Saturday, 20 June 2026

Niti Daun parade bringing together 114 contingents showing diverse cultures, traditions and identities of the Dayak community

KUCHING, June 20 2026: The Niti Daun Parade held in conjunction with the Sarawak Gawai Dayak 2026 celebration brought together 114 contingents that showcased the diverse cultures, traditions and identities of the Dayak community from all over Sarawak.

Caption: The winning contingent in  the Orang Uku category

The parade, officiated by Premier Abang Johari Openg, began from Tun Jugah complex and ended at town square, Waterfront.

Deputy Premier and chairman of the celebration main organising committee Douglas Uggah Embas said the encouraging participation reflected the Dayak community's continued commitment to preserving cultural heritage while strengthening the spirit of unity among people of various races.

"This year we witnessed the participation of 114 contingents consisting of 15 floats and 99 marching teams. What was most impressive was the appearance of several ethnic groups that we rarely see performing in a large-scale event like this," he told reporters after the parade.

According to him, this edition also saw the participation of several ethnic groups that were rarely featured before, including the Remun and Tagal communities, thus enriching the cultural exhibition that was shown to the public.

A participant in the Niti Daun parade in his unique costume 

The participation of various Dayak ethnic associations and communities from across the state also proved their determination in upholding the culture and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation so that they remain relevant and known to future generations.

He said the parade was not just a platform to showcase cultural heritage, but also an important medium to introduce the diverse identities of the Dayak community to Malaysians and tourists who attended the celebration.

He described the success of the parade as a manifestation of the strong spirit of unity among the Dayak community, which consists of various ethnicities and backgrounds.

He said that participants who came from various parts including Lawas, Miri and the interior areas were willing to spend time and travel long distances to make the event a success and present the unique culture of their respective communities.

“This is the contribution of the Dayak community to the unity and harmony of the country. We show that despite being made up of various ethnicities and cultures, we are able to unite and work together to make a program that gives great meaning to the community,” he said.

He hoped that the community would continue to appreciate the role of the Dayak community in strengthening national unity through the preservation of cultural heritage which is part of Malaysia’s unique identity.

The parade is one of the highlights of the Gawai Dayak celebration 2026 which brings together various cultural performances, traditional costumes, performing arts and heritage symbols of the Dayak community from across the state

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