KOTA KINABALU: Bank officer Bonyvanture Hee was today named this year's Buvazoi Tavantang, the prestigious Sabah cultural male pageant otherwise known as Mr Kaamatan.
The 29-year-old, representing the Klang Valley Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA), took home prizes worth over RM76,000, including RM7,000 cash, an exclusive bedazzled "sigah" (traditional Kadazandusun headgear) worth RM3,000, scholarships, and other sponsored items.
Forty-nine finalists from all over Sabah and KDCA branches in the peninsula competed for the title in the 17th edition of the competition held at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) in Penampang today.
Second place was clinched by Jeffry Jumenik @ James (Sipitang), while Jack Arrey Jaim (KDCA Labuan) won the third spot.
Completing the top seven list of winners were, in fourth place, Achilles Elor @ Francis (Libaran); in fifth place, Dougles Lee Yong Liang (Kemabong); in sixth place, Oswald Xavier Puji (Papar); and, in seventh place, Reky Chee Hau Jun (Penampang).
The second to seventh-place winners also received prizes.
Buvazoi Tavantang was first organised in 2008.
From humble beginnings, the pageant was first recognised as one of the official events for the state's Kaamatan Festival celebration in 2021.
The pageant promotes the uniqueness of the culture, customs and traditional costumes of the Kadazan Dusun Murut Rungus (KDMR) community apart from finding a titleholder who embodies knowledge and leadership.
Bonyvanture, from Ranau, expressed his gratitude for the win.
However, he said the real victory would be if he succeeds in realising his manifesto.
He explained that his manifesto is to establish an alumni association for Mr Kaamatan.
"This association would serve as a platform for all Mr Kaamatan alumni at both state and district levels to develop programmes that honour and promote the culture and heritage of Sabah.
"There is already a long-term plan to implement my manifesto, but for the first step this association will be registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS)," he said.
