The Sumazau dance is probably the most well-known dance tradition in Sabah. Sumazau is synonymous to the Kadazan-Dusun community. Traditionally, this dance is performed to pay homage to the paddy spirits and often involves the female shaman (Bobohizan) to mediate between the spirit and the human world. Sumazau is the highlight of the Harvest Feast in Sabah that is usually celebrated in the month of May. Today, the dance is also performed at weddings to welcome guests. Sumazau is performed by both male and female dancers. These dancers wear allblack costume adorned with pretty motives in gold thread. Female dancers are equipped with shawls and belt (tangkong) made from silver coins. Male dancers usually wear a special headgear (tanjak) and dried salad leaf tied at the waist. Sumazau Dance is accompanied by the pounding of six gongs in various sizes and a gendang. The hand movements of Sumazau dancers are similar to a bird’s wings in flight while their feet are in beat with the poundings of the gongs. Dancers perform as couples; they face each other, and move their feet in small steps while lifting their heels according to the rhythm of songs played.

Sabah's largest ethnic group, the KadazanDusun and their traditional dance is called Sumazau which literally means 'dancing'. Sumazau is synonymous with festivities and celebrations such as weddings and especially the Pesta Kaamatan or Harvest Festival, which is a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest of rice. The accompanying music is played by the sompogogungan ensemble consisting of six hanging gongs and a drum. The sumazau consists of two basic dance motifs. In the first motif, the dancer steps from side to side, shifting weight from one foot to the other, while gently swinging the arms at the sides in time to the music. In the second motif, the dancer raises the heels slightly, with arms raised. For men, the arms are stretched out at shoulder level with hands moving up and down. For women, the arms are also outstretched, but at a lower level.

Subanen community members dance for the enjoyment and entertainment of visitors, attendees and participants of the Buklog, the most elaborate system of rituals of thanksgiving of the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula in southern Philippines. Chants, music, and dance are performed all throughout the ritual, functioning not only for entertainment, but to embody the aesthetic aspects of Subanen life and to substantiate their spirituality.

An altar offering is being crafted to be used in one of the attendant rituals of the Buklog, the most elaborate system of rituals of thanksgiving of the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula in southern Philippines.

The Buklog structure is being built. It is the most distinctive feature of the Buklog, a tall structure with a highly flexible platform, which serves as a sacred and social space for rituals and the community dance. The Buklog is the most elaborate system of rituals of thanksgiving of the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula in southern Philippines.

Necito “Mario” Liganan is a timuay (village elder) and balyan (shaman or ritual specialist from Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur. The balyan officiates the Buklog and a series of attendant rituals, with help of the timuay and his assistants. The Buklog is the most elaborate system of rituals of thanksgiving of the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula in southern Philippines.

The Buklog gathers together the whole community as well as visitors. They can socialize, drink, entertainment themselves and commune with the spiritual world together. The Buklog is the most elaborate system of rituals of thanksgiving of the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula in southern Philippines.

The Buklog structure is being built. It is the most distinctive feature of the Buklog, a tall structure with a highly flexible platform, which serves as a sacred and social space for rituals and the community dance. The Buklog is the most elaborate system of rituals of thanksgiving of the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula in southern Philippines.

A log is gathered to make the dulugan, which will be placed under the Buklog platform, in a trench. A single pole, the petaw, floats above the dulugan, piercing through the platform, at the center of the platform. Together, they make a percussive sound during the community dancing. It is also a distinctive feature of the Buklog, the most elaborate system of rituals of thanksgiving of the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula in southern Philippines.

The Buklog culminates with the gbat, the community dance, marked by festivity and togetherness, where everyone is encouraged to join. It can go on all day and all night long for several days. It is also a distinctive feature of the Buklog, the most elaborate system of rituals of thanksgiving of the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula in southern Philippines.

The Buklog culminates with the gbat, the community dance, marked by festivity and togetherness, where everyone is encouraged to join. It can go on all day and all night long for several days. It is also a distinctive feature of the Buklog, the most elaborate system of rituals of thanksgiving of the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula in southern Philippines.

Subanen community members play the gong and kulintang for the enjoyment and entertainment of visitors, attendees and participants of the Buklog, the most elaborate system of rituals of thanksgiving of the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula in southern Philippines. Chants, music, and dance are performed all throughout the ritual, functioning not only for entertainment, but to embody the aesthetic aspects of Subanen life and to substantiate their spirituality.