Miwil, Olivia (31 May 2019). "Karambunai beauty Francisca crowned 'unduk ngadau'". New Straits Times. Retrieved 3 June 2019.