North Borneo Rainforest Festival to feature indigenous cultures from five destinations

KOTA KINABALU: Indigenous communities, artistes and cultural practitioners from Sabah and five international destinations will gather at the North Borneo Rainforest Festival (NBRF) 2026 in Penampang near here on Oct 31 and Nov 1.

The fifth edition of the festival, themed "Misoloot Sopisupi — An Ancestral Gathering", will be held at the Koisaan Cultural Village and KDCA Hall at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA).

Organised by Pertubuhan Kolektif Seni Budaya Sabah (PKSBS), the festival will feature participants from West Kalimantan in Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines and Guam, alongside local communities.

The two-day programme includes indigenous exhibitions, traditional crafts, film screenings, cultural workshops, dance performances and concerts, with highlights including the Borneo Indigenous Film Festival, Papak: A Traditional Tattoo Gathering and Threads of Heritage: International Weaving Exchange.

The Indigenous Cultural Dance Parade, featuring participating communities from Sabah and abroad, will take place from 430pm to 630pm on both days.

The festival's evening concerts at KDCA Hall, scheduled from 7pm to 11pm, will feature local and international performers.

The opening-day cultural showcase on Oct 31 includes Gi Matan Guma from Guam, Sumbali from the Philippines, and Sabah performers Bornneon, Sundatang Fusion and Borneo Inclusive Ensemble, alongside Taiwanese acts.

The Nov 1 concert, themed "A Gathering Through Music", features Indonesian composer and music producer Alffy Rev, Chamorro indigenous artist Dakota Camacho and Sabah singer Elica Paujin.

Other performers include Indonesian music talents Mingse and Akbar Chalay, as well as Sabah-based groups Rolou Pomogunan, Gonding Gen and Ordin J.

Founded in 2019 by cultural and environmental activist Juliana Aping and human rights advocate and lawyer Benazir Japiril Bandaran, NBRF aims to promote cultural exchange while providing opportunities for local artisans, vendors, food operators and creative practitioners to showcase their products and skills.

The festival will also feature a cultural village with exhibitions, craft demonstrations, children's activities and community-led initiatives, alongside a food village showcasing local and regional cuisine.

Organisers said the festival was designed to give families and young people in Sabah opportunities to experience different cultures without travelling abroad.

NBRF2026 is presented with support from the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Sabah Art Gallery and Bayu Seni.

Tickets covering the two-day programme are available online through MyTicket Empire.