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PENAMPANG: Traditional attire from across Borneo filled the streets with colour on Saturday as more than 400 people joined a two-kilometre cultural parade in conjunction with the 2026 Sabah World Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration (Shoas).
Participants from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan, Indonesia, set off from Penampang Baru at about 7.45am before making their way to the KDCA Hongkod Koisaan (Unity Centre).
The lively procession drew the attention of onlookers along the route, including motorists who took photographs and videos as participants proudly showcased their traditional attire.
Police personnel were deployed to manage traffic, safety and security throughout the parade, which was led by Borneo Dayak Forum President Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, the main organising chairman of Shoas 2026.
Among those taking part was 2026 State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Gelvia Vanessa Jenny, 24, who said she was delighted to meet people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
“I am happy and excited to gather with people of different ethnicities and cultures from Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan, Indonesia, and to get to know them while celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day together,” she said.
Gelvia said she hoped future celebrations would bring together even more communities so participants could gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be Indigenous.
She said her day began as early as 3am as she prepared for the parade to avoid having to rush later in the morning.
For Sabah participant Petley Nyle Peter, 28, the gathering felt like a reunion with relatives from across Borneo.
“I am very happy to meet Dayak people from across Borneo, from Kalimantan, Indonesia, Sarawak and Brunei, and it feels like a family gathering,” he said.
Petley hoped the celebration would continue with different hosts in future, allowing participants to visit neighbouring regions and celebrate World Indigenous Peoples’ Day together.
Muhammad Syafien Yandol, 60, from Brunei, said members of Pakatan Sang Jati Dusun Brunei Darussalam were invited to join the Sabah celebration, together with members of the Lun Bawang community from the country.
He said it was not their first visit to the KDCA Hongkod Koisaan, having also been there several months earlier.
Muhammad Syafien urged younger generations not to be ashamed of holding on to their customs and traditions.
“Do not let our traditions be broken, as the saying goes, ‘let the child die, but not the custom’, because our customs encompass every aspect of our lives, including basic rules,” he said.
Sarawak participant Lina Bunga, 51, said she felt fortunate and grateful to join the celebration, which she believed could bring together communities from across Borneo.
“I hope programmes like this can be expanded so that more young people can participate and showcase the traditional attire and cultures of the various ethnic groups from the countries and states involved,” she said.
Kaleluni Gandrung, 61, from Kalimantan, Indonesia, likewise hoped the gathering would continue in the years ahead to help ensure Dayak customs remained alive and continued to develop.
“It has been very enjoyable and satisfying, from the welcome we received to the various activities, which we were able to enjoy throughout the programme,” he said.
