By Dr Richard A. Gontusan onColumns
Raya Open House hosted by Rotarian Abu Bakar Sheriff and family.
(April 20) My Kadazan Christian family has long cherished the tradition of hosting a Christmas open house every December 25 to honour and celebrate the birth of Christ. My late father saw this annual gathering not only as a celebration but also as an opportunity to strengthen ties with friends, extended family, and even customers of my mother’s once-thriving village sundry shop. He believed the open house brought positive energy and blessings, contributing to our family’s overall well-being through the presence and goodwill of those who came to celebrate with us.
Although my father has since passed on, we continue the tradition he began over 55 years ago. We only paused it for three years during the Covid-19 pandemic, in compliance with the Movement Control Order (MCO).
The spirit of our open house remains unchanged: bringing together friends and family in a joyful setting filled with delicious food, laughter, and meaningful connections. Nevertheless, although we are a Kadazan family, we refrain from hosting open houses for the Kaamatan festival at home, as we were taught that Kaamatan is a community celebration, best observed together with others at central venues such as the village community centre.
Of course, the concept of an open house extends far beyond my own family’s practice. In the culturally rich and ethnically diverse Malaysian state of Sabah, hosting open houses during festive occasions such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, and Christmas is more than just a tradition; it is a heartfelt expression of unity, inclusiveness, and mutual respect. While open houses are celebrated across Malaysia, they hold particular significance in Sabah, where the population is a vibrant tapestry of ethnicities, faiths, and cultural traditions.
Sabahans are known for their genuine warmth and hospitality. In a land where Kadazan, Dusun, Bajau, Murut, Chinese, Malay, Indian and other communities live side by side, often intermarried and culturally intertwined, open houses are an embodiment of the Sabahan way of life; one where diversity is not just tolerated, but wholeheartedly celebrated. This tradition is deeply rooted in the values of gotong-royong (mutual cooperation), community spirit, and respect for diversity. During festive periods, it is common for people of various faiths and ethnicities to visit each other’s homes, enjoying traditional dishes and exchanging warm greetings.
For example, during Hari Raya, Muslim families prepare an array of traditional Malay and local Sabahan dishes such as satay, rendang, ketupat and linopot, welcoming friends from all walks of life into their homes. Chinese families do the same during Chinese New Year, offering festive foods like yee sang, kuih kapit, and bak kwa, while Christian families open their homes during Christmas with offerings of roast meat, fruit cakes and local delicacies such as hinava and tuhau. At the heart of it all is the spirit of inclusivity. The open house is not just about food or festivity; it is about opening one’s heart and home to others. It is an unspoken declaration that all are welcome, all are valued, and all are part of the same community.
In a multiracial and multireligious society like Sabah’s, the potential for division along ethnic or religious lines is always present. However, open house practices serve as a grassroots-level bridge across these potential divides. They offer an opportunity for people to experience firsthand the customs and traditions of others, fostering empathy and reducing prejudice. Children growing up in Sabah are often exposed to multiple festivals from a young age. A young Kadazan child may attend Christmas Mass, then celebrate Hari Raya with a Muslim neighbour, and toss yee sang during Chinese New Year at a classmate’s house. This exposure normalises diversity, making intercultural understanding not an abstract ideal, but a lived experience.
These shared celebrations become moments of education and exchange. Through simple acts such trying a traditional dish, listening to a cultural explanation, or observing a religious ritual, individuals learn about each other’s backgrounds. Over time, these acts cultivate a more harmonious society built on mutual respect and understanding.
One of the most significant social benefits of open houses is the way they strengthen community bonds. In an era where modern life often isolates individuals, festive open houses offer a chance to reconnect. Neighbours, colleagues, and friends come together not only to celebrate but also to deepen relationships. The informality of open houses helps dissolve social barriers. Unlike formal receptions or exclusive gatherings, open houses are egalitarian in nature; everyone is welcome, regardless of status. Whether a guest is a government official, a business owner, a school teacher, or a street vendor, they are greeted with the same hospitality.
In rural areas and smaller towns across Sabah, open houses often take on a more communal character. Villagers or kampung residents sometimes hold collective open houses at community halls or longhouses, especially when resources are limited. These events such as a Kaamatan celebration bring entire communities together and reinforce the bonds of kinship and collective identity.
Each festive open house is also a showcase of cultural heritage. Traditional attires, decorations, music and food all come together to create an immersive cultural experience. For instance, during Chinese New Year, homes are adorned with red lanterns, couplets and oranges symbolising prosperity. During Hari Raya, homes are decorated with oil lamps and green ketupat ornaments. At Christmas, homes are lit with colourful lights and nativity scenes.
Guests are often introduced to cultural symbols and practices such as the salam gesture during Hari Raya, the angpow tradition during Chinese New Year, or carolling during Christmas. This active participation helps preserve traditional practices while allowing others to appreciate and learn from them. In many open houses, traditional performances such as sumazau, lion dances, or choral singing are featured, especially in official or larger-scale events. These performances not only entertain but also serve as living links to Sabah’s diverse cultural heritage.
Sabah’s open house culture is a living testament to the idea that diversity, when embraced with respect and openness, can be a powerful unifying force. It offers a counter-narrative to sectarianism and intolerance, reminding everyone that beyond our differences lies a shared humanity. This unity is often highlighted during state or national open houses, where leaders from different ethnic and religious backgrounds attend each other’s festivities, delivering speeches that reinforce the message of harmony. These events, often covered in the media, send a strong message of solidarity to the public. At the grassroots level, ordinary Sabahans model this unity every time they enter a neighbour’s home during a festival. The handshakes, smiles, and laughter exchanged across dining tables may not make headlines, but they are the true foundation of societal cohesion.
Beyond societal and cultural advantages, open houses also offer emotional and psychological benefits. They create a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation. For those who may be far from their families such as migrant workers, students, or the elderly, being invited to an open house provides comfort and connection. Festive seasons can sometimes be emotionally challenging for individuals dealing with loss or hardship. In such times, the open-heartedness of open houses can offer warmth and solidarity. A shared meal or kind word can be a powerful reminder that no one is truly alone in Sabah. Moreover, preparing for open houses can be therapeutic for hosts as well. It offers a chance to reflect on gratitude, reconnect with old friends, and express generosity, values that contribute to emotional well-being.
Despite its many benefits, the tradition of open houses is not without its challenges. For non-Muslim hosts, it is important to be mindful of the dietary restrictions of Muslim guests. In my own family, we make it a point to refrain from serving pork and only order food from vendors who exclude pork from their premises. In addition, rising living costs can make hosting large groups expensive, and in some cases, there may be concerns over food waste or health and safety, especially post-pandemic. Additionally, as urban lifestyles become more fast-paced and individualistic, there is a risk that this tradition could wane. However, these challenges can be addressed through creativity and community support. Potluck-style open houses, communal venues, and public-private partnerships can help ease the burden on individual hosts.
Encouraging young people to participate and volunteer in these events can also help keep the tradition alive.
In Sabah, the practice of holding open houses during major festivals is much more than a cultural tradition; it is a powerful symbol of unity, inclusivity, and mutual respect. It reflects the Sabahan spirit of warmth and openness, a spirit that transcends ethnic and religious lines. As Sabah continues to grow and modernise, it is vital to preserve and promote this cherished tradition. The open house is a simple yet profound practice that brings people together, strengthens communities, and nurtures the soul of a diverse society. In a world increasingly marked by division, Sabah’s open houses offer a hopeful example of how people can live together in harmony, one shared meal, one open door, and one heartfelt greeting at a time.
Footnote
Dr Richard A. Gontusan is a Human Resource Skill Training and Investment Consultant. He looks forward to festive open houses every year. His views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of The Borneo Post.
