Unity Week 2026: Rumah KAMI, Perkampungan Rumah Etnik Showcase Malaysia's Cultural Diversity

By Rohana Nasrah

KOTA KINABALU, June 13 (Bernama) -- Visitors to the National Unity Week 2026 celebration have the opportunity to experience the cultures of Malaysia’s diverse communities through the Rumah KAMI and Perkampungan Rumah Etnik exhibitions, featuring approximately 14 ethnic groups from across the country.

The exhibitions take visitors on a journey through different cultural settings, showcasing ethnic communities such as the Murut, Kadazan, Rungus, Bajau, Bugis, Kedayan, Chetti and Portuguese, each with its own unique cultural identity and customs.

Visitors can also experience and gain a deeper appreciation of the lifestyles of Malaysia’s multicultural communities through the Perkampungan Rumah Etnik (Ethnic Houses Village), which features traditional house structures, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, Baba Nyonya and Siamese houses.

Sabah National Unity and Integration Department director Rina Ab Harun said the Rumah KAMI and Perkampungan Rumah Etnik exhibitions provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about the country's rich cultural diversity and heritage.

Speaking to Bernama, Rina said the exhibitions are in line with efforts to mainstream the concept of ‘Understand, Respect, Accept and Celebrate’ as the core theme of National Unity Week, aimed at strengthening unity and social harmony among Malaysians.

“People not only gain a better understanding of one another’s backgrounds and cultures, but also learn to respect differences and embrace diversity as a shared strength.

“Through this approach, National Unity Week not only strengthens national identity but also helps preserve the country's unity ecosystem sustainably and continuously,” she said.

In addition to the unique ethnic house replicas, Rina said visitors also have the opportunity to watch demonstrations of traditional food preparation, including linopot, hinava, pinasakan, nasi kuning and ambuyat.

She said the cultural experience is further enriched by demonstrations of traditional crafts such as different types of embroidery - linangkit, ribu-ribu and tekat - as well as wau-making and lion head puppet-making, as well as demonstrations of traditional musical instruments, including the kompang, gendang, tabla, sape, sitar and gong.

Siti Hajarrima Abdul Main, 38, a teacher at Tabika Perpaduan, expressed excitement at having the opportunity to gain a closer understanding of the diverse cultures of communities in Peninsular Malaysia showcased through the Perkampungan Rumah Etnik.

She said the experience provided new exposure to the customs and cultures of the country's diverse communities, particularly ethnic groups that are less commonly found in Sabah, such as the Baba Nyonya community.

“This is the first time I have seen a Baba Nyonya house setting in person. Usually, I only see it on television. So, when the Baba Nyonya house replica was brought here, I was able to observe its layout and atmosphere up close.

“It gives us exposure and experience, while also allowing us to learn about and better understand the diversity of cultures in Peninsular Malaysia and how they differ from those in Sabah,” she said.

Another visitor, Siti Nur Aqilah Rosmat, 30, was equally excited by the uniqueness of the Rumah KAMI and Perkampungan Rumah Etnik exhibitions, which bring together the diverse cultures of Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

She did not expect to have the opportunity to see firsthand the unique features of the Indian House, complete with exhibitors dressed in traditional attire, as well as the setting of a Siamese House for the first time.

“Programmes like this are very interesting and should be expanded to provide greater exposure to Malaysia's ethnic and cultural diversity,” she said.

The National Unity Week 2026 celebration, organised by the Ministry of National Unity, will run for four days until tomorrow (June 14) under the theme ‘Bersama Membina Negara Bangsa’.

-- BERNAMA