Harvest Festival in Malaysia (Labuan And Sabah)
In Labuan and Sabah, Malaysia, there is a harvest festival observed every year known as Tadau Kaamatan—or in English, the Harvest Festival. This festival is a traditional cultural event and celebration that marks the conclusion of the harvest season in the region.
Malaysia (Common local holidays) - Labuan, SabahBecause of this, it is a festival that features a ton of food and rice wine and is celebrated with bright clothing and lively processions. There are also traditional folk dances and other events. It is a holiday that is observed with a lot of enthusiasm among the ethnic tribes in Malaysia and is one of the more important holidays of the year.
The History of the Harvest Festival in Malaysia
The Harvest Festival in Malaysia is one that predates the arrival of Islam or Christianity in the region. It is deeply rooted in the indigenous communities of Sabah, one of the states found in Eastern Malaysia.
The origin of this holiday is linked to the animistic beliefs and agricultural practices of the indigenous Murut and Kadazandusun tribes, who are the main indigenous groups found in Sabah. Although this festival is no longer associated with animism, it is a way for the community to seek blessings and give thanks to the spirits for a successful harvest.
Of course, the introduction of Islam and Christianity to the region helped to make the festivals more colorful as elements of these religions were incorporated into its more traditional celebrations. This happened over many decades as the festival, as well as all of Malaysia, began to modernize.
During the mid-1960s, there was an attempt to turn the Harvest Festival into more of a cultural celebration. In 1962, it was recognized as a statewide public holiday in Sabah, but since then, it has gained prominence throughout Malaysia. Ever since, the Malaysian government has worked hard not only in promoting this festival but also in preserving it for future generations to enjoy.
Observing the Harvest Festival in Malaysia
This holiday is observed at the end of the rice planting cycle, which symbolizes the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new planting season. Festivities occur over a three-day period and feature a variety of colorful rituals and sporting events.
There is a traditional folk dance known as Sumazau, a bamboo dance known as Magunatip, and bamboo stilt walking known as Rampanau. Other events on this day include knuckle wrestling (Mipulous), a tug of war (Migayat), and a singing competition known as Sugandoi.
There is also a beauty pageant known as Unduk Ngadau that happens sometime during this festival. In both Sabah and Labuan, food plays a pivotal role in the festivities. A dish that is often served is rice mixed with cassava, sweet potato, yam, or pumpkin and then placed into leaves.
This dish is known as Linopot. Another dish that is often served is called Hinava. This dish is made with fresh fish, lime juice, and bitter gourd. Other dishes served on this day include a starchy dish made from the sago palm tree called Ambuyat, and a special cake made with glutinous rice, coconut, and palm sugar called Montoku.
Of course, the star of the show for this festival is rice wine. This home-brewed wine is made in clay jars and often served with straws. All across the three-day period of this festival, rice wine competitions are held to give prizes to the people who make the best rice wine. On social media, the hashtags #HarvestFestivalMalaysia or #TadauKaamatan can be used to tell other people about this amazing festival and its colorful activities.
Malaysia (Common local holidays) - Labuan, Sabah
