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This Bajau Boy, leading his horse,in his utmost pride, marching into the centre of Kota Belud field.
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Kota Belud- Generally reckon by the locals as the Cow boy town of Sabah, North Borneo. Tamu Besar, means the feast market which gathered everyone far and near around Kota Belud, to display their best products such as fruits, greeneries(vegetables), handicrafts, local desserts, or even battle nut leaves and traditional cigars collection. As far as i can remember, the last time i visited Kota Belud, when my grandpa was still alive and he used to hold my hand and walk around negotiating his marketing in Bajau languages. He is gone now and these Bajau traders has turn totally strangers to me, as i sometimes have totally no idea what are the traditional name of certain mouth watering fruits or local delicacies.
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As the Bajau are generally also the "sea gypsies" especially those at the east coast, fisheries is also one of their expertise and survival income. Here, in the fish market, you can see, plenty of freshfish selling cheap and fresh, choices at your fingertips.
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Of course, the prime moment of this Tamu Besar would be the Horse and Buffalo parade that became the centre attention of the crowd.
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| Parades Move on forming various patent to show symbolic of Bajau tribal victory. |
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As the horse parade went on, the Kulintangan team keep the rhythm
alive for the riders to follow. |
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A Bajau woman concentrating on her Kulintangan instrument.
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| Beside the Trojan horses, the buffaloes were also one of the main attention gather of the event. Buffalo were once a multi purpose animal especially to the paddy owners, it is not only as a working tools but also a gift for the bride's family if a guy is about to marry a Kadazan Dusun daughter in the family. |
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The buffalo race is no doubt the most exciting game to view. Taking into account of the heavy rice bag to carry along while controlling the buffalo, i suppose this is not an easy game to handle.
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Last but not least, you also have a chance to savour a moment of being the Bajau queen. The whole world is looking at you, and your hero is the typical Bajau alike "SANDOKAN". Further to the attention from the whole town. What more can you ask for :)
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Till we meet again next year! Yeeeehhhaaaaa....
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