Bountiful Harvest

Children happily showing the fishes that were caught during the Tagal festival.

In another colourful story of Sabah, I am sharing with you about "Pesta Tagal". This is something new I have learnt in Sabah. Pictures and story are Bernama's. Bernama is the Malaysian National News Agency. The chief Editor of Bernama, Datuk Yong has given me permission to use in this blog - We should be happy you saw fit to use.

Here is the story -

Kota Belud Offers 'Pesta Tagal' For Visitors
By Zamain Singkui

For Japanis Sabin, of Kampung Tambatuon, one particular day in the month of May means that he has to pack his bags and heads for his home village, leaving the hustle and bustle of life in Kota Kinabalu.

Nature's Gift.. one of the villagers showing the fish that he had caught.

For the 36-year-old Japanis, May is not only significant for the Pesta Kaamatan or Harvest Festival, but also for the Pesta Tagal or river carnival held at Sungai Kadamaian, 30 km from here.

For a man who has been seeking a livelihood in the city, Pesta Tagal gives Japanis the opportunity to met up with his relatives in his home village and those residing within or outside of Kota Belud.

It has been a commitment for those who hail from Kampung Tambatuon but working elsewhere like Lahad Datu, Kudat and Sandakan to return home to celebrate the carnival.

'Tagal' is a Dusun word which means prohibition of catching fish in certain rivers for one or two years.

It has been a life-long custom of the Dusun, however this so-called 'ban' is lifted for one day in a year and that day happened last Saturday.

RIVER CONSERVATION

Some 800 villagers of Kampung Tambatuon celebrated this occasion at Sungai Kadamaian.

The Tagal system is a traditional method for river conservation initiated by the Dusun villagers.

This is to conserve the river quality and its habitat and now such rivers are generating revenues for the villages in the form of earnings from eco-tourism.

The prohibition on catching fish is imposed by the village head and those who breached this rule, be it the villagers themselves or outsiders, the offenders are liable to be handed a punishment known as 'sogit'.

The headman would decide on the penalty. It usually comes in the form of paying either a water buffalo or a pig or its worth.

FREE TO FISH

During the carnival, villagers are allowed to catch the fish found in the river. They did it 'gotong-royong' style and the catch was equally divided among them.

The villagers later held a feast where they cooked the fish they had caught earlier traditionally-style.

This feast is known as 'moginakan' for the Dusun folks of Kota Belud.

According to Kampung Tambatuon headman, Singkui Tinggi, moginakan is an event crucial to foster closer relationship among the villagers.

Cleaning the fish before cooking them

Usually the fish caught is the Kelah (Mahseer) or 'Pait' in the Dusun language. Others are the Sarawi, Betuan, Sinsilog (a type of freshwater eel). Each of the Kelah caught usually weighs 3-5 kg and worth between RM100 and RM300.

OLD WAY OF FISHING

A unique thing about this carnival is that the villagers are only allowed to use traditional methods when catching the fish like via the use of nets, traps and harpoon-like structures.

Other methods like the use of chemicals or electric shocks are sternly prohibited.

"Aramai kampung baino haro mokisada om moginakan" (Its carnival atmosphere in the village today as there is fishing and dining on the catch together among the villagers)", said Japanis, in Dusun language, who was unable to conceal his excitement and joy.

After 10 years of the carnival, Sungai Kadamaian has turned into a tourist attraction.

"Pesta Tagal does not only keeps the environment from pollution but also instills discipline among the villagers. It teaches villagers to observe the regulation imposed, like no fishing outside the Pesta Tagal season," Kadamaian State Legislative Assembly Member Herbert Timbun Lagadan told Bernama during the carnival.

Meanwhile Kota Belud District Officer Najib Montok said the village's Tagal system is a unique way to conserve fish like the Kelah from extinction.

"It is rare to find a river like Sungai Kadamaian that is rich in freshwater fish like the Kelah," he said.

For teacher Henry Majihal, 42, of Kudat who tied the knot with a woman from Kampung Tombotuan, he and his wife had never missed the opportunity to return to the village to enjoy the carnival in May.

"I can only find such joy and excitement as well as fun in this village," he said.