Tuaran: The 2025 Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Festival serves as a vital platform to unite Bajau Sama associations across the State while elevating the art, culture and traditions of this ethnic community.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said this year’s festival holds special significance as it marks the first collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac).
He said this at the Bertitik Competition Finals held at the Dewan Terbuka Pusat Kebudayaan Persatuan Rumpun Bajau Sama, here, Saturday.
Since its establishment in 2012, the 13-year-old association has expanded to 19 branches statewide. The annual festival brings together association leaders to gather in Tuaran, particularly at the community’s cultural centre.
“This festival serves as an important platform to strengthen the identity of the Bajau Sama community in Sabah, bringing together generations, including children as young as 10 who participate in the traditional dance competitions,” Armizan said.
He said the Bajau Sama arts and culture represent Sabah’s unique strengths that could attract tourists and stimulate the local economy.
The festival’s economic potential through cultural tourism could draw more visitors to Sabah, especially to Tuaran and the cultural centre, particularly during next year’s Visit Malaysia campaign.
Armizan expressed hope that the festival would be included in Motac’s official calendar to ensure continuous annual support.
He also suggested modernising and commercialising traditional clothing motifs, similar to Sarawak’s batik, for wider use, including official Thursday wear for civil servants.
He urged association members and younger generations to continue preserving their cultural heritage to prevent it from being lost to time.
The four-day festival features various art competitions, cultural performances and exhibitions of traditional Bajau Sama food and clothing.
Also present were Persatuan Rumpun Bajau Sama Sabah Vice President Datuk Japlin Akim and Secretary General Datuk Kassim Razali, who also chairs the festival’s organising committee.
