What is "Gumahoi"?

What is "GUMAHOI"?

"Gumahoi" is a Kadazan word that means "Reaching Out." This can mean reaching out to others, reaching out to the less fortunate, reaching out to those in need, and so on.

When you meet people and you inquire how they are, this is 'reaching out." Reaching out to people is not confined to any particular place or time. It can be by any means. It can be through other people. When you say, "Say hi to your family," you are reaching out to the person's family.

However, 'reaching out' to others does not usually come naturally. Fear pulls us back.

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the man did not think twice about helping the wounded man. And he did not count the cost. In fact, he promised the inn-keeper that he would pay him everything that was expended to make the unfortunate man well again.

In the true story of the rescue of an 18-month old baby, Jessica McClure who fell down a 22 feet-deep well, everybody lent a hand in order to rescue her. This is 'reaching out' to the baby and the hurting family. It was a miracle that the baby girl was rescued after 58 hours without any serious injury. She is now 31 years old.


There are many stories on 'reaching out" out there. You may know some of them.

Note:
For those who have never heard about the Kadazans, they are the major ethnic race in Sabah, a founding member of the Federation of Malaysia.