Unduk Ngadau

Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan is a beauty pageant held annually during the Kaamatan cultural event in Sabah, Malaysia.[1]

Scarlett Megan and Cheryl Lynn during the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2014 finale

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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
  1. Barlocco, Fausto (2013). Identity and the State in Malaysia. Routledge. p. 126. ISBN 9781317932390.
  2. 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.
  3. "Sabah minister says Christians need not worry about their rights". Bernama. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  4. Unto, Ricardo (24 April 2019). "Unduk Ngadau contest to see changes, improvement". Daily Express. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  5. Geraldine, Avila (31 May 2017). "Kerinah Mah, crowned the new Unduk Ngadau queen". New Straits Times. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  6. Miwil, Olivia (31 May 2019). "Karambunai beauty Francisca crowned 'unduk ngadau'". New Straits Times. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
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