KUCHING: The unique artistic and cultural heritage of 12 Bornean ethnic groups will be showcased at the Borneo Indigenous Festival (BIF) 2026, taking place from 12 to 15 November at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC) in Kuching.

The event serves to expand opportunities for promoting Sarawak’s cultural diversity to both local and international audiences.

Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that the festival does more than just celebrate cultural diversity, acting as a strategic platform to empower the creative industry, generate income for artists and cultural practitioners as well as strengthen the state’s appeal as a tourism destination.

He noted that Sarawak, which is home to 34 ethnic groups, possesses a wealth of cultural heritage that must be preserved, showcased, and nurtured, ensuring that every community has the opportunity to present its own distinct identity and unique characteristics.

“In Sarawak, we have 34 ethnic groups. I do not want to see the creative industry limited to just the Malay, Iban or Orang Ulu communities.

“We want every ethnic group including the Chinese community to feel that Sarawak belongs to them, and to know that the Ministry and the Sarawak Arts Council are working to elevate the creative industry to greater heights,” he said during a press conference announcing BIF 2026 here on Monday.

He added that BIF 2026 serves as a meeting point for diverse ethnic groups, artists, cultural practitioners, educational institutions and the creative community to share knowledge, expand networks and ensure the continuity of cultural heritage for future generations.

He emphasised that the cultural treasures of indigenous communities should not be limited to their original settlements but instead should be introduced more broadly, especially to the younger generation and international tourists.

“We do not want this cultural heritage to be visible only within longhouses, as not everyone has the opportunity to visit one.

“From time to time, we must bring this heritage into the cities so that the public and tourists can witness for themselves the uniqueness and cultural diversity of our society,” he said.

In a related development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim noted that the arts, culture and handicraft sectors hold significant economic potential if channeled through festivals, marketing initiatives and the development of local creative products.

For instance, he cited that handicraft sales during the festival held in conjunction with last year’s Sarawak Regatta reached RM2.4 million in just one week.

This achievement, he said, proves that cultural heritage is not only valuable in terms of identity and history, but also serves as a source of income and creates economic opportunities for local artists and entrepreneurs.

“Through programmes that involve the sale and marketing of handicrafts, arts and food, we hope to provide more opportunities for local artists and entrepreneurs to increase their income,” he said.

Meanwhile, BIF 2026 will feature seven main components namely an Academic Symposium, Echoes of Borneo, the 36th Traditional Malay Dance and Song Festival (FTLA), Ngelakar Seni Premium, Ruai Sarawak, a Mini Show and an Arts Market.

A key highlight is Ruai Sarawak, which brings together 12 ethnic associations to showcase the customs, traditional attire, handicrafts, cuisine and cultural identities of their respective communities.

This year’s festival also places special emphasis on the unique heritage of the Iban community, featuring an exhibition of five variations of traditional Iban attire such as Batang Ai, Batang Rajang, Iban Kapuas, Iban Seribas and Iban Sebuyau.

Additionally, the Echoes of Borneo performance on 13 November will showcase the arts of Sarawak and Borneo, featuring groups from Indonesia, Sabah and Labuan, fostering regional cultural exchange.

The FTLA is scheduled to take place from 14 to 15 November, featuring 10 finalist groups in the dance category, as well as 14 finalists in the male and female traditional Malay singing categories.

The winner of the dance category will receive a cash prize of RM10,000, while the winners in the singing categories will take home RM3,500 each.

The organisers have also proposed the inclusion of popular singers Hael Husaini and Ara Johari to enliven the festival.

In this regard, the MTCP Minister welcomed the people of Sarawak, as well as visitors from Kalimantan, Brunei, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, to come and witness the diverse cultural heritage of Borneo firsthand throughout the four-day festival.

BIF 2026 is organised by the Sarawak Arts Council in collaboration with various government agencies, ethnic associations, educational institutions and strategic partners.

Also present were MTCP Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan, MTCP Permanent Secretary Datu Morshidi Frederick and Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak Arts Council Dr Suffian Jalet. -UKASnews