Sabahan Woman Poses At The Top Of Mount Kinabalu In Traditional Dusun Kimaragang Attire
According to the Malaysian, she scaled the mountain as a way to celebrate the coming Kaamatan Festival.
Filled with an abundance of cultures, a beautiful part of Malaysia can be seen in how our variety of backgrounds make us one of the most diverse countries in the world
Embarking on a journey to shine a light on her culture, Sabahan woman Sheryll Josh has been taking social media by storm after posing at the top of the tallest mountain in Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu, decked out in her Dusun Kimaragang traditional attire.
Sharing photos of herself in the outfit on Instagram, Sheryll revealed that she had climbed to Low's Peak in sports attire before changing into the Dusun Kimaragang costume at the summit, which stood at a whopping 4,095m.
Sheryll in the traditional Dusun Kimaragang attire at Low's Peak, Mount Kinabalu.
Image via @sherylljosh (Instagram)
According to the climber, she had donned the costume at the peak of Mount Kinabalu as a means to usher in the upcoming Kaamatan Festival, which will take place on 30 and 31 May
Based on a write-up by the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association Sabah (KDCA), the word Kaamatan is derived from the root word tomot, a Kadazandusun term for harvest.
Effectively, the Kaamatan Festival is celebrated as an occasion to honour the rice spirit called Bambaazon, and Kinoingan, which refers to God, for the bountiful rice harvest that ensures the survival of the Kadazandusun people.
Alongside that, the festival is also carried out as an occasion to maintain goodwill, friendship, and brotherhood among the people.
As for the history behind the Dusun Kimaragang ancestry, this ethnic groups exists as a sub-existing clan of the Kadazandusun tribe in Sabah, which is among the oldest in the region.
Image via @sherylljosh (Instagram)
In an act of showcasing the depth behind her beautiful culture, Sheryll stated that her heritage gives her a sense of identity and belonging
Furthermore, the Sabahan native stated in an interview with The Star that every person's roots are what help them understand where they come from, and how they can fit into society.
"Knowing about our traditions, customs, and values helps us feel connected to our ancestors and community," said Sheryll in the interview.
Image via @sherylljosh (Instagram)
Check out Sheryll's full Instagram post below:
Earlier this year, one Japanese man climbed Mount Kinabalu in a three-piece suit to promote his clothing line:
Making history this past September, a 90-year-old man became the oldest Malaysian to ever scale Mount Kinabalu:
Our heritage makes up special. Read more stories about Malaysian #culture on SAYS:
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