State Holiday

Harvest Festival (Kaamatan)

State Holiday

Harvest Festival is a major cultural celebration in East Malaysia, known as Pesta Kaamatan in Sabah (celebrated by the Kadazan-Dusun and Murut communities) and Hari Gawai in Sarawak (celebrated by the Dayak communities). It is a time to give thanks to the spirits and God for a bountiful rice harvest and to pray for a successful season ahead.

Traditions & Celebrations

Traditional Rituals: In Sabah, the Magavau ceremony is performed to invite the spirit of the rice, while in Sarawak, rituals are held at the longhouses to offer thanks to the gods.
Cultural Performances: Communities showcase traditional dances like the Sumazau (Sabah) and Ngajat (Sarawak) accompanied by rhythmic gong music.
Traditional Food and Drink: Special delicacies such as bamboo-cooked rice (Lemang) and traditional rice wine (Tapai or Tuak) are shared among guests.
Beauty Pageants and Competitions: In Sabah, the Unduk Ngadau (beauty queen) pageant is a highlight, alongside traditional sports and singing competitions (Sugandoi).
Open Longhouses: Homes and longhouses are opened to friends and visitors of all backgrounds to feast and celebrate together.

Upcoming Dates

Year	Date	Day	Status
2026	May 30, 2026	Saturday	132 days