Discovering the Borneo Native Festival
Cat read about the Borneo Native Festival (BNf) being held at Pasar Seni (Central Market), showcasing the culture and economy of our Bornean brethren from Sabah and Sarawak. With over 70 vendors promoting handicrafts, food, and beverages, it sounded too good to miss — so we made plans to visit this fine Saturday morning.
Hosted by SukaSeni, BNf celebrates indigenous communities through traditional art forms. The festival featured 20 performers, five cultural organisations, 15 government agencies, and 20 craft makers, artisans, dancers, and historians. It was a rare chance to experience Bornean culture up close, with hands on activities and plenty to explore.
A Celebration of Craft and Culture
The festival offered an impressive range of items — handcrafted wooden carvings, jewellery, woven baskets, bead necklaces, fabrics, batik, songket, paintings, and more. The three day celebration aimed to raise funds for local Bornean communities, helping artisans continue their craft without financial constraints.
When we arrived at Central Market, we were greeted by what felt like an endless row of stalls. Inside and outside, the atmosphere was lively and colourful.
We were especially drawn to the UNIMAS stall outside, where even more unique items were on display — including coffee and food products rarely found in Kuala Lumpur.
Browsing, Sampling, and Shopping
We spent a good amount of time browsing every stall. Cat took particular fancy to a stall selling Sabahan snacks and picked up a packet of Keropok Amplang Bikmie and Kuih Cincin.
Held from 20–22 May 2022, we truly hope BNf returns next year — and perhaps for an even longer run.
When we were done, we walked over to Restoran Tajudin Nasi Beriani nearby for an early lunch, so be sure to check out our next video.
A Small Reminder
While not wanting to be a wet blanket, we feel it is our civic duty to remind everyone that while masks are optional outdoors, they are still mandatory indoors. Stay safe and considerate.
(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)
We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.
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