Sabah Fest - Colours of New and Old

My first thought was "oh dear! It's that time of the year again".

It's not that I dread attending Sabah Fest, but it's the horrendous parking problem that they have at the Sutera. Each and every time a function is held there, I would normally be the one to get the farthest parking spot of all. I tried coming early, and still I get parking a gazillion miles away. Thank god the event is held at night, otherwise I would be dreading walking in the sun. Even at this time, walking is still a contemplative option, since the heat and humidity has gone from terrible to worse lately. Ah well, no point complaining.

It all started when my sister Shana decided to tag me along for the event this evening, 2 hours before the event. I didn't even have time to think about it, what more agree to it, while she went on telling me to get ready by 6:30pm and that I would drive and fill up petrol on the way. Hmmm.. Feels like a tornado just passed by! But Shana is like that.. YUP!!

So reaching the dreaded area, I had to make one complete circle before locating a parking spot almost a kilometre away from the venue. Lucky me!

So we started walking when we stumbled upon two old friends from my previous office, Mel and Mel. One Mel went in as she had something to do while the other Mel stayed on eating what seemed to be a Tapau of rice and fried 'Ikan Basung' or Spanish Mackerel. I must say, she is one tough gal for being able to just sit on a drain edge to eat, bearing the heat and humidity while everyone else walked by. Me on the other hand, have started sweating (good choice Mizal for wearing a long-sleeved black sweater), so I excused myself to proceed into the lovely air-conditioned ballroom of Sutera Magellan.

WOW!

What a sight. Cultural demos everywhere, people selling stuff that are great and the best thing was meeting all my friends and of course my dear ex-boss, Datuk Irene, who was spotting a very lovely (no doubt very expensive) Irranun shawl. Good on her for making tradition chic.

The myriad of colours, smells, sounds and texture was overwhelming. It instantly revived my pride as a fellow Sabahan, and I felt very nostalgic seeing all that was happening before my very eyes. Over 3o ethnic groups and some 180 dialects, Sabah is ever teaming with wealth and tradition.

And of course what everyone was waiting for; the Cultural Show. The clever use of stage has always been the trademark of the organisers. The widest possible stage would be set up, which would include the bottom part so that the audience could absorb every possible experience there is.

The choice of featured ethnic this year is no doubt impressive, however, my only comment would be on the proceedings of the event. Apart from the noisy toddlers in front, on my sides and behind me, I was quite distracted by how the event was rushed. Most of the time, before the emcees could thoroughly introduce the ethnics and their dances, music would already start, making it difficult for me to follow through the story that this event was telling. Indeed the theme was interesting as it circled around the story of a mixed ethnic wedding, but it could have been better if timing wasn't off.

All the same, I enjoyed myself tremendously. To absorb all the experience within one night made me excited which made it rather difficult to sleep. I loved the young performers and I adored the elderly performers. At least tradition is not all lost with time.