KOTA KINABALU: July 29, 2026 – Organisers say the event aims to celebrate the island’s cultural diversity while strengthening unity among indigenous communities
Registration has opened for the inaugural International Indigenous Cultural Ambassador (IICA) 2026, described as the first international indigenous cultural pageant of its kind in Borneo.
The competition, which will hold its grand final on 22 August 2026 at the Koisaan Cultural Village in Penampang, Sabah, is open to participants from Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan, Brunei Darussalam and Kalimantan.
The event is being held to coincide with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed annually on 9 August. According to the United Nations, there are 476 million indigenous peoples living across 90 countries worldwide.
The pageant features three categories: Miss IICA 2026 for unmarried young ladies aged 18 to 29, Mrs IICA 2026 for women aged 30 and above, and Mr IICA 2026 for gentlemen aged 18 to 30.
Contestants will be judged on their knowledge of indigenous culture and heritage, leadership and ambassadorial qualities, communication and public speaking skills, cultural presentation, authenticity, and commitment to indigenous advocacy.
The Koisaan Cultural Village, located at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Hongkod Koisaan complex about 15 minutes’ drive from Kota Kinabalu city, serves as a living museum showcasing the traditions of Sabah’s multi-ethnic Kadazandusun community.
Organisers say IICA 2026 aspires to become a premier annual platform for cultural diplomacy, heritage preservation, youth empowerment and sustainable cultural tourism, contributing to greater appreciation of Borneo’s indigenous identity both regionally and internationally.
The organising committee has welcomed collaborations and support from government agencies, cultural organisations, educational institutions, indigenous associations and corporate partners who share the vision of preserving and promoting Borneo’s indigenous heritage.
Interested participants can register via the official website at http://tiny.cc/iica2026Registration. Further information is available on the pageant’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iica.borneo, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iica.borneo and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iica.borneo.
