Borneo Indigenous Festival happening November 12 to 15, 2026
KUCHING, 2 November 2026: The Borneo Indigenous Festival (BIF) 2026, formerly known as Festival Kesenian Sarawak (FKS), will be held this November 12 to 15, 2026 at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre in Kuching, highlighting the unique arts, culture and heritage of Borneo’s indigenous people by serving as a platform that unites their diverse identities and traditions.
Organised by Majlis Seni Sarawak (MSS) or the Sarawak Arts Council, BIF 2026 is aimed at broadening the scope of appreciation preservation and promotion of arts and culture – extending from a Sarawak-centric focus to encompass the heritage of all indigenous peoples across Borneo. Its organisation represents a continuation of MSS’ efforts to elevate local arts and culture, while ensuring that cultural heritage is preserved, passed down and practiced by future generations.
“The organising of Borneo Indigenous Festival mirrors the commitment of the Sarawak government in strengthening the creative industry and elevating the artistic and cultural heritage as an important asset of the state,” said Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during a press conference earlier today.
Under the theme ‘Borneo Dayak Customs and Heritage: A Revolution of Borneo Dayak Customs and Heritage’, the festival will feature a total of 7 key components centered on the customs, culture and heritage of the Dayak communities of Borneo. They include:
Sidang Ilmuan (Scholars’ Symposium)
This programme places emphasis on the development of knowledge, skills and professionalism in the arts sector through a total of 5 workshops on dance, theatre, music and visual arts. Through these workshops, participants will have the opportunity to gain exposure and mentorship from distinguished instructors and experienced arts practitioner.
Date: 12 – 14 November 2026
Time: 9AM – 5PM
Venue: Level 2
Echoes of Borneo
This Gala Dinner will showcase the unique art of performance, music and heritage of the people of Borneo, with segments on Sarawak Artistry and Borneo Artistry. The Sarawak Artistry segment will include performances from the Bidayuh, Punan, Ukit, Chinese, Bisaya, Lun Bawang, Vaie, Melanau and more. For the Borneo Artistry segment, you can expect performers from Indonesia, Sabah and Labuan.
Date: 13 November 2026
Time: 7.30PM
Venue: Level 3
Festival Tarian dan Lagu Melayu Asli Ke-36 Peringkat Sarawak (36th State Level Traditional Malay Dance and Song Festival)
One of the main components of BIF 2026. This edition will see a total of 10 finalists in the dance category and 14 finalists in the song category vying for a piece of the lucrative cash prizes. Besides the competition aspect of the festival, Malaysian artists Hael Husaini and Ara Johari will also be making an appearance on stage.
Date: 14 – 15 November 2026
Time: 7.30PM
Venue: Level 3
Ruai Sarawak
This platform is aimed at promoting, showcasing and sharing the unique artistry, culture, identity, heritage and culture of the different communities through craft, food and performances. A total of 12 ethnic groups will be featured, with an emphasis on the Iban culture and attire from the regions of Batang Ai, Batang Rajang, Kepuas, Saribas and Sebuyau.
Date: 13 – 15 November 2026
Time: 9AM – 10PM
Venue: Level 2
Mini Show
The Mini Show will feature performances from local Sarawakian artists and buskers to liven up the atmosphere throughout the 3-day festival. Besides performances, visitors can look forward to interactive activities like quizzes on Sarawak’s history, arts, culture and heritage.
Date: 13 – 15 November 2026
Time: 9AM – 5PM
Venue: Level 2
Market Seni
A space that brings together entrepreneurs, craftsman and the creative community to promote and market their products. From traditional food and handicrafts to artworks, tattoos and cultural attire, the market aims to preserve cultural heritage while ensuring that local artisans are able to earn from their work.
Date: 13 – 15 November 2026
Time: 9AM – 10PM
Venue: Level 1
Ngelakar Seni Premium
This sharing session will see 2 panels discussing issues pertaining to arts, culture, traditions and heritage, bringing together invited panellists, which includes academicians, arts and cultural practitioners as key leaders in Sarawak’s tourism industry, including Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his deputy, Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
Date: 14 November 2026
Time: 9AM onwards
Venue: Level 3
