Second Day of Harvest Festival observed

In Malaysia, the second day of the Harvest Festival is recognized on June 1, 2026, serving as a continuation of the indigenous thanksgiving rites known as Gawai Dayak and Kaamatan. This specific date marks a gazetted public holiday within the states of Sarawak and Sabah, resulting in the closure of government offices, banks, and schools.

While Western Malaysia may follow standard business operations, the eastern regions view this as a primary day of rest and communal activity, with most private sector businesses also pausing operations to accommodate celebrations.

This observance functions as a vital pillar for the preservation of Kadazan-Dusun and Dayak heritage in a rapidly modernizing society. By formalizing these traditions, the holiday reinforces the social cohesion of Malaysia's diverse ethnic landscape and ensures that agricultural ancestral customs remain central to the national identity.

Families in East Malaysia typically congregate in village longhouses or community centers to share traditional meals and home-brewed rice wine. The day is characterized by the performance of the Ngajat and Sumazau dances, where participants don intricate ethnic attire and move to the cadence of bronze gongs.

Many households host 'open house' events, welcoming neighbors of all backgrounds to participate in cultural exhibits and feasts that extend from the morning into the late evening hours.