How You Can Celebrate Kaamatan And Gawai In The Klang Valley

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Enjoy traditional dishes from Sabah and Sarawak in celebration of Kaamatan and Gawai in KL. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star
Going home to celebrate the harvest festival may not be feasible for most Sabahans and Sarawakians residing in Peninsular Malaysia. If this applies to you, fret not, you can still celebrate by partaking in these events that are happening in the Klang Valley throughout May and June.
Taking place this weekend in Kuala Lumpur is the Borneo Native Festival (BNF). Both Sabah’s Kaamatan festival and Sarawak’s Gawai Dayak, the Bornean states’ respective harvest festivals, are the focus of the event.
Now in its fourth year, the 2025 edition of BNF will run from May 23 to May 25. It will be held at Central Market from 10am to 10pm throughout the three days.
Different activities are scheduled for each day, including Borneo craft workshops, music performances and traditional food demo.
The Borneo Beatz Concert will bring the festivities to a close on the final day, with performances by the likes of Alena Murang, At Adau, Belle Sisoski and Tompuvan.
If you are not from either state, your visit to the festival will give you the chance to experience the diverse cultures and traditions of Sabah and Sarawak.
More merriment
If you’re a Sabahan craving for homecooked meals, or you just want a taste of the state’s traditional cuisines, satiate your hunger at the Sabah Kaamatan Buffet by Ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre.
Currently taking place at the hotel’s Kampung Kitchen Buffet Restaurant until May 31, the buffet features a spread consisting of Sabah’s traditional dishes such as hinava (raw fish salad), ambuyat (sticky sago) and linopot (leaf-wrapped rice).
Savour Sabahan traditional food at the Sabah Kaamatan Buffet at Ibis KLCC. — Photos: FLOREY D. MIKIL/The Star
Sabah Kaamatan Buffet offers authentic Sabahan dishes.
Ensuring authenticity, all ingredients are sourced from Sabah itself by chef Sandra Paut. This marks the third year in a row that the Kadazandusun chef, from My Native Sabah Restaurant in Kota Kinabalu, is flown in to curate the menu.
Sarawakians will also get a chance to savour their traditional dishes in June, as the hotel will be introducing its inaugural Sarawak-focused buffet early next month.
Speaking of Sarawak, since the state known for its traditional drink tuak, several joints in KL will be holding special events featuring the drink.
Among these is Nest13 Bar & Lounge in Petaling Jaya. You can grab some tuak cocktails at the rooftop bar during its Gawai Kaamatan Party Night on May 24. The event will feature traditional games and performances, as well as a live band, a best dressed contest and lucky draw sessions.
If you missed the party this weekend, you can head instead to Pisco Bar in KL on May 29. The bar’s Gawai Kaamatan Festival will kick off at 8pm, featuring traditional dancing, games and, of course, plenty of tuak.
Havana Bar & Grill in KL will also hold its own Gawai Kaamatan Festival, happening on June 8.
Partying isn’t your scene? Perhaps you’ll be more interested in the Kuala Lumpur Borneo Half Marathon 2025. Entering its second year, the marathon runs on June 1 at Dataran Merdeka. Registration closes on May 28, check here for details. - Mkini

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