KOTA BELUD: The colourful Citrawarna Night was among the highlights of Festival Tempasuk 2025, celebrating the ethnic arts and culture of the Tempasuk community.
Held over five days beginning Aug 13, the festival features traditional dances, costumes, food, folk games and cultural performances aimed at promoting the unique heritage of the Tempasuk and Kota Belud areas.
Festival Chairperson Datin Vinnie Nursyahirah Abdullah said the event served as a platform to showcase the diversity and richness of local traditions.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“This festival brings together various elements of Tempasuk’s arts and culture. Historically, Tempasuk was the original name of Kota Belud, and we are proud to highlight the heritage of communities across this region,” she said after the event at the Tempasuk People’s Service Centre Square.
Among the evening’s highlights were performances by popular local artists, Datuk Francis Landong and Leles Koronob, as well as a cultural showcase by the Pentarama troupe from the Sabah Information Department.
The event was officiated by Pantai Dalit Assemblyman and Executive Chairman of Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd, Datuk Jasnih Daya.
The main attraction was the Citra Budaya Etnik Tempasuk Parade, featuring nine teams, seven representing sub-districts within the Tempasuk constituency, and two invited teams from the organising committee, including the Tobilung ethnic group of Kota Belud.
Vinnie said each team competed for five awards - Largest Participation, Best Performance, Best Concept, Most Festive Team and Best Teamwork.
“This is the second time the parade has been held, with the first edition in 2022 under a slightly different name,” she added.
She expressed hope that the festival would continue to serve as a platform for the Tempasuk community to preserve and promote their customs and cultural identity, while positioning the constituency as a cultural tourism hub.
“We expect around 5,000 visitors throughout the festival. This turnout will benefit local businesses including homestays, food vendors, and souvenir sellers, even over a short period,” she said.
