Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s ethnic culinary heritage is once again in the spotlight through the Festival Cita Rasa Warisan @ Sabah (FCRW@S), featuring traditional dishes recognised as National Heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005.

Held at the Rumpun Bajausama Cultural Centre in Kampung Lok Batik, Tuaran, the four-day event runs from Thursday until August 10, from 9am to 11pm daily. A total of 25 vendors and cultural practitioners are taking part.

Senior Assistant Director of the Intangible Heritage Division at the National Heritage Department, Somira Abdul Rahman, said the festival promotes heritage cuisine as part of efforts to boost tourism and culture in Malaysia.

She said several local dishes from Sabah have been listed as National Heritage including Hinava or Umai, Kuih Cincin, Ambuyat or Pinantung, Tompe’ or Tinompeh and Nonsom Bambangan.

Speaking during a live interview with UMSfm on Thursday, she said the event highlights the richness of traditional food while uniting multi-ethnic communities and promoting cultural products as tourism attractions.

Among the attractions are live cooking demonstrations and stalls selling Ambuyat, Busou, Nasi Linopot, Sambal Tuhau, Sagun Borneo and Kuih Penyaram. Malaysian breakfast favourites like Teh Tarik, Roti Canai and Nasi Lemak, which have received Unesco recognition, are also featured.

Themed “Food for Health and Beauty,” the festival also showcases traditional herbs and healthy local dishes.

One of the highlights is the Cita Rasa Warisan Ratu Serimpak Cooking Competition, where finalists will compete in preparing Ikan Ampap, with total prizes worth RM2,300.

Somira said the programme also aims to educate the public about the value of intangible cultural heritage.

“There will be knowledge-sharing on nearly forgotten dishes and discussions on the meaning and symbolism of Sabah’s heritage cuisine, involving experts from Universiti Teknologi Mara and Universiti Malaysia Sabah,” she said.

The department views the event as a platform to build unity among diverse communities and to strengthen cooperation in safeguarding national heritage.

She said continued support from all parties is needed to ensure the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage protection in the country.

FCRW@S is organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture through the National Heritage Department in collaboration with Suara Buluh Perindu Sabah Association. It is held in conjunction with the Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Festival.