Chairperson of the organising committee and also the coordinator for the Homestay Association of Penampang, Mdm Evelyn Masudal, a retired school teacher ( who taught and helped me get a distinction in the English Language subject at O-level) said that this event is given full support by the Sabah Ministry of Tourism which gave partial sponsorship to the program.
The carnival is held at different venues, but for this year is held at Buhavan Square Donggongon, Penampang, while some of the traditional sports such as tug-of-war will be held at the Penampang District Council football fields.
Tourist who are staying at the homestay lodges or houses will get to experience some or all of the following attractions.
1. History, cultures and even folklores of the Sabah megalits
2. traditional games of village children
3. traditional food, cultures and dances
4. study and cultivation of herbal medicines, the late "Uncle Mok" is given much credit for this
5. herbal steam bath
6. customary and traditional dresses
7. betel nut and leave chewing
8. handicrafts
9. Local fish species and the tradition of "tagal" or "bombon" where some rivers and streams are gazetted for natural fish breeding where fishing is totally forbidden except for one day in a year
10. Agriculture practices, including rubber tapping
11. Picnic at well known river locations with spring clear water
12. River cruises for those homestays at Kinabatangan River
Traditional booths at Buhavan Square, Donggongon
Megalit study on display
Village children from Kolopis demostrating a traditional game called 7-pebbles game
Mdm Evelyn Masudal, 2nd from left presenting prizes to one winner of the traditional food cooking competition.
