Kota Kinabalu: Kaamatan 2026 is heading into its grand finale as Sabah’s most decorated harvest festival yet, earning recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records, a national tourism quality certification and a first-ever Traditional House Management Excellence Award.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who chairs the Sabah State-Level Kaamatan Festival Main Committee 2026, invited the public to attend the grand finale celebrations at Hongkod Koisaan on May 30 and 31.
“We invite all segments of society to come to Hongkod Koisaan on May 30 and May 31. My advice is to stay safe, control yourself and enjoy the festival,” he said during a media conference here, Tuesday.
Among the honours to be presented is a Malaysia Book of Records certificate recognising Kaamatan as Malaysia’s longest festival, spanning an entire month. The award will be presented to the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) on May 31.
The Traditional Houses at KDCA have also received the Malaysia Tourism Quality Assurance (MyTQA) certification from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) in recognition of their tourism and cultural quality standards.
A new Traditional House Management Excellence Award will also be introduced this year.
The MyTQA is a voluntary accreditation programme aimed at improving the quality of services and facilities across Malaysian tourism products.
This year’s celebration carries the theme “Kaamatan: Harvesting Unity, Celebrating Harmony.”
The month-long festival began on May 1 in Papar and was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The grand finale on May 30 is scheduled to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is expected to arrive at Hongkod Koisaan at about 11am.
He will take part in a symbolic rice harvesting ceremony before officiating the main celebration and visiting the Traditional Houses at Koisaan Cultural Village together with state leaders.
The opening ceremony will feature cultural performances from various ethnic communities, Kaamatan choir presentations, performances by Sugandoi champions, winners of the International Student Cultural Exchange Programme and winners of the Hiis and Manangon cultural competitions.
A total of 53 Unduk Ngadau finalists from Sabah, Labuan, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia will also make appearances.
The closing ceremony on May 31 will be officiated by Head of State Tun Musa Aman and will feature the Mongomot and Magavau rituals, cultural performances and the grand finale of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan State-Level Competition 2026.
New additions this year include a Traditional House Open House concept from 11am to 2pm on both days, with 15 Traditional Houses serving traditional dishes.
Among them is the Bisaya House from Beaufort, which will provide halal food.
A shuttle bus service will operate between KDCA, Imago Shopping Mall and Suria Sabah during the morning and evening.
Visitors can also enjoy agricultural exhibitions, traditional music performances, visits to the Koisaan Museum and Library, outdoor stage entertainment and various food stalls.
On the issue of halal and non-halal food being served within the festival grounds, Dr Joachim called for mutual respect.
“This is Sabah. We have to allow for our differences and be able to enjoy them,” he said.
He also clarified that imported liquor would not be allowed at Traditional Houses during open house sessions, although traditional local brews such as tapai, kinomol, bahar and sikat would be available as part of indigenous cultural practices and not for commercial sale.
With large crowds expected, Dr Joachim urged visitors to prioritise safety, adding that police and Rela personnel would be stationed throughout the venue.
Meanwhile, State Pesta Kaamatan Main Committee for Implementation and Coordination Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan announced that the Kaamatan International Week programme centred on Jungle Food would be held on May 29 at the Traditional Tambunan House in Hongkod Koisaan.
The event marks the first time the programme is being held at the venue after several years in Tambunan.
“All are invited to come to the Tambunan Traditional House at 10am,” he said, adding that all jungle produce and dishes featured are sourced entirely from Sabah.
