Miri's ‘Niti Daun' parade ushers in Gawai spirit with indigenous pride on full display (VIDEO)
MIRI, May 10 — A vibrant celebration of Sarawak's cultural diversity unfolded in Miri as 20 contingents representing various indigenous communities took part in the colourful 'Niti Daun' parade, marking the start of Gawai Dayak 2025 festivities.
Sarawak Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, who is also Marudi assemblyman, led the celebration as the Tuai Gawai (head of Gawai).
The event began with the traditional miring ritual at the field near Kolej Komuniti Miri, offering blessings for a bountiful harvest and communal well-being.
Penguang's participation reflected his continued commitment to preserving and promoting Dayak heritage and his leadership among Sarawak's indigenous communities.
The 1.5-kilometre parade showcased vibrant cultural performances and traditional attire from various Dayak associations, including the organised Miri Dayak Association (DAM), Persatuan Wanita Orang Ulu Miri (PWOUM), Persatuan Kayan Sarawak, and Sarawak Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), among others.
Penguang (2nd left) being served 'tuak' or rice wine during the miring ritual. — The Borneo Post pic
Participants proudly displayed the rich cultural tapestry of Sarawak's ethnic groups, including Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Kayan, and Lun Bawang, through traditional dance, music, and symbolic motifs.
Permyjaya played host to this year's event, complementing the ongoing Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2025, a month-long celebration of Dayak culture, food, and crafts.
Members of Persatuan Masyarakat Saban Sarawak bring tradition to life during the parade, with a 'sape' performance showcasing their rich cultural heritage. — The Borneo Post pic
One of the main attractions this year is the Kumang Keligit Dayung Sangon and Keling Belawan pageants, which celebrate not just beauty but also intellect and cultural knowledge.
Preliminary rounds will be held at Permy Mall on May 17, with the grand finals set for May 24 at Meritz Hotel, offering RM5,000 in prize money.
With an enthusiastic turnout at the 'Niti Daun' parade, excitement is building for the rest of the Gawai Dayak celebrations. — The Borneo Post
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
We are sorry, prime minister
PETALING JAYA : The misuse of video outtakes on social media has become a growing concern recently, with netizens editing clips to malign public personalities, distort narratives and mislead audiences. With content zipping around social media almost instantaneously, an innocent moment can be turned into a controversy almost immediately. Unfortunately, FMT found itself a victim of this recently, with our popular Malay news presenter Nur Hailee Izzati unwittingly putting herself in the spotlight. Hailee had on May 30 posted a seemingly harmless outtake of herself laughing as she struggled to begin reading a news item that made mention of the prime minister. Unfortunately, the video clip was misused by a netizen who edited it to include a disparaging caricature of the prime minister, making it appear as though FMT and Hailee were mocking him. As a result, Hailee was forced to issue an apology, which she readily did. Misused video outtakes can cause grave reputational damage which may be hard to undo. The consequences can also be severe, with both FMT and Hailee receiving instant backlash from all corners, bringing harm to the brand and jeopardising careers. Ultimately, media outlets like FMT and journalists like Hailee must exercise care in what they do both in their professional and personal capacities. Meanwhile, netizens, many of whom are now themselves content creators, must do their part by consuming and using content ethically to maintain proper digital discourse. That is a tough ask, and can only be achieved if everyone plays their part. FMT and Hailee regret the manipulation of one of our unused video clips in a way that has brought ridicule to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. We sincerely apologise to him and to all our readers and viewers.
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘Gaana King' Deva returns to Malaysia with landmark Johor concert this August, Singapore fans thrilled
JOHOR BARU, June 6 — Tamil music legend Thenisai Thendral Deva, widely known as the Gaana King, is set to make his first-ever concert appearance in Johor with a mega show on August 9 this year. Presented by SPPS Production in collaboration with iGP Production, the concert will take place at Educity Sports Complex, Iskandar Puteri, Johor, promising an unforgettable night filled with Deva's signature hits and a star-studded lineup of celebrated singers. Deva, a celebrated composer from the 1990s Tamil cinema scene, is known for popularising the gaana genre with chart-topping, evergreen songs that have become a soundtrack to multiple generations. His legacy remains strong among fans who grew up with his infectious melodies. Joining him on stage will be renowned singers Mano, Anuradha Sriram, Sabesh-Murali, Srikanth Deva, and popular Super Singer talents Ajay Krishna and Priyanka. Together, they will bring to life the vibrant energy of Deva's iconic tunes. Tickets go on sale from June 3, with early bird prices starting at RM91.80. — Picture via SPPS Production SPPS Production and iGP Production, both based in Johor Bahru, are the organisers behind this highly anticipated concert. As new and dynamic production houses, they are driven by a deep passion for delivering high-quality entertainment experiences. Committed to raising the standard of live events in Malaysia, the teams aim to create memorable moments that resonate with audiences across all generations. The organisers expressed their excitement about bringing this grand celebration of music to Johor for the first time, describing the concert as 'more than just a launch,' and calling it 'a significant step toward reshaping the live entertainment experience' in the region. The timing is also special, with the concert scheduled on August 9, coinciding with Singapore's National Day, offering a unique experience for audiences from both Malaysia and Singapore. Tickets go on sale from June 3, with early bird prices starting at RM91.80. Fans are encouraged not to miss this landmark event celebrating Thenisai Thendral Deva's remarkable contributions to Tamil music. For tickets, visit
Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Malay Mail
BCL brings the feels back to KL with ‘Eternal Love' gig on Sept 27
KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — Popular Indonesian singer Bunga Citra Lestari (BCL) is set to entertain her fans in Malaysia at her upcoming concert 'BCL: Eternal Love — Timeless Romance', which will take place at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Sept 27. Organised by Pulse Project Asia, the concert promises a special and emotionally charged performance featuring BCL's hit songs such as 'Cinta Sejati', 'Karena Ku Cinta Kau', '12 Tahun Terindah' and her latest single 'Memulai Kembali'. Pulse Project Asia director Muhammad Anuar Zaini said the concert will take audiences on a journey through the artistic career of the 'Indonesian Idol' judge in a more intimate and exclusive setting. 'This concert feels like bringing home a beloved singer who is always warmly welcomed by her fans in Malaysia,' he said in a statement today. In the same statement, BCL expressed her excitement about performing again for her loyal Malaysian fans who have supported her music career for over a decade. Concert tickets can be purchased online via the Ticket2U platform starting at 3pm today. BCL last held a solo concert in Malaysia in 2023, which took place at the same venue. — Bernama
