Kota Kinabalu: A three-year report on the Kaamatan International Week 2024-2026 initiative will be launched on May 29 as part of efforts to strengthen the harvest festival’s position on the global stage.
Kaamatan International Week Committee Chairman Datuk Patinggi Andrew Ambrose said the report would document strategic inputs and recommendations from international experts aimed at elevating Kaamatan as a platform for culture, biodiversity, indigenous knowledge and community-based economic development.
He said the report, to be launched in conjunction with the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development during Kaamatan International Week 2026, would serve as an accountability document to stakeholders including the State Government, Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), cultural communities and international partners.
“The report reflects how Kaamatan can be strengthened as a platform for cultural diplomacy, biodiversity, community economy and indigenous food innovation,” he said during an interview on Morning Kinabalu at Kupi-Kupi FM, last Tuesday.
According to Andrew, the report compiles recommendations and perspectives from multilateral agencies, universities and cultural researchers from the United Kingdom, Bangkok and Northeast India.
He said the document, estimated at between 40 and 60 pages, is a strategic synthesis derived from more than 200 pages of conference inputs, research documents and reference materials.
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Andrew added that the report also charts the transformation of Kaamatan from a cultural celebration into a broader platform encompassing research, food innovation, biodiversity and sustainability.
He also highlighted the introduction of the Jungle Food Labs initiative, which focuses on indigenous food innovation and biodiversity.
The initiative, he said, was inspired by global discourse led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on sustainable food systems, biodiversity and indigenous community knowledge during the World Indigenous Youth Forum in Rome in 2023.
“The Jungle Food Labs concept demonstrates that traditional indigenous food systems possess significant scientific, nutritional, ecological and cultural value,” he said.
He explained that the initiative also aims to showcase indigenous expertise in sustainably managing food resources from forests and rivers, while reinforcing the importance of preserving forests as sources of food, medicine, biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
Andrew said organisers are currently building strategic collaborations with international bodies including Unesco, the United Nations Development Programme, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and FAO, as well as academic institutions.
He said visitors attending the launch event at Lamin Tambunan, Koisaan Cultural Village, KDCA, would also be introduced to a range of indigenous forest-based dishes featuring jungle vegetables, river produce, herbs, traditional fermented foods and alternative protein sources.
“These dishes reflect the uniqueness of Sabah’s biodiversity, influenced by seasonal changes, forest ecosystems, river environments and community practices.
“It is not merely a culinary experience, but also a form of public education on appreciating indigenous food heritage,” he said.
Andrew added that Kaamatan International Week was envisioned as a platform to position Sabah as a global hub for indigenous culture, traditional food innovation, cultural diplomacy and sustainable community development.
