KOTA KINABALU: The Harvest Festival, known locally as Tadau Kaamatan, will be launched on May 1 in the southwestern Sabah town of Beafort, deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan announced yesterday.

"The month-long event, which will be celebrated in most districts in the state, will culminate at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) building in Penampang on May 31," added Pairin during a press conference at the Rural Development Ministry near here.

One of Sabah's top cultural events, the Harvest Festival is a month-long celebration held by numerous indigenous groups to mark the year's rice harvest period.

Featuring cultural performances, competitions and exhibitions, the Festival is a showcase of the state's diverse, age-old traditions.

With that in mind, Pairin, who is also State Tadau Kaamatan Organising Committee chairman, said that this year's theme was "Peace Through Culture", chosen to highlight the importance of strengthening bonds between different ethnic groups.