Carol Abbey Gail From Papar Is 2023 Unduk Ngadau Winner

The 2023 Unduk Ngadau winner takes home a cash prize of RM12,000 and other sponsored items.

(Credit: Nelson Michael, Persatuan Unduk Ngadau Sabah - PUNS/ Facebook)

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This year’s Sabahan Beauty Pageant, Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Sabah 2023 has crowned 24-year-old Carol Abbey Gail Grimaldi from the district of Papar.

She was crowned last night (31 May) at the Hongkod Koisaan or KDCA building (Kadazandusun Cultural Association Sabah) in Penampang during the pinnacle of the Kaamatan celebration, the state-level Unduk Ngadau.

The Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) graduate brought home RM12,000 cash, a RM2,500 crown, a sash, a trophy, a flower bouquet and some other sponsored items. She took over the queen title from last year’s winner, 26-year-old teacher, Freneriatta Sobitun.

Freneriatta giving the crowd her last wave as 2022’s Unduk Ngadau queen (left) and her crowning the new queen, Carol (right).
(Credit: Nelson Michael / Facebook)

Hailing from Kg Balailait, Papar, Carol wowed the judges by answering two questions fluently in the Kadazan Papar language during the Q&A session. For your information, speaking in their native language is a prized value in the competition.

During the night, she donned the traditional Papar clothing named Sia do Binokian or Sia Do Tinahajaan which is worn with “Gonob Do Linangkitan” (a skirt with a cross pattern at the back) along with a white undershirt called “Sia Puak Saahom”. The hat or Siung is also worn differently for married (with flower decorations) and unmarried (with bird feather decorations) women.

The second child of three siblings, Carol listed her hobbies to be cooking, hiking, and playing traditional musical instruments like the kulintangan and gong. Previously, she also entered the Unduk Ngadau competition in 2019.

Carol during her Papar district level Unduk Ngadau (left, right) and her 2019 Unduk Ngadau (middle).
(Credit: Carol Abbey Gail / Facebook)

According to NST, Carol said that she didn’t expect to win but was elated that she could make her district proud.

“This is very meaningful. It is unexpected but meant a lot to me. I will focus on empowering Sabah’s unique cultures, such as traditional music and handicrafts,” said Carol, who also dedicated the win to her family, district and those who supported her throughout the competition.

Recently completed her bachelor’s degree studies in financial economics and currently looking for a job, Carol aspires to have a career where she can contribute to the community and the country.

Carol on her catwalk on the final Unduk Ngadau night (left), on her Sodop Unduk Ngadau Gala Night (middle) and her headshot with minimal make-up for the competition (right).
(Credit: Nelson Michael / Facebook)

50 contestants from various districts of Sabah as well as some states from peninsular Malaysia vied for the top spots in the 63rd Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan in Panampang, Sabah.

The first runner-up went to Calby Floresa Dolinting from Kota Marudu who took home cash of RM10,000 and some other sponsored items. She also won the Best Dress (Basaan Togingo) on the Gala Night/Charity Night of the celebration, called Sodop Unduk Ngadau on 30 May, a day before the final competition.

Calby Floresa Dolinting from Kota Marudu.
(Credit: Nelson Michael / Facebook)

The second runner-up went to Clerice Olvia Augustine @ Justin from Tambunan who took home cash of RM8,000 and some other sponsored items too.

What’s Unduk Ngadau?

Unduk Ngadau (Queen of Harvest Festival) is a beauty pageant held annually during the Kaamatan harvest festival and is unique to the state only. Other Sabahans working or staying in the peninsula can also join and represent their current states/districts.

(Credit: Persatuan Unduk Ngadau Sabah – PUNS / Facebook)

What is unique about this pageant is, the sole purpose is to commemorate the spirit of Huminodun, a beautiful princess who sacrificed herself to end the suffering of the people that faced the great famine.

FUN FACT: Did you know Sabah also has a male pageant called Mr Kaamatan Sabah?

It is also one of the highlights of the Kaamatan celebration and is usually held before the Unduk Ngadau. As reported by NST, this year’s winner or Buvazoi Tavantang is 27-year-old tour guide, Tommy Gedeus who represented KDCA Putrajaya.

He took home prizes worth RM61,260, including RM6,000 cash, an exclusive bedazzled “sigah” (traditional Kadazandusun headgear) worth RM2,500, scholarships and other sponsored items.

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