KOTA KINABALU: Primary school teacher Hyellene Danius, of Inanam district, was crowned the new "unduk ngadau" (Harvest Queen) for this year's Kaamatan festival.
Clad in Penampang traditional clothing, 'Binongkoh', the 27-year-old brought home prizes worth over RM100,000, including RM12,000 cash, a crown and others.
Present to witness the crowning of the new "unduk ngadau" were the Sabah Head of State's wife, Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni, and Sabah Chief Minister's wife Datuk Seri Juliah Salag.
Hyellene, who is of the Dusun Liwan tribe from Ranau, wowed the judges on stage at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Hongkod Koisaan, Penampang here, when replying to two questions fluently in the Dusun language during the question and answer session.
Hyellene, who is glad that she won the title, said she did not expect to win the pageant.
"I don't expect to win, I just hope to be in the top 15.
"Thankfully, I was selected for the top-7 and crowned 'unduk ngadau'," she said, who has participated in the competition for the third time.
Hyellene said she first took part in the pageant in 2016 and another time in 2022, which helped her prepare herself for this year's competition.
As a teacher, she admitted that her schedule was tight, but she's aware that, as an "unduk ngadau", she had a big responsibility.
"I will try to fulfill the responsibility without interfering with my duty as a teacher," said the Bahasa Melayu teacher at SJK(C) Tsi Sin, Tenom.
Meanwhile, the second spot went to Elldiwirna Saimen representing Kiulu, while Monicka Majin representing Keningau took the third place.
They took home RM10,000 and RM8,000, respectively, and other sponsored items.
In fourth place was Romandawi Gapari, who represented KDCA Johor, while the fifth place went to Liane Melve Grace Lias from Tenom, the sixth to Elviana Gunong representing Tongod and the seventh to Richella Kan Siang Feng from Kemabong.
All winners also received education sponsorship, an electronic toothbrush and a one-year rice supply from Sazarice Sdn Bhd and other prizes.
Fifty-one Kadazan-Dusun women from around Sabah and Kadazan KDCA branches participated in this year's competition.
As the competition has been elevated to a national-level contest this year, the new "unduk ngadau" will be required to promote Sabah's culture, language and traditional costumes beyond the state.