In the end month of May, there was a celebration of cultural dance called Pesta Tuai, the spirit of harvest and arts happening here in Cherating, Pahang. A gathering of friends, an idea that originated from a festival mainly celebrated by the ethnic people of Sabah, those from the Kadazan and Dusun heritage.
Harvest Festival also know fondly as Pesta Kaamatan, has a deep rooted history with rice, a pagan origin and is the countries largest celebration which usually last for a whole month.
It’s a story that has been told for centuries, a history of great struggle, starvation, passion for mother earth and rebirth of soil. Where the spirit of humans, brought rituals, dance and ceremonies thanking the gods for the rice harvest that brought life back into their lands.
In this first part of the PESTA TUAI visual series, I’ve put together a collection of images to introduce the concept, artist, performances and celebrations of the Harvest festival. The series will have a few parts, to showcase the scenes, dancers and overall stories that came with them.
This photo series are part of an event called ‘Pesta Tuai’ that came alive on the 28th & 29th May, organised by @hannahmoujing & @hujankelogy , founders of a grassroots collaborative called @sesitikarmengkuang
It came together with a beautiful narrative of different artistic impression, dancers, storytellers and cultural performances, visualising into a rhythm of borneo, within nature and ceremonies, transforming an open space into a stage of expression, flow, energy and emotions.
The artist involved in creating this unique vibrations are @allaazuraabalabas @tony.yap.88 @dinsabah @nuruls.arts @chloethc @markyongafcy @romovement.my @kienfaye
Event: PESTA TUAI
Venue: Villa Fedelia, Cherating (@villadefedeliacherating)
