by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 28: Traditional Melanau heritage gained international spotlight at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival when former Miss Earth Malaysia 2021, Dr Nisha Thayananthan, turned heads on the red carpet in a stunning songket ensemble inspired by the Jerunai; a symbol of deep historical and cultural significance to the Melanau people.
Dr Nisha is also the first woman to grace the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in a full songket ballgown; a proud fusion of Malaysian and Sarawakian culture, showcased on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.
In an Instagram post, she explained that the black-gold gown, themed ‘Mystical Jerunai’ and designed by renowned local designer Rozie Khan, is sewn with intricate gold threads that draw inspiration from the carved designs on a Jerunai burial totem.
It is further adorned with 999 Swarovski stones to symbolise the prestige and grandeur associated with the traditional Melanau aristocracy, or ‘Pangkat 9’, the highest rank in traditional Melanau society.
“I’ve always dreamed of bringing Malaysian tradition to the red carpet, and I’m thrilled to have finally achieved it,” Dr Nisha shared on her Instagram.
“As the first to wear this traditional design on the Cannes red carpet, I’m proud to share the beauty of Malaysian culture with the world and put the spotlight on our indigenous heritage,” she added.
According to Bernama, Dr Nisha, who hails from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, is no stranger to Sarawakian ethnic culture as she is a medical graduate from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
The creation of the gown took nearly a year, with each detail carefully crafted to honour the subtle symbolism and artistry of Melanau culture.
Historically, the Jerunai, towering burial poles, were reserved for Melanau aristocrats or bangsawan. Today, remnants of these ancient structures can still be found in Mukah, standing as solemn reminders of the community’s rich ancestral traditions. – DayakDaily
