
Borneo fest in July to feature local, foreign cultural performers
Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar (seated centre) with SMC councillors and council staff holding BCF 2025 publicity posters.
This year's Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) in Sibu, Sarawak, promises more excitement with performances by local and foreign troupes.
The event, scheduled for July 3 to 12 at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang, is themed 'The Rhythm of Borneo'.
'The theme represents the harmony of culture, nature and unique way of life of the people of Borneo.
'It reflects three core elements − traditional culture and music, the rhythm of nature, and identity and tourism,' said Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley.
The festival is set to showcase diverse cultural performances from the Dayak, Malay-Melanau, Chinese and Lun Bawang communities, and also feature special guest performers from West Java, Indonesia and India, he said.
'BCF serves as a platform to celebrate diversity, strengthen community ties and bring the rhythm of Borneo to the global stage,' Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar, who is also the event's organising chairperson, said at a press conference.
He said the event mascot, the clouded leopard (known as 'engkuli' to the Dayaks), also played a role in promoting awareness of endangered wildlife, especially species that are rare in Borneo.
The rare, majestic creature symbolised the rich natural and cultural heritage of Borneo, he added.
BCF 2025 is also expected to feature a mini cultural village offering visitors an immersive experience of Sarawak's diverse cultures, architecture and way of life, particularly those of ethnic communities in and around Sibu.
Entry to BCF 2025 is free.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
Borneo fest in July to feature local, foreign cultural performers
Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar (seated centre) with SMC councillors and council staff holding BCF 2025 publicity posters. This year's Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) in Sibu, Sarawak, promises more excitement with performances by local and foreign troupes. The event, scheduled for July 3 to 12 at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang, is themed 'The Rhythm of Borneo'. 'The theme represents the harmony of culture, nature and unique way of life of the people of Borneo. 'It reflects three core elements − traditional culture and music, the rhythm of nature, and identity and tourism,' said Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley. The festival is set to showcase diverse cultural performances from the Dayak, Malay-Melanau, Chinese and Lun Bawang communities, and also feature special guest performers from West Java, Indonesia and India, he said. 'BCF serves as a platform to celebrate diversity, strengthen community ties and bring the rhythm of Borneo to the global stage,' Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar, who is also the event's organising chairperson, said at a press conference. He said the event mascot, the clouded leopard (known as 'engkuli' to the Dayaks), also played a role in promoting awareness of endangered wildlife, especially species that are rare in Borneo. The rare, majestic creature symbolised the rich natural and cultural heritage of Borneo, he added. BCF 2025 is also expected to feature a mini cultural village offering visitors an immersive experience of Sarawak's diverse cultures, architecture and way of life, particularly those of ethnic communities in and around Sibu. Entry to BCF 2025 is free.


Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Borneo Post
Swinburne Sarawak's Gawai Dayak Bazaar upholds unity amidst diversity
Dancers perform a cultural number for the opening ceremony of the Gawai Dayak Bazaar at Swinburne Sarawak in Kuching. KUCHING (June 11): The Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2025, which took place at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus here recently, brought together diverse communities in a colourful and lively celebration of culture. The three-day event, organised by Swinburne Sarawak Sekretariat Rukun Negara (SSSRN) in collaboration with the Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN) Sarawak and the Sarawak Arts Council, meant to foster unity and strengthen the ties amongst the younger generation and local communities through arts and culture. The bazaar featured a wide range of engaging activities, from artistic and cultural demonstrations to folk dances, as well as exhibitions and stalls selling traditional Dayak crafts and clothing. A selection of diverse food offerings added to the festivities, allowing visitors to enjoy a taste of local cuisine. Among the highlights were demonstrations of traditional craft-making by the Orang Ulu and Iban communities, performances of traditional musical instruments such as 'Tabuh Iban', and showcases of traditional clothing-making techniques. See (third left) and Giri, on his left, join other guests in a photo-call on stage. The traditional dance performances, including the 'ngajat' of the Iban, not only entertained attendees, but also encouraged their participation through interactive sessions alongside the performers. Visitors had the opportunity to explore exhibitions and stalls showcasing authentic Dayak cultural products such as beadworks, traditional clothing, and delicacies such as 'manok pansuh' (chicken cooked in bamboo). Around 70 small-and-medium-sized traders participated in the bazaar, offering an array of products including clothing, cosmetics, food, and beverages. The event also involved non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and associations such as the Ngajat Asal Iban Association (NGASI), Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Asadia), Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), and the Sarawak Kayan Association. Visitors try their hands at playing traditional musical instruments at the bazaar. The participation of the Sekretariat Rukun Negara of higher education institutions in Kuching and Samarahan further enhanced the programme's synergy and collaborative spirit. Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How and JPNIN Sarawak deputy director Giri Nyareng were present at the opening ceremony. Meanwhile, in his speech for the closing ceremony, SSSRN president and programme director Dexter Hu Siang Ching expressed gratitude for the successful organisation of the event, noting that it served not only to showcase the beauty of Sarawak's culture but also created a space for unity and goodwill among students, campus communities, and the wider public present. 'As a student and SSSRN president, I'm truly pleased to see the event run successfully. 'I was deeply moved by the overwhelming response from the participants and the strong support from visitors. 'We are already planning an even bigger event in the future,' he said. Photo shows one of the stalls selling accessories made of Dayak beads. Meanwhile, SSSRN advisor Dr Serit Banyan said such a programme greatly benefitted students by equipping them with event management experience, while providing opportunities to develop essential skills such as time management and leadership. 'The Gawai Dayak Bazaar truly reflects the spirit of unity among Sarawakians. I hope that we could continue hosting such events in the future,' he added.


Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Borneo Post
Inclusion of Betong's Gawai Dayak open house into state's annual events list proposed
(On the floor, from fifth right) Rentap, his wife Datin Rosemary Wong, Richard and Friday join others in a Gawai Dayak ritual as the hosting villagers and the visitors, including the foreigners, look on. — Ukas photo BETONG (June 10): A call has been made for Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF)'s Gawai Dayak Open House in Betong to be made an annual event. In presenting this proposal, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu hails the event as not only showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Dayak community, but also aligning with Sarawak's tourism policies. 'Let us turn this (event) into a lasting legacy, an annual affair. 'This is the third year that it's being organised. 'With full support from all sides, tourism products like this would thrive and should grow into a sustainable tourism product,' he said in officiating at the event last Saturday, as reported by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas). Hosted at Rumah Engkeranji, the Gawai Dayak open house gathered more than 1,500 people, including local and international tourists. The June 7 programme was part of the Betong Division Gawai Dayak Festive Celebration 2025, being run throughout May and June in close collaboration between the local communities and the government. Rentap, the assemblyman for Layar, also spoke about the uniqueness of the Gawai Dayak celebration, with its rich customs and traditions, which exhibited a strong potential to attract more foreign visitors. In this regard, he highlighted the importance of collaboration with entities such as STF that had successfully attracted 120 international tourists from Brunei, Indonesia, Australia, Singapore, the UK and Italy through a specially-curated tourism package. Meanwhile, STF chairperson Audrey Wan Ulok said the '3 Days, 2 Nights' package offered tourists a deep cultural immersion into Iban traditions, including overnight stays at the longhouse, as well as participation on the traditional Gawai parade, local feasts, and cultural concerts. The evening was further enlivened by various traditional performances such as the 'ngajat' (Iban traditional dance) and also the 'Taboh Iban' and'Gendang Pampat' (drum instruments). There was also the Gawai Kaamatan Concert 2025, a fusion of native cultural elements from Sarawak and Sabah featuring participation from the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Sarawak branch, in addition to performances by local artist Melissa Francis and renowned sape musician Jerry Kamit. Also present were Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu; Krian assemblyman Friday Belik; and Momogun National Congress president Tan Sri Wences Angang. The programme was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, and co-hosted by the Betong Division Gawai Dayak Celebration Main Committee. It is later reported that following this year's success, STF aims to establish the Gawai Dayak Open House at Rumah Engkeranji as a flagship annual cultural tourism event for Sarawak, further elevating the Dayak heritage as a vital tourism asset for the state. Betong Gawai Dayak open house Sarawak Tourism Federation tourism