The Kaamatan Festival reflects unity, gratitude and the strength of Sabah’s cultural heritage, says National Unity Minister.
PUTRAJAYA: The Kaamatan Festival should be seen not only as a harvest celebration, but also as a symbol of unity, gratitude and the strength of the cultural heritage of the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut and Rungus communities in Sabah.
National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the celebration serves as an important platform for fostering love, understanding and togetherness among people of diverse races and religions.
“This is the true strength of Malaysia, cultural diversity that does not divide us, but instead unites us as one big family,” he said in a Facebook post today.
He said the younger generation should play a more active role as custodians of culture and guardians of national heritage and identity, by leveraging technology and modern platforms to ensure cultural identity remains relevant and respected.
“If earlier generations defended customs and culture through sacrifice and a deep love for heritage, then today’s generation must continue this through knowledge, pride and action.
“Cultural heritage should not only live on festival stages or in museums; it must continue to breathe in daily life, be learned, appreciated and passed down to future generations,” he said.
He said the preservation of cultural heritage is an important element in nation-building, as a strong nation is not built solely through economic and technological development, but also through people who understand their cultural roots, respect diversity and take pride in their national identity.
Aaron also extended his greetings for the Kaamatan Festival to the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut and Rungus communities in Sabah, as well as Malaysians celebrating it tomorrow.
The Kaamatan is a harvest festival celebrated by communities in Sabah as a sign of gratitude for a bountiful rice harvest, observed throughout May with its main celebrations held on May 30 and 31 each year.
