KOTA KINABALU: Unduk Ngadau aspirant Shyvorne April Jones had her first taste of “hinava”, a traditional fish salad, and she prepared it herself. The 18-year-old sixth former, who is representing Matunggong in the annual Unduk Ngadau or Harvest Festival beauty pageant, admits she is having the time of her life as she discovers her ancestral roots through the contest. Shyvorne said she took part in the beauty pageant to understand the native culture better and feel the essence of what the Unduk Ngadau represents, the legend of “Huminodun”, which is about a young woman who sacrificed herself to save her people from famine. Unduk Ngadau contestants are donning traditional sarong during a cultural programme at Sabah museum in Kota Kinabalu. The cash prizes for the beauty pageant winners would be doubled this year where the champion, first runner-up and second runner-up would receive RM12,000, RM8,000 and RM6,000 respectively.

Source: New Strait Times May 29, 2018 02:58 UTC