KOTA KINABALU: The main programme of Sambutan Hari Orang Asal Sedunia Sabah 2026 (SHOAS2026) will begin at 6.30am this Saturday, 22 August, with a cultural parade led by Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan from Borenos Bandar Baru Penampang to Koisaan Cultural Village, KDCA Penampang.
The parade will set the tone for a full day bringing together Indigenous culture, customary ceremonies, dialogue, leadership and regional solidarity across Borneo.
Held from 21 to 23 August, SHOAS2026 will bring together indigenous leaders, young people, cultural practitioners, knowledge holders, thinkers, activists and communities from across Borneo, with the Main Conference and Cultural Programme taking place on Saturday at Koisaan Cultural Village, KDCA Penampang.
The opening programme will feature cultural performances, prayers, the Bobohizan invocation, customary leadership and representatives from across Borneo. Among those scheduled to participate are President of Majelis Adat Dayak Nasional, Indonesia, Dr. Drs. Marthin Billa, M.M.; Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas; and President of the Borneo Dayak Forum, Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan.
The programme will then turn to key issues shaping the future of indigenous peoples, including indigenous rights, UNDRIP, sustainable development, Indigenous economies, cultural assets, customary governance, identity, border communities, technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
MICC Chairperson Dato’ Petinggi Andrew Ambrose @ Atama Katama said SHOAS2026 provides an important platform to bring tradition and innovation together while ensuring that Indigenous youth remain at the centre of discussions about their future.
“Indigenous peoples should never be viewed as communities frozen in the past. Indigenous youth today are creators, artists, researchers, entrepreneurs, activists, content producers and future leaders,” he said.
Under the theme “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Shaping Our Future and Defending Our Rights Through Borneo Dayak Unity and Solidarity,” SHOAS2026 will explore how Indigenous communities can enter the digital future without losing their identity, languages, traditional knowledge and cultural rights.
The organisers are also highlighting the role of young people in documenting culture, creating digital content and bringing Indigenous voices into digital spaces. Technology can support language preservation, education, cultural documentation and Indigenous entrepreneurship, but must remain a tool in the hands of Indigenous communities rather than a means of extracting knowledge without their consent or benefit.
SHOAS2026 is also intended to connect elders and youth, tradition and innovation, and Sabah with the wider indigenous communities of Borneo. Indigenous communities, youth organisations, university students, creators, academics, cultural organisations, civil society groups, media practitioners and the public are invited to participate in the main programme at KDCA Penampang.
Jeffrey to lead the cultural parade.
