KUCHING: The Iban community will spearhead the grand highlight parade of the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak 2026 celebration, with organisers targeting 99 contingents to take part in the vibrant ‘Gawai Niti Daun’ procession on June 20 at the Kuching Waterfront.
Chairman of the ‘Gawai Niti Daun’ sub-committee, who is also the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department, Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat, said the parade is more than a festive attraction – it serves as a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Dayak community.
“This parade is not only a symbol of unity but also a medium to highlight the unique cultural heritage of the Dayak community to the public,” he said during the committee’s first meeting today.
Jefferson expressed appreciation for the trust placed in the Iban community to lead the event, widely regarded as the centrepiece of the annual Gawai Dayak celebration.
Looking back at previous events, the Bidayuh community, as hosts in 2024, successfully gathered 111 contingents, while the Orang Ulu community recorded 91 contingents in 2025.
For this year, the committee is targeting around 99 contingents as part of efforts to further enhance the excitement of the “Gawai Niti Daun” parade.
The meeting also discussed preliminary planning, task coordination, and strategic measures to ensure the organisation runs smoothly, is well-structured, and achieves its objectives.
‘Gawai Niti Daun’ is expected to remain one of the flagship events of the Sarawak state-level Gawai Dayak celebrations, while strengthening the spirit of unity and pride in cultural heritage among the multi-ethnic communities in the state.
