KOTA KINABALU: Time seemed to slip away unnoticed as a mother and her three children became immersed in a vibrant showcase of Malaysia’s cultural diversity at the National Unity Week celebration.
For Nuralia Lubin, 38, and her children aged seven, 10 and 11, what was meant to be a short visit turned into a three-hour journey from booth to booth without them realising how quickly the morning had passed.
“It was so fun that I didn’t even realise how much time had passed,” said the mother from Ranau, who arrived at the venue around 8.30am.
She said the outing was more than just a family activity, but an opportunity to introduce her children to the traditions and cultures that make up Malaysia’s diverse society.
“The best thing here is seeing games that children today rarely play anymore,” she said.
She also brought her children to the police, Fire and Rescue Department, library and other pavilions, where they eagerly took part in activities and competitions.
The four-day event from June 11 to 14 was a flagship programme under Kembara Perpaduan which aims to foster understanding and unity among Malaysia’s diverse communities.
One of the main attractions was Rumah Kami, which brought together 15 ethnic communities from across the country, allowing visitors to experience traditional attire, food, music, handicrafts and customs through interactive activities and cultural exchanges.
Other highlights included interactive displays featuring various ethnic communities and traditional games that are becoming increasingly unfamiliar to younger generations.
There was also an ethnic village section featuring traditional Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan and Siamese houses, with demonstrations of traditional food preparation, wedding customs, music, dance and handicrafts.
As host of this year’s event, Sabah also became a cultural classroom of sorts for visitors from other parts of the country, many of whom experienced indigenous crafts, foods and traditions unique to the state.
Sahbah Sisa from Kampung Serdang Belipat in Lawas, Sarawak, was thrilled to showcase her community’s products and connect with participants from across Malaysia.
Representing her local Rukun Tetangga group, she brought handmade items such as coconut shell handicrafts and kelulut honey products.
One of her most popular items was a decorative flower made from coconut shells. The intricate piece takes some two days to complete, with each shell cleaned, dried and carefully shaped by hand.
“It is something we are very proud of, but we did not have many opportunities to show it to people outside Lawas,” she said.
For many community-based and indigenous entrepreneurs, the event serves as a platform to introduce products that are often unique to a particular village, district or ethnic community.
Artisan Baldy Undo, 50, from Kota Marudu, showcased traditional Kimaragang parang crafted using techniques passed down through generations.
He said only a small number of artisans continue to practise the craft, which requires specialised skills and painstaking workmanship.
“Not many people can do this work,” he added, hoping more young people would take up the craft to ensure it does not disappear.
“It doesn’t have to be only Kimaragang people. Anyone who is interested is welcome to learn,” he said.
