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Over 10,000 expected at Bajau Sama Cultural event

Published on: Sunday, August 03, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 03, 2025 Text Size: Japlin said the four-day event aims to foster unity and collaboration among Sabah's multiracial communities. It will feature a variety of programmes, including cultural workshops and traditional competitions. Kota Kinabalu: Youth involvement in cultural festivals plays a vital role in uplifting and preserving Sabah's rich heritage, said Vice President of the Bajau Sama abah Community Association (PRBSS), Datuk Japlin Akim. He said the younger generation would be the driving force in sustaining and dignifying the state's traditional arts and culture in the years to come. 'Many young people are actively participating in our events, especially competitions like Bertitik, Ratu Serimpak, Soromas, and more,' he said. Japlin encouraged more youth to attend and engage with cultural activities, particularly those rooted in Bajau Sama traditions. 'Their involvement is essential to ensure our cultural heritage is not only preserved but also empowered and passed down to future generations.' He said this after a radio interview with Sabahfm and SabahVfm ahead of the Rumpun Bajau Sama Sabah Cultural Festival, scheduled to take place from August 7 to 10, 2025. Japlin said the four-day event aims to foster unity and collaboration among Sabah's multiracial communities. It will feature a variety of programmes, including cultural workshops and traditional competitions. 'This festival is one way to strengthen racial harmony and cooperation among the people of Sabah. We hope it draws large crowds from across the state,' he said. Among the highlights of the festival are the Soromas and Bertitik competitions, as well as the much-anticipated Ratu Serimpak pageant. Other activities include traditional dance workshops, cooking exhibitions, and showcases of local products. The event will be held at the Rumpun Bajau Sama Sabah Cultural Hall in Lok Batik, Tuaran, and is expected to be officiated by the Head of State, Tun Musa Aman. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who also serves as PRBSS President, is also expected to attend. Also present during the interview were SabahVfm Manager Ruskap Muharam and SabahFM Manager Felix Lee Leng Pink. Meanwhile, over 10,000 visitors are expected to attend the coming Bajausama Ethnic Cultural Festival. 'The festival serves to elevate and empower the identity of the Bajausama ethnic group. We are targeting more than 10,000 visitors throughout the festival period. 'Our goal is to introduce Bajausama culture not just at the national level, but also internationally — so that tourists can appreciate its uniqueness alongside other traditions in Sabah,' he said. He said this after paying a courtesy call on Head of State Tun Musa Aman at Istana Seri Kinabalu on Friday where he extended an invitation to Musa to attend the festival opening on Aug 10. Also present during the visit were Festival Organising Committee Chairman Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Mohd Mansur and Deputy President of the Bajausama Community Association, Datuk Musbah Jamli. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia