Kota Kinabalu: Sabahans living in Western Australia are keeping their Kadazan-Dusun-Murut (KDM) traditions alive through the efforts of the Sabah Indigenous Society of Western Australia (SISWA), currently led by President Edwinna Otigil.
SISWA Secretary Rohana Ramlee, who was also the founding president, said they had gathered as many Sabahans as possible to make the activities engaging and enjoyable, while also initiating fundraising efforts to ensure sustainability.
Rohana explained the activities, along with Kadazan language class, although partly intended to engage more Sabahans in Perth prior to Kaamatan Perth 2026, were not organised solely in conjunction with Kaamatan.
These are initiatives they plan to continue organising, especially if there is demand.
In conjunction with the Kaamatan Harvest Festival, SISWA hosted a series of cultural activities designed to reconnect the community with its roots.
Among the highlights were hands-on cooking classes featuring traditional dishes such as Hinava (raw fish salad) and Pinasakan Sada (fish in sour broth), and also Lihing (rice wine) making classes.
The sessions introduced younger Sabahans to the flavours of home while preserving culinary traditions through storytelling.
Music and dance formed another cornerstone of the celebrations. Participants learned the art of Gong beating and Kulintangan, two traditional instruments from Sabah.
They also practised the Sumazau and Magunatip dances, exploring the cultural narratives behind each performance.
Founded as a registered non-profit organisation in Australia, SISWA has become a structured platform for cultural continuity.
Its annual Kaamatan celebration is now a cornerstone event, supported by a growing network of volunteers and members.
The society’s mission is to preserve Sabah’s indigenous heritage, foster intergenerational knowledge transfer and contribute to the multicultural fabric of Western Australia.
SISWA’s initiatives go beyond cultural showcases. They serve as bridges for younger Sabahans in Australia to reconnect with their identity.
By engaging in traditional music and dance, youth gain a sense of belonging and pride, ensuring that practices remain vibrant even far from Sabah.
Cooking classes have proven to be powerful tools of preservation. Preparing traditional allows participants to relive childhood memories while passing them on to the next generation. Food, in the context, becomes a living archive of family and community history.
Looking ahead, SISWA plans to expand its outreach with (more) language classes, music workshops and other cultural programmes, as these will deepen cultural knowledge while inviting the wider community to engage with indigenous traditions.
With its strong community spirit, they continue to grow while remaining strongly connected to Sabah’s traditions, a proof to the resilience and pride of Sabahans abroad.
They are looking forward to the upcoming Harvest Festival celebration on June 13, where a guest of honour will officiate the event.
Sabahans in Perth and around the world who wish to inquire more or support their efforts may reach out to SISWA directly through their website,
www.siswaperth.org.
