Tuaran: The Dusun Mojumbak and Mongigol-Sumayau Festival (Fesmod) has the potential to serve as a model for the Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Malaysia, while simultaneously becoming a premier cultural tourism product that brings pride to Sabah.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the State Government would continue to support efforts to uphold cultural heritage in line with the aspirations of Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) and the principles of the 2003 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Convention.
“This festival is not merely a traditional music and dance competition; rather, it is a cultural empowerment movement that brings together various segments of society and arts practitioners.
“The State Government will continue to support and assist the efforts of any party, including cultural associations, which combine heritage preservation, research, documentation, innovation and creative economic development.
“Fesmod has the potential to grow into an annual State cultural heritage festival that will gather indigenous communities, researchers, educational institutions, the creative industry and the tourism sector,” he said, when speaking at the Closing and Prize-Giving Ceremony of the 2nd Fesmod at Dewan Seri Sulaman here Sunday.
Mohd Ghazali
His speech was read by Political Secretary to the Domestic Trade and Costs of Living Minister Datuk Mohammad Ghazali Hajiji.
Hajiji said this edition of Fesmod also introduced the New Dusun Creative Dance Competition Category to provide space for the younger generation, choreographers and composers to produce creative works based on traditional cultural identity.
“This initiative is not intended to replace original traditions; instead, it proves that cultural heritage is capable of evolving with the times without losing its authenticity and identity.”
He called upon more government agencies, higher education institutions, corporate bodies and community organisations to join forces in strengthening the cultural ecosystem in Sabah to ensure it continues to be inherited by future generations.
Present were Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) Sabah Director Chong Wai Kit; Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary II Dr Cleopatra @ Clare Asing; Sabah Information Department Director Jainisah Mohd Noor; and District Officer Ibrahim Terki.
The Persatuan Komuniti Lotud won two top awards. It was crowned champion in the Traditional Dance (Mongigol-Sumayau) category, taking home RM5,000 in cash prizes and placed third in the Traditional Music (Mojumbak) category, winning RM2,000.
Persatuan Komuniti Lotud Manager Jennifer Aplansius said the hard work of her members had paid off. “We started practising since February. Every day we did our best and emphasised discipline within the team.
“I hope more young people, especially in this district, will join our association to learn and preserve our cultural heritage so it is not lost to time,” she said.
Pasukan Kentari also had a strong showing at FESMOD 2026, winning two categories. The group was crowned champion in the Tarian Kreasi Baru Etnik category, earning RM8,000, and placed third in the Tarian Tradisi category, winning RM2,000.
Pasukan Kentari Manager cum Choreographer Evan Rexell Joannes said the win came as a surprise given the stiff competition from other groups.
In the Muzik Tradisi category, Retra Seni Sabah was crowned champion while Supian Silad finished as first runner-up. In the Tarian Tradisi category, Sayau Pusakag placed as first runner-up.
In the Tarian Kreasi Baru Etnik category, Tinaru Gumurai finished as first runner-up, while the combined group Parhakow X Tukang-tukang Project placed third.
The Anugerah Khas Juri FESMOD 2026 for the Citra Cilik Budaya category was presented to Kumpulan Malbar Junior in recognition of their commitment and deep interest in traditional arts from a young age.
The three-day festival drew a strong turnout, gathering 23 competing groups compared with 18 in the previous edition.
.png)
