SIBU: Eligible Dayak women are invited to participate in the Miss Borneo Dayak Cultural Festival (BDCF) 2026 competition, which will be held in conjunction with the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang here on September 8.
Organising committee chairperson, Senorita Salleh, said the competition, organised by Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Sibu in collaboration with the Sibu Municipal Council (MPS), is open to single Dayak women aged between 18 and 30.
She said participants must also be at least five feet two inches tall to be eligible for the competition.
“This competition provides a platform for Dayak women to showcase their talent, elegance and self-confidence, while also introducing the diverse cultural heritage of the Dayak community to the public.
“Participants who successfully pass the screening stage and advance to the final will showcase three types of traditional Dayak attire, namely Ngepan Iban, Orang Ulu and Bidayuh,” she told reporters on Thursday (Aug. 13).
According to Senorita, a total of RM15,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the winners, along with various other prizes.
“The Miss BDCF 2026 champion will receive RM5,000, together with a crown, sash, trophy, hamper, flowers and a certificate of participation.
“The runner-up will receive RM3,000, while the third-place winner will receive RM2,000. Participants who place fourth to eighth will each receive RM1,000 and a certificate of participation,” she said.
She said the competition would be judged based on beauty, which accounts for 50 per cent of the total score, traditional attire (30 per cent), and self-confidence and body shape (20 per cent).
Senorita said the entry fee is RM50 per person, while the closing date for entries is August 23.
Interested Dayak women can obtain more information by contacting Senorita at 013-8061265 or Claudia Dieo at 019-8346803.
She hoped more Dayak women would come forward to take advantage of the opportunity to showcase their talents and play a role in highlighting the unique culture and heritage of the Dayak community in Sarawak.
