We’re more than halfway into 2013 and even the first week in August is almost finished.
Before the month completely eludes us, lets have a look at some exciting events in Kota Kinabalu and Sabah coming your way this month.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri
In 2013 August is even more festive than usual as it starts with our Muslim friends ending their month of fasting on 8 & 9 August.
The Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations are a time for family gatherings and from 10 August it offers one of the times to experience Malaysians’ famous open houses.
In spite of it being a Muslim celebration, Malaysia’s multicultural society means there’s nothing odd about finding friends (and even family) from other cultures and religions at a Hari Raya open house, enjoying the celebrations, food and company, but especially the food.
During this period state level open houses also take place, a perfect opportunity for foreign visitors who haven’t made local friends yet, to also experience the spirit of Hari Raya.
Comedy Bah
The fun events in Sabah continue when Comedy Bah imports some quality comedians for our stand-up comedy pleasure.
The weekend of 9 & 10 Aug, JUGs at Sutera Harbour Resort once again plays hosts to some of Malaysia’s top comedians.
They’re flying in especially to make Sabahans laugh, you know?
Your host and MC for the night is Kota Kinabalu regular Phoon Chi Ho.
He will be making sense of the line-up that includes Sabah’s own Dan Darby plus west Malaysian Sharizan Ferouz.
For an international flavour Tim Tayag from the Philippines, Sharul Channa from Singapore and Ibitoye Aziz from Nigeria is in the mix.
Get the details from our Comedy Bah events page.
Sandakan Memorial Day
In Sandakan the fallen heroes from the Sandakan Death Marches are honoured on August 15th.
Memorial services during Sandakan Memorial Day are attended by the family of the British and Australian soldiers who perished during the Second World War.
The annual memorial commemorates the heroes who fell during the Sandakan Death marches that took place in the last days of the war in 1945.
For more info, refer to our Sandakan Memorial Day events page.
Coalition Duchenne Expedition Mt. Kinabalu
That same weekend, on 16 August, Coalition Duchenne takes on Expedition Mt. Kinabalu for a memorable cause.
It’s part of the organisation’s awareness campaign to shed light on Duchenne, a debilitating disease, for which a cure is yet to be found.
Their 3rd annual climb of Mt. Kinabalu, Catherine Jayasuriya once again leads a group of 150 climbers to the highest peak in Borneo in an effort to spread the word of Duchenne.
Find out more from the Coalition Duchenne Expedition Mt. Kinabalu event page.
Pesta Rumbia / Sago Festival
Elsewhere in Sabah, also on 16 – 18 Aug you’ll find the Pesta Rumbia, or the Sago Festival, taking place in Kuala Penyu.
Ruta Bunga / Flower Festival
In Tenom, from 24 – 25 August, the Flower Festival will be taking place, that will celebrate Sabah’s flower biodiversity with flower sales and competitions, including the coveted title of Flower Queen during the Ratu Bunga beauty Pageant.
Borneo International Marathon
On 25 August, the Borneo International Marathon finally takes place.
After being postponed due to the elections earlier this year, the organisers have regrouped.
The Borneo International Marathon promises to put on the best event thus far.
With amped up participants and a new route, the Borneo International Marathon will augment it’s reputation as a must-attend event in Sabah and Malaysia.
Merdeka Day 2013
And we end the month with one of Malaysia’s biggest celebrations, Merdeka Day, which is generally celebrated as Malaysia’s independence from colonial rule*.
The official day for the celebrations is Saturday, 31 August, but it is inevitably preceeded by at least a couple of days of Merdeka Day related events and activities all across Sabah.
The event to end all events in Kota Kinabalu is the annual National Day Parade that is held in front of the Marina Court buildings near the KK Waterfront. Thousands of people spill onto the streets to witness colourful parades and activities by groups local, national and international.
The night usually culminates in a spectacular display of fireworks, leaving the city of Kota Kinabalu buzzing well into the night.
And there you have, a month full of activities in Kota Kinabalu and Sabah. Enjoy!
Merdeka Day, commemorating 31 Aug 1957, is actually the date on which Malaya (commonly known as west Malaysia) gained independence from Britain. Sarawak and Sabah gained their independence several years later, on 22 July 1963 and 31 August 1963 respectively. They all joined to form Malaysia on 16 September 1963 – which is celebrated next month on 16 Sep, as Malaysia Day.