Malaysia is so rich in culture and tradition. There are so many different festivals and celebrations that are joyful and meaningful. From Chinese New Year to Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas to the Harvest festivals. Unlike in Peninsular Malaysia, the Malaysian Borneo, Sabah and Sarawak celebrated their main festivals which are Gawai Dayak and Kaamatan.

Gawai Dayak is more of a thanksgiving day to show gratitude for a bountiful harvest and to celebrate unity. This annual festival is celebrated on May 31st and June 1st by the Dayak community which consists of Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit and Murut in Sarawak.

In the days before the festival, those who live far from home will return for preparations to begin. Longhouses are decorated with handicrafts such as pua kumbu and kain kebat, and a ranyai tree of life is erected in the common area. Families also visit their ancestors' graves to pay respect, clean, and make offerings.

Muai Antu Rua is a ritual in which two children or men drag a chapan (winnowing basket) in front of each family's room to collect unwanted items. This is done to expel the greedy spirit.

Some of the tribes that live in interior parts of Sarawak also go hunting, trapping, fishing and more for meat, fish and vegetables that'll be served during the festival.

The eve of Gawai is marked by a miring (offerings) ritual in which the "Feast Chief" leads the ritual by thanking the Gods for the harvest and asking for guidance, blessings, and a long life. Rice wine (tuak) is served alongside traditional dishes such as penganan, pansoh, and lulun. A procession is held inside the common area of a longhouse around midnight, in which people walk up and down the ruai seven times to welcome the spirit God. A gong is struck at midnight, and the "Feast Chief" leads the drinking of Ai Pengayu (usually tuak) and wishes everyone. It concludes with music, dancing, and competitions.

While, Kaamatan is a harvest festival celebrated by the ethnic Kadazan-Dusuns, the largest indigenous group in Sabah throughout the month of May. It is a regional public holiday observed in the state of Sabah and territory of Labuan on May 30th and 31st each year. The highlight of the Kaamatan festival activities is the grand Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Festival Queen) followed by the traditional dance, carnival, events and ceremonies by the Bobohizan, the Kadazan Priestess. According to legend, this is to give thanks to their god, Kinoingan, for sacrificing his daughter, Huminodun, by cutting her to pieces and spreading it across the field which then produced a fruitful harvest of the paddy. The word 'Kaamatan' means “harvest” in Kadazandusun.

Although Kaamatan and Gawai appear to be comparable harvest celebrations, they differ historically and culturally. Come and experience this unique cultural adventure in Malaysian Borneo.