Sacred miring ceremony sets stage for Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak 2026 celebration

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By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, June 20: The rich cultural heritage of the Dayak community was brought to life at Tun Jugah Shopping Complex today as Dayak leaders performed a solemn miring ceremony to mark the opening of the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak 2026 celebration.

The traditional ritual, led by an experienced lemambang (ritual specialist), drew the attention of hundreds of onlookers as Iban chants echoed through the venue, setting a reverent tone ahead of the day’s festivities.

In Iban tradition, a lemambang is a ritual expert entrusted with reciting sacred invocations and leading miring ceremonies. They serve as intermediaries between the human world and the divine realm, communicating with Petara (Iban God) and ancestral spirits to seek blessings, protection, health, prosperity and success.

The ceremony featured three sets of offerings, each arranged in groups of eight, comprising teping, pulut, eggs, tobacco, rendai and sungki. The offerings were carefully prepared according to customary practices as prayers were offered for the well-being, harmony and continued prosperity of Sarawak and its people.

Participating in the miring ceremony were Minister in the Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Law and Customs) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat; Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government I (Public Health and Housing) Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil; and Special Duties Officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Lieutenant General (Rtd) Datuk Stephen Mundaw.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas led the list of dignitaries witnessing the sacred ritual.

Among those present were Federal Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi; Federal Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang; Sarawak Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn; and former Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang.

Following the completion of the ritual, guests and participants gathered outside the shopping complex to await the arrival of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Upon his arrival, Abang Johari officiated the commencement of the Gawai Dayak celebration by striking a ceremonial gong, symbolically flagging off the Niti Daun procession.

The colourful procession then made its way through the city centre, covering a distance of approximately 1.2 kilometres from Tun Jugah Shopping Complex to the Kuching Waterfront.

Featuring participants dressed in traditional Dayak attire, cultural performers and representatives from various Dayak associations, the procession transformed the streets of Kuching into a vibrant showcase of Sarawak’s indigenous identity and unity.

The Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak celebration is held annually to honour the harvest festival and celebrate the cultural diversity, traditions and contributions of the Dayak community across the State. — DayakDaily

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