Penampang to host indigenous arts and music at North Borneo festival

Indigenous arts, cinema and music will feature in Penampang, Sabah, when the North Borneo Rainforest Festival returns on Oct 31 and Nov 1, 2026. Pertubuhan Kolektif Seni Budaya Sabah is organising the event at two venues: Koisaan Cultural Village and KDCA Hall.

The programme brings together Sabah communities with visitors from Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia’s West Kalimantan. Activities include the Borneo Indigenous Film Festival, a gathering focused on traditional tattooing and an international exchange on weaving.

Dance parades are planned for both afternoons, running from 4.30pm until 6.30pm. Evening performances at KDCA Hall will run from 7pm until 11pm. The Oct 31 line-up includes Philippine group Sumbali, Guam’s Gi Matan Guma and Taiwanese acts, together with Bornneon, Sundatang Fusion and Borneo Inclusive Ensemble from Sabah.

For Nov 1, the concert line-up includes Alffy Rev, an Indonesian composer and music producer; Dakota Camacho, a Chamorro indigenous artist; and Elica Paujin, a Sabah singer. Mingse, Akbar Chalay, Rolou Pomogunan, Gonding Gen and Ordin J are also listed among the performers.

Craft demonstrations, exhibitions and children’s activities will accompany a food village offering regional and local dishes. Organisers said they aimed to make cultural encounters accessible to Sabah families and young people without overseas travel. MyTicket Empire is selling tickets covering both festival days.