Businesswoman stands out among the crowd at Hongkod

Kota Kinabalu: Eva Olivia Johnius stood out among the crowd at Hongkod Koisaan, Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), during the Kaamatan festival with her appearance that created a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary fashion.

Eva was clad in the beautiful Sabung Labuk, a traditional attire of the Dusun Labuk ethnicity, complemented by a Bawal Ratu scarf adorned with Swarovski stones worth over RM3,000, inspired by the floral motif on the Sabung Labuk.

To complete her ensemble, Eva carried a handbag that was embroidered with the same motifs.

When asked, Eva who is a Dusun Liwan from Ranau said she had been always admiring the beauty of traditional attire, particularly the Sabung Labuk.

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“I first saw Sabung Labuk when attending a Kaamatan festival in Telupid with my husband last year. I immediately fell in love with its uniqueness and colourful floral 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 know Sabung Labuk can’t be embroidered using a machine to protect its identity, which is why I love this traditional attire even more. I personally like hand-made items because they have a special touch.

“I wish to own a Sabung Labuk for this year’s Kaamatan but I know 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.

“I am willing to spend RM3,300 for this Bawal Ratu scarf, adorned with colourful Swarovski stones, inspired by the Sabung Labuk motif,” said Eva who is also the Bawal Ratu authorised stockist in Kota Kinabalu.

The businesswoman and her husband were among the thousands who thronged KDCA to celebrate the festival.

The Dusun (or Kadazan) Labuk community is found largely in the districts of Beluran and Telupid in Sabah.

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The Sabung Labuk which originated from Kampung Kuala Sapi, Beluran is not merely a 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.

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