Archbishop John Wong speaks at the Kaamatan celebration at the CAC hall, May 20 (Photo: Aloysia Moguil)
By Linda Edward
May 23 2022
KOTA KINABALU – In recent days Archbishop John Wong urged a Kadazan-Dusun-Murut (KDM) ethnic group to know their own culture because of the numerous good values they possess.
He said this to his staff who are predominantly of the KDM race during the CAC Kaamatan celebration, May 20, at the Catholic Archdiocesan Centre here.
The KDM are known for their values of hospitality, unity and thanksgiving. To this end, the Archbishop asked if the staff is still living up the values, especially speaking the language.
During his seminarian years, he said he used to visit the kampungs. “I love that kind of atmosphere. When everyone hears the gong, they will come and gather,” he recalled.
“Whenever I am invited to a Kaamatan celebration in the parishes, I used to receive a lot of produce, like home-grown beras. But nowadays they come from the supermarket They don’t even have enough beras to give away.
“You are losing the culture. It’s a pity,” he said, giving one of many examples of how the culture is not lived up anymore.
“I hope you use the language,” he said, encouraging the KDM staff to continue speaking the Kadazan Dusun language.
He also commended the staff for being like a big family and hoped that they see each other like siblings.
He encouraged them to continue their work in the CAC and using the good values of their culture to help him build up the archdiocese.
“Whatever you have in your culture, with the values you have in your culture, I hope you continue with your little area that you are in,” he said.
In conjunction with the Kaamatan celebration, the Archbishop also celebrated the staff Mass at the chapel where most of the staff attended in their traditional KDM attire.
Staff Mass in conjunction of the Kaamatan celebration held May 20 at CAC chapel
