A Wedding Story

Donning our traditional costume, the Kadazan Penampang "Gaun Koubasanan".

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My husband, Boyd @9w6cbt and I got married at the end of December 2001. Our holy matrimony was solemnized by the late Rev. Fr. Fundes Motiung at the beautiful church (magnificent stained glass as the altar background), St. Aloysius Church which is located at Kg. Limbanak, Penampang, Sabah. Yes, how chubby we are in the picture. Those were the days.

We were privileged because we were able to wed in both religion and race. Both of us are from Kadazan descendants. Kadazan community is the largest population in Sabah.

The ritual started by the sound of beating gong to signify that a wedding is taking place. Before we enter the house, a Bobohizan (Kadazan priestess) placed a round stone at the entrance. We placed one of our foot on the stone while the priestess put on our heads the "sirung" (wide conical hat). The stepping on the stone symbolizes the beginning of our life as husband and wife.

We were then taken around the house (holding hands) while the priestess chanting good blessings and sprinkled us with water. This is done to purify us from all evils.

Soon after we were asked to sit on a mat together with our parents as witnesses. The priestess then asked us to take the rice and mould it into a ball (mouth size) and feed each other. This signifies the union in marriage. And then, we were then feed each other a chicken drumstick as a feast. We then serve the traditional rice wine called Lihing to our parents.

"Sumazau", our first dance as husband and wife commenced after our feast. And also it is also an invitation to all our guests to celebrate our union by enjoying the food and drinks.

Sumazau is a Kadazan folk dance which accompanied by the gong beating music.

Fast forward to 2018, we are blessed with 3 kids.

Us today