# Unduk Ngadau

Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan is a beauty pageant held annually during the Kaamatan cultural event in Sabah, Malaysia. The reigning Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan is Hyellene Danius of Inanam who was crowned by Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2023, Carol Abbey Gail Grimaldi of Papar, on 31 May 2024 at KDCA Hall, Penampang, Sabah.

## Profile

The Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant is held to commemorate the spirit of Huminodun, the mythological maiden who was of total beauty of the heart, mind and soul. The title is derived from the phrase runduk tadau which means "the girl crowned by the sunlight". Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan is one of the most recognisable cultural events in Sabah and is unique to the state. The state-level beauty pageant is the highlight and ending point of the month-long Kaamatan celebrations.

## Background

The contestants of the state-level beauty pageant generally represent their district. Some districts hold joint pageants, producing more than one representative.
Beginning in 1995, Sabahans residing in Peninsular Malaysia who celebrate Kaamatan have been acknowledged by the organisation. Since then, many other states in Malaysia started to send their delegates to the pageant such as Johor in 2014, Penang in 2018, Putrajaya in 2019, Melaka and Perak in 2021. The first ever representative from Klang Valley was Angeline Ongkunik and the first Klang Valley's or Kuala Lumpur's representative who won the state-level crown was Daphne Iking in 2003.
In the following year, Janeitha Stephen of Klang Valley was placed as the first runner-up to Tamparuli's Fharelynne Ivonne Henry. Many of the Klang Valley representatives have had their best placements in the state-level competition; 2001's Ryna Rychie James (second runner-up), 2005's Susanna James Kenson (fourth runner-up), 2007's Jaslinder Kaur (sixth runner-up), 2008's Anne Marie Tauriq Khan (sixth runner-up), 2013's Ledesma Steven (fifth runner-up), 2014's Maylesthelyn Ley Matius (sixth runner-up), 2016's Patricia Elsa Jimy (fifth runner-up), 2017's Sharlina Gilbert Mojinun (fifth runner-up) and 2019's Vinnie Alvionitta Sasising (sixth runner-up).
Since 2012, the question-and-answer round has been using the format through which the contestants must answer the question in their ethnic language. Melinda Louis was one of the first to have succeeded in the particular question-and-answer, and she eventually won.
In 2014, the state of Johor in Peninsular Malaysia made its debut in the competition. The first winner for Johor was Liz Lorena Rayner who was placed as the second runner-up in the competition. In 2023, the state of Sarawak joined the pageant for the first time. The first representative of Sarawak was Marylyn Velarie Bolovin.

## Titleholders

| Year | Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan | District/Territory |
| 2024 | Hyellene Danius | Inanam |
| 2023 | Carol Abbey Gail Grimaldi | Papar |
| 2022 | Frenerietta Sobitun | Sandakan |
| 2021 | Maya Hejnowska | Api-Api |
| 2019 | Francisca Ester Nain | Karambunai |
| 2018 | Hosiani James Jaimis | Inanam |
| 2017 | Kerinah Mah | Kota Kinabalu |
| 2016 | Sherry Anne Laujang | Penampang |
| 2015 | Ryannie Neils Yong | Tanjung Aru |
| 2014 | Cheryl Lynn Pinsius | Kota Kinabalu |
| 2013 | Immaculate Lojuki | Kota Kinabalu |
| 2012 | Melinda Louis | Telupid |
| 2011 | Botiza Arthur S. Disimond | Penampang |
| 2010 | Crystal Eve Huminodun | Tanjung Aru |
| 2009 | Appey Rowenna Januin | Papar |
| 2008 | Leonie Lawrence Gontuni | Penampang |
| 2007 | Joanna Sue Henley Rampas | Tuaran |
| 2006 | Devenna Jaikob | Sulaman |
| 2005 | Madelyne M. Nandu | Penampang |
| 2004 | Fharelynne Ivonne Henry | Tamparuli |
| 2003 | Daphne M. Iking | Kuala Lumpur |
| 2002 | Patrecia Raymond | Kiulu |
| 2001 | Nicolita Sanseh Masi | Petagas |
| 2000 | Regina Intang | Melalap |
| 1999 | Kathie Renjus | Inanam |
| 1998 | Jeremiah Ginajil | Inanam |
| 1997 | Jan Lisamarrie William | Bongawan |
| 1996 | Lynnefra @ Lynn Alfera Wong | Elopura |
| 1995 | Justinah Manius | Kawang |
| 1994 | Agatha Nora Lojimin | Penampang |
| 1993 | Luzie Tham | Inanam |
| 1992 | Anita Pudin | Putatan |
| 1991 | Sylvia Sandralisa Orow | Tuaran |
| 1990 | Julia Augustine | Tanjung Aru |
| 1989 | Deidre Peter Mojuntin | Penampang |
| 1988 | Jenny Alasa | Penampang |
| 1987 | Joan Gloria Tommy | Tanjung Aru |
| Year | Ratu Pesta Menuai | District/Territory |
| 1986 | Johanna Sybil S.Disimond | Penampang |
| 1985 | Florence Jipiu | Penampang |
| 1984 | Esther Sikayun | Penampang |
| 1983 | Mary Janet Kinjau | Penampang |
| 1982 | Margaret Dolly Jimayol | Beaufort |
| 1981 | Janet Anthony Dabi | Penampang |
| Year | Miss Harvest Festival | District/Territory |
| 1980 | Roslina Amit | Tuaran |
| 1979 | Mary Solly | Tanjung Aru |
| 1978 | Veronica Jefferin | Penampang |
| 1977 | Mary Marjorie Kinjau | Penampang |
| 1976 | Edwina Totu | Penampang |
| 1975 | Rita Sikawah | Penampang |
| 1974 | Susanna Jipanis | Penampang |
| 1973 | Prisca Tikoh | Penampang |
| 1972 | Evelyn Sinidol | Penampang |
| 1971 | Mary @ Mili Jaikoh Imbayan | Tamparuli |
| Year | Miss Kadazan | District/Territory |
| 1970 | Helen Mojiniu | Penampang |
| 1969 | Sylvia Totu | Penampang |
| 1968 | Rita Mojilis | Penampang |
| 1967 | Florence Bibi | Papar |
| 1966 | Patricia Sinidol | Penampang |
| 1965 | Molina Daniel | Papar |
| 1964 | Rita Bagong | Tuaran |
| 1963 | Mary Badak | Putatan |
| 1962 | Marcella Tiansim | Papar |
| 1961 | Talian Bunal | Papar |
| 1960 | Yong Mee Lan @ Mui Lan | Penampang |

## List of runners-up (2006–present)

| Edition | 1st Runner-Up | 2nd Runner-Up | 3rd Runner-Up | 4th Runner-Up | 5th Runner-Up | 6th Runner-Up |
| 2024 | Elldiwirna Saimen Kiulu | Monicka Majin Keningau | Romandawi Gapari Johor | Liane Melve Grace Lias Tenom | Elviana Gunong Tongod | Richella Kan Siang Feng Kemabong |
| 2023 | Calby Floresa Dolinting Kota Marudu | Clerice Olvia Augustine @ Justin Tambunan | Galedine Lind Mosuyun Penampang | Florina Wileh Tuaran | Melni Dihal Kiulu | Rannysa Rachel Lee Tamparuli |
| 2022 | Esther Rayner Marius Papar | Deedee Cassandra Dallius Ranau | Carolyn Tony Penampang | Allveanna Loimin Kiulu | Evanatie Sannie Kota Marudu | Sylvernie Belinda Engelbert Inanam |
| 2021 | Dianarin Vahidin Paginatan | Febby Angelica Richard Kundasang | Lisa Christie Deminic Tulid | Avrill Alvira Roger Anthony Tanjung Keramat | Sharon Stephen Kawang | Carrey Evanne Kim Lee Moyog |
| 2019 | Annette Rabecca Januin Pantai Manis | Leticia Casianus Bansin Penampang | Skye Judith Harding Tamparuli | Conne Juenin Kundasang | Nurul Yanadido Tandek | Vinny Alvionitta Sasising Klang Valley |
| 2018 | Sherrylyn Jane Rannytho Pailus Penampang | Vanessa Audrey Sylvester Gilbert Putatan | Madeleine Sophie Benidip Johor | Puang Hui Ling @ Arin Puang Ranau | Mary Grace Lojuki Kota Kinabalu | Tanessja Shanelle Mojitoh Kepayan |
| 2017 | Shareene Francis Loudin Penampang | Arveyna Pamela Januin Papar | Angel Suhangkadamai Marshal Motiung Linus Likas | Bibiana Artecca James Tambunan | Sharlina Gilbert Mojinun Klang Valley | Vanessa Claria Luis Tuaran |
| 2016 | Claryssa Henry Ogodong Kudat | Fenny Ester Joslin Banggi | Vinny Alvionitta Sasising Matunggong | Christine Joan Charles Papar | Patricia Elsa Jimy Klang Valley | Charmaine Bartholomew Kepayan |
| 2015 | Shirley Anthony Danggok Tambunan | Evrina Masalan Tenom | Valencia Ann Primus Kota Kinabalu | Natasha Aprillia Jalius Benggon Inanam | Sherrylyn Jane Rannytho Pailus Putatan | Kimberly Vung Likas |
| 2014 | Scarlett Megan Liew Zhi Ling Kota Marudu | Liz Lorena Rayner Johor | Samantha Sharon Laujang Putatan | Hemy Menjadi Tuaran | Debbie Collette Christopher Papar | Maylesthelyn Ley Matius Klang Valley |
| 2013 | Ritchel Andreas Ranau | Nillsey Debbie Sening Tuaran | Dianna Gilbert Putatan | Dedie Phang Penampang | Ledesma Steven Klang Valley | Sarah Cleophas Gorotud Tambunan |
| 2012 | Fenney Doimis Kota Kinabalu | Meryl Foster Paladius Tambunan | Vanessa Samantha Manih Tanjung Aru | Samantha Sharon Laujang Penampang | Milviana Madrigal Kota Belud | Raemma Justin Tuaran |
| 2011 | Jovenea Jim Lajim Tamparuli | Caroline Anthony Tuaran | Sophie Angela Kutam Ranau | Rachel M.Alliun Kota Kinabalu | Alvera Raymond Kisil Sandakan | Adeline Joyce Masidah Likas |
| 2010 | Roychelle Fayrenie Juatin Penampang | Lydia John Alai Kota Kinabalu | Ledesma Steven Tuaran | Hannevy Vivie Harry Tambunan | Elforina Jolius Pitas | Debra Fiona Alexius Likas |
| 2009 | Pearl Dianne Petrus Kota Kinabalu | Joanne Kimberly J.Majalap Penampang | Flina Rutum Tamparuli | Jacqueline Joseph Kajangan Keningau | Fredericka Camilla Richard Daut Tuaran | Ellina Musuin Likas |
| 2008 | Florence Masimbin Kinabatangan | Emily Majil Tambunan | Petronella Cherry Bernard Papar | Verone Lansu Manjin Keningau | Aloysia Thecla Philip Kota Belud | Anne Mary Tauriq Khan Klang Valley |
| 2007 | Brenda Mellonie Johnny Takom Putatan | Cherrylanne Chok Binti Chok Kui Eng Beluran | Dorinah Darick Kota Kinabalu | Viola Fidelis Inanam | Cassey V. Pilos Tawau | Jaslinder Kaur A/P Harjit Singh Klang Valley |
| 2006 | Edith Malis Petagas | Kay Marylyn Madonna Josuie Laison Masabal Inanam | Juliana Stephen Jupiling Sembulan | Dorothy Misir Lahad Datu | Geraldine Grace Petrus Balandong Klias | Trinna Joyce Dison Penampang |

## List of Districts/Territories by Number of Wins

| District/Territory | Total of Win(s) | Year(s) |
| Penampang | 24 | 1960, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1994, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2016 |
| Papar | 6 | 1961, 1962, 1965, 1967, 2009, 2023 |
| Tanjung Aru | 5 | 1979, 1987, 1990, 2010, 2015 |
| Inanam | 5 | 1993, 1998, 1999, 2018, 2024 |
| Tuaran | 4 | 1964, 1980, 1991, 2007 |
| Kota Kinabalu | 3 | 2013, 2014, 2017 |
| Tamparuli | 2 | 1971, 2004 |
| Putatan | 2 | 1963, 1992 |
| Sandakan | 1 | 2022 |
| Api-Api | 1 | 2021 |
| Karambunai | 1 | 2019 |
| Telupid | 1 | 2012 |
| Sulaman | 1 | 2006 |
| Klang Valley | 1 | 2003 |
| Kiulu | 1 | 2002 |
| Petagas | 1 | 2001 |
| Melalap | 1 | 2000 |
| Bongawan | 1 | 1997 |
| Elopura | 1 | 1996 |
| Kawang | 1 | 1995 |
| Beaufort | 1 | 1982 |