KOTA KINABALU: Eva Olivia Johnius has always admired the beauty of traditional attire.
In particular, she fell in love with the Sabung Labuk, a piece of traditional attire of the Dusun Labuk.
Driven by her passion, the 31-year-old businesswoman was willing to spend over RM3,000 for a Bawal Ratu head scarf adorned with Swarovski stones, inspired by the Sabung Labuk motif.
"I first saw Sabung Labuk when I attended a Kaamatan festival in Telupid with my husband last year. I immediately fell in love with its uniqueness and colourful hand embroidery.
"I was told that making this traditional attire is very challenging and demands a lot of patience and skill to complete the hand embroidery. It can take months to finish a set of women's dresses, which is why it is so expensive.
"I wished to own a Sabung Labuk for this year's Kaamatan but I knew I couldn't get it in time, so I decided to rent one. I also bought a handbag embroidered with the Sabung Labuk motif from an entrepreneur in Telupid," said Eva, who looked stunning with the Sabung Labuk and striking Bawal Ratu scarf.
Eva, a Bawal Ratu authorised stockist in Kota Kinabalu, said her company can customise Bawal Ratu scarves with any ethnic-inspired motifs.
She and her husband were among 20,000 members of the public who attended the Kaamatan Festival at Hongkod Koisaan, Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), today.
The Dusun (or Kadazan) Labuk community is found largely in the districts of Beluran and Telupid in Sabah.
The Sabung Labuk which originated from Kampung Kuala Sapi, Beluran is not merely traditional attire but also a symbol of the Dusun Labuk culture, history and tradition.
The most distinctive feature of the Baju Labuk is the 'Gosing' flower (senduduk tree or its scientific name, Melastoma malabathricum) embroidery in pink, green, blue and yellow.
