Kaamatan: The Complete Guide to Sabah's Harvest Festival
Discover traditions, food, events, and visitor tips for May 30-31, 2026
About Kaamatan
Kaamatan is one of Malaysia's most vibrant cultural celebrations, a harvest festival marking the end of the rice planting season and giving thanks for a bountiful harvest. For the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, Rungus, and Lundayeh peoples of Sabah, this two-day festival (May 30-31) is a time to celebrate family, culture, and the spirits of the rice fields.
The festival is rooted in the legend of Princess Huminodun, a beautiful maiden who sacrificed herself to save her people from famine. Today, Kaamatan honors her memory through parades, pageants, traditional games, music, dance, and feasting on authentic Sabahan dishes.
The main celebration happens at KDCA Penampang (Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association headquarters), just 15 minutes from Kota Kinabalu city center. However, districts across Sabah hold their own celebrations, and even Sabahans living in Kuala Lumpur gather at KDCA Putrajaya to mark the occasion. Kaamatan is a public holiday in Sabah only.
Quick Facts
Explore Kaamatan
Start with a topic that interests you, or explore the complete guide below.
Traditional Food Guide
Hinava, tuhau, bambangan, tapai — every dish you need to try
Unduk Ngadau Pageant
The cultural pageant honoring Huminodun's beauty
Legend of Huminodun
The sacred story behind the harvest festival
KDCA Visitor Guide
Getting there, what to see, festival layout
First-Timer Guide
What to wear, bring, budget, and cultural tips
Events & Activities
Sumazau, Sugandoi, Magunatip, traditional games
Traditional Costume
Sinuangga, accessories, regional variations
Live Updates 2026
Results, schedules, crowd tips during the festival
When is Kaamatan 2026?
Kaamatan is celebrated on May 30-31, 2026 across Sabah. The main state-level celebration takes place at KDCA Penampang, with festivities running both days. Many districts hold their own Kaamatan celebrations on the same dates, allowing locals and visitors to experience the festival in different communities.
Kaamatan is a public holiday in Sabah only. Sabahans working in other states or overseas often travel home for the festival. If May 30-31 falls on a weekend, the public holiday remains the same; there is no automatic replacement holiday on Monday.
For live schedules, event times, and updates as the festival approaches, check out our Live Updates 2026 page.
Where is Kaamatan Celebrated?
The main Kaamatan celebration happens at KDCA Penampang (Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association), located in Penampang village, just 15 minutes from Kota Kinabalu's city center. The venue features the Huminodun monument, cultural buildings, and open grounds for parades, dances, and traditional games.
Beyond KDCA Penampang, district celebrations occur in communities across Sabah—including Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tenom, and others—where locals gather for local-level festivals with traditional food, games, and cultural performances.
Sabahans living in Kuala Lumpur celebrate at KDCA Putrajaya, a branch of the cultural association that brings the festival to the nation's capital. This smaller celebration retains the spirit of Kaamatan traditions and is a home away from home for Sabah diaspora.
For directions, transport options, parking, and what to expect at the main venue, visit our KDCA Visitor Guide.
How to Say Happy Kaamatan
The traditional Kaamatan greeting differs slightly between ethnic groups:
Kadazan: "Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan" (koh-TOH-bee-ahn tah-DAU tah-GAH-zoh doh kah-AH-mah-tahn)
Dusun: "Kotobian Tadau Tagayo Do Kaamatan" (koh-TOH-bee-ahn tah-DAU tah-GAH-yoh doh kah-AH-mah-tahn)
Both translate to "Happy Harvest Festival" in English. When greeting Sabahans during Kaamatan, using either phrase shows respect for the culture and tradition. A simple "Selamat Kaamatan" (Happy Kaamatan) is also widely understood and appreciated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q What is Kaamatan in English?
Q Is Kaamatan a public holiday in Malaysia?
Q Can tourists attend Kaamatan?
Q What food should I try at Kaamatan?
Q What is Unduk Ngadau?
Sources & References 7 sources
Last verified: 2026-04-27
Official Sources
Cultural References
Emergency & Practical Info
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