Homesick Sabahans And Sarawakians Find Comfort At Borneo Native Festival

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- For Malaysians from Sabah and Sarawak living far from home, the longing for their hometown, especially the familiar aromas and flavours of traditional food, finds some relief at the Borneo Native Festival (BNF).

More than just a gathering of ethnic dishes, the festival brings together Malaysians from all races and cultural backgrounds.

For Daniel Perrera, a 23-year-old student at Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam, the festival is a taste of home after nearly six years in Kuala Lumpur.

"It's really hard to find traditional Sabah food here. So today, I'm hoping to get some sambal tuhau to cure my homesickness," he told Bernama.

Daniel, who originally comes from Sabah, said festivals like this are vital, not just for introducing Borneo's culture and traditions, but for helping young people stay connected to their ethnic roots.

"Sabahans and Sarawakians still value and speak their mother tongues. These languages live on not only in daily conversation but also in learning," he said.

Meanwhile, Batrisyia Ahmad, a 24-year-old student at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, said the festival offers a valuable chance for the public, especially Malaysians in Kuala Lumpur like herself, to discover the rich and unique cultures of Sabah and Sarawak up close.

"The festival also helps younger generations understand the way of life of Borneo's communities through the food, culture and traditional products brought in by vendors," she said.

For New Zealand expatriate Dale Wells, who has called Malaysia home for 12 years, the allure of traditional Borneo cuisine was reason enough to visit BNF 2026.

"I'm looking for umai, a traditional dish I once tasted during a trip to Kuching. I think the festival is beautiful. I love the costumes, they're gorgeous.

“We've lived here for 12 years now, so we've tried some of the traditional food before," he said.

Wells believes the festival is a wonderful platform to introduce the cultures of Sabah and Sarawak to foreign tourists, especially those who have never set foot in Borneo.

He added that the ethnic and cultural diversity found in Borneo is a unique treasure that deserves to be preserved for generations to come.

Held at Pasar Seni (Central Market) from May 22 to 24, BNF 2026 is an annual event organised by the Kuala Lumpur Arts Enthusiasts Association (Sukaseni) to coincide with the Kaamatan Festival in Sabah and the Gawai Dayak celebration in Sarawak.

-- BERNAMA